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Color Management

We use the term “color management” to refer to our purposeful regulation of the color rendition on all devices that are part of the workflow. This regulation applies to both input devices (scanners and digital cameras) and output devices (monitors, proofers, printing plate exposure devices and printing machines). It is based on ISO 12647-2, an internationally recognized standard.

It enables us to deliver predictable, reproducible, high-quality printing results.

Advantages:
The main advantages of using a color management workflow are:

  • Predictable results achieved by simulating the expected printing result with the help of appropriately calibrated devices (monitor, proofer, etc.)
    • Time and money saved by elimination of proofs and trial prints
    • Customer no longer needs to confirm the print
  • Standardized process from origination to the finished product
  • Reproducible results from the proof to the print
  • Conformance to ISO norm can be authoritatively checked everywhere (for example, with the UGRA/FOGRA media wedge CMYK-TIFF V2.Oa)

How It Works:
Every device renders colors differently, due to individual characteristics. The number of colors that can be represented comprise the device-specific color space (for example, RGB on a monitor or CMYK in print), which is limited by the particular kind of color representation.

Actual values are determined from a test chart, using technical measuring methods. These values are compared to the color values that are specified in the ISO norm. This makes it possible to summarize device-specific characteristics in color profiles and to offset them with the database. Since these “errors” are compensated up-front, it is possible to achieve the desired target values.

To profile devices, only two steps are necessary:

  • Linearization/calibration
    In color management, linearization is understood as the adjustment of a device to values for neutral color representation. This requires use of an appropriate measuring device and calibration software.
  • Creation of a profile
    After linearization, a test chart containing a number of predefined color fields is output on the device to be profiled. The color values rendered are determined with a spectrophotometer and are compared to specified target values. The color profile created from the difference can be used to adjust the output so that the target values are achieved.

For example, if the customer’s proofing device and the service provider’s printing machine are both profiled against the ISO norm, the printing result will exactly match the proof created by the customer. The more uniformly the overall workflow conforms to a standard—the workflow at the customer’s as well as at the printer’s—the more controlled and secure the overall production process will be.

At arvato digital services, the following testing and monitoring methods assure standardized printing performance in conformance with ISO 12647-2:

  • UGRA/FOGRA media wedge 2.0/2.0a (based on ISO 12747-2)
  • IT8.7-3/EC12002 (for calibrating proofing and printing machines)
  • Altona Test Suite (technical measuring and visual monitoring of RIPs and output devices)
  • Spectrophotometers: GretagMacBeth “Eye-One”/"Spectrolino-SpectroScan”

Profiles:
Profiles are used for management of color output. In this connection, there are profiles for offsetting “device errors.” The profiles offset these deviations so that they again conform to the norm. There are different profiles for every field of application and for every device that is part of the work flow (for example, an RGB profile for the monitor image and a CMYK profile for the proof/print). 

In addition, there are profiles for simulating classes of paper that take into account the specific characteristics of the printing substrate.

This kind of profile is used in particular when different products are to be produced:

  • For paper classes 1 & 2 - ISOcoated_v@_eci.icc Downloading ICC Profiles

We recommend using the ICC profiles of ECI (European Color Initiative). With the links shown below, you can download the corresponding profiles. The packages are called:

New profiles have been available since January 2007.