FAQs
Can You Make Me a New 'Profile' For My Printer?
Yes, we can build a new ICC profile for your printer. It is important to understand that to build an ICC print profile you first have to go through print calibration. Additionally the correct colour management settings have to be set up in the RIP.
Can I Just Print Out the Profile Chart, Send It to You and You Send Me Back the New ICC Profile?
There is more required than just printing the profile chart. Here is a quick list:
- The printer hardware should be checked and in a stable condition, no problems, no outstanding maintenance issues, any worn parts or consumables should be replaced and up to date. No problems with print heads.
- Choose the media / substrate(s) that require colour management.
- Perform and complete the print calibration process, including validation.
- Print, measure and build the print media ICC profile. Validate the profile.
- Set up the colour management, with the new ICC print profile in RIP.
- Output one or test files. Check visual result, measure, check and report on colour quality.
All of the above we complete on site, at your premises with your printer, your RIP and the media / substrate(s) you wish to use.
Can I Use Just One Profile with My Printer?
A print profile is unique to a media / substrate, print engine, ink set, RIP and RIP settings. Therefore if you mainly use three types of substrates (i.e. SAV, Banner, Coreflute) then each substrate will have to be colour managed (profiled) individually.
Will the Profile You Made Last Forever, with Good Colour?
The ICC profile itself will not change but your print hardware will change over time. As the printer get used there is wear and tear and parts will need to be replaced, such as print heads, ink lines, etc. Parts critical to the operation of the printer that are replaced, and serviced, can affect the colour behaviour of the printer.
After printer service, maintenance and/or repairs you should have a procedure for checking and validating your print colour quality. Checking and validating your print colour quality on a regular basis provides feedback whether you colour is within tolerance or if remedial action is required - such as re-calibration and maybe even re-profiling.
Do the Workplace Conditions and Environment Affect the Printer, Print Quality and Print Stability?
YES! You will find that the manufacturer and supplier should be able to provide you with the required temperature, humidity, etc conditions for your printer to operate successfully. If the conditions are not stable you will have print consistency and quality problems.
What should be the Target Colour for My Printer?
For CMYK colour there are many targets you can use. At the top of the list are CRPC's or Characterised Reference Print Conditions, ranging from a small to large colour gamut, a set of 7. These are from the ISO PAS 15339 - all have shared relative appearance due to G7 and very similar hue angles. It is also possible to use PSO/ISO profiles but great care should be taken here.
How do I Manage Spot and Brand Colours in My RIP for Wide Format Print?
Most RIP's have the function of utilising a seperate spot colour table. This is probably one of the most under utilised functions of any RIP. They can use an installed spot colour library (you may have a pay a license fee..) or you can measure a spot colour sample directly into the RIP spot library, if you have a suitable and supported spectrophotometer.
Each RIP will have a process for outputting spot colour samples that you can visually evaluate, and more importantly, measure to achieve a dE (delta E) within the agreed tolerance. Of course you will need to ensure the spot colours used the production file are recognised by the RIP spot colour library, etc.
NOTE: If you would like more information or have other questions please contact us at info@colourgraphicservices.com or at +61 (0)400 123 398.
