Xerox 5252 User Manual

DocuColor 5252 Operator Manual

2-3

About color  pr inting

Successful reproduction of color images depends on a number of 
factors, starting with the differences in how the various 
technologies that affect the image translate and display the color.

Scanners are able to capture colors only as red, green, and blue 
(RGB). Two types of scanners are used today: drum and flatbed 
scanners. A flatbed scanner does not have as much color range 
as a drum scanner.

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A drum scanner uses a photomultiplier tube (PMT) that is very 
sensitive and accurate. The original document is attached to 
the drum which is rotated past a group of sensors - one each 
for red, green, and blue, and a fourth that sharpens the digital 
image. An internal computer usually performs the RGB to 
CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) conversion.

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Flatbed scanners use a less expensive and less accurate 
charge coupled device (CCD) sensor. The original is placed on 
a flat glass surface and the array of CCD sensors passes by 
the original, and collects the red, green, and blue data. RGB to 
CMYK conversion is usually performed on a computer 
workstation.

The resolution at which the image is initially scanned 

and digitized determines the quality of the final output and limits 
the degree to which the image can be enlarged without loss of 
final printed quality.