How to Adjust Color on a Printer to Match Watercolor Originals
One of the most difficult aspects of printing artwork is getting your print to match the original perfectly. The problem is compounded when printing watercolors, which have their own specific set of characteristics that are difficult to replicate with a computer printer. There are, however, a few simple techniques you can employ to ensure your printout matches the original as closely as possible.
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Instructions
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The Process
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Adjust your monitor to match your printer. It is much easier to adjust the way your monitor displays colors than it is to adjust your printer. Print out an image and then match it to your monitor. If the colors are not the same, adjust your monitors contrast and brightness settings. This will give you a better idea of what your printout will look like before you print it.
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Adjust your printer's settings. Almost all printers have software included with their device drivers for the sole purpose of adjusting the way your printer prints. Using this software, you can adjust the level of saturation that your printer prints. This will go a long way toward making your printout look like a watercolor painting.
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Adjust the image itself. Using a photo editing program like Adobe Photoshop or Gimp, further adjust the image to match the original painting. Besides lowering the saturation further, you can also adjust the contrast using these programs to match the painting.
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Use watercolor paper. Paint and inks act differently when applied to different types of paper. Watercolor paper in particular has a very specific way of reacting when ink is applied to it. If you want to match a watercolor painting as closely as possible, use watercolor paper (available at art stores) to maximize the effect.
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Tips & Warnings
Use good lighting when trying to match watercolor originals to your computer.
Experiment with your adjustments before printing on the watercolor paper, which is more expensive than regular printer paper.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit splotches of watercolor paint on white textured paper image by R MACKAY from Fotolia.com
