Prepress & Color Control Queries, ZQA

How to manage client expectations in various lights

How can the conflict between Illuminant D50 and client expectations regarding color appearance under ambient lights (like A and D65) be managed?

The conflict between Illuminant D50 and client expectations (who may have seen the color under A or D65 light) must be resolved by establishing a common language. Quality control and the definition of the printed color must obligatorily be based on D50, as it is the only standard light source for printing.

The printer must execute quality control correctly while simultaneously guiding the client based on D50 standards. Since the client's mindset and retail environment are often defined by different lights (like A and D65), serious discussion is required to prevent branding damage. This educational and standardization process prevents costly errors and aligns the expectations of the designer and the client.

Aligned with: Munsell / X-Rite / FOGRA