Colour me a Rainbow! How pics should and shouldn't look
Fran Castens / 6 September 2016
๐จ How to Get Your Photo Colours Perfect for Print
Weโve all been there โ photos that are just a bit too real to print! Todayโs high-definition cameras capture every detail, blemishes and all. But a photo that looks perfect on screen can sometimes disappoint in print. Letโs explore what can go wrong and the pro tricks you can use to make your prints look fantastic.
๐ Common Colour Problems
โ๏ธ White Balance
Ever had photos that turned out too yellow, orange or blue? Thatโs a white balance issue.
๐ธ Pro Tip: Choose the correct white balance setting for the light conditions youโre in. Most cameras have pre-sets like: cloudy, sunny, or incandescent. Get comfortable experimenting and learning when to use each.
๐ Blow Out
Patches of pure white (100% white) wonโt print. Instead, theyโll show up as naked white space, which can ruin the look of a photo.
๐ Fix It: Use photo-editing tools to ensure thereโs always some colour in your highlights.
๐ง Skin Tone
Skin tones are notoriously tricky. Without the right lighting, people might look too dark, pale, or red. Editing helps balance this.
๐ป Monitor Variation
Did you know your screen might be lying to you? Monitors are backlit, making photos look brighter and more saturated than they will appear in print.
๐ Pro Insight: Photos almost always print darker than what you see on screen.
- View your images on multiple devices (monitors, phones, cameras).
- Remember: higher-end cameras often have more accurate onboard screens for previews.
๐ Four Pro Tricks to Prepare Photos for Printing
- ๐ฏ Avoid Blow Out: Keep highlights under control.
- ๐ฅ Fix White Balance and Skin Tone: Use editing software like Photoshop or Snapseed to tweak and perfect your images.
- ๐ Use RGB, Not CMYK: Always save your photos in RGB colour mode for printing.
- ๐ Monitor Your Monitors: Adjust for brightness and colour saturation. What looks good on-screen may need to be lightened before printing.
๐จ Why Choose RapidStudio?
At RapidStudio, we use cutting-edge technology to map colours with accuracy. Whether youโre creating a photobook, printing canvas print, or ordering photo prints, you can trust us to deliver perfect, vibrant results.
Get in touch with RapidStudio and letโs make your prints shine!