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Colour Variations
When comparing physical samples and printed images to digital renders on screen a difference in colours is likely to become apparent. Colour in itself is an incredibly complex subject and is dependent on a large variety of factors. Outlined in this article are some of the key factors that contribute to colour variations across mediums.
Screen vs Print
The principles behind how color is displayed on a screen versus how it's displayed on physical objects is very different. The way we perceive colours on physical objects or in print is heavily dependent on the light conditions in which they are viewed, or more precisely by the light that is reflected off of them.
On a screen colours are created by mixing coloured light to achieve the desired hue. This is most commonly done by using LED lights that emit Red, Green, and Blue (RGB) light in such a way that the combined light matches a certain colour. In print, colours are created by combining different inks. Similarly, base colours are mixed to create a certain colour. However the starting colours are very different: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key (black-white).
Environmental Lighting
The light conditions under which you view a physical object, or use to take a photo or create a render, have a big influence on how colours are perceived, especially when digitally captured and then displayed. The image below shows the same piece of fabric captured on the same day, with the same camera under different lighting conditions. From left to right: artificial interior light, daylight, daylight backlit, Pantone light booth:
Device type
It’s important to keep in mind the device you are viewing a colour on. Consumer devices such as smartphones and TVs tend to over saturate colours to create more vibrant pictures and deeper blacks. Standard computer monitors lack a wide colour range because budget is often the primary concern. Specialised monitors for graphic design are available however they are very expensive and require frequent calibration. Monitors also tend to discolour with age and even the cable used to connect a monitor to a computer can impact colour - HDMI conveys less color data than DVI or Display Port cables. The image below shows that even two screens of the same make and model can still show different colour for the same image:
Viewing Environment
Another aspect that influences the perception of light on a screen is the environment in which you are viewing the image. In broad daylight on a smartphone? In a darkened room at night on a laptop? In an office environment with fluorescent light? Are you wearing brightly coloured clothing that could reflect of the screen (there are cases known where this turned out to be the reason why people looking at the exact same image saw a big colour difference)?
State of Mind
Perhaps one of the more obscure factors that can impact how you perceive a colour is your state of mind. Depending on how tired you are, what mood you're in, whether you've eaten, and even the clarity of your eyesight, the colours that you perceive can and will change. When tested an individual will perceive two different colours when asked to view the same colour in the morning and then again in the evening.
Physical Variations
In the case of fabrics colour variations can occur between dye lots making it difficult to reconcile the physical fabric colour with any digital representations. In addition fabrics exposed to the elements or sunlight will also change colour over time.