ColorFlow Training

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You can create a print calibration curve to adjust tonality by simultaneously calibrating cyan, magenta, and yellow inks so that the neutral shades of gray are maintained, while black is calibrated separately for lightness and darkness.

Tasks

Goal
Create a print calibration curve for gray balance using a P2P25 chart.

Task 1: Create the print calibration curve

  1. In ColorFlow, click the Print Curves tab.
  2. In the Calibration Curves section, click the Add button .
  3. The Device dialog box appears.
  4. Drag the device "XX Offset Press" that you created in a previous activity to the viewer window.
  5. Click the Properties icon and define the device condition:
    1. From the Plate Setup list, choose Kodak Electra Excel, 200, Offset Press Sheetfed.
    2. From the Substrate list, choose Type 1 or 2 (coated art) 170 g/m2.
    3. Click OK.
  6. Click the Measurement icon .
  7. In the Charts list, click P2P25Xa i1iSis (or P2P25 i1iO).
  8. In a real-life situation, you might need to download a P2P25 chart from http://www.idealliance.org, output the P2P25 chart from Prinergy, and measure the chart in ColorFlow.  For the purpose of this training, you import a sample P2P25 data file:
    1. Click the Measurements tab.
    2. Click Import.
    3. In the dialog box appeared, keep the default value and click OK.
    4. Select the sample P2P25 data file.
    5. Click OK.
    6. Click Close.
  9. Define the conversion target to an industry specification:
    1. Click the Conversion icon .
    2. Select the Show curves in Prinergy check box.

    3. Click the Process Inks tab and choose GRACoL 2006 Coated 1 from the Target list.

    4. From the Curves Method list, choose Gray Balance.
    5. Click OK.
      A print calibration curve is generated to match the chosen industry specification. 
  10. In the Calibration Curves table list, double-click the name of the curve that you just created and enter XX new print calibration curve for gray balance (where xx= your initials).

Task 2: Output a page using the print calibration curve in Prinergy

  1. In Prinergy, create a new job, and name it as XX print Curve for gray balance (where XX = your initials).
  2. Refine GrayBalanceTestFile.pdf  with 1stRef-Normz.
  3. Output the PDF file using Virtual Proof.LoosePage with the print curve you just created:
    1. In your Virtual Proof.LoosePage Process template dialog box, from the Output To list, choose Virtual Proof.
    2. Leave ColorFLow Color Relationship Management unchecked.
    3. Expand the Calibration & Screening panel.
    4. Click the ColorFlow Current State radio button.
    5. Expand the Print Curve drop down list and select XX new print calibration curve for gray balance.
  4. Open the generated output in VPS and measure 50% patch. 
    Confirm that the gray balanced print calibration curve has been applied. 50% cyan should measure 51.6. 50% magenta should measure 53.2. 50% yellow should measure 51.3. 50% black should measure 43.9.

Outcome

You have created a print calibration curve to match an industry gray balance specification.

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