Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
all the heads are clean and firing properly. Before I output a target on
my Epson printers, I run the Nozzle Check procedure in the printer utility
and double check the Print head alignment. Although technically not
calibration, some printers do need routine maintenance to ensure they
produce factory default/ideal behavior. If you are expected to calibrate
your printer then do so before printing targets or building profiles. At this
point in the topic, I shouldn't even have to point this out (but I will).
Linearization
Some profile-building products offer an optional step they usually call
prelinearization
. The idea is to output a target with a small subset of
patches, usually CMY and K in various steps from light to very dark as
seen in Fig. 6-9. This linearization target is measured and the software
uses that information to produce an optimal target for profiling based
upon the information gathered from the linearization step. This means
that the profiling process becomes a two-step procedure. Some devices
are quite nonlinear in how they reproduce color. The linearization step
can aid in producing quality profiles from such devices. At the very
least, linearization allows a good profile to be generated with an initially
smaller number of patches. This is possible because the secondary
patches generated from the linearization data is better optimized for the
printer.
With some software products, conducting a linearization step actually
will produce an inferior output profile. This usually is seen in output
Fig. 6-9
Seen here is a
20-step linearization target
from MonacoPROFILER
Platinum for a DTP-4 (top)
and the Ink Density test
file (bottom).
