This site is optimised for printed output.

However in order to be seen at its best it requires for ther internet settings to be set to print background colours. To do this go to control panel, select the internet icon, open the tab marked 'advanced', then ensure that there is a tick in the box labelled ' print background images and colors'.

Does our artwork look dark or otherwise less than perfect! If so it is probably due to lack of compatability between hardware or software. Read on to learn more.

The Technology to display graphic images (such as pictures) on internet pages is far more complex than most people realise. The biggest problem is that people use different computer systems, monitors, video cards and browsers which can have different characteristics which can cause the final appearance of the graphic to vary, but even the background illumination of the viewing room can alter alter the appearrance of the image.

The mysteries of Gamma

In order to undertand the reasons for this you need to understand the concept of 'gamma'. This is a very complicated subject, but in simple terms Gamma is a transfer function defining the relationship between the input and output of devices such as computer monitors. If gamma is 1.0 (it seldom is) the output will be the same as the input. The higher the gamma then the darker is the display on the monitor compared to the input. Gamma is typically in the range of 1.0 to 2.5. Some modern video cards have the ability to adjust the gamma to a pre-set level as do some image processing softwares. However, there is controversy as to what the correct level then is. Macintosh monitors typically operate at a gamma of 1.8 whilst the default level of Windows machines is about 2.4. The result of this is that the same graphic displayed on a Windows machine is much darker than if displayed on a Mac. As internet sites might be viewed on either system this creates problems which some people overcome by chosing an intermediate gamma of 2.2 for their graphics or by optimising for a specified system.

Gamma can theoretically only be used for monitors but a similar effect occurs with printers and is often given the same name. Printing presses typically have a gamma of around 1.8. It is not a coincidence that Macintosh computers are adjusted to this figure as the Macintosh platform is optimised for desktop publishing.

Jangala graphics are optimised for printing and display at a gamma of 1.8. In simple terms this means that the graphics will look dark on an unadjusted Windows machine. If your video card allows the adjustment of gamma, then set it to 1.8.

Graphic file formats

The other major limitation on graphic quality is the file format and resolution. Our original files are at resolutions of 300 dpi in photoshop format. These files have good resoultion and quality but with file sizes in the range of 20 Mb and as such would take hours rather than minutes to download if used on the site. This would be totally impractical. Consequently it is necessary to use files which are of a lower resolution and compressed. Unfortunately this leads to an inevitable loss of resolution and quality

This is not meant to be a comprehensive introduction to graphic reproduction. It is simply to indicate the problems that exist and thus indicate that the illustrations cannot be exact reproductions of the originals.

Further information

If you want to learn more about these matters then we recommend the following sites as useful introductions:

Accurate Image Manipulation for Desktops is one of the best introductions to this topics, though you should be aware that some of the conclusions are rather controversial. Having said that I've found it by far the most useful site. The URL is www.pp.clinet.fi/~timothy/

Color technology is widely regarded as the standard site in this field. However, its rather technical and I haven't found that some of the suggestions are very practical or useful. It does however have some useful information and some good links. The URL is http://home.inforamp.net/~poynton/Poynton-color.html

Graphics Unleashed is a site primarily devoted to users of Corel Draw. However, a lot of the information has wider aplication and is presented in a very accessible form. I particularly recommend the sections on colour management and hardware, as well aas the comprehensive links section. The URL is www.unleashed.com

A Few Scanning Tips is a site devoted to scanning graphics. It is quite comprehensive and has useful information on subjects such as Colour management and file formats. It also has good links. The URL is www.scantips.com