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What is Color Matching?

After scanning or photographing your original work of art, local color correction is usually required in order to provide an exact color match to the original. The reason is that digital cameras and scanners "read" the pigments used by artists differently than the human eye. Essentially the "color gamut" of the human eye is far wider than any digital instrument currently available. Therefore, it is not very often that a scan or digital image can be printed as a giclée without some local color correction. Additionally each type of paper or canvas has its own inherent color gamut that must also be accounted for in order to produce an accurate reproduction.

Local corrections are usually necessary to adjust certain pigments that are used by the artist. The only possibility of matching these areas of the digital image to the original color tone is to isolate these them and correct them via the use of layers in Photoshop. Layers are generally created using masks and saving them as separate parts of the original file that can be adjusted independent of all other regions of the image. There can be as many as 20 or more layers in difficult images or as few as one. During the color matching process it is typical to produce test prints to achieve as close as possible match. The final test print will be the proof that we present to you for final approval before printing.

Color Matching Process

Exact color matching may be achieved when the original piece of artwork or a hard copy image representing the exact colors is available.  One color or exposure correction and proof print is included in the print price.  If you determine that additional color correction is necessary a per hour charge will be assessed at that time.  We will forgo the color matching process only at your request.  In this case there will be no guarantee that colors will match and no refunds for color differences.  Often forgoing color matching will give adequate color representation.

Time and Money Saving Tip

If you have a digital file of the artwork then make sure that the color profile used at the time the image was taken is either noted with the image or imbedded in the profile. There are a number of different color profiles that scanners and cameras use when taking an image. Knowing what that profile is can save time in the color matching process. Typically, it will be sRGB, Adobe 98 or Pro-Photo. The calibration between the image and the printers is the key step and the rest is simply matching colors through adjustments in Photoshop. If you have questions regarding color profiles, please call.

Color Matching Guarantee

We We do not guarantee precise color matching. The closest you can come to a guarantee is by having us do a proof print that you can look at and approve prior to final printing. Once you have approved the proof, we will print the final image. If the colors need more work we will perform additional color correction at $50 per hour and print another proof for your approval. Additional fees apply if a proof needs to be mailed. 

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