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APPENDIX
OUTPUT COLOR SPACE
The choice of output color space is dependent on how the image will be reproduced. For most
home use where the image is displayed on a monitor or printed with a small printer, sRGB color
space is adequate. Other color spaces have been included for professional and technical applica-
tions. For recommendations for color space use, see page 90.
sRGB
The color space promoted by Hewlett Packard and Microsoft. Since it reflects the average PC moni-
tor characteristics, this standard is widely used around the world, and is considered to be the stan-
dard for multi-media and Internet usage. However, sRGB is not suitable for professional prepress
applications because of its narrower saturation reproduction range compared with other color
spaces.
Apple RGB
This has been available since the introduction of the Apple 13” monitor. It is widely used in DTP,
and was used as a standard default setting in many common graphic arts and design applications:
Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, etc. Because the color space is wider than sRGB, it is commonly
used in the production of printed material.
SMPTE-C
This is the current standard used in television broadcasting in the United States.
PAL/SECOM
This is the current standard used in television broadcasting in Europe.
ColorMatch RGB
This color space standard has a wide color space and is ideal for use with Radius Press View moni-
tors, which are commonly used in prepress production.
Adobe RGB
This color space standard is wider than ColorMatch RGB. The extensive range of colors available
makes this standard ideal for prepress use. However, the range is so great that it includes many
colors that cannot be printed with a four-color (CMYK) printing process.
Broad Spectrum Color Scale RGB
Utilizing the color coordinates of the spectrum, this standard offers an extremely extensive range of
colors. However, most of the colors that can be generated cannot be reproduced on standard com-
puter monitors or by printing technology.
NTSC
This is the current standard used in television broadcasting in Japan.
CIE RGB
This color space is defined by the CIE (Commission Internationale d`Eclairage).
Monitor RGB
This color space is defined by the monitor’s ICC profile.
