Factors affecting color distortion in printing and how to identify color distortion

The main factors causing color distortion

1. Color distortion caused by color restoration processing

Modern printing usually uses four-color inks C, M, Y, and K to reproduce colors. Due to the purity issues of the ink itself, color distortion can also occur during printing overlay.

2. Color distortion caused by color separation processing

Printing usually uses four-color inks of C, M, Y, and K to replicate colors, while digital acquisition devices usually collect image information from computers as R, G, and B. Therefore, before printing and plate making, the image information needs to be converted into C, M, Y, and K modes, that is, color separation processing. The so-called "color separation" is to decompose and convert the color information of each pixel in the image (usually R, G, B color information) into color information suitable for printing C, M, Y, K modes. Color information loss may occur during the color separation process. When separating colors, only by correctly setting the color separation parameters (such as dot expansion value, gray balance parameter, black tone, etc.) based on the printing suitability of ink, paper, etc., can high-quality color chips be output and color information loss be minimized as much as possible.

3. The original manuscript has color distortion

Most printed image manuscripts are obtained through photographic means. For photo manuscripts, in addition to color distortion caused by improper operation during the shooting process, color is reproduced through coloring materials such as pigments, which are prone to color fading and may also cause color distortion in photos. In addition, with the continuous popularity of digital cameras, there are more and more digital image manuscripts, and the technical requirements for operators of digital cameras have greatly increased. Due to the poor technical level of operators, the captured images are prone to problems such as dim and blurry images, resulting in color distortion of the original manuscript. 

4. Color distortion caused by scanning processing

The image density of the original photo manuscript is continuous, and the image information needs to be collected into a computer. When using scanning equipment to scan images, it is necessary to segment the image into discontinuous pixels and collect the R, G, and B information of each pixel on the original document point by point and line by line. During the scanning process, it can cause the loss of pixel color information, and image processing is based on the collected image information. All color operations are also performed on this basis and cannot increase the color information of the image. Therefore, for photo manuscripts, scanning is a crucial step in image processing, and improper operation can cause color distortion in the image.

How to distinguish color distortion

After understanding the main factors of color distortion, the key is how to detect color distortion in the actual production process.

1. First impression benchmark method

The human eye has a certain adaptability to colors. For images with slight color distortion, repeated observation will weaken the recognition ability.Therefore, when determining whether there is color distortion, using the first impression to eliminate the limitations of human color vision is an important method for discovering color distortion.

2. Neutral color benchmark method

There are many neutral colors in life, such as black, white, gray, etc. They are the zero points of colors in the colorful world, and we can use them as the basis for identifying color distortion.

3. Skin color benchmark method

The color of the skin is the most familiar color to people, and any image of a person, especially those mainly featuring portraits, can be distinguished for color distortion based on the color of the skin.

Regardless of whether the skin is yellow, white, or black, there is a pattern in their skin tone, which is that they are all red in color. Namely: yellow with red, white with red or black with reddish tint. If the skin color of the character in the image is yellowish, it will give people a pathological feeling. Under normal circumstances, even if the color of the person‘s skin in the image is really yellowish, it should be adjusted to blood red during color correction, that is, there is red in the yellow.

Shenzhen Gold Sun Color Printing Factory is a China based book manufacturer, very good at printing hardcover book, photo book, story book, photo album, Printing paper, coloring book, packaging & printing services,  Labels, printing stickers, anti-water labels, vinyl label, custom label book , softcover book, custom book printing hardcover, mini book, photobook printing, hardcover book, , board books, color sticker books, sticker books, packaging boxes for small business, custom book, children board books, kids book, journals, notebooks, Agenda, Customs Calendar, magazines, color books, cookbooks, etc. With ISO-2001 and CE certificate, Gold Sun offers very good price and outstanding service.

Welcome contact us through admin@goldsunprinting.com or add whatsapp  +86 13802583954. Thank you.