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User Guide Colorimetry en PDF
User Guide Colorimetry en PDF
Introduction into
Colorimetry and Spectrophotometry
Contents
4 Colorimetry and spectrophotometry
cutting-edge tools in the print media industry
5 Historical background to colorimetry
5 Spectrophotometry as a basis for colorimetry
6 Forms of colorimetric control
6 Color control in practice
7 The customers perspective
8
8
9
10
10
11
11
12 Image measurement
possibilities of spectral measurement and colorimetric control
13 Color measurement and control with Prinect Image Control
14 Prinect Image Control in action
14 Graduated entry
15 Spectrophotometric measurement and color management
in the pressroom
16 Measuring technology
18 Integration in the color workflow
18 Conclusion
4 User Guide Colorimetry and spectrophotometry cutting-edge tools in the print media industry
L*a*b*-ball
1 L*a*b*
Colorimetry and spectrophotometry cutting-edge tools in the print media industry User Guide 5
6 User Guide Colorimetry and spectrophotometry cutting-edge tools in the print media industry
3 Pantone,
HKS
Color swatches for special colors
Colorimetry and spectrophotometry cutting-edge tools in the print media industry User Guide 7
The latest printing result is compared with the target value in each measuring
operation. The display shows the recommended settings for achieving the
target value in both numerical and graphic form. Printers have plenty of time
to check the control recommendation before approving it or can opt for automatic adjustment. In this case, the ink zones are adjusted immediately after
measuring without any need for the printers intervention. Printers therefore
dont have to grapple with tristimulus values or even complex mathematics.
CIE-L*a*b*
Color space determined by the Commission
International d'Eclairage based on human
perception of color.
A frequently underestimated factor is whats known as pre-inking, whereby, even before the first sheet is printed, the amount of ink that will be required later by the stable inking unit during the production run, is delivered
into the inking unit. The ideal situation is that the first sheet pulled corresponds as best as possible to the specified color desired. This requirement is
based on the experience that, the larger the deviations from the specified
value are, the more the number of control operations inevitably increases.
In essence, this means that if the values are set correctly in advance, they will
not have to be re-adjusted later on.
At the start of printing, the process steps described above define the preset
color and thus the starting point for color measurement and control.
How the Heidelberg color measurement and control systems work
In principle, Heidelberg utilizes spectrophotometers for all its latest color
measuring systems, regardless of whether color density or L*a*b* values are to
be measured. The spectra generated are transferred during the measuring
operation to the devices internal computer, where the appropriate software
calculates the desired values from the spectra. The spectral color values form
the basis of the colorimetric control, i.e. the recommended adjustments for
the ink zone openings are calculated directly, without involving densities.
In order to perform a control operation, the spectral values have to be
stored in the measuring device as specified/target values. This requirement
has been met for Pantone and HKS colors in all Heidelberg devices. No spectral
values are stored for process (4C), high-pigment and other colors. The reason
for this is the wide variety of different types of ink that are used in practice as
well as the frequent considerable differences in process colors. Thus, the
spectral value for these colors has to be calibrated by the printer using a print
sample (full tone). This then provides the new target color location.
In practice, this procedure can be carried out in a few minutes and offers
the advantage that the target values generated can actually be achieved with
the ink used in the printshop. Furthermore, quality monitoring of deviations
in hue is also supported as can occur for example with different batches of
ink.
Actual
_E
Target
Specified
The results of colorimetric control show
two aspects: Firstly, the color distance E
still to be adjusted up to the target color
location representing the best possible
approximation of the specified value and,
secondly, the non-adjustable color distance
E0 which remains as a color difference
between the specified and actual value.
(Magenta)
b
Color line
_E0
12 User Guide Image measurement possibilities of spectral measurement and colorimetric control
Image measurement possibilities of spectral measurement and colorimetric control User Guide 13
RGB values
color values based on the primary colors
red, green, blue
14 User Guide Image measurement possibilities of spectral measurement and colorimetric control
ICC profiles6 for the print process form the basis for this. They describe
the color space that can be reproduced using a particular combination of ink
and paper. They therefore provide the basis for a simulation of the offset print
on a proofing device or softproof, and are an indispensable component for
good color separations in the prepress. The printer can refer to standard profiles or generate the profiles himself. The latter method has the advantage
that the profile is precisely coordinated with the printshops consumables.
The operator is not necessarily constrained by a standard provided he stays
within its tolerance. With this method, however, internal proof results are
assured of much greater color fidelity. If he deviates from the standard because certain print jobs require it, ICC profiles must always be customized.
This would be the case, for example, if a larger color space was required during the print stage when using highly pigmented inks and/or FM screens7.
Whether you use your own or standard profiles, continuous checking that the
print results are within the tolerances is absolutely essential. There is no need
to keep generating new profiles. The measured results can be used for comparison with the stored standard. If the inking result lies outside the tolerance, in many cases you can get back to the standard again by correcting the
printing characteristics. However, if the ink or the paper is changed, it is
advisable to adapt the existing profiles.
Measuring technology
The colorimetric values required for generating ICC profiles are supplied by
spectrophotometers. They record the spectra of measurement masters and
use these to calculate the colorimetric values. In the graphic arts industry,
CIE L*a*b* has become the standard color space because of the way it simulates
the human perception of color. Users can choose from different types of
spectrophotometers depending on the type of work they do.
Hand-held measuring instruments are the gateway into spectrophotometry. Measurement of individual color patches can be started at the touch of a
button and the result shown on a display. The operator can choose whether he
wants the display to show colorimetric values or densities and dot gains.
Modern instruments have an interface that allows measured values to be transferred online to a PC or Mac. Profiling software evaluates the data, displays
color space and printing characteristics and evens out outliers in the measurement if necessary. Guidelines in the software facilitate the setting procedure for
different profiles. In PrintOpen from Heidelberg, for instance, you can select
which print processes and papers the profile is to be used for and the corresponding presetting will be performed automatically. You can also influence the
color separation by changing the gradation and the reproduction characteristic. Because these instruments measure each measuring field individually,
recording a whole ECI_2002 test form takes considerable time.
ICC profiles
Description of a color space as per the
International Color Consortium
FM screen
= frequency modulated screen
Dot size remains constant and frequency
(number) of dots varies. The opposite of an
autotypical screen.
Conclusion
By integrating color management in the manufacturing process, a printshop
creates the best conditions for communicating with its customers. Quality in
the color process is no longer reliant on complicated lithography on the
press, but is rather the result of coordinated processes between the customer,
prepress and press. Corresponding technical equipment such as the spectrophotometer and profiling software are essential for this. Heidelberg has
been committed to spectral measurement and colorimetric evaluation for
many years. Thanks to this foresighted development, printshops with the
right equipment can easily implement the current colorimetric target values
of ISO 12647-28 and the Offset Printing Process Standard a prerequisite for
reproducible quality. Further development of Prinect Color Solutions is
underway with the aim of making the color process even more efficient and
reliable in future.
ISO 12647-2
International standard for process control
in offset printing.
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
Kurfuersten-Anlage 5260
69115 Heidelberg
Germany
Phone +49 6221 92-00
Fax +49 6221 92-6999
www.heidelberg.com
Trademarks
Heidelberg, the Heidelberg logotype, Prinect, Axis Control,
CP2000 Center and Speedmaster are registered trademarks of
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG in the U.S. and other countries.
Mini Spot is a trademark of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
in Germany and other countries. PANTONE is a registered
trademark of Pantone, Inc. All other trademarks are property of
their respective owners.
Subject to technical modifications and other changes.
00.000.0000
Publishing Information
Printed in: 11/05
Photographs: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
Fonts: HeidelbergGothicMl
Author: Bernd Utter, Dr. Werner Huber
Printed in Germany