Why is color management needed?

Different device types tend to possess different color characteristics and capabilities. Displays, for instance, can't show the same set of colors that a printer can reproduce. This is because of the fundamentally different processes each device uses to produce color content. Scanners and cameras have different color characteristics as well. Even different programs sometimes interpret and process colors differently. Without a consistent color management system, the same picture can look different on each of these devices. The appearance of color content also depends upon the viewing conditions (such as ambient lighting). This is because the human eye adapts differently to different conditions, even when viewing the same picture.

As a result, color management maintains the relationships within color content so that an acceptable appearance can be achieved on devices with different color capabilities and across different viewing conditions. This requires color management systems to control the relationships between the device characteristics and the viewing conditions to produce acceptable results.

Reference:

Windows Help and Support

You can also find additional information about color management at the Microsoft Image Color Management website.

What is color management?

Color management is a system used to ensure that color content is rendered to your satisfaction everywhere—including devices such as your display and your printer.

References:

Windows Help Desk

You can also find additional information about color management at the Microsoft Image Color Management website.

Digital Negative format (DNG)

Digital Negative (DNG) is a file format that contains the raw image data from a digital camera and metadata that defines what the data means. DNG, Adobe’s publicly available, archival format for camera raw files, is designed to provide compatibility and decrease the current proliferation of camera raw file formats. The Camera Raw plug‑in can save camera raw image data in the DNG format. For more information about the Digital Negative (DNG) file format, visit www.adobe.com and search on the term “Digital Negative.” You’ll find comprehensive information and a link to a user forum.

References:

• Adobe Help Resource Center: Digital Negative format (DNG)

Photoshop Raw format

The Photoshop Raw format is a flexible file format for transferring images between applications and computer platforms. This format supports CMYK, RGB, and grayscale images with alpha channels, and multichannel and Lab images without alpha channels. Documents saved in the Photoshop Raw format can be of any pixel or file size, but they cannot contain layers.

• Note: A Photoshop Raw image is not in the same file format as a camera raw image file from a digital camera. A camera raw image file is in a camera-specific proprietary format that is essentially a “digital negative,” with no filtering, white balance adjustments, or other in-camera processing.

References:

• Adobe Help Resource Center: Photoshop Raw format

Encapsulated PostScript (EPS)

Encapsulated PostScript (EPS) - language file format can contain both vector and bitmap graphics and is supported by virtually all graphics, illustration, and page-layout programs. EPS format is used to transfer PostScript artwork between applications. When you open an EPS file containing vector graphics, Photoshop rasterizes the image, converting the vector graphics to pixels.

• EPS format supports Lab, CMYK, RGB, Indexed Color, Duotone, Grayscale, and Bitmap color modes, and does not support alpha channels. EPS does support clipping paths. Desktop Color Separations (DCS) format, a version of the standard EPS format, lets you save color separations of CMYK images. You use DCS 2.0 format to export images containing spot channels.To print EPS files, you must use a PostScript printer.

References:

• Adobe Help Resource Center: Photoshop EPS format

Photoshop format (PSD)

Photoshop (PSD) - Photoshop format (PSD) is the default file format and the only format, besides the Large Document Format (PSB), that supports most Photoshop features. Because of the tight integration between Adobe products, other Adobe applications, such as Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Premiere, Adobe After Effects, and Adobe GoLive, can directly import PSD files and preserve many Photoshop features.

References:

• Adobe Help Resource Center: Photoshop format (PSD)

ZIP

ZIP - Lossless compression; supported by PDF and TIFF file formats. Like LZW, ZIP compression is most effective for images that contain large areas of single color.

References:

• Adobe Help Resource Center: About file formats and compression

CCITT

CCITT - A family of lossless compression techniques for black-and-white images, supported by the PDF and PostScript language file formats. (CCITT is an abbreviation for the French spelling of International Telegraph and Telekeyed Consultive Committee.)

References:

• Adobe Help Resource Center: About file formats and compression

JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group)

JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) Lossy compression; supported by JPEG, TIFF, PDF, and PostScript language file formats. Recommended for continuous-tone images, such as photographs. JPEG uses lossy compression. To specify image quality, choose an option from the Quality menu, drag the Quality pop‑up slider, or enter a value between 0 and 12 in the Quality text box. For the best printed results, choose maximum-quality compression. JPEG files can be printed only on Level 2 (or later) PostScript printers and may not separate into individual plates.

References:

• Adobe Help Resource Center: About file formats and compression

LZW (Lemple-Zif-Welch)

LZW (Lemple-Zif-Welch) Lossless compression; supported by TIFF, PDF, GIF, and PostScript language file formats. Most useful for images with large areas of single color.

References:

• Adobe Help Resource Center: About file formats and compression

RLE (Run Length Encoding)

RLE (Run Length Encoding) Lossless compression; supported by some common Windows file formats.

References:

• Adobe Help Resource Center: About file formats and compression

File Compression

File Compression - Many file formats use compression to reduce the file size of bitmap images. Lossless techniques compress the file without removing image detail or color information; lossy techniques remove detail.

References:

• Adobe Help Resource Center: About file formats and compression

Burn

Burn - In plate making, a common term used for a plate exposure.

Bulk

Bulk - The degree of thickness of paper.

Bronzing

Bronzing - Printing with sizing ink, then applying bronze powder while still wet to produce a metallic luster.

Brochure

Brochure - A pamphlet bound in booklet form.

Body

Body - In ink making, a term referring to the viscosity, or consistency ink.

Blanket

Blanket - In offset printing, a rubber surfaced fabric that is clamped around a cylinder, to which the image is transferred from the plate, and from which it is transferred to the paper.

Bit Map

Bit Map - In computer imaging, the electronic representation of a page, indicating the position of every possible spot (0 or 1).

• BMP is a standard Windows image format on DOS and Windows-compatible computers. BMP format supports RGB, Indexed Color, Grayscale, and Bitmap color modes. You can specify either Windows or OS/2® format and a bit depth up to 32 bits per channel for the image. For 4‑bit and 8‑bit images using Windows format, you can also specify RLE compression.

References:

• Adobe Help Resource Center: BMP format

Bimetal Plate

Bimetal Plate - In lithography, a plate used for long runs in which the printing image base is usually copper and the non-printing area is aluminum, stainless steel, or chromium.

Bearers

Bearers - In presses, the flat surface or rings at the ends of cylinders that come in contact with each other during printing and serve as a basis for determining packing thickness.

Backing Up

Backing Up - Printing the reverse side of a sheet already printed on one side.

Backbone

Backbone - The back of a bound book connecting the two covers: also called spine.

Art

Art - All illustration copy used in preparing a job for print.

Analog Color Proof

Analog Color Proof - Off-press color proof made from separation films.

Against the Grain

Against the Grain - Folding or feeding paper at right angles to the grain direction of the paper.

Additive Primaries

Additive Primaries - In color reproduction (RGB) stands for red, green, and blue. When lights of these colors are added together, they produce the sensation of white light.













Resources:

wikipedia: RGB

Accordion Fold

Accordion Fold - In binding, a term used for two or more parallel folds which open like an accordion.

Absorption

Absorption - In paper, the property that causes the paper to take up liquids or vapors in contact with it.

Domain Name

Domain Name - The main part of the URL: http://www.TopQualityDesign.com. When choosing this it’s important to use something short, memorable, and significant to the subject of your site or name of your business.

URL

URL - Uniform Resource Locator (also known as "Universal Resource Locator") - This is the Web page address. The Internet uses this address from which to send and receive information.

XML

XML
eXtensible Markup Language - This is a markup language that allows developers to develop their own markup language.

CSS

CSS
Cascading Style Sheets - Style sheets are directives for browsers to display web pages exactly how the designer would like to display them. They allow for very specific control over the look and feel of a web page.

DOM

DOM
Document Object Model - This is the specification for how the HTML, JavaScript, and CSS will interact to form Dynamic HTML. It defines the methods and objects available for Web Developers to use.

DHTML

DHTML
Dynamic HTML - This is a combination of the Document Object Model (DOM), Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), and JavaScript that allows HTML to interact more directly with the readers.

HTML

HTML: Hyper Text Markup Language. Web pages are written in hypertext, this is not because the text moves quickly, but rather because it can interact (a little) with the reader. A book (or a Word document) will always stay the same each time you read it; but hypertext is meant to be easily changed and manipulated so that it could ultimately be dynamic.

Resources:

w3schools.com: HTML Tutorial

Work and Turn

Work and Turn - To print one side of a sheet of paper, then turn it over from left to right and print the second side using the same gripper and plate but opposite side guide.

Dynamic Pages

Dynamic Pages - Pages that are generated from a compilation of sections of documents and/or databases with the use of an advanced language such as PHP

Static Pages

Static Pages - Pages that have a specific Document that they are generated from.

Flash

Flash - A tool for creating interactive and animated websites.

PHP

PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor

• is a server-side HTML embedded scripting language. It provides web developers with a full suite of tools for building dynamic websites
• is a popular scripting language that can be implemented directly inside HTML. PHP is used for dynamically generated web-pages and is especially powerful in database driven content.

Resources:

PHP.net: What is PHP

w3schools.com: PHP Tutorial

SEO

SEO - Search Engine Optimization - Is the process of using keywords and phrases to increase a web site's rankings and placement in search engines.

Bindery

Bindery — A shop, or part of a shop, where paper is bound into books or otherwise finished by trimming, laminating or mounting, for example.

References:

• Wikipedia: Bindery
• "bookbinding." Encyclopædia Britannica. 2008. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 28 Feb. 2008 <http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9080657]>.
• Get the definition of bookbinding from the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary

Bleed

Bleed — Printing that extends to the edge of a sheet or page after trimming. The file should be set up so that there is at least 1/8" bleed all around, and the trim area clearly marked.

• An extra amount of printed image, which extends beyond the trim edge of the sheet or page.

References:

• Printernational: What is Bleed?
• Wikipedia: Bleed
• About.com:Desktop Publishing/Bleed

Color Key

Color Key — A brand name for a type of color proof that uses separate pieces of film for each ink color. When the film is overlayed, the best possible color representation is achieved. Often used generically for any such type of overlay proof.

Computer-to-Plate (CTP)

Computer-to-Plate (CTP) — A printing technology in which digital files are output directly to the printing plate. This compares to older technology using photographic film to create the plate. CTP eliminates the need for film and the chemicals associated with it.

Die-cutting

Die-cutting — The process of cutting irregular shapes in paper using a die, or shaped cutting tool.

DPI

DPI — Dots per inch used to express the resolution of a printer, that is, the number of individual dots of ink within a linear one-inch space.

FTP

FTP — File Transfer Protocol, a means to transfer data from computer to computer over the Internet or a network.

Imagesetter — A very high-resolution output device that produces film which is used to expose printing plates. Imagesetters can also be used to expose images directly to plate material in CTP printing.

Line Screen

Line Screen — Refers to the fineness of a halftone screen used to reproduce photos when printing. For example, most newspapers print with an 85-lines-per-inch screen. Higher-quality printing uses a finer line screen, such as 150 lpi.

Laser Seps

Laser Seps — Individual black-and-white laser prints containing only the information for each color plate. In a full-color job, for example, you would have 4 laser prints: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black

Offset printing

Offset printing - Also called "offset lithography," this is a widely-used printing technique in which the inked image is transferred to a rubber blanket, which in turns transfers it to the paper or other printing material


References

Website:Offset Printing 101

"Offset Printing". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved March 22, 2004, from Encyclopædia Britannica Premium Service.^{[1] (http://www.britannica.com/eb/article?eu=58234)}

"Graphic Communications Technology". The History of Lithography (http://graphics.tech.uh.edu/MatProcesses/History_of_Litho.pdf). University of Houston.

History of Lithography (http://www.ippaper.com/gettips_pp_lithography.html). International Paper.

HistoryWired: Rubel Offset Lithographic Press (http://historywired.si.edu/object.cfm?ID=395). Smithsonian National Museum of American History.

Postscript

Postscript — A page-description language developed by Adobe Systems. Most files are converted to PostScript before being sent to an output device. PostScript fonts consist of two files: One contains the fonts in vector outlines (the printer font) and the other is a bitmap representation of the font for display on screen

Plate

Plate — The piece of paper, metal, plastic or rubber that holds the ink and the image to be reproduced using a printing press.

Platemaker

Platemaker — A machine with a vacuum frame used to expose plates through film. Becoming obsolete with the advent of CTP processes.

Preflight

Preflight — The first step in prepress, preflighting ensures that all files needed for a print job (fonts, scans, et al) are present and properly formatted. The term originates from the pre-flight checklists used by pilots.

Prepress

Prepress — The steps taken to prepare digital files for final printing on a printing press. These may include preflight, color correction, imagesetting and platemaking.

Press Check

Press Check — The press is stopped after a few impressions are made so the designer can see the actual output before okaying the completion of the job. This is used when color accuracy is critical.

Proof

Proof — Any kind of print that is used to preview the job before final printing starts.

RIP

RIP — Raster Image Processor. This usually refers to a piece of hardware that converts PostScript data to a high-resolution raster image, although every PostScript printer has a RIP as part of its built-in firmware. The term is also used to describe the process, as in, "That file won't RIP."

Rush Charge

Rush Charge — An extra fee added to your print job if it needs to be done faster than normal turnaround time. Often the printer will have to put other jobs on hold and incur overtime to complete a rush job, and this fee is to compensate for that.

Short-run

Short-run — Refers to the number of copies printed and often, the type of printshop used. Some printers have a minimum number of prints they will produce for a particular type of document, for example, 500 business cards. Short-run is usually fewer than this number.

Soft Proof

Soft Proof — A proof that is viewed on a computer monitor which is adjusted to simulate printing variables such as paper color.

Spot Color

Spot Color — Refers to an extra single color ink. Spot color can be used as a second color on an otherwise black-and-white piece, or can be a varnish that is applied in addition to a full-color job.

Trim Marks

Trim Marks — Small lines that indicate the size of the printed material in its finished stage.

Vector

Vector — A way of creating and displaying graphics which are all based upon mathematical equations to represent the image. As such, these graphics are resolution independent, that is, they can scale to any size without loss of quality. By contrast, a raster image is described as a collection of pixels.

Web Press

Web Press — A press that prints from rolls of paper, usually cutting it into sheets after printing.

Inkjet

Inkjet — A type of computer printer that works by propelling miniscule droplets of ink onto the paper. Large format professional inkjet printers can print on wide, continuos rolls of paper to create banners and posters

References

Whatis.com

webopedia.com