A Guide on How to Set Colours for Better Photo Printing

Keeping photos in digital format is the norm these days. But there are still times when a physical copy is preferable, and there’s something about printed images that just can’t be replicated by digital copies. If you want to get the best results from your photo printing, it’s important to make sure that the colours in your image are correctly set. Here’s a quick guide on how to do just that.

What is Colour?

Technically speaking, colour is defined as light waves of different lengths interpreted by the human eye.  Our eyes see these different colours, and our brain processes them into what we perceive. RGB (Red, Green, Blue) is the most common primary colour system used in digital devices like cameras, phones, and computers. 

When you take a photo, your camera captures all of the different colours in the scene and stores them as pixel values. These pixel values are then translated into the RGB system, the most common way of representing and storing colours digitally. 

When it comes to printing photos, the colours are generated using a three-colour system. This means that, when it comes to printing photos, the colours you see on your computer monitor may not be exactly the same as the colours that are printed out, regardless of whether you’re using a high-quality printer paper, an inkjet printer, or a laser printer.

What is Colour Management?

Colour management is the process of making sure that the colours you see on your screen are accurately reproduced in print. This is done through a combination of soft proofing (viewing a proof of your image on the screen to check the colours) and calibrating your monitors and printers.

There are a number of different colour profiles that can be used to manage colours, but the most common one is RGB. This is the standard colour space for monitors, and it’s what you should use if you want your photos to look their best when printed.

Why Colour Management is Important?

Photo printing is more than just putting ink on paper. The colours in your image need to be accurately reproduced, and that’s where colour management comes in. RGB image files are not always accurate when printed, so it’s important to use a colour management system to make sure that the colours in your image are correctly represented. This can result in colours that are too light or too dark or colours that don’t match what you see on your screen.

Here are some crucial reasons why colour management is vital in photo printing:

• Ensures accurate colour reproduction: As we mentioned before, the colours you see on your monitor may not be exactly the same as those printed out. This is why it’s important to use a colour management system to ensure that the colours in your image are accurately reproduced.
• Maintains consistent colours: Colour management also helps maintain consistent colours between different prints. This is especially important if you’re printing out a series of photos, like a set of family portraits.
• Allows for easy editing: Once you have a colour management system in place, it’s much easier to edit your images. This is because you can be confident that the colours you see on your screen are the same as the colours that will be printed out.

Colour management is an important part of photo printing, and it’s something that you should definitely take into account if you want to get the best results from your prints. It takes a bit of time and effort to get everything set up, but it’s well worth it in the end.

How to Choose the Right Colours for Your Images for Printing

Now that we’ve gone over some of the basics of colour management let’s take a look at how to choose the right colours for your images.

There are a few different things to keep in mind when choosing colours for printing:

• Use a consistent colour space. This will ensure that the colours in your image are accurately reproduced.
• Choose a limited colour palette. This will help to prevent your images from looking too busy or cluttered.
• Edit your images in black and white. This can help to create a more timeless look for your photos.
• Print out a proof of your image. This will allow you to see how the colours will look in print before you commit to printing your entire image.

Being consistent with your colour choices is important if you want to get the best results from your photo printing. Use a limited colour palette and edit your images in black and white to create a more timeless look. And finally, don’t forget to print out a proof of your image before you commit to printing the entire thing. This will allow you to make sure that the colours are exactly what you want them to be.

Final Thoughts

Setting colours for better printing all comes down to colour management. Many people don’t realise how important it is, but taking the time to learn about it will definitely pay off in the end. It’s an extra step that takes a bit of time and effort, but it’s well worth it if you want to get the best results from your photo printing projects.

Visit Photoland for Online Printing Services 

If you’re looking for a reliable online printing service, be sure to check out Photoland. We offer a wide range of printing services, and our team of experts can help you choose the right colours for your images. Visit our website today by clicking the button below to learn more about our services. We’re more than happy to help you get the best results from your photo prints.

Please call us today on (02) 9235 1933 or contact us via our website.