®

ONYX Profiling Training

What’s New in 7.1

Profiling Workflow Agenda
Getting Started
Application Settings
Create a New Media
Tips/Recap
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What’s New in 7.1

Improved VarDot Workflow

Revised Advanced Ink Restriction
Integrated Measure Tool and Graph
New ICC Build Options

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What’s New in 7.1

What’s New in 7.1 - Profiling Improvements

ƒ Improved VarDot printer support

ƒ New Ink Configuration with enhanced coverage curves for smooth dot
ƒ Simplified VarDot workflow for existing and legacy ink configurations
ƒ Integrated access to color sampling devices and measure tools
ƒ Measure different color spaces for determining ink restrictions
ƒ Plot points and graph measurements for visual reference
ƒ Print and Scan configuration options with on-board devices
ƒ New UI for Advanced Ink Restrictions and Transition Controls
ƒ Browse for “Other” files and print swatches using values displayed within software
ƒ Macros for automation with setting values
ƒ ICC Build Options
ƒ Interpolation for smoother boundary points and expanded gamut
ƒ UCR options for black generation and neutral gray profiles

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Training Agenda

Profiling Workflow

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Profiling Workflow

Training Agenda – Profiling Workflow

ƒ Getting Started
ƒ Printer Maintenance and Optimal Printing Conditions
ƒ Profiling for Purpose, Workflow, and Process
ƒ Application Settings
ƒ RIP-Queue
ƒ Media Page and Placement Strategy
ƒ Media Manager
ƒ Configure Color Sampling Device
ƒ Configure Printer Capabilities
ƒ Create A New Media
ƒ Media and Modes
ƒ Drop Size Control (Variable Dot Only)
ƒ Ink Restrictions
ƒ Calibration/Linearization
ƒ Ink Limits
ƒ ICC Profile ONYX® Software for Superior Printing Workflow
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Getting Started

Printer Maintenance
Profiling for Purpose

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Profiling Workflow

Getting Started

ƒ Printer Maintenance
ƒ Run print head cleaning
ƒ Perform any print head alignments
ƒ Make sure all nozzles are firing
ƒ Replace failing print heads

ƒ Optimal Printing Conditions

ƒ Load the media you wish to profile
ƒ Make sure you have enough media for R&D and test prints
ƒ Make sure you have plenty of ink
ƒ Allow plenty of time for profiling outside of production

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Profiling Workflow

Getting Started

ƒ Profiling for Purpose, Workflow, and Process

ƒ The type of target output you plan to create determines what and how you
select for certain values during ink restrictions and ICC build options.
ƒ The choices you’ll make during the workflow need to remain focused on
this purpose for each media you create.

ƒ For example - Things to Think About When Profiling:

ƒ What is the purpose of this profile, production or high quality?
ƒ Are you trying to matching Pantone and/or accurate spot matching?
ƒ Do you want the largest possible color gamut?
ƒ Are you trying to achieve high contrast and the darkest black?
ƒ Are you printing mostly black and white photography?
ƒ Does this profile need to match SWOP or other proofing targets?

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Profiling Workflow

Profiling for Purpose – Examples

ƒ Knowing where you are going

– Choices to be made about how this profile will be used.
ƒ Indoor / Outdoor
ƒ Viewing distance
ƒ Resolution
ƒ Speed vs. Quality (and Dry Time)
ƒ B/W neutrality vs. Saturated Color
ƒ Photography vs. Banners/Signs
ƒ Tips and Tricks – Expand your Options
– Profiling your own media means you don’t have to be limited
– Suggestions to help create better profiles
– How to Make Better Decisions
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Profiling Workflow

Profiling for Purpose – Proofing

Determining Target Densities depends on your profiling purpose.

You can use the density values below as a guide. You can also use the
Pantone CMYK chip chart, LCH for chroma shifts, or a visual method
which allows for maximum gamut without artifacts/bleed.
Target C M Y K
Densities
SWOP(C) 1.3 1.4 1.0 1.6
SWOP(UC) .92 1.04 .86 1.09
IRIS 1.95 1.71 1.31 2.1
EURO 1.45 1.45 1.4 1.9

Choose a percentage for each color

channel where the value of the
swatch increases to a plateau.

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Profiling Workflow

Profiling for Purpose – Pantone

ƒ Using the Pantone Swatch Book

– Pantone to Process guide includes CMYK patches for visual reference
– Compare with printed swatches to visually match density or hue while
setting ink restrictions
– Take measurement reading if you want to match the densities numerically
ƒ Reports and Tools within Media Manager
– Run Report of any profile to see how close colors are within the gamut
– Review the volume and specific ΔE value
• Δ E < 2 – dead match, color difference is not noticeable
• Δ E < 5 – close match, some difference may be noticeable
• Δ E < 10 – no match and the color is out of gamut, very noticeable
ƒ Some Colors are Out of Gamut
– Not all Pantone color can be achieved using CMYK inks

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Profiling Workflow

Profiling for Purpose – Solvent

ƒ Understanding the variables involved

– Heater temps may vary across the width of the printer
– Pre-heat warms the media and opens the pore to accept ink
– Post-heat dries the ink and evaporates the solvent
– Solvent ink tends to produce higher Dot Gain
– Solvent Level / Material compatibility
ƒ Adjusting the profiling process for Solvents
– What to look for in the swatches
ƒ Banding / Bleed
ƒ HEAT causes most issues, vary temps for work around
ƒ Print multiple test swatches across width or printer
– Stable Swatches for Measurements/Decisions
– Controlling Artifacts
ƒ Ink Restrictions
– Set Light Inks to 30-50% of darkest ink level to avoid excessive dot gain
– Print verification swatch and look for bleed in swatches that show light inks
– Address any Light Ink issues during Ink Restrictions before moving to Calibration

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Profiling Workflow

Profiling for Purpose – UV

ƒ Determine proper lamp temp to optimally cure ink

ƒ Most users can keep Ink Restriction at 100%
– Check for “scratch” test to make sure the ink is “baked”
– Reduce ink percentage values if surface comes off easily
– Proper adhesion and coverage are needed for good calibration
ƒ Calibrate
– Print > Setup > Options
– Change number of patches to 17
– This gives one line of color on the strip per channel
– Re-read black for white density values
– Build Linearization as normal
ƒ Ink Limits
– If you are profiling with white ink, you are using an additional channel
– Setting ink limits lower than 4.0 may reduce white ink coverage
– Use Advanced Ink Limits and set row (7) to 5.0
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RIP-Queue Settings

Media and Placement Strategy

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RIP-Queue

ƒ Media
– Select Page Size
– Change Media Name
ƒ Reminder to do Later when you
Print Test Image to use media
you just created
ƒ If you see a “Waiting for Media”
in the print Queue
ƒ Placement Strategy
– Print Jobs Individually
ƒ Use Print Now
– Conserve Media

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Media Manager Settings

Media Manager
Configure Color Sampling Device
Configure Printer Capabilities

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Profiling Workflow

Media Manager

• Media Manager – Overview

– What is Media Manager?
• Application that provides quality and consistency
• Controls ink and media configurations
– What does Media Manager do?
• Manages Profiles
• Recalibration
• Profiling
– How do I open Media Manager?

Highlight Printer

Click > Media Manager

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Profiling Workflow

Media Manager – Application Settings

File > Settings

Print Method
RIP-Queue or Direct

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Profiling Workflow

Configure Devices – Color Sampling Device

ƒ Colorimeter - Measures the amount of color,
or colorimetry of a surface
– Used for reading ICC swatches
– Captures L*a*b* values
ƒ Densitometer - Measures the density of color,
or volume of ink on a surface
– Used for determining Ink Restrictions to
eliminate “waste”
– Captures density values
ƒ Spectrophotometer - Measures the entire
spectrum of color, or degree to which the
surface reflects light in different regions
across the spectrum
– Used for reading ICC swatches and creating
profiles for different lighting conditions Media Manager Home Screen
Configure Devices > Configure
– Captures L*a*b* values and most devices also Color Sampling Device
ready L*c*h* values
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Profiling Workflow

Configure Devices – Adding a New Device

ƒ How do I configure my CSD?

Click > Add

ƒ Scroll through the list and locate your

device. This list includes printers with
on-board devices

Select Device

Click > Next

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Configure Devices – Adding a New Device

ƒ Click > Next and configure the

communication port.
ƒ Most devices are USB, some onboard
devices are TCP/IP and require the IP
address of the printer

Select Port and click > Next

Number of measurements
per patch is (1) by default

Strip or Page Readings for

each measurement

Click > Next

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Profiling Workflow

Configure Devices – Calibrating the Device

ƒ Once the device is installed, click > Calibrate

ƒ This ensures accurate readings and active

communication between the computer and
the device

Click > Calibrate

Follow on-screen
instructions

Click > OK

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Profiling Workflow

Configure Devices – Printer Capabilities

ƒ Configure Devices > Configure Printer Capabilities

– Activate options for profiling
• Page Size – manufacture sizes, you can add sized within RIP-Queue
• Resolutions – manufacture resolutions which the printer driver can reproduce
• Dot Patterns – screening method and halftone patterns (Stochastic is default)
• Ink Configurations – ink options your printer uses and can have loaded
• Processing Options – Most output is CMYK (Light processing printers use RGB and 12 color
printers use CMYKRGB)

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Profiling Workflow

Printer Capabilities – Dot Patterns

Dot Pattern - A Dot Pattern is a method by which dots are placed on paper. There are many different ways
that dots can be placed so that they can trick the human eye into seeing a continuous color.
ƒ Stochastic
– A type of FM halftone structure which is made of many pixels of the same size that are evenly
dispersed, so the frequency of the pattern is a function of the gray level represented
– This produces an average of the color for an area and is the most commonly used.
ƒ Pros
– Stochastic generation methods are generally much faster than other methods
– Can eliminate moiré
– Can provide greater detail and sharpness
– Smoother gradients with out contours
– Are especially effective for low resolutions
ƒ Cons
– Can cause grainess or visible moiré in image
– Requires stable, repeatable printer pixels
– Dot gain issues across grayscale range
– Difficult to proof, especially on a different printer
– Threshold placement may not place dot

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Printer Capabilities – Dot Patterns

ƒ FDRP Diffusion (Fixed Dot Random Placement Diffusion)
– A type of FM halftone structure which is made of many pixels of the same size that are evenly
dispersed, so the frequency of the pattern is a function of the gray level represented
– ONYX patented dot random placement
– Error Diffusion produces very high image quality, due to its noise and inherent edge enhancement
ƒ FDRP Plus
– Uses a variation between Stochastic and FDRP, most expensive in terms of time to process
ƒ FDRP Line
– Dots are encouraged to be placed in a regular line formation while dots remain random
ƒ Pros
– Diffusion helps threshold array emulation and placement when a dot may not be placed using
Stochastic because the error means the decision of where the dot placement is carried over
– High frequency detail distributes dots more evenly because it converts each pixel in the image to
one of two levels, either black or white.
– Images look sharper than images hafltoned with other techniques, because the edges have been
enhanced
– Used for smoother image quality as seen in fine art or photography
ƒ Cons
– Solid to lighter colors may display “ban” of dots where no placement called “leading edge” effect
– Takes longer to process
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Profiling Workflow

Printer Capabilities – Dot Patterns

ƒ Order Dither
– A type of FM halftone structure which is made of many pixels of the same size that are evenly
dispersed, so the frequency of the pattern is a function of the gray level represented
– Regular dot pattern, similar to Stochastic
ƒ Pro - Appears smooth for solids
ƒ Con - Rigid structure shows printer problems with registration and banding
ƒ Halftone/Screen
– A type of AM halftone structure produces a pattern of halftone dots with a fixed frequency, where
the size of the dot varies with gray level
ƒ Pro - Allows the uses to create custom patters defining frequency, angles and dot shape
ƒ Contone
– Allows the printer to determine dot placement
– Uses a very fine or custom pattern to appear to reproduce colors as continuous tones
ƒ Pros
– Processing speed
– Easy to profile
ƒ Cons
– No control over using other dot patterns, locked into the printer capabilities
– No control over ink usage or the ability to correctly identify ink usage using ink calculation
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Profiling Workflow

Configure Devices – Contone Printer Capabilities

ƒ Some devices have both a halftone and contone printer driver

ƒ Using the contone print path provides some speed and ease of use benefits during
the profiling workflow
ƒ Printer controls the ink load and halftone processing so steps to create new media
are reduced
ƒ Enable the contone labeled resolution. These are resolutions that are that are
available from the printer manufacture
ƒ Enable the specific contone dot patterns and may include OEM dot patterns
ƒ Contone Profiling Workflow eliminates Ink Restriction step
– Create a media name and define a print mode as usual
– Print calibration swatch and build linearization as usual
– Use the Basic Ink Limits and leave the default setting at 4
– Print the ICC swatches as usual
– Build the ICC using the default setting or other options as desired

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Profiling Workflow

Contone / Halftone Printer Drivers

ƒ Printer Driver Technology Improvements for different print paths and offers both print
paths integrated into one printer driver
ƒ New EPSON , HPZ6100, Canon, and more to come…
ƒ Use one or another depending on production expectations
– Speed (Contone) vs. Quality (Halftone)
– Ease of use (Contone) vs. Control (Halftone)
ƒ Contone
– Printer does the halftone processing and uses manufacturer dot patterns
– Manufacturer media defaults with limited modes
– Initial release ships with some profiles and mode options only display valid setting for media
– Most models use internal calibrations means you can go straight to ICC step when profiling
– No need to determine Ink Restrictions and rarely any need for ink limiting
– Allows printer hardware to upscale resolution for speed
ƒ Halftone
– RIP does the halftone processing and a variety of dot patterns available
– More control over Ink with Ink Restriction for proofing and Ink Limits when creating profiles
– Customer can utilize Ink Calculation and Data Capture within RIP
– Total control over Black generation in ICC build options and color management w/CMYK halftone
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Create a New Media

The Profiling Process

Create a New Media
Ink Restrictions Why do I need to profile?
Establish a target
Calibration/Linearization Ensure consistency and quality
Ink Limits Target Target
ICC ICC
ICC Profile Ink Limit
Linea
Ink L
imit
rizati
on
rization Linea
tions
Ink Restriction R estric
s In k edia
Create a New a N ew M
Media te
Crea

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Profiling Workflow

Profiling Process
• Create a New Media
– Media Name and Mode (Resolution and Dot Pattern)
– Media Options
• Ink Restrictions
– Drop Size Controls (Variable Dot Printers Only)
– Print Ink Restriction Swatch
• Determine Ink Restriction and Settings (Basic or Advance Tabs)
– Transitional Controls (Optional)
– Print Test Image (Ink Restriction Verification Swatch)
• Calibration
– Target Densities
– Linearization
– Apply Media Model - Basic Density Curve (Recommended) or Advanced Grayscale
• Ink Limits
– Print Ink Limit Swatch and Determine Ink Limits
– Print Test Image (ONYX Quality Test)
• ICC Profile
– Build Options
– Print Test Image (Onyx Quality Test)
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Profiling Workflow

Create New Media

ƒ Create a New Media

– First few steps are defining the Media Group
(Ink), giving the new Media a name, and
defining Mode properties
– Enter the information or use the drop-down list
ƒ Create a New Mode
– Different resolution and dot patterns for existing
Media name
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Profiling Workflow

Media Options

ƒ Printer Driver Controls

– Printer Specific Options are device
dependent
• Print Quality
• Uni or Bi-directional
• Number of Passes
• Media Thickness
• Heater Settings
• Etc…
ƒ Set options in RIP overrides front
panel setting on printer
ƒ Printer front panel settings are
used if no selection within RIP

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Profiling Workflow

Smooth Dot Technology for VarDot Workflow

ƒ Makes profiling VarDot printers faster and easier

ƒ Available in most of the latest VarDot printer models from Mimaki, Mutoh,
EPSON , and Roland – see version 7.1 release note for complete details
ƒ Smooth Dot Enhanced Ink Configuration developed for creating new profiles
ƒ Within Media Manager > Configure Devices > Configure Printer Capabilities
ƒ Select one of the newer “Enhanced” Ink Configuration and Resolution
modes to match.
ƒ When you are profiling, using the enhanced options bypasses the VarDot
slider step and goes straight to the Ink Restrictions step
ƒ Coverage Curves Ideology implements proprietary ink usage algorithms that
creates a consistent smooth curve every time
ƒ Provides total ink coverage with maximum usage of dot size combinations
ƒ For example: using all small dots, mostly medium dots, and some large dots

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Profiling Workflow

Simplified VarDot Workflow

ƒ Revised VarDot Selection for a simplified workflow

ƒ For existing/legacy VarDot Ink configurations only
ƒ Select from 3,5,7,9, swatches to print and analyze
ƒ Look for balance between saturation and smoothness
ƒ Enter values for each channel individually
ƒ Click > Print Swatch to verify your results
ƒ Click > Next to go to the Ink Restrictions step

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Ink Restrictions

Understanding Ink Restrictions

Basic Tab
Advanced Tab
Measure Tool Target Target
ICC ICC
Analyzing Swatches Ink Limit
Linea
Ink L
imit
rizati
on
rization Linea
tions
Ink Restriction R estric
s In k edia
Create a New a N ew M
Media te
Crea

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Profiling Workflow

Understanding Ink Restrictions

ƒ Ink Restrictions prevents the over use of ink. This section will explain the
optimal way to define ink restrictions.
ƒ Use the default swatch on the Basic Tab if you are using a 4 color printer.
ƒ Use the <Other> button on the Advanced Tab or the drop-down menu to choose a
file of your choice if you are using a 6 color, double-strike or multi-level printer.
ƒ Reading and interpreting swatches
– Each swatch has specific use for looking at single channels or 2-3 color
combination
– Eliminate “Waste Ink” and eliminate artifacts
– Look for cockling, bleeding, puddling, and other print quality issues
ƒ Density, Visual, and Chroma Methods
– Use a color sampling device and measure/plot point
– Look for flat lines because plateau are indications of excessive ink
– Look for chroma hooks because hooks mean no gain in hue in color gamut
– Use a Pantone swatch book to match visual density

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Profiling Workflow

Ink Restrictions

ƒ Basic and Advanced tabs are linked, you can set preliminary values and
view the curves on the Advanced Tab
ƒ Keep settings as high as possible to maximize gamut using ONYX ICC
ƒ Saturation using Density, Visual or Chroma Hook Methods
ƒ Maximum ink the media will hold, eliminate waste ink that does not
benefit the output gamut

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Profiling Workflow

Profiling Workflow – Ink Restrictions

■ New UI for Advanced Ink Restrictions
– Ink Restriction Swatch selection
ƒ Browse for any file
– Ink Restriction table and graph
ƒ Enter values per channel
ƒ Integrated Macros
– Works with Ink Levels
– Default sets light ink to 80% of
darkest level
– Solvent and 12 color printers, we
recommend setting light inks 50-70%
to avoid dot gain and over inking
ƒ Tab Specific
– Combined Transition Control &
Ink Restriction into one step
– Integrated Measure Tool
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Profiling Workflow

Revised Advanced Ink Restrictions

ƒ Use Tabs to select color channel

Values for light, dark and
ƒ Display of Curves with visual double-strike inks are
representation of Ink Restriction shown under the primary
settings & other UI improvements color channel
make profiling easier and faster
ƒ Combined Transition Control
Macros for setting darkest
level. Set lightest level as
a percentage of the
darkest value

ƒ Measurement Tool
– Launch Color Sampling Device
– Measures L*a*b*, L*c*h* or Density
– Index and Plotting Tools
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Double Strike and Transition Controls

ƒ On the Ink Restriction Swatch, double-strike printers will

print C1 and C2 ink loads all within the C channel.
ƒ This means double the ink coverage
ƒ If your desired swatch is at percentage is 75%
ƒ 75 x 2=150
ƒ Set C1=100 and C2=50

ƒ Leave transition controls at “0” in most cases

ƒ Use with printers that have multi-level channels or
CMYKRGB Ink
– CMYKRGB printers, set to 4 or 8 for smoother
gradients
ƒ Only set if you see a sudden shift in gradients when
calibrating

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Profiling Workflow

Measure Tool

ƒ Records Series of Measurements

ƒ Displays Deltas against previous measurements
ƒ Reads L*a*b*, L*c*h*, and Density values
ƒ Plot Measurements
– Display based on measurement type
ƒ Exports Readings as .den or .txt

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Profiling Workflow

Measure Tool – Examples

Y

G R
R

B
• L*a*b* Plot Graph • L*c*h* Plot Graph • Density Plot Graph
• Displays hue angles • C = Chroma value • Traditional method for
• See hue color linearity • Use to determine Ink determining Ink
• Greater understanding of Restrictions to get max gamut Restrictions
ink properties • Look for target density
• Look for “hook”, drop in chroma
• Interchange L*a*b* plot or no significant change to method if proofing
with L*c*h* plot using
avoid waste ink • Look for “plateau” to
same values displays
different properties • Use Media Relative Colorimetry avoid waste ink
to plot white point
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Profiling Workflow

Profiling for Purpose

Determining Target Densities depends on your profiling purpose.

You can use the density values below as a guide. You can also use the
Pantone CMYK chip chart, LCH for chroma shifts, or a visual method
which allows for maximum gamut without artifacts/bleed.
Target C M Y K
Densities
SWOP(C) 1.3 1.4 1.0 1.6
SWOP(UC) .92 1.04 .86 1.09
IRIS 1.95 1.71 1.31 2.1
EURO 1.45 1.45 1.4 1.9

Choose a percentage for each color

channel where the value of the
swatch increases to a plateau.

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Profiling Workflow

Ink Restriction Swatch

Helps determine if bleeding will occur in
Primary and Secondary detailed areas for Dark Ink Values.
Color Combinations Review highest % at which artifacting does
not occur (CMYK only)

Dark Ink Values for Saturation - 2% Increments

• Measure these patches for density and waste ink
• Input percentage value into Advanced Tab dialog
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Profiling Workflow

Ink Restriction Verification Swatch

Designed to display artefacting Helps you verify dark ink

Determines if multiple ink combinations Helps verify dark ink restriction and if
plus K will cause artefacting bleed will occur in detailed areas

140 = 100 Magenta + 40 Cyan

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Profiling Workflow

Light Ink Values

Ink Restriction Verification Swatch (top left pattern) – look for bleed

Mid-tones: 2 inks ⇒ max light ink on the media

Indicates light
cyan bleed Upper section Artefacting:
• In 150 % column: light ink
Indicates light
magenta bleed restriction is too high
• Bleed row indicates which
Indicates light
yellow bleed light ink
Review the shaded area to determine if • Set ink to < 50% then adjust
light inks are causing artefacting
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Profiling Workflow

Light Ink Values

Determining which ink is in excess (see diagram below)

Ink Restrictions is the only time you can address excessive light inks

Lower section Artefacting:

• At least one of light ink
restriction is set too high
• Set the responsible ink to
< 75% then adjust
• Reprint and review the
swatch after each Third color added from 200% on
adjustment
Review part 2 of the Light Ink Restriction Test Chart - will adding K cause artefacting?
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Calibration

Print/Read Calibration Swatch

Media Model
Build Linearization Target Target
ICC ICC
Ink Limit imit
Ink L
on
Linearization rizati
Linea
tions
Ink Restriction R estric
s In k edia
Create a New a N ew M
Media te
Crea

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Profiling Workflow

Calibration

ƒ Calibration
– Gauges the actual amount of ink placed
by the printer
– Uses current media creation settings
– Swatch Options is set to 31 patches by
default, this gives you a 3.13 % variance
between swatches
• Do not increase value, this gives your
device too much detail
• Decrease value to 24 or 19, if you
want fewer readings, this helps
create a smoother curve and
eliminates spikes
– Printed swatch is color sampling device
dependent

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Profiling Workflow

Media Model Build Options

ƒ Determine what result is most important to you and the best way (high contrast
or gray-balance) to obtain that result.
ƒ Click > Build, then click > Next

ƒ Basic Density Curve

– Default Recommended Method
– Good contrast for bright images
– Smooth gradient
– Target Density controls

ƒ Advanced Grayscale
– Puts neutral gray at 55%
– Distributes from this base but increments are not balanced
– Non-ICC workflow

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Basic Density Curve

1a) The Default Setting

does not create 100%
value for maximum
gamut, this allows
maximum gamut to
always be achievable

1b) Creating a 100%

value ensures
consistency with
proofing, but may
cause clipping on
recalibration

2) NFactor is automatically set to 2.0

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N-Factor

ƒ The default N-Factor is set at 2.0 for all channels

ƒ During Calibration/Linearization you can alter the curve with N-Factor
ƒ To increase mid-tone values
– Increase N-Factor to value greater than 2.0, for example= 5.0
– Select for specific channels where higher mid-tone densities are desired
– This result gives you a more linear density curve because it helps increase
the mid-tone values giving you more saturation
– For example, this technique can be used if you are profiling for clear or
opaque backlit film
– Making these changes give the output better overall coverage and maximum
saturation

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Review Readings

Desired target Swatch measurements Linearization table

Curve displays target Density placed by the printer, Difference between
densities (each ink) look for spikes swatch and desired.
• Click > Analyze for
additional information
• Click > Build to Finish

Review the tabs for spikes and analyze readings

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Ink Limits

Interpreting Ink Limits

Basic Ink Limits
Advanced Ink Limits Target Target
ICC ICC
Ink Limit imit
Ink L
on
Linearization rizati
Linea
tions
Ink Restriction R estric
s In k edia
Create a New a N ew M
Media te
Crea

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Ink Limits

ƒ Many times ink limiting is not necessary,

however review swatches to ensure that over
saturation is not occurring.
– Analyze each row of combinations
– Set Basic Ink Limits for overall limits
– Set Advance Ink Limits for limiting specific
ink combinations
– Click > Read Swatch to enter values

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Interpreting Ink Limits

ƒ Review each row and choose the highest value with the best results
ƒ Row 1) Example:
ƒ Cyan (C) is printing 0-100% in columns 0-1.0
ƒ Black (K) is printing 100-200% in columns 1.0-2.0.
ƒ Red is printing from 200-400% in columns 3.0-4.0 Red is equal amounts of Magenta
and Yellow
Red (Magenta + Yellow)
Green (Cyan + Yellow) Columns
Blue (Cyan + Magenta)

Rows

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Setting Basic Ink Limit

ƒ Focus on the last

three rows (7), these
line have the most ink
ƒ Levels up to 4.0
might not display any
over saturation
symptoms
ƒ Use Basic Tab - Edit Ink Limit dialog

ƒ Enter the column number with best

coverage without artefacting if valid
for all rows

ƒ Replace equal amounts of

CMY with K
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Setting Advanced Ink Limits

ƒ Use Advanced Tab - Only limit

problem rows with specific ink-
combinations
ƒ Artefacting in * patches display
Light Ink issue
ƒ Return to Ink Restriction to
correct for too much Light Ink

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Advanced Ink Limits – Black Ink Compensation

ƒ Use Black Ink Compensation if colors

turn gray before they turn black
ƒ This increases the use of black ink to
maintain dark saturated colors

If Ink Limits are “Low”

(high 1’s and low 2’s)
increase Black Ink
Compensation to 4-5.
Reprint image to verify.
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ICC
Print Test Image w/o ICC
Print ICC Swatches
Read ICC Swatches
Measuring Swatch Tips
ICC Build Options
Target Target
Print Test w/ICC ICC ICC
imit
Ink Limit Ink L
Analyzing Final Output Ink Rineearization
L Linea
rizati
estric
on
tions
stri ctions In k R edia
Create a New a N ew M
Media te
Crea

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Profiling Workflow

Print Test Image w/o ICC

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Profiling Workflow

Print ICC Swatches

ƒ Based on the information entered previously (ink restriction, linearization, ink
limiting) a profile swatch defines the gamut of Colors that are attainable by this
printer/media/dpi/resolution combination.

ƒ Print Swatch > Setup > Options Tab We recommend using (2463)
– Ultra Accuracy with Linearization (2463 Patches) patches to creates a more
accurate output profile.
– Enable > Scrambled Swatch
Standard Swatches (914) is
– Click > Print acceptable in most cases.
– Click > Read Swatch

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Measuring Swatch Tips

ƒ Invalid Readings – Tips

ƒ Watch the onscreen display to make sure the expected and measured
values display similar results
ƒ If you’re using a hand held device, start measuring within the white
space before the letter and continuing reading the strip until you reach
the white space after each row before releasing the button
ƒ Message on screen reads “invalid readings” and redo strip button
appears, look for strip “Letter” and “Number to resume measurements
ƒ If you’re using a hand held device, make sure to recalibrate the device
on white reference before resuming the reading of swatches
ƒ If you mis-read a row when measuring the ICC swatches, and your rows
are off, you can highlight row (s) and click <Delete> on keyboard
ƒ Click > Pause, then click > Redo strip and Resume

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Profiling Workflow

Reading ICC Swatches

ƒ Allow the swatches time to dry
– You can pause the session by clicking on
the stop icon.
– Click > Yes to save changes
– Media Manager Home > Edit a Media >
Resume Profiling Session
ƒ Click > Read Swatch
– Follow the on screen instructions to enter
the values into the ICC Profile Table
ƒ Click > Options
– Review the default settings or make edits
– Make your changes to the desired ICC
Build Options before clicking “Build”
ƒ Click > Build
– Make a Test Print with “All Profiles On”
ƒ Click > Back to modify the build
options and rebuild your ICC
See expected and achieved color
and the L*a*b* or spectral values
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ONYX ICC Build Options

ƒ ONYX ICC Build Options

(Recommended Defaults)
– Predefined – Custom
– Table Size – 41 Grid Points
– Profile Version – 4x
– Gamut Mapping – Classic
– Viewing Light Source – D50
– Achromatic Start Black (50)
– Black Generation – Moderate
– Chromatic Start Black (65)
– Black Generation – Moderate
– Total Ink Limit (400-390%)

ƒ These default options are a starting point. You can Build the ICC profile with the default
settings and print a test image to see how the options affect the output.
ƒ Take the time to R&D this process for the desired results. You can always rebuild the
ICC with different options.
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ICC Changes

• Revised Gamut Mapping for

Relative Rendering Intent
• Revised Smoothing
– Affects all areas, especially as
colors near white point
• UCR option for Achromatic Black
generation
– Improved Gray Balance
• Improved Interpolation (Optional)
– More accurate gamut boundary
– Better highlights and shadows
– Out of gamut mapping
– Takes 4-5 times longer to build initial
profile but does not take longer
when applying profile to images
• See – White Paper

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Black Generation

Black Generation curves change the rate of addition of

black from the start black value to the maximum black
value of 100%.

The “Start” value is the percentage point at which the

inks begin to be added to the mix.

The curve is the rate in which inks are added.

MaxK – very aggressive, linear

High – aggressive, slight curve
Moderate – recommended, like GCR3
Medium – similar to GCR4
Low – less aggressive, least black
Skeleton – little black
NoK – CMY inks only, no black

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Black Generation

The two black generations (Achromatic and Chromatic) are not competing
with each other and work rather in combination.

The two controls are independent, you need to control each separately.

Achromatic = Neutral Grey

If you want your grays to be made of more black than
CMY inks, enter a lower start black value with a more
aggressive curve.

Choose to use either traditional GCR or optional UCR

for Achromatic Black Generation

Chromatic = Saturated Colors

If you want dark saturated colors, enter a lower start
black value with a more aggressive curve

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Importance of Adding K

GCR - Grey Component Removal

150% 100%
75% 25% C
25% K
75% M
50% M
50% Y
25% Y
50%

25%

ƒ Black ink gives increase contrast and tone.

ƒ CMY alone creates a muddy brown, not a true black.
ƒ A CMYgray scale is extremely vulnerable to light changes.
ƒ Black is also added to reduce the amount of ink used.
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GCR vs. UCR

GCR – Grey Component Removal UCR – Under Color Removal

This method of black generation This method of black generation that uses
replaces a certain percentage of CMY black only in the neutral and gray areas.
with the equivalent amount of K. This is theoretically the opposite of GCR.

Using GCR you can

Too much K ink can maintain smoothness
result in “peppering” while using less ink
effect (coarseness)
Moderate or Medium
usually produces best Using UCR you can
results and maintain neutral grey
smoothness while sacrificing
No K ink can cause smoothness in the
image flatness and highlight areas
unstable gray balance
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GCR vs. UCR

GCR – Grey Component Removal UCR – Under Color Removal

K CMY
CMY K

Start Point Start Point

Smoother Highlights – light areas are Coarser Highlights – light areas are
made up of CMY dots made up of black dots
More unstable gray balance – if ink More stable gray balance – uses mostly
densities are not color balanced black ink which maintains consistency
Traditional - Black Generation Method Optional – Black Generation Method
produces standard results produces better contrast and tonality
Start = 50 – 65% Start = 30 – 40%
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L*a*b*

The L*a*b* space is a fixed standard, so any defined

value will ALWAYS be accurate.
The three components are:
• L* - lightness - ranges from 0 (no lightness) to 100
(maximum lightness).
• a* - red-to-green value (+128 red, -128 green).
• b* - yellow-to-blue value (+128 yellow, -128 blue).

Achromatic – controls reproduction of those colors

mapped within the neutral grey area of the output gamut
along the core L* axis

Chromatic – controls reproduction of those colors mapped

in the outer regions of the most saturated areas of the
output gamut in the a*b* axis

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Print Test Image w/ICC

You can also print final

verification file from Preflight

For analyzing ONYX Quality Test

Use the drop down menu to select “Custom”
and verify/change input color management
and rendering intents.

The default selections for this image are the

Adobe Defaults (CMYK/RGB) and Perceptual
(Image) and Saturation (Vector).
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ONYX Quality Test

• After making your own profile test

this on a known image.
• Use ONYX Quality Test (Blueprint)
• What to look for?
– Single Color Saturation
– 2 and 3 Color Combinations
– Overall Image Quality Ink Transitions - Magenta
Ink Transitions - Cyan

– Contrast and Detail RGB

CMYK CMYK CMYK CMYK RGB

RGB

– Smooth Gradients RGB

– Smooth Color Wheel

Four-Color Black Gradient

Process Black Gradient

Four-Color Black (CMYK)

– Spot Colors – review Pantone
Wheel.tif

Process Black (CMY)

Secondary Gradient
Primary Values

Primary Black (K)

Primary Gradient
RGB

RGB

and 4 Color Process swatches, Wheel.tif

CMYK

these rows should look similar

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Tips and Tricks

ƒ Set the measurement device to “2” readings per patch. This gives you more
accurate values because the software averages the readings.
ƒ Even if Ink Restriction are not “visibly” needed, be aware that excessive ink can
cause adhesion problems when cured (UV printers) and can result in poor
calibration/linearization readings.
ƒ Ink Restriction Verification Swatch shows gradients with color shift, you’re ink
restrictions are unbalanced, you can correct the percentage values for the
dominate color channel.
ƒ If you notice that your CMY gray is unbalanced on the Ink Limits swatch, you
can click > Back and edit the Desired Target values for the dominate color
channel by using the > Scale button. Be sure to re-set the N-Factor to 2.0 for
smooth mid-tone transitions and reprint to verify
ƒ During Ink Limits, if no color change is observed, go ahead and set a lower ink
limit and observe K is suitable darkness. Use BIC if needed.
ƒ If your final Test Print using ICC is too saturated, you can lower “Total Ink Slider”
within the Build Options and rebuild the profile without losing other settings.
ƒ Trim last output ICC swatches without label and leave some white space before
and after the swatch if you’re using a hand held device.
ƒ To edit an existing profile, use View Media Library and locate specific Mode,
highlight steps and click <Edit>.
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Profiling Workflow

Recap

ƒ New Mode structure for creating and organizing profiles based on

Resolution and Dot Pattern
ƒ Profiling Process customized for your device
ƒ Printed Swatches
ƒ Integrated Steps and Help
ƒ Keep Ink Restriction as high as possible to maximize output gamut,
strive for overall saturation in hue or use density for proofing
ƒ Use the Measure Tool to verify visual settings with numeric readings
ƒ Use Ink Limits to control total ink for 2, 3 and 4 color combinations
ƒ Print Test Images to verify settings
ƒ ONYX ICC build options are different from Profile Generator
(Logo/Gretag) build options
– Use ONYX ICC for Better Color and Improved Rendering
– No direct correlation between build settings

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Questions?

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