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:

• print media

• printer colorants (inks or toners for example)

• printing process (inkjet, press, or laser technology for example)

• overhead lighting

• personal differences in perception of color

• software applications

• printer drivers

• PC operating system

• monitors

• video cards and drivers

• 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.

This section provides information about the following topics:

• Swatch book color matching (available for the HP Color LaserJet 3700 series printer)