You can define colors in several different color models, most commonly RGB, CMYK, and a spot color matching system (such as PANTONE). Depending on the application you use, you may or may not have a choice of the color model.

RGB colors are used when you take output from an RGB device such as a digital camera or scanner. Another use of the RGB color model is for displaying colors on a monitor.

CMYK colors are what most printers use. These are referred to as process colors. Keep in mind that printers might have additional colors used as process colors to extend the range of colors that can be simulated.

Spot colors, such as PANTONE, are special inks manufactured to run on an offset press. Spot colors can be simulated using process colors. With the Spot Color Matching print option, you can determine how spot colors are printed at the Fiery server:

• Spot Color Matching On - Uses color libraries built into the Fiery server to simulate the spot color with the closest equivalent available, using the process colors of the printer connected to the Fiery server. The spot color libraries define colors by name, using the L*a*b* color space. The L*a*b* color space provides device-independent accuracy. With Spot Color Matching On, you can adjust spot colors without editing the file, and is used to accurately simulate a printer or offset press that has spot colors installed.

  If your Fiery server supports the Spot-On or Spot Pro application in Command WorkStation, you can customize the spot color definitions used by the Fiery server.

  Spot-On is a standard feature on most Fiery servers. If you choose to activate the Fiery Graphic Arts Pro Package for the standard Fiery server or the Fiery ColorRight Package for the integrated Fiery server, you will use Spot Pro instead of Spot-On.

• Spot Color Matching Off - Instructs the Fiery server to simulate the spot color using process color values defined within the file. With Spot Color Matching Off, spot colors cannot be edited using Spot-On or Spot Pro, and spot colors will be color-managed along with other colors. Spot Color Matching Off is used to simulate a printer or offset press that does not have spot colors installed.

The color model your application uses determines the methods available for choosing colors, as well as the way color data is transmitted to the Fiery server:

• Office applications, such as word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation graphics applications, use the RGB color model. They typically transmit only RGB data to the Fiery server.

• Illustration applications use both the RGB and CMYK color models, but typically transmit only CMYK data to the Fiery server.

• Pixel-editing applications use both the RGB and CMYK color models. They transmit RGB or CMYK data to the Fiery server.