WYSIWYP (What You See Is What You Print) is a crucial concept in graphic design and printing technology. It describes the capability of certain graphics applications to use a color management system (CMS) to calibrate both monitors and printers. The objective is to ensure that the colors and resolution of a printout match precisely the image as displayed on a screen.
The Essential Role of Color Management Systems
Color Calibration
Color calibration involves adjusting the color output of various devices so that the printed output matches the screen display. This process demands meticulous attention to various parameters, such as brightness, contrast, and color ranges.
Steps in Color Calibration
- Monitor Calibration: Ensures the colors displayed on the screen are accurate.
- Printer Calibration: Syncs the printer’s color output with the calibrated screen colors.
- Profile Management: Utilizes ICC profiles for standardizing color representation across devices.
Importance of ICC Profiles
- International Color Consortium (ICC) profiles provide a standardized approach to managing colors across different devices.
- Ensures consistency in color representation, crucial for professional printing applications.
Types of Graphics Applications Utilizing WYSIWYP
Desktop Publishing Software
Applications like Adobe InDesign and QuarkXPress that focus on layout and design, ensuring printed materials look as intended on the screen.
Photo Editing Software
Adobe Photoshop and CorelDRAW employ WYSIWYP principles to ensure edited photos print with accurate colors and details as seen on monitors.
CAD Software
Software used by engineers and architects, such as AutoCAD, ensures technical drawings and plans are printed with precise details and colors as seen on screens.
Special Considerations
Monitor Types
- CRT vs. LCD: CRT monitors have different color rendering capabilities compared to modern LCDs, affecting calibration methods.
- Color Gamut: The range of colors a monitor can display impacts WYSIWYP accuracy.
Print Medium
- Paper Types: Glossy vs. matte paper can affect color absorption and reflection.
- Ink Types: Different inks (dye-based vs. pigment-based) can yield different color outputs.
Environmental Factors
- Lighting Conditions: Ambient light can influence the perceived color on the monitor and print.
- Temperature and Humidity: Variations can affect print quality and color consistency.
Historical Context
The concept of WYSIWYP emerged from the need to improve the fidelity of printed materials in relation to their digital counterparts. As desktop publishing and digital printing evolved, achieving print accuracy became crucial for professional industries like advertising, publishing, and photography.
Early Development
- 1980s-1990s: Initial forays into desktop publishing highlighted discrepancies between screen display and print output, driving the development of WYSIWYP technologies.
- 2000s: Advances in color management systems and ICC profiling significantly improved WYSIWYP capabilities.
Practical Applications
Advertising and Branding
Ensuring brand colors are consistently reproduced in print materials like brochures, posters, and packaging.
Photography
Photographers rely on WYSIWYP to produce prints that match their digital edits in terms of color and detail.
Publishing
Books, magazines, and other printed media benefit from precise color reproduction to ensure visual quality.
Comparison with WYSIWYG
WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get)
While similar, WYSIWYG pertains to the visual representation of text and graphics during editing to ensure the final output (screen or print) matches the editor’s view. WYSIWYP specifically focuses on color calibration between screens and printers.
Related Terms and Definitions
- DPI (Dots Per Inch): Measure of print resolution, indicating the number of dots a printer can produce per inch.
- Color Gamut: The complete range of colors a device can display or print.
- Soft Proofing: Simulating a print on a monitor to preview how the final print will look.
FAQs
Why is color calibration necessary for printing?
Can all monitors achieve WYSIWYP?
How often should I recalibrate my devices?
References
- International Color Consortium (ICC) website: https://www.color.org/
- Adobe Color Management: https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-suite/kb/print-accurate-color-photoshop-cs5.html
- X-Rite Color Management Solutions: https://www.xrite.com/
Summary
WYSIWYP (What You See Is What You Print) is a sophisticated approach within graphics applications to ensure printed materials match their on-screen counterparts. Through accurate color management and device calibration, WYSIWYP helps maintain color fidelity and print quality, essential for professionals in various fields from graphic design to publishing.
Tags: WYSIWYP, Color Management System, Calibration, Printing Technology, Graphics Applications.
