RIP software is normaly used for large format inkjet printers. You don't need to use it to do what we are talking about.
Essentially you will need to be able to select a color and change it's value in a CMYK value.
You could easily create a square fill it with values that they suggest to reach a PMS value and tweak from there as David suggested.
How you go through this process depends on what software you use.
It can be time consuming, but it is possible. Your first goal as stated already is to get yourself a PMS color chart. Without this you can't do any color matching at all.
Beyond that, you will need to know how to set CMYK values for spot colors in whatever software that you use. A calibrated monitor would be great, but isn't essential since you are going to be tweaking the color 9 times out of ten anyway.
So
1. Get yourself a PMS Chart
2. Learn where you can set CMYK values for a color field in your prefered software.
Set a value that it shows on a PMS chart for the color that you are trying to match. Print it, press it, and check it against the chart....Adjust accordingly using the color theory info suggested below.
I would strongly suggest that you look into the following info on CMYK color theory. This will help you make adjustments more accurately than just by guessing.
You can find that information here...
http://www.byronc.com/art_color.shtml
Take a look at the CMYK color model portion for what subtractive CMYK colors combine to make new colors (Illustration 8. in the link).
This should help get you headed in the right direction.
Thanks,
Brian Genrich
Rallye Productions Inc.
1-800-236-2036 x112
Custom cut, or sheet stock Sublimatable metal,
Screen printing, and other digital print services.
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