Getting the Most Accurate Color View on Your ScreenPlay Proofs

Getting the Most Accurate Color View on Your ScreenPlay Proofs

When reviewing a proof, color accuracy matters. One thing many customers don’t realize is that Pantone colors can appear differently depending on the PDF viewer, internet browser, and monitor being used.

Why Pantone Colors May Look Different on Screen

Your proof may look slightly different when viewed in:

  • A web browser
  • An email preview
  • Apple Preview
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader
  • Other PDF viewing programs

Browsers and PDF viewers can interpret color information differently, which means a Pantone color may appear lighter, darker, more muted, or slightly shifted depending on where you are viewing the file.

Your individual monitor settings can also affect how colors appear on screen. Brightness, contrast, display calibration, and even the type of monitor can all influence what you see.

For the Most Accurate Color Preview

For the best on-screen representation of the Pantone colors in your proof, we recommend:

  1. Download the PDF proof to your computer.
  2. Open the downloaded file in Adobe Acrobat Reader.
  3. Review the colors there before approving the proof or contacting us about a possible color discrepancy.

Adobe Acrobat Reader is free and can be downloaded here:

Download Adobe Acrobat Reader

Important Note About Screen Colors

Even when viewing your proof in Adobe Acrobat Reader, the color shown on your monitor is still only a digital representation of the specified Pantone color.

Because every monitor displays color somewhat differently, the color you see on screen may vary slightly from the final printed Pantone color.

When a specific Pantone color is called out on your proof, the Pantone specification is the intended production color, rather than the exact appearance of that color on your screen.

Quick Tip

Before questioning a color on your proof, download the PDF and open it in Adobe Acrobat Reader first.

This simple step can help eliminate many apparent color differences caused by browsers or other PDF viewers and give you the most accurate preview possible before approving your order.

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