Looking at the different process color printing systems will help to understand the realistic color capabilities and expectations one should have of these systems.ĬMYK is a 4-color printing process using 3 subtractive color primaries with black, cyan, magenta, and yellow. These systems were not well received because the color gamut obtainable in CMYK is considerably smaller than the gamut of spot color inks used in conventional rotary screen printing of textiles. Some of the first digital printing systems introduced to the textile industry using CMYK process printing were originally developed for the graphics and paper printing industries. In addition, there are some colors that can be displayed on an RGB monitor, but not printable using a CMYK device, and vice verse (CMYK representing the Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black inks used in process color printing). If a printer is incapable of producing a desired color, no amount of color management can make it possible. It is important to understand which colors are attainable within the limits of specific printers and ink sets. Are the desired colors inside the digital printers color gamut? And last but not least, how can the system produce all of the colors that are within the color gamut? First, what is the color gamut (range of printable colors) of the system, taking into account the printer, inks and fabric used. How can the user best evaluate these software systems and distinguish them from the printer in evaluating results?ĭigital textile printing color management software must answer three key questions. When shopping for a digital printer, the user must also evaluate a broad range of software and RIP solutions designed to support particular devices. The choices and solutions can be confusing. While new users are quick to point fingers at the technology, color matching accuracy and reproducibility is an operator controlled process through the use of color management systems and RIPs (Raster Image Processors), or printer drivers. Needless to say, this can be very troublesome and frustrating to the uninitiated. The results might even vary from day to day using the exact same printer and inks. If one were to take a print design and digitally print that same pattern from a variety of different printers using the same type of ink sets and printing them on the same cloth, the color results would vary widely.

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