Influences on color
Gamut en color translations
To get to a final print an image will be translated first from CMYK (Cyan Magenta Yellow blacK, press colors) or from RGB (Red Green Blue, digital pictures) to sRGB color space. Then it gets translated to 6 ink tones used by the printer (LCLMCMYK, CMYK plus light versions of Cyan and Magenta). You may not expect so, but the gamut - or colorspace - of RGB is bigger than CMYK. However CMYK is better defined. sRGB has a larger gamut but every translation results in loss of information because there are colors than can impossibily be reproduced and simply have to be approached. Just compare it to printing siver and gold on an ordinary printer. It is simply impossible and wil result in grey and yellow tones. When reproducing pictures it will hardly be a problem, but when reproducing a strictly defined corporate identity color samples may be required.
Gamut and Ink
At printing we use more expensive UV resistant inks. It must be said that the gamut of UV inks are a bit smaller compared to fast fading inks.
Media differences
There is a lott of difference between printing on gel coated satin photopaper and canvas with a matte coating. Best color reproduction is achieved with satin phototpaper, colors are deeper, more saturated compared to studio canvas which in its turn has more contrast richness. Canvas looks more dramatic. The media choice can be dependant of the original image.
Lighting
It may sound strange but printed images can appear a bit greenisch under TL and power saving lamps while looking a bit brownisch in outdoor light. Normally you will not notice it, but with black and white prints in particular you may notice this.
Calibrating
The best way to solve color problems is the use of a reference cart. This cart is nothing more than a calibrated print consisting of bloks filled with different RGB values with their CMYK values written under the blocks. By opening the RGB-bitmap at your computer you know a color on your screen looks on paper.
The file can be found at ColorChart.
The reference chart can be ordered at http://www.artandrepro.com.