How we see color

Red

Green

Blue

When we see color, we actually see light that is passed through or reflected from an object. What our eyes perceive as visible light are wavelengths. Our eyes are sensitive to three specific wavelengths. They are the colors red, green, and blue.

When you view your monitor, you see red, green, and blue light that is projected into your eyes. This is known as additive color. Additive color begins with black and adds red, green, and blue to produce the colors you can see. If you add equal amounts of red, green, and blue, you produce white. The images and colors you see on your screen are created using various amounts of red, green, and blue.

Primary colors

Notice the three primary additive colors red, green, and blue in the illustration. You can see that when all three colors are com- bined, you get white. However, look at the area where any two colors overlap. What you see is cyan, magenta, or yellow. Equal amounts of green and blue produce cyan. Equal amounts of blue and red produce magenta, and equal amounts of red and green produce yellow. The inks used to place color on your printed material are cyan, magenta, yellow, and black.

The colors in newspapers, magazines, and the documents you print are based on the light being reflected from the printed material and into your eyes. The color you see is subtractive color. Subtractive color begins with white light. Portions of the white light wavelength are then subtracted based on the colors present on the printed page. What this means is the light reach- ing your document is partially absorbed by the ink placed on the page. For example, when white light encounters cyan, it absorbs the red wavelength in the light and reflects blue and green toward your eyes.

If you add equal amounts of cyan, magenta, and yellow, you cre- ate black. When you combine these colors equally in your printed material you create what is known as processed black. Processed black when printed looks like a very dirty or muddy brown. Because of this, your printer has a black print cartridge to provide you with true black for all your printing needs.

76 Chapter 4: Using color

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Lexmark Optra C710 manual How we see color, Primary colors

Optra C710 specifications

The Lexmark Optra C710 is a multifunction color laser printer designed to meet the diverse printing requirements of small to medium-sized businesses. Known for its robust performance and exceptional print quality, the Optra C710 offers a reliable solution for organizations looking to enhance their document workflow.

One of the standout features of the Optra C710 is its impressive printing speed. Capable of producing up to 26 pages per minute in black and white and 23 pages per minute in color, this printer ensures that users can complete their printing tasks quickly, minimizing bottlenecks in productivity. The first page out time is also commendably fast, allowing users to print professional-quality documents without delay.

Print quality is another vital aspect where the Optra C710 excels. With a maximum print resolution of 1200 x 1200 dpi, it produces sharp text and vibrant color graphics. This high resolution is achieved through Lexmark's advanced laser technology, which ensures that prints are crisp and clear every time. The printer's ability to handle a variety of media types and sizes further enhances its versatility, supporting everything from envelopes to cardstock.

In terms of connectivity, the Optra C710 is equipped with multiple options including USB, parallel, and network capabilities, making it suitable for both individual and shared environments. Built-in networking allows various users to access the printer simultaneously, thus streamlining office operations. Additionally, support for various operating systems ensures compatibility with a wide range of computers and devices.

The Optra C710 is designed with user-friendliness in mind. Its intuitive control panel makes it easy to navigate through different settings and monitor printer status. Regular maintenance tasks are simplified with easy access to consumables, such as toner cartridges, which can be easily replaced without requiring specialized tools.

Moreover, the printer is built for durability. With a monthly duty cycle rated for high-volume printing, it can handle demanding print jobs while maintaining consistent performance. Its energy-efficient features help reduce operational costs, making it an environmentally friendly choice as well.

In summary, the Lexmark Optra C710 is a powerful color laser printer that combines speed, quality, and ease of use. Its multifunction capabilities and robust features make it an excellent addition to any business looking for reliable printing solutions, whether for internal documents or client-facing materials. With its advanced technology and practical design, the Optra C710 truly stands out in the competitive landscape of color printers.