Looking for help in deciphering this coloring code

[Stacey K]

I had posted on this estimate a month back. Several signs for a local business - I guess I got the job.

They sent me this and it has a gradient in it. Am I just matching up the main colors to the PMS colors or do I have to match the gradients also? I have a HP 115 latex. He comes from the printing world so I'm guessing he will have his PMS color chart book out upon delivery. The art is ready but the background will be white instead...she sent the wrong layout and it's in French, a language which I do not speak. Merci!

 

[gnubler]

Is this for the doosh you posted about in the Corporate thread? I had a bad feeling about that whole deal, and still do.

Those gradients are set up CMYK, so if you're trying to match Pantones it's not going to be dead on balls. The customer sounds really finicky.

 

[weyandsign]

Just tell them the gradient may not match 100% and ask if they want to see a small print sample first, or if they agree to let you use your best judgement.

 

[Stacey K]

Is this for the doosh you posted about in the Corporate thread? I had a bad feeling about that whole deal, and still do.

Those gradients are set up CMYK, so if you're trying to match Pantones it's not going to be dead on balls. The customer sounds really finicky.

Yes it is! I had priced this job higher than I normally would...I'm not going to lie...I'm a bit nervous about this!

 

[Stacey K]

Just tell them the gradient may not match 100% and ask if they want to see a small print sample first, or if they agree to let you use your best judgement.

Yes, I think printing a sample first will the way to go. He did ask me what kind of printer I have so he knows it's a latex.

 

[Graphic Extremes]

Make sure you have him sign the sample print to approve the image. If anything every said, you can say, this is what you said you wanted with his signature on it.

I have had this problem before, and the signed sample saved me.

 

[Scotchbrite]

You could start out with just printing the file you received and see how it matches up. If they're happy with that, it'll save you the trouble of messing around with it. Do they have a physical sample of a good print they like? Then you could use that to potentially dial in your print.

 

[Notarealsignguy]

You should be able to convert an RAL to RGB, it's called steel blue, it is almost black. The gradient may come out better in RGB

#1a2b3c Hex Color Code

Color schemes, paints, palettes, combinations, gradients and color space conversions for the #1a2b3c hex color code.

encycolorpedia.com

 

[Stacey K]

I like to run two versions off for color approval. It's like offering a choice to a toddler, suddenly there are only two options, therefore one is better than the other. Export one with CMYK values, the other with RGB, print them both twice, if they pick one they can keep one print and sign the other for you

That's a great idea! Thank you!

 

[jfiscus]

ral 5011

encycolorpedia.com

For the gradient if you are supposed to be matching the yellow/blue at the ends you will have to convert them to the appropriate CMYK values from your Pantone Color Bridge book and have the blend work from that.
You can't put actual spot colors into gradients and have a good blend/outcome.

 

[Kemik]

If the Colors.pdf file is their official corporate colors, they list all the conversions for you. HEX, RGB, CMYK, HSL, Pantone, RAL. Just match it up to the CMYK and tell them you used the values they supplied.

 

[ikarasu]

Have you printed a Pantone chart yet?

Onyx supplies a big one that's about 4 ft by 4 ft, it has almost every Pantone in it. It's great to print so that when you have to match your Pantone you don't have to do a sample, you can just compare to the chart and see if it is close.

As for the gradient.. print it and pray it looks right. Unless your printer colors are out of whack it should be fine.

We just had a customer who switched over all their printing to us because their other vendor was very unreliable. It's a hospital that posts hero pictures all over the wall, so they don't change everything at once. The background is a gradient.... Our printer is profiled and looks exactly like the file they supply, the people before ours the purple looks like a bright magenta / Violet purple... Since everything is going up next to each other they all have to match.

It took hours and hours to get it to look like the other companies print, we pretty much have to dissect the file adjust the colors a certain percentage in just the background, adjust the colors of all of the people because for some reason everybody has really blushy red faces and it looks nothing like their original photos.... It's just a nightmare to deal with, so I would print you gradient as part of the sign show him a sample and hope he signs off on it.


Gradients are nice, but trying to color match a gradient and make it look exactly the same it's probably one of the most hair pulling moments I've ever had!

 

[Stacey K]

Have you printed a Pantone chart yet?

Onyx supplies a big one that's about 4 ft by 4 ft, it has almost every Pantone in it. It's great to print so that when you have to match your Pantone you don't have to do a sample, you can just compare to the chart and see if it is close.

As for the gradient.. print it and pray it looks right. Unless your printer colors are out of whack it should be fine.

We just had a customer who switched over all their printing to us because their other vendor was very unreliable. It's a hospital that posts hero pictures all over the wall, so they don't change everything at once. The background is a gradient.... Our printer is profiled and looks exactly like the file they supply, the people before ours the purple looks like a bright magenta / Violet purple... Since everything is going up next to each other they all have to match.

It took hours and hours to get it to look like the other companies print, we pretty much have to dissect the file adjust the colors a certain percentage in just the background, adjust the colors of all of the people because for some reason everybody has really blushy red faces and it looks nothing like their original photos.... It's just a nightmare to deal with, so I would print you gradient as part of the sign show him a sample and hope he signs off on it.


Gradients are nice, but trying to color match a gradient and make it look exactly the same it's probably one of the most hair pulling moments I've ever had!

Yes, I did print a pantone chart from my printer. I'm not a fan of gradients and I hate it when I see one walk in the door. I sure hope it doesn't take hours and hours but that's what I'm expecting so anything else will be a good day! LOL

 

[Boudica]

Yes, I did print a pantone chart from my printer. I'm not a fan of gradients and I hate it when I see one walk in the door. I sure hope it doesn't take hours and hours but that's what I'm expecting so anything else will be a good day! LOL

Don't knock yourself out. Lotta good info and advice has been shared. I hate gradients... But I also have choices between printers and rips. Some are better than others. My bad day is when it's looking like sh!t on everything. After a lot of problematic nightmares with other people's artwork... My most favorite workaround is not enlarging the artwork in the rip. Pull in rasterized tiffs, already sized up to actual size. This does mean tiling large artwork in Illy I have a system. But gradients and gawd awful drop shadows print as they should.

 

[Notarealsignguy]

Here's a tip, you'll worry about the color being right but even when you go in the biggest companies, you will see that nothing matches. Maybe your signs will match each other but when you look at the paint on the walls, the yetis, pens, brochures or whatever, the colors are never the same. Don't get caught up with the nonsense here, there are a some people that learn 1 thing and think its a bigger deal than it is.

 

[Ronny Axelsson]

I would print a sample from the PDF and show them what you get.
Then be honest and tell them about the difficulties, and if they are not satisfied, take it from there.

Maybe you could get an approved printed sample from them, so you know what they expect.
Starting to adjust the file to get it "right" will take time, and there is no guarantee you get what your client expect anyway.

 

[caribmike]

I had posted on this estimate a month back. Several signs for a local business - I guess I got the job.

They sent me this and it has a gradient in it. Am I just matching up the main colors to the PMS colors or do I have to match the gradients also? I have a HP 115 latex. He comes from the printing world so I'm guessing he will have his PMS color chart book out upon delivery. The art is ready but the background will be white instead...she sent the wrong layout and it's in French, a language which I do not speak. Merci!

I always put a disclaimer on every quote and invoice that says: "We calibrate our printers on a regular basis, however, we can not guarantee an exact color match under any circumstances." We've never had an issue with complaints on color.

 

[Elwood "Woody" Smith]

Run it to the PMS/CMYK Values, Run a small printed proof for approval, that's all you can do. If the want actual PMS SPOT Matches, they need it printed that way at a much higher price.

Good Luck

 

[Stacey K]

Thanks everyone for the help, once she sends me the PO I'll see if there are additional directions.

I will print out a sample and have him sign off on it. I'll see if he gets his PMS color swatches out or just looks at it and signs off. I should be able to tell a lot from that moment. Hopefully all goes well. I have not had anyone complain about my prints thus far either from Signs365 or my new printer. That doesn't mean I didn't have to REPRINT a few to meet my own quality standards! LOL

I'll keep you posted.

 

[Notarealsignguy]

He's a frenchy, if he doesnt like the colors, offer him a $10 discount and he will be fine with it