HP 4500 HP Color LaserJet 4500, 4500N, 4500DN Printer User Guide - Page 78

Matching Colors Note The process of matching printer output color to your monitor is quite complex because printers and computer monitors use different methods of producing color. Monitors display colors by light pixels using an RGB (red, green, blue) color process, but printers print colors using a CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) process. Color-Matching Factors Several factors can influence your ability to match printed colors to those on your monitor. These factors include: q print media q overhead lighting q personal differences in perception q software applications q operating system palettes q monitors q video cards and drivers Matching PANTONE®* Colors In addition to controlling color through the printer driver, you can control color through PANTONE®* color matching. PANTONE®* colors are certified RGB and CMYK values specified in the PANTONE®* color-matching system, which is supported in many graphics software applications. This color-matching system is useful for matching printer output to a specific color (for example, a logo). See the documentation for your software application for instructions on using PANTONE®* colors. For more information on using PANTONE®* colors, see the Readme file for the PANTONE®* color-matching system included on the printing system CD-ROM. Color settings, halftone settings, and print media affect the appearance of PANTONE®* colors. To achieve true PANTONE®*-certified colors, all components used, including the video driver, software application or printer driver, and the print media, must be PANTONE®*-certified. 78 Using Color EN