Desktop printing considerations

Because your monitor displays an image using light and a desktop printer reproduces an image using inks, dyes, or pigments, it is impossible for a desktop printer to reproduce all the colors that can be displayed on a monitor. However, by incorporating certain procedures (such as a color management system) into your workflow, you can achieve predictable results when printing your images on a desktop printer. Here are some issues to consider when working with an image that you intend to print:

• If your image is in RGB mode, do not convert the document to CMYK mode when printing to a desktop printer. Work entirely in RGB mode.
• If you want a preview of what your image might look like on any device for which you have a profile, use the Proof Colors command. For more information on proof setup and using the Proof Colors command, see Soft-proofing colors.
• For accurate color reproduction between the screen and the printed page, it's absolutely necessary to incorporate color management into your workflow. You must work with a monitor that is calibrated and characterized. It's also necessary that you have a custom profile for the combination of your printer and the paper you're printing on. Using the profile supplied with your printer will only give average results (although the results are better than using no profiles at all). For more information on producing consistent color