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Participating Frequently
October 1, 2024
Question

color difference when sending for print

  • October 1, 2024
  • 1 reply
  • 481 views

When I do artwork on my computer and send the files to get printed by my print company, the prints are always a different color than it looks like the file im sending them. Slightly lighter/brighter.  When I print these colors myself at home they come out slightly darker from what I'm seeing on my screen. What is the best way to get the most accurate color of my artwork on my computer screen to come out the same in print? 

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1 reply

Monika Gause
Community Expert
Community Expert
October 1, 2024

Is your system calibrated?

That would be step one.

Then color management.

A decent print service that also runs certified color management.

 

If you don't have that, then you can't even tell whether your results are correct, or theirs.

DrDre1313Author
Participating Frequently
October 1, 2024

Ok, I don't know exactly how to tell if the system is calibrated or not. I just thought illustrator was always calibrated..Unless you are talking about calibrated in means of if its CMYK or RGB

Monika Gause
Community Expert
Community Expert
October 1, 2024

I'm talking about securing that your system shows the correct colors. The monitor needs to be calibrated and your printer needs to be profiled for that. 

Do you at least have a certified printed color chart to compare the color numbers to?