What are the most common color calibration standards for graphic design?

1 RGB and CMYK

RGB and CMYK are two of the most widely used color models for graphic design. RGB stands for red, green, and blue, and it is the color model used by monitors, scanners, and cameras. CMYK stands for cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, and it is the color model used by printers. RGB and CMYK have different color ranges and gamuts, which means that some colors cannot be reproduced exactly from one model to another. To avoid color discrepancies, you need to convert your RGB images to CMYK before printing them, and vice versa.

2 sRGB and Adobe RGB

sRGB and Adobe RGB are two of the most common color spaces for graphic design. A color space is a subset of colors within a color model, defined by a specific set of parameters. sRGB and Adobe RGB are both based on the RGB color model, but they have different color gamuts and profiles. sRGB is the standard color space for web and mobile devices, as it covers about 72% of the colors that can be displayed by most monitors. Adobe RGB is the preferred color space for professional photography and printing, as it covers about 100% of the colors that can be printed by most printers.

3 ICC and ICM

ICC and ICM are two of the most common color profiles for graphic design. A color profile is a file that contains information about how a device or a software interprets and displays colors. ICC stands for International Color Consortium, and it is the organization that sets the standards for color management. ICM stands for Image Color Matching, and it is the Microsoft version of the ICC standard. ICC and ICM profiles help you to calibrate your devices and software to match the colors of your source and destination.

4 Pantone and RAL

Pantone and RAL are two of the most common color systems for graphic design. A color system is a collection of predefined colors that have a unique name or code. Pantone and RAL are both used for matching and specifying colors for printing and branding purposes. Pantone is the global leader in color communication and inspiration, with over 10,000 colors in its system. RAL is the European standard for color classification and quality control, with over 2,000 colors in its system.

5 CIE and CIELAB

CIE and CIELAB are two of the most common color models for graphic design. A color model is a mathematical representation of how colors can be measured and described. CIE stands for Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage, and it is the international authority on light and color. CIELAB is one of the color models developed by the CIE, and it is based on the human perception of color. CIE and CIELAB are both used for comparing and evaluating colors objectively and scientifically.

6 Delta E and Gamut

Delta E and Gamut are two of the most common color metrics for graphic design. A color metric is a numerical value that indicates how different or similar two colors are. Delta E is the standard measure of color difference, and it is calculated by comparing the CIELAB values of two colors. Gamut is the measure of color range, and it is defined by the boundaries of a color space or a device. Delta E and Gamut are both used for assessing and improving the color accuracy and quality of your graphic design.

7 Here’s what else to consider

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