Our Screen v. Yours

There is a very important point to remember while we communicate about your project. Computer monitors often display your work differently than the way that it will ultimately be printed. Modern computer monitors display a combination of three different colors; Red, Green, and Blue (RGB). The professional printing industry operates with four colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black (CMYK). The "k" is designated as black due to tradition amongst printers.

There are a number of different factors that determine the colors that you see when you design a project on your computer. Your monitor's settings, as well as the program that you're using, can impact the appearance of the image that you're viewing. When you send us a project, the final result may be different than the design that you've worked so hard on.

At Pride Printing, we work with color calibrated monitors. We are also able to match colors using the Pantone® system. If you have a specific color that you would like to match, you can describe it as a Pantone® color. We can use the code that you specify to match your design precisely. This is called a "PMS Match".

Without a PMS Match, you should expect that your design might vary slightly from the image that you see on your screen. If you are very concerned about this issue, I would recommend that you calibrate your screen using a colorimeter. There are options that are available online for a few hundred dollars. For judging printed colors, the Pantone® colorimeter retails for about $770.

The ambient light of your viewing area will also affect your final product. Viewing tools such as the Pantone® Light Booth can offer the ideal lighting to view your design as a final printed product. This device can be purchased for $2,100.

At Pride Printing, we are always willing to help you through the process of color calibration, feel free to ask. We can provide a "hard copy" proof that will demonstrate the final product. Technology is wonderful. But, as it has been for centuries, the final printed product is the only thing that matters.