Why do printed images often look different than images displayed on a computer screen?

The differences in how printed images and those displayed on a computer screen appear can primarily be attributed to the distinct color methods utilized by printers and monitors. Monitors typically utilize the RGB (Red, Green, Blue) color model, which combines these three colors of light at various intensities to create the color display. This method is inherent to electronic displays, which emit light directly.

In contrast, printers usually employ the CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) color model, which is a subtractive color process that involves using inks to absorb certain wavelengths of light and reflect others. This difference in color models can lead to variations in how colors are reproduced in print versus on a screen.

Additional factors, such as the medium (paper type versus screen), the lighting conditions in which the images are viewed, and the way colors are rendered in each medium also contribute to the visual differences. Understanding this fundamental difference in color reproduction techniques is essential for those working with digital images and printed materials, especially in fields related to graphic design, photography, and printing technology.