Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
8 ¥ 10 proof on my Fuji Pictrography to simulate a 30 ¥ 40 Lightjet print,
this isn't possible. To further improve the match between two devices,
some profile editing may be necessary. The profile for
Proofer
is the profile
to edit, not the final print profile. In my example of using an Epson
printer to match a SWOP press, we do not want to alter the press profile.
We need to edit the profile for the Epson to better match the press. That
profile would be used only when the Epson is cross-rendering this SWOP
press, not for regular printing needs. When profile tuning is necessary, it
is usually only minor selective color edits like making a red less yellow
or making a gray warmer or cooler.
Profile Editing
Occasionally a profile needs to be edited. In a perfect world, the profiles
would be perfect right out of the software package that generates them.
In most cases, profile editing isn't necessary. I discussed that when cross-
rendering, profile editing can be quite useful. A common profile edit is
with saturated reds. It's often the case that reds have a bit too much
yellow component, which is especially noticeable when cross-rendering
with ink-jet printers. This is a situation where a profile editor can aid in
color matching. A profile editor can help in situations where the paper
white isn't being handled as accurately as we would like. This can be the
case when using the absolute colorimetric intent for cross rendering.
Some profile editors allow the paper white of the output profile to be
edited.
A somewhat common issue with output profiles is a situation where
the printed piece may appear as we expect but the soft proof doesn't
match. Altering the display is the wrong answer, as this would affect all
other images and profiles. Fortunately, output profiles have two tables,
which can be individually or collectively edited (see the sidebar, “A to B
and the Alphabet Soup Confusion over Tables”). An output profile has a
table that affects the numbers that are produced after a color space con-
version. The profile also has a preview table, which affects the soft proof.
These two tables are independent of each other. If the output is ideal but
the preview too yellow, many profile editors can edit just the soft proof
table. One rendering intent table could be producing issues that require
profile editing while the other rendering intent table is acceptable. The
better profile editors can edit the individual rendering intent tables while
leaving others alone.
A profile has three rendering intents that can be edited individually
or collectively—perceptual, saturation, and absolute/relative colorimet-
ric—which share the same table. When a profile needs editing, you must
determine whether the issue is with both preview and output tables, and
which rendering intent. Be very careful about attempting to edit a profile
until a number of representative images have been converted and output.
My experience has been that users that have a profile editor at their
