Color Gamut

Color gamut refers to the entire range of colours that can be reproduced by a particular device or color space. In the context of printing, it represents the spectrum of colors that a printer can accurately reproduce, determined by its ink set, printing technology, and color management capabilities.

Understanding color gamut is essential for achieving vibrant, true-to-life prints with accurate color reproduction. A wider color gamut allows printers to reproduce a broader range of colors, resulting in more vivid and detailed prints. However, the achievable color gamut is influenced by various factors, including the printer's colorant type (such as CMYK, RGB, or specialty inks), substrate characteristics, and color management settings.

Color Spaces

Different color spaces, such as RGB (Red, Green, Blue) and CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black), have distinct color gamuts. RGB color spaces, used in digital displays and cameras, have a larger gamut and can represent a wider range of colours than CMYK color spaces, which are used in printing. Understanding the color gamut of each color space is crucial for accurately translating colors between digital files and printed output.

Color Gamut Mapping

When preparing digital files for printing, color gamut mapping is used to adjust colors to fit within the printable gamut of the output device. This process involves converting out-of-gamut colors to the closest reproducible colors within the printer's gamut, ensuring accurate color rendition while minimising color shifts and clipping.

Soft Proofing

Soft proofing allows users to simulate how colours will appear when printed, taking into account the color gamut limitations of the output device and substrate. By previewing prints on calibrated monitors and adjusting colours accordingly, soft proofing helps ensure that printed output matches the intended colours as closely as possible.