Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
McDonald's always uses the same red on all its
printed materials (PMS 485). This helps create
a specific look or identity by branding based
on color.
A designer can keep color consistent by speci-
fying Pantone colors. The Pantone Matching
System (PMS) is the most widely accepted color
standard in the printing industry ( www.pantone.
com). Each color is assigned a PMS number,
which corresponds to a specific ink or mixing
standard, thus ensuring that a client will get consistent printing
results. Accessing Pantone colors within Photoshop is easy:
1. Activate the Adobe Color Picker by clicking either the Fore-
ground or Background color swatch.
2. Click the Color Libraries button to open the Color Libraries
window.
3. From the topic menu you must choose among several options.
Always ask your clients for specific color information. You can
quickly jump to a specific color by typing in its number.
4. When you have a color selected, click OK.
5. Photoshop loads the closest equivalent color into your color
picker. Essentially, the Pantone color will be simulated as accu-
rately as possible by an RGB or CMYK equivalent.
6. If you need to have the exact color for printing, you will need
to make a spot color channel (see the article “Creating Spot
Color Channels” in the Chapter 6 folder or watch the video).
Color Libraries can also be loaded as
color swatches. Just click the submenu
(triangle) in the upper-right corner of
the Swatches panel. Choose the library
you need from the menu.
video 35:
Spot Color Channels
Tip
Spot Color Channels
Are you doing professional printing?
Learn how to assign specific colors
to an area of an image. You'll find
an exercise on creating spot color
channels in this chapter's folder.
Kuler
Another tool that offers intuitive controls is Adobe Kuler. Origi-
nally an online-only tool, it lets you quickly create new color
themes. Kuler began its life as a web-hosted application for experi-
menting with color variations and also allows for the sharing of
color themes through an online community. To view the Kuler
panel, choose Window > Extensions > Kuler.
 
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