Sample book color matching

The process for matching printer output to preprinted sample books and standard color references is complex. In general, you can obtain a reasonably good match to a sample book if cyan, magenta, yellow, and black inks are used in the sample book. These are usually referred to as process-color sample books.

Some sample books are created from spot colors, which are specially created colorants. Many of these spot colors are outside the printer gamut (color range). Most spot color sample books have companion process sample books that provide CMYK approximations.

Most process sample books have a note about what process standards were used to print the sample book: SWOP, EURO, or DIC. In most cases, for optimal color matching, select the corresponding ink emulation from the printer menu. If you cannot identify the process standard, use SWOP ink emulation.