A color model is a method for describing color in desktop publishing and graphic arts. Some color models are designed for colors on a computer monitor or video screen; others are designed for colors in printed publications. In addition to color models, color matching systems are used to make sure colors look the same as they are moved from on-screen viewing to the printed page.

Why Are Color Models Important?

Using the correct color model helps guarantee that the colors you choose for your publication are the colors that will appear in the final output, whether you print your publication or post it to the Web.

The color you see in a printed publication is produced by light that is absorbed and reflected by ink pigments on the page. The color in an on-screen page, on the other hand, is produced by light that is emitted by the computer monitor.

Your monitor and printer use different color models, and have different color ranges. Not all colors displayed on your computer screen can be printed. Conversely, colors you choose for your printed publication may not be accurately represented on your monitor. Even similar devices display colors differently. For example, you may have noticed that colors look different on different monitors.

The Different Color Models

Color models use precise numerical values to define color and color ranges. Many color models were created to accommodate variations in devices and media. Publisher uses the RGB, HSL, and CMYK models.

RGB Colors reproduced by emitted light, such as on a computer monitor or video screen, can be defined with the RGB color model. RGB is an acronym for red, green, and blue. Percentages of these three colors can be mixed to achieve the appearance of any color.

To set up your publication to use RGB colors

1. Point to Commercial Printing on the Tools menu, and then click Color Printing.
2. Click Composite RGB.
3. Click OK.

To specify an RGB color

1. Click the picture you want to recolor.
2. Click Recolor Picture on the Format menu.
3. Click the arrow next to Color, and then click the color you want.
   -Or-
   To see more color choices, click the arrow next to Color, and then click More Colors.
4. To recolor the whole picture or object in a new color, click Recolor whole picture.
   -Or-
   To keep the black parts of the picture black and recolor the rest, click Leave black parts black.
5. Click OK.

To see a demonstration of how to specify an RGB color, click the Start button:

HSL Another model for defining color as it is displayed on a monitor or video screen is HSL, which stands for hue, saturation, and luminosity. Hue is the actual color as it is found on the visible spectrum. In the HSL color model, hue is described in degrees as an angle on the color wheel. Saturation describes the intensity of the color, and is represented as a percentage of the hue. Luminosity refers to the lightness of the hue, and is measured as a percentage of white.

To specify an HSL color

1. Make sure your publication is set up to use RGB colors.
2. Click the picture you want to recolor.
3. Click Recolor Picture on the Format menu.
4. Click the arrow next to Color, and then click More Colors.
5. Click All colors.
6. Under Color model, click the arrow, click HSL, and then choose the options you want.
7. Click OK.
8. To recolor the whole picture, click Recolor whole picture.
   -Or-
   To keep the black parts of the picture black and recolor the rest, click Leave black parts black.
9. Click OK.

To see a demonstration of how to specify an HSL color, click the START button:

CMYK Colors reproduced by absorbed and reflected light, such as ink on paper, can be defined with the CMYK color model. CMYK is an acronym for cyan, magenta, yellow, and black (abbreviated as K). Percentages of pigments in these colors can be mixed to achieve the appearance of almost any color on a printed page.

To set up your publication to use CMYK colors

1. Point to Commercial Printing on the Tools menu, and then click Color Printing.
2. Click Process colors (CMYK).
3. Click OK.

To specify CMYK colors

1. Click the picture you want to recolor.
2. Click Recolor Picture on the Format menu.
3. Click the arrow next to Color, and then click the color you want.
   -Or-
   To see more color choices, click the arrow next to Color, and then click More Colors.
4. To recolor the whole picture, click Recolor whole picture.
   -Or-
   To keep the black parts of the picture black and recolor the rest, click Leave black parts black.
5. Click OK.

To see a demonstration of how to specify CMYK colors, click the Start button:

Color Matching Systems

If you plan on printing your publication professionally, you should use a color matching system in addition to the correct color model. Color matching systems include printed swatch books, which enable you to see exactly what colors will look like when printed on paper, as opposed to what they look like on-screen.

Publisher 2000 supports the PANTONE MATCHING SYSTEM®, one of the most widely used color-matching systems in commercial printing. You can use the PANTONE MATCHING SYSTEM to specify colors in publications set up for commercial printing. That way, color selection is predictable.

Most commercial printing services recommend that you choose colors from color-matching guides or swatch books. Work with your commercial printing professional to determine which color matching system you should use.

To specify a PANTONE® process color

1. Make sure your publication is set up to use CMYK colors.
2. Click the picture you want to recolor.
3. Click Recolor Picture on the Format menu.
4. Click the arrow next to Color, and then click More Colors.
5. Click All colors.
6. Under Color model, click the arrow, click PANTONE, and then click the color you want to use.
7. Click OK three times.

   Note  You can also use PANTONE colors in a spot color publication. For information on how to set up a publication for spot-color printing using PANTONE colors, click Microsoft Publisher Help on the Help menu, and then type Use PANTONE colors in the Office Assistant or on the Answer Wizard tab. Click Use PANTONE colors in my publication, and then click Color an object with a PANTONE spot color.

To see a demonstration of how to specify a PANTONE process color, click the Start button:

Which Color Model Should You Apply?

The following table shows which color models give you the best results for Web sites and printed publications.

Publication Type	Color Model	Comments
Publications viewed on-screen	RGB or HSL	All colors you see on-screen are based on the RGB model, even when HSL values are specified.
Publications printed on a desktop printer	RGB, HSL, or CMYK	Color matching on desktop printers varies considerably. In most cases, the color model will not affect how colors look when they are printed.
Publications printed at a commercial printing service	CMYK	If your commercial printing service supports the PANTONE MATCHING SYSTEM, you can select PANTONE colors for your publication.

For More Information

Publisher 2000 includes information on how to set up your publication as a Web site, for commercial printing, or for use with the PANTONE COLOR MATCHING SYSTEM. Click Microsoft Publisher Help on the Help menu, and then type:

• Set up Web site in the Office Assistant or on the Answer Wizard tab to read how to set up your publication as a Web site.
• Set up for CMYK commercial printing in the Office Assistant or on the Answer Wizard tab to read how to set up your publication for commercial printing.
• Use PANTONE colors in the Office Assistant or on the Answer Wizard tab to read how to apply PANTONE colors.