General Color Issues

General Color Issues

Q1:	What is Gamut Warning?
A1:	There are some colors that can be displayed (on your computer screen) in RGB that cannot be printed in CMYK mode. Those colors are said to be "out of the gamut." Gamut Warning is one way to predict this. By choosing View>Gamut Warning, a gray overlay appears over any areas where the colors will have to shift when changed to CMYK. This lets you better predict what areas of your image are out of the gamut. To see your onscreen colors again, return to the View menu and deselect Gamut Warning.
Q2:	How do I see what my Mac file will look like in Windows (or vice versa)?
A2:	There is a way to "preview" a good approximation of what your image will look like from one platform to another. From the View menu, choose Proof Setup and choose the appropriate platform. Then choose Proof Colors or press Command-Y (PC: Control-Y) to switch back to your original platform.
Q3:	Why doesn't my monitor match my printer?
A3:	There are a number of possible reasons, but the most basic issue is the difference between the color systems used by devices. A monitor displays color in RGB mode, while printers use CMYK inks. There are some colors that can display in RGB that cannot be printed in CMYK. On top of that, colors viewed on monitors often appear brighter than the printed version, especially if you have an LCD screen.