Lexmark 920dn - C Color LED Printer, 920dtn - C Color LED Printer, 13N1000 - C 920 Color LED Printer Reference Manual
Color quality guide
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Color quality guide
This Color Quality guide helps users understand how operations available on the printer can be used to adjust
and customize color output.
Quality Menu
Selections av ailable in the Quality Men u provide the user with mul tiple options that can adjust color char acteristics
of the printer.
V alues mark ed by an ast erisk (*) are the f actory def ault sett ings. Val ues selected in the printer P ostScript or PCL
emulation drivers for Windows will override printer settings.
Menu item Purpose Values
Print Mode T o determine whether images are printed in
a monochrome grayscale or in color.
Color
Correction
Toner
Darkness
To adjust the printed color to better match
the colors of other output devices or
standard color systems.
Due to the differences between additive and
subtractive colors, certain colors that
appear on the monitor are impossible to
duplicate on the printer.
To lighten or darken printed output, or
conserve toner.
Color*
Black Only
Auto* Applies different color conversion
tables to each object on the
printed page, depending on the
type of object and how the color for
each object is specified.
Off No color correction is
implemented.
Manual Allows customization of the color
conversion tables applied to each
object on the printed page,
depending on the type of object
and how the color for each object
is specified. Customization is
performed using the selections
available under the Manual Color
menu item.
4*, 5 Darkest output, no reduction in
toner consumption
3 Reduction in toner consumption.
2 Further reduction in toner
consumption.
Color Saver To conserve toner in graphics and images
yet maintain high quality text. The amount of
toner used to print graphics and images is
reduced; however, text is printed with
default toner usage. If selected, this setting
overrides Toner Darkness settings. Color
Saver is not supported in PPDS, and
partially supported by the PCL emulation
driver.
1 Maximum reduction in toner
consumption.
On*
Off
Menu item Purpose Values
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RGB
Brightness
RGB Contrast 0*, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 0 is the default setting
RGB
Saturation
Color Balance To provide users with the ability to make
Color Samples To assist users in selecting colors to be
To assist in making brightness, co ntrast,
and saturation adjustments to color output.
These functions do not affect files where
CMYK color specifications are being used.
See “Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
about color printing” on page 4 for more
information on color specifications.
subtle color adjustments to printed output
by increasing or decreasing the amount of
toner being used for each color plane
individually.
printed. Users can print color samples
pages for each of the RGB and CMYK color
conversion tables used in the printer.
The color samples pages consist of a series
of colored boxes along with the RGB or
CMYK combination that creates the color
observed for each particula r box. These
pages can be useful in helping users decide
which RGB or CMYK combinations to use in
their software applications to create the
desired printed color output.
Note: The printer Embedded Web Server
interface, which is only available on
network models, offers users more
flexibility . It lets users access the printing of
Detailed Color Samples. For more
information on the Embedded Web Server,
see the User’s Guide on the publications
CD.
-6, -5, -4, -3, -2, -1,
0*, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
0*, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 0 is the default setting
Cyan -5, -4, -3, -2, -1, 0*, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Magenta
Yellow
Black
Reset Defaults Sets values for Cyan, Magenta,
sRGB Display Prints RGB samples using
sRGB Vivid Prints RGB samples using
Display — True Black Prints RGB samples using
Vivid Prints RGB samples using Vivid
Off—RGB Color conversion is implemented.
US CMYK Prints CMYK samples using
Euro CMYK Prints CMYK samples using
-6 is maximum decrease
6 is maximum increase
0 is the default setting
5 is maximum increase
5 is maximum increase
-5 is maximum decrease
5 is maximum increase
Yellow, and Black to 0 (zero).
sRGB Display color conversion
tables.
sRGB Vivid color conversion
tables.
Display — True Black color
conversion tables.
color conversion tables.
US CMYK color conver sion t ab les.
Euro CMYK color conversion
tables.
Vivid CMYK Prints CMYK samples using
Vivid CMYK color conversion
tables.
Off—CMYK No color conversion is
implemented.
Menu item Purpose Values
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Manual Color To let users customize the RGB or CMYK
color conversions applied to each object on
the printed page. Color conversion of the
data specified using RGB combinations can
be customized based on object type (text,
graphics, or image) through the printer
operator panel.
RGB Image sRGB Display*: Applies a color
conversion table to produce output
that approximates the colors
displayed on a computer monitor.
sRGB Vivid: Increases color
saturation for the sRGB Display
color conversion table. Preferred
for business graphics and text.
Display — True Black: Applies
color conversion table to produce
output that approximates the
colors displayed on a computer
monitor while using only black
toner for neutral gray colors.
Vivid: Applies a color conversion
table that produces brighter, more
saturated colors.
Off: No color conversion is
implemented.
RGB Text sRGB Display
RGB Graphics
sRGB Vivid*
Display - True Black
Vivid
Off
Enhance Fine
Lines
A selection to enable a print mode
preferable for certain files containing fine
line detail, such as architectural drawings,
maps, electronic circuit diagrams, and flow
charts.
This setting is only available on the PCL
emulation driver or PostScript driver or on
the printer Embedded Web Server.
Solving color quality problems
CMYK Image
CMYK Text
CMYK Graphics
On In the driver, enable the check box.
Off* In the driver, disable the check
US CMYK* (country/region-
specific factory default values):
Applies a col or con ver sion tab le to
approximate SWOP color output.
Euro CMYK* (country/regi on -
specific factory default values):
Applies color conversion table to
approximate EuroScale color
output.
Vivid CMYK: Increases color
saturation for the US CMYK color
conversion table.
Off: No color conversion is
implemented.
box.
This section helps ans wer so me basic color-r elated qu estions and describes ho w some of the features provided
in the Quality Menu can be used to solve typical color problems.
Color quality guide
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Note: Read the quick reference page entitled “Print quality and troubleshooting guide” which provides
solutions for common print qual ity problems, some of which may affect the color quality of the
printed output.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ) about color printing
What is RGB color?
Red, green, and b lue light c an be added together in various amounts to produce a large range of colors observed
in nature. For example, red and green light can be combined to create yellow light. Televisions and computer
monitors create colors in thi s manner. RGB color is a method of describing color s by indicating the amount of red,
green, and blue light needed to reproduce a particular color.
What is CMYK color?
Cyan, magenta, yellow, and black inks or toners can be printed in var ious amounts to produce a large range of
colors observed in nature. For example, cyan and yellow can be combined to create green. Printing presses,
inkjet printers, and col or laser printers create co lors in t his manner. CMYK color is a method of describing colors
by indicating the amount of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black needed to reproduce a particular color.
How is color specified in a document to be printed?
Software applicati ons typically specify document color us ing RGB or CMYK color combinations. Additionally , t hey
commonly let users modify the color of each object in a document. Since the procedures to modify colors vary
depending on the application, see the software application Help section for instruction.
How does the printer know what color to print?
When a user prints a document, information describing the type and color of each object in the document is sent
to the printer. The co lor information is passed through color conversion tables that translate t he color into
appropriate amounts of cyan, magent a, y el lo w, and black toner ne eded t o produce t he desir ed col or. The object
type information lets different color conversion tables be used for different types of objects. For example, it is
possible to apply one type of color conversion table to text while applying a dif ferent color conversion table to
photographic images.
Should I use the P ostScript or PCL em ulation driver for the be st color? What driver set tings should I use
for the best color?
The PostScript drive r is strongly recommended f or best color quality. The default set tings in the P ostScript driver
provide preferred color quality for the majority of printouts.
Why doesn't the printed color match
the color I see on the computer screen?
The color conversion tables used in Auto Color Correction mode generally approximate the colors of a
standard computer monitor. However, because of technology differences that exist between printers and
monitors, there are many colors that can be generated on a computer screen that cannot be physically
reproduced on a color laser printer . Color match can also be aff ected by monitor v ariations and lighting conditions .
Read the response to th e question “ How can I mat ch a particular colo r (such as a color in a corporate logo)?” o n
page 5 for recommendations on how the printer Color Samples pages may be useful in solvi ng certain
color-matching problems.
The printed page appears tinted. Can I slightly adjust the color?
Sometimes a user may consider printed pages to appear ti nted (f or exa mple, e v erything printed seems to be too
red). This can be cause d by envi ronmental conditions, paper type, lighti ng conditions, or us er preference . In these
Color quality guide
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instances, Color Balance may be used to create more preferable color. Color Balance provides the user with
the ability to make subtle adjustments to the amount of toner being used in each color plane. Selecting positive
(or negative) values for cyan, magenta, yel lo w, and black under the Color Bala nce menu wi ll slight ly inc rease (or
decrease) the amount of toner used f or the chosen col or . F or e xample, if a user belie v es the ov era ll printed page
to be too red, then decreases to both magenta and yellow could potentially improve color preference.
My color transparencies seem dark when projected. Is there anything I can do to improve th e color?
This problem most commonly occurs when proj ecting transparencies with refl ective overhead projectors. To
obtain the highest projected color quali ty, transmissi ve overhead projectors are recommended. If a reflective
projector must be used, then adjusting Toner Darkness settings to 1, 2, or 3 will lighten the transparency. Be
sure to print on the recommended type of color t ransparen cies. F or more inf ormation, see “Understanding pape r
and specialty media guidelines” in th e User’s Guide on the publications CD.
Color Saver must be Off to adjust Toner Darkness.
What is Manual Color Correction?
The color conversion tables applied to each object on the printed page when using the default Auto Color
Correction setting generate preferred color for the majority of documents. Occasionally, a user may want to
apply a different col or tab le mapping. This customization i s accomplished using the Man ual Color men u and the
Manual Color Correction setting.
Manual Color Correction appl ies t he RGB a nd CMYK color con version table mappings as defined in th e Manual
Color menu. Users may select any of five dif ferent color conversion tab les avail able for RGB objects
(sRGB Display, Displa y — T rue Blac k, sRGB Vivid, Off , and Vivid) and an y of four different col or conv ersion tables
available for CMYK objects (US CMYK, Euro CMYK, Vivid CMYK, and Off).
Note: The Manual Color Correction setting is not useful if the soft ware app lication does not specify colors
with RGB or CMYK combinations, or in certain situations where the software application or the
computer operating system adjusts the colors specified in the application thr ough color
management.
How can I match a particular color (such as a color in a corporate logo)?
Occasionally, users have a need for the printed color of a particular object to closely match a specific color. A
typical exampl e of thi s is when a u ser is trying to match t he color of a corporate lo go. While instances can occur
in which the printer cannot exactly reproduce the desired color, users should be able to identify adequate color
matches for the ma jority of cases. The Color Samples menu item can provide useful information in helping to
solve this particular type of color-matching problem.
The nine Color Samples values corres pond to color conversi on tables in the printer. Selecting any of the Color
Samples values generates a multiple-page printout consisting of hundreds of colored boxes. Either a CMYK or
RGB combination is located on each bo x, depending on the table selected. The observed color of each box is
obtained by passing the CMYK or RGB combination labeled on the box through the selected color conversion
table.
The user can examine the color samples pages and identify the box whose color is th e closest to the desired
color. If the user finds a box whose color is close to the desired color match, but the user would like to sca n the
colors in that area in more detail, then t he user can access the Detailed Color Samples by using the printer
Embedded Web Server interface, which is only available on network models.
The color combination labeled on the box can then be used for modifying the color of the object in a software
application. The software application Help section provides instructions for modifying the color of an object.
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Manual Color Correction may be necessary to utilize the selected color conversion table for the particular
object.
Which Color Samples pages to use for a particular color-matching problem depends on the Color Correction
setting being used (A uto , Off , or Manu al), the typ e of object being printed (te xt, g raphics , or images), and ho w the
color of the object is specifie d in the softw are applicat ion (RGB or CMYK combinati ons). When the printer Color
Correction setting is set to Off , the color is based on the print job information; no color conversion is
implemented. The following table identifies which Color Samples pages to use:
Color
specification of
object being
Classification of
object being
printed
Printer Color
Correction
setting
Color Samples pages to print
and use for color matching
printed
RGB Text Auto sRGB Vivid
Manual Manual Color RGB Text Setting
Graphic Auto sRGB Vivid
Manual Manual Color RGB Graphics Setting
Image Auto sRGB Display
Manual Manual Color RGB Image Setting
CMYK Text Auto US CMYK or EURO CMYK
Manual Manual Color CMYK Text Setting
Graphic Auto US CMYK
Manual Manual Color CMYK Graphics
Setting
Image Auto US CMYK
Manual Manual Color CMYK Image Setting
Note: The Color Samples pages are not useful if the software application does not specify colors with
RGB or CMYK combinations. Additionally, certain situations exis t where the software applic ation or
the computer operating system adjust s the RGB or CMYK combinations specified in t he application
through color management. The resulting printed color may not be an exact match of the Color
Samples pages.
What are Detailed Color Samples and how do I access them?
This information applies to network models only.
Detailed Color Samples are pages similar to the def ault pages of color samples accessible from the Quality Menu
on the printer operator panel or from the Configurat ion Menu in the printer Embedded Web Server. The default
color samples accessed by these methods have an increment value of 10 percent for Red (R), Green (G), and
Blue (B) values. Collectively, these values are kno wn as RGB color. If the user finds a v alue on t he pages t hat is
close, but w oul d lik e t o scan more col ors i n a nearby area, the user can use the Detailed Color Samples t o input
the desired color value and a more speci fi c or lower increment value. This lets the user print multiple pages of
colored boxes that surround a specific color of interest.
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T o access the pages of Detailed Color Samples, use the printer Embedded Web Server interf ace. Select the Color
Samples option within the Config uration Menu. Nine color con version tab le options and three b uttons called Print,
Detailed, and Reset are shown on the options screen.
If the user selects a color conversion table and presses the Print button, the printer prints the default color
samples pages. If the user selec ts a col or conversion table and presses the Detailed button, a new interface
becomes av ailab le. The interf ace le ts the user e nter indivi dual R, G, and B val ues of the spec ific color of interes t.
The user can also enter an increment value that defines the difference between the RGB value that each color
box differs by. If the user selects Print, a printout generates which consists of the user-specified color and the
colors that exist near this color based on the increment value.
This process can be duplicated f or Cya n (C), Magenta (M), Yello w (Y), and Blac k (K) color con versi on tables , too .
Collectively, these v alues are known as CMYK color . The default i ncrement is 10 percent for Bl ack, and 20 percent
for Cy an, Magenta, and Yellow. The increment value defined by the user for Detailed Color Samples applies to
Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black.
Connection Guide
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Connection Guide
Note: For local printing, y ou must install the printer software (drivers) before connecting the USB cable.
Installing printer and software for local printing using Windows
1 Launch the drivers CD that shipped with the printer.
2Click Install Printer and Software.
Note: Some Windows operating systems require that you have administrative access to install printer
software (drivers) on the computer.
3Click Agree to accept the licens e agreement.
4 Select Suggested, and then click Next.
The Suggested option is the defaul t installation for local setup. If you need to install utilities, change
settings, or customize device drivers, select Custom. Follow the instructions on the computer screen.
5 Select Local Attach, and click Finish.
Note: It may take a few minutes for the drivers to completely load.
6 Close the drivers CD installer applicat ion.
7 Connect the USB cable. Be sure to mat ch the USB symbol on the cable to the USB symbol on the printer.
Note: Only Windows 98 SE, Windows Me, Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003
operating systems support USB connections. Some UNIX, Linux, and Macintosh compute rs al so
support USB connections. See the c omputer operating sy stem documentation to see if your s ystem
supports USB.
8 Plug one end of the printer power cord into the socket at the back of the printer and the other end into a
properly grounded outlet.
9 Turn on the printer.
Plugging in the USB cable and turning on the printer prompts the Windo ws operating system to run the plug
and play scr eens to install the printer a s a new hardware device. The installation of printer software (drive rs)
done in step 1 should satisfy the plug and play requirements. When plug and play is finished, a printer
object will appear in your Printers folder.
Note: After the printer completes its internal tests, the Ready message indicates tha t the printer is ready
to receive jobs. If you see a message other than Ready on the display, see the publicati ons CD for
instructions on clearing the message.
10 Send a test page to print.
Using a parallel or serial cable
For detailed instructions, see the User Guide on the publications CD that shipped with the printer.
Local printing with Mac or UNIX/Linux
For detailed instructions, see the User Guide on the Publications CD that shi pped with the printer.
Connection Guide
Page 2 of 2
Installing printer and software for network printing using Windows
1 Make sure the printer is turned off and unplugged.
2 Connect the printer to a LAN drop or hub using an ethernet cable that is compatible with your network.
3 Plug one end of the printer power cord into the socket at the back of the printer and the other end into a
properly grounded outlet.
4 Turn on the printer.
Note: After the printer completes its internal tests, the Ready message indicates tha t the printer is ready
to receive jobs. If you see a message other than Ready on the display, see the publicati ons CD for
instructions on clearing the message.
5 Go to a computer on the same network, and launch the drivers CD that shipped with the printer.
6Click Install Printer and Software.
7Click Agree to accept the license agreement.
8 Select Suggested, and then click Next.
9 Select Network Attach, and then click Next.
10 Select your printer model from the list, and then click Next.
11 Select your printer port from the list, and then click Finish to complete the installation. A printer object is
created in the Printers folder on the computer.
If your printer port is not listed, clic k Add P ort. Enter the inf ormation requested to c reate a new p rinter port.
Select the option to create an Enhanced TCP/IP Network Port. Other port options will not give you full
functionality.
12 Send a test page to print.
Other network cabling options
The following may also be available as network options for the printer. More information is available in the User
Guide on the publications CD that shipped with the printer.
• Fiber optic internal print servers
• Ethernet internal print servers
• Wireless internal print servers
• Ethernet external print servers
• Wireless external print servers
Detailed instructions for installation are shipped with the product.
Network printing using Mac, UNIX/Linux, or NetWare
For information about this support, see the User Guide on the publications CD that shipped with the printer.
You can find some additional information on the d river s CD that shi pped with the printer. Launch the drivers CD,
and click View Documentation.
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