Draft:TRUMATCH Color System
TRUMATCH system for 4-color selection & matching
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Trumatch is a color matching system for 4-color process (CMYK) printing used in the graphic design and printing industries. Launched in 1990, the patented system provides a standardized method for selecting and reproducing colors in digital graphic design software through a 3-dimensional mapping of the CMYK color gamut based on hue, saturation, and brightness (HSL and HSV).
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Comment: (i) Is the name really pronounced like "tea arr you emm eh tea see eich", or is it pronounced like "true match"? If the latter, then ⟨TRUMATCH⟩ is merely vanity-capitalized and should be converted to ⟨Trumatch⟩. (ii) Forty-seven is an absurdly large number of items listed for "further reading" / "external links". Hoary (talk) 08:59, 3 April 2026 (UTC)
- Comment: In accordance with Wikipedia's Conflict of interest guideline, I disclose that I have a conflict of interest regarding the subject of this article. WMsteve (talk) 16:52, 1 April 2026 (UTC)
The system was created to address challenges in accurate color reproduction during the transition from traditional to digital design and printing methods, and to improve communication between graphic designers who specify colors and commercial 4-color process printers whose job it is to reproduce them.
Trumatch is integrated into major graphic design software packages including Adobe Creative Cloud, CorelDRAW, and QuarkXPress. In 1991, the Graphic Arts Technical Foundation (GATF) presented Trumatch with its InterTech Technology Award.[1]
Trumatch publishes printed color guides (Colorfinder fanguides) that enable designers to select colors from physical swatches rather than computer screens, addressing the color gamut differences between RGB displays and CMYK printing.
History
Background
Prior to the development of Trumatch, graphic designers typically selected solid ink colors (such as Pantone) for reproduction in 4-color process printing.[2] This approach had limitations, as many bright colors achievable with solid inks fall outside the CMYK color gamut. Additionally, perception of on-screen RGB colors often differ significantly from printed CMYK results due to differences in color gamuts and the physics of transmitted versus reflected light.[3]
Development and launch
Trumatch System was developed by Steve Abramson in the late 1980’s during an interval when he owned and operated an electronic color imaging company that trained graphic designers in the use of digital design software to place low-res proxy images for automatic replacement with high-res images in final print production.[4] Previously, Abramson, who had served on New York City's Printing Industry Advisory Board, was president of a commercial printing company that was among the early users of six-color presses with computer-controlled inking systems.
The Trumatch System emerged during a period of rapid transition in the printing industry from analog to digital workflows. Prior to digital prepress systems, tint screens were manufactured in 5% increments; digital electronic output systems enabled production of 1% tint increments, which enabled finer color gradations.[5]
Reception
In 1991, the Graphic Arts Technical Foundation presented Trumatch with its InterTech Technology Award for Innovative Excellence. The same year, Adobe Photoshop, which had integrated Trumatch color selection, also received the award. The GATF InterTech Technology Award, established in 1978, is regarded as one of the graphic communications industry's most significant honors for technological innovation.[1]
Trumatch color libraries are included in software such as Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop.[6] and CorelDRAW.[7] and QuarkXPress.[8]
System design
The Trumatch System organizes process color using a 3-dimensional model based on Hue, Saturation, and Brightness (HSB). The system includes 50 hues arranged in the sequence of the visible spectrum (ROYGBIV), with tints organized in proportionate values of cyan, magenta, and yellow (CMY). Black is handled separately in 6% increments defining shades.[9]
Numbering system
The Trumatch numbering convention consists of three components:
- Hue: identified by numbers 1-50
- Tints (saturation steps of CMY): represented by letters a through h
- Shades: represented by numbers 1-7, adding black in 6% steps up to 42%
For example, Trumatch 28c-2 designates the 28th Hue, at the 3rd Tint saturation step (c); with the second Black increment (12%).
The system includes over 2,000 color choices, including a section of 4-color greys.
Printed guides
Trumatch publishes printed color guides (Colorfinder fanguides) to enable color selection from physical swatches. The appearance of colors on-screen are often inaccurate representations of printed results, primarily due to the difference in color gamuts of RGB on-screen and printed CMYK. Another factor is the perception (intensity) of transmitted light vs. reflected light.[3]