HP 4600 HP color LaserJet 4600 Series - User Guide - Page 130

Matching colors The process of matching printer output color to your computer screen 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. Several factors can influence your ability to match printed colors to those on your monitor. These factors include: z print media z printer colorants (inks or toners for example) z printing process (inkjet, press, or laser technology for example) z overhead lighting z personal differences in perception of color z software applications z printer drivers z PC operating system z monitors z video cards and drivers z operating environment (humidity for example) Keep the above factors in mind when colors on your screen do not perfectly match your printed colors. For most users, the best method for matching colors on your screen to your printer is to print sRGB colors. PANTONE®* color matching PANTONE®* has multiple color matching systems. PANTONE®* Matching System is very popular and uses solid inks to generate a wide range of color hues and tints. See http://www.hp.com for details on how to use PANTONE®* Matching System with this printer. Swatch book color matching The process for matching printer output to preprinted swatch books and standard color references is complex. In general, you can obtain a reasonably good match to a swatch book if the inks used to create the swatch book are cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. These are usually referred to as process color swatch books. 116 ENWW