additive color model
A system in which colors are produced
by combining red, green, and blue light
(the additive primaries). An RGB video
monitor is based on an additive color
model.
additive primaries
Red, green, and blue light that is used in
additive color systems. When added
together in proper amounts, these colors
of light produce white.
banding
Visible steps between shades in a color
gradient.
bit depth
Amount of information used for each
pixel in a raster image. Black and white
images require only one bit per pixel.
Grayscale images with 256 shades of gray
require eight bits per pixel. Photographic
quality color images can require 24 bits
per pixel (RGB images) or 32 bits per
pixel (CMYK images).
bitmap
An image comprised of small squares
arranged in a grid. Each square in the
grid is a pixel. The number of pixels per
inch defines the resolution of a bitmap.
blasting
An undesirable effect that occurs when
excess amounts of toner, combined with
certain types of paper stock, cause an
image to spread beyond its boundaries as
defined in the file.
calibration
The process of ensuring that a device
behaves consistently with respect to a set
of specifications.
color gamut
See gamut.
color management system (CMS)
Software used to match color across
different input, display, and output
devices.
color rendering
A feature of color management software
and PostScript Level 2 color printers that
allows you to maintain the best possible
translation of color from one color
device to another. A color rendering
dictionary (CRD) is used by the color
management system or the printer’s
PostScript interpreter when converting
data between color spaces. The
DocuColor 40 CP includes several
CRDs, including Solid Color,
Photographic, and Presentation, each of
which provides a different color
rendering style.
CRD (Color Rendering Dictionary)
See “color rendering”
color separation
The process of separating a color image
into the primary color components for
printing—cyan, magenta, yellow, and
black. Also used to refer to the four
sheets of film that result from the process
of separating a color image.
Glossary
