How to sample a chart color for a printed brochure

You have a chart color you want to reuse in a brochure, but guessing by eye can lead to a noticeably different shade. Sample a solid part of the chart on screen, then use the color value in your brochure layout.

The Color Picker can sample a color from anywhere on your screen and show values such as HEX and RGB. Use it on a computer in Chrome or Edge. A screen sample is a useful starting point, but it cannot guarantee an exact match on paper.

Sample the chart color

1. Open the chart at a size where the colored area is easy to see. If it is in a PDF or slide deck, zoom in enough to find a broad, flat area of the color, not just a thin line.
2. Open the Color Picker in Chrome or Edge on a computer. If the browser asks to let the tool access your screen, follow the on-screen prompt.
3. Point to the middle of a chart section with an even fill. Avoid borders, labels, gridlines, shadows, and the edges of text, where antialiasing can mix the chart color with nearby pixels.
4. Read the displayed HEX or RGB value and copy it carefully. Save the value with a note about which chart series it came from, especially if the chart uses several similar colors.
5. Enter that value in your brochure design or document. If the program asks for a color format, choose the matching format, such as HEX or RGB, and check that the preview looks right.
6. Print a small proof on the paper you plan to use. Compare the printed color in neutral light, then adjust the design if needed before printing the full brochure.

The Color Picker works from the pixels currently shown on your display. It does not open a chart file or read its original color settings, so keep the chart visible while sampling.

Choose the right sample and value

Use a flat area, not an edge

Charts often have smooth edges on screen. A pixel along the boundary between a bar and its background can contain a blend of both colors, even if the original chart uses one solid fill. Sample near the center of a wide bar, slice, or legend swatch. If the chart mark is too narrow, zoom in or sample the matching legend key instead.

Use HEX or RGB for a screen-based design

HEX values such as #2F7FB3 and RGB values such as 47, 127, 179 describe the same screen color in different formats. Enter either value if your design program supports it. Keep the value in your project notes so you can reuse the exact screen sample later.

Expect print to look different

A monitor makes color with light. A printer makes color with ink or toner on paper. Paper brightness, printer settings, ink, and the design program's color handling can all change the result. The sampled value identifies the displayed color, not a guaranteed ink recipe or a certified print match.

Fix a sample or print that looks wrong

1. Sample the center again. Move away from text, chart outlines, and antialiased edges. If the color looks uneven across the chart, sample two or three interior points and compare the readings.
2. Check the screen and browser access. Use Chrome or Edge on a computer, since Color Picker's from-anywhere screen sampling works there. If the browser blocks screen access, review the prompt or site permissions and reload the tool. Other browsers may provide a reduced version or no screen sampling.
3. Confirm the value format. Check whether the brochure program expects HEX, RGB, or another format before entering the number. Do not paste a HEX value into separate red, green, and blue fields.
4. Check the print color settings. In Windows 11, open Settings › Bluetooth & devices › Printers & scanners, choose your printer, and review its available printing preferences. On macOS, open System Settings › Printers & Scanners, select the printer, and check its options. The exact color controls depend on the printer and application.
5. Print a proof with the intended paper and quality. Paper type and print quality can change how colors appear. In the print dialog, select the paper and quality settings that match the final brochure, then print a small test before committing to a large run.
6. Ask the print provider about its color workflow. If the brochure is going to a commercial printer, ask which file format and color profile they prefer. A screen RGB value may need a managed conversion for that printer's process, and the provider can tell you how to prepare the artwork.

Why matching the screen is not enough

When a design program converts screen colors for print, it may translate RGB values into a print color space such as CMYK, which represents combinations of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black inks. Some bright screen colors cannot be reproduced exactly with a particular printer and paper. This is why a value can be copied correctly and still look muted or shifted on the proof.

Judge the printed proof under the kind of lighting where people will read the brochure. A warm desk lamp can make a blue look duller, while different paper stocks can alter the apparent brightness. If the color matters for a brand, use the approved print specification from the brand owner or printer rather than treating a browser sample as a production standard.

Keep the sampled HEX or RGB value with the source chart and the printed proof, so you can make a controlled adjustment instead of guessing at the color again.