Custom ICC Profiles
VistaLogics supports its ink and paper with ICC profiles for your workflow. With quality inks, an ICC Profile can achieve 3000 distinct colors as specified by the PANTONE Process Guide (ISO 2846-1) and faithfully render images based on the rendering intent.
The International Color Consortium was formed in 1993 by eight industry vendors. They created a universal color management system. ICC profiles define the relationship between the colors encoded in the digital image and a standard color space defined by ICC based on a measurement system defined by the International Commission on Illumination (CIE).
The ICC profile can be thought of as a matrix or multidimensional spreadsheet that specifies the relationship between the color parameters found in a digital image and the color values recognized by the software that drives the output device. An ICC profile is created using a colorimeter or a spectrophotometer and special profiling software. The RIP software that drives the digital printer uses the profile to determine how to mix the inks so that the colors come out as expected. A profile will assure that the colors in printed images are correct. When profiling fabric, special attention must be taken to assure that the colorimeter or spectrophotometer reading are corrected for the fabric texture, reflectance and UV brighteners.
There are two options once the linearization and ink limitations are set. If G7 calibration is desired it should be done at this time. If not, G7 Grayscale calibration can be skipped and a profile can be created. Generally, dye sublimation profiles can be used indefinitely as long as variables such as ink, paper, printer, substrate and transfer press temperature remain constant. A profile will work within a range of humidity conditions, but color changes can occur if humidity or temperature vary significantly.
A profile can be used to reproduce colors within the gamut of the ink. Inks with wider color or enhanced gamuts will expand the printed color range so that truer blues, reds, greens and oranges can be achieved. Most RIPs also support named colors. The typical example of a named color table is the PANTONE® swatch book.
The amount of ink that is used is controlled by linearization and ink limiting in the RIP and settings in the profile. Ideally, correct colors are achieved by laying down just the right amount of each color so that saturation and density are consistent. Any amount of ink used over what is really needed is wasted ink and putting down too much ink can result in colors that are off. A good profile will also employ black ink along with cyan, yellow and magenta to produce vibrant blacks and grays with a minimum of ink. Profiling with the proper ink limits and density will reduce cost while improving colors.
Each RIP implements color and ink management differently. Because of this, an ICC profile that functions well in one RIP may not work well in another.
It is important to understand that even the most carefully calibrated printing system will not produce 100% accurate color. This is because the perception of color by the human eye varies by individual, viewing conditions, processes in the eye and brain, and numerous other influences. Plus the printer, the ink, and the media introduce systematic and random color variances. See Color Spaces by Rolf Kuehni for an excellent overview of color science.
Finally, the color science used for ICC profiles was developed for pigment ink and isotropic media. Dyes, including those used for dye sublimation, induce perceptual effects that diverge from the assumptions built into the ICC profile and G7 models. And textiles are far from the isotropic ideal for media. So, when working with dye sublimation and textiles, spot colors are critical when a very high level of color accuracy is required.
The International Color Consortium was formed in 1993 by eight industry vendors. They created a universal color management system. ICC profiles define the relationship between the colors encoded in the digital image and a standard color space defined by ICC based on a measurement system defined by the International Commission on Illumination (CIE).
The ICC profile can be thought of as a matrix or multidimensional spreadsheet that specifies the relationship between the color parameters found in a digital image and the color values recognized by the software that drives the output device. An ICC profile is created using a colorimeter or a spectrophotometer and special profiling software. The RIP software that drives the digital printer uses the profile to determine how to mix the inks so that the colors come out as expected. A profile will assure that the colors in printed images are correct. When profiling fabric, special attention must be taken to assure that the colorimeter or spectrophotometer reading are corrected for the fabric texture, reflectance and UV brighteners.
There are two options once the linearization and ink limitations are set. If G7 calibration is desired it should be done at this time. If not, G7 Grayscale calibration can be skipped and a profile can be created. Generally, dye sublimation profiles can be used indefinitely as long as variables such as ink, paper, printer, substrate and transfer press temperature remain constant. A profile will work within a range of humidity conditions, but color changes can occur if humidity or temperature vary significantly.
A profile can be used to reproduce colors within the gamut of the ink. Inks with wider color or enhanced gamuts will expand the printed color range so that truer blues, reds, greens and oranges can be achieved. Most RIPs also support named colors. The typical example of a named color table is the PANTONE® swatch book.
The amount of ink that is used is controlled by linearization and ink limiting in the RIP and settings in the profile. Ideally, correct colors are achieved by laying down just the right amount of each color so that saturation and density are consistent. Any amount of ink used over what is really needed is wasted ink and putting down too much ink can result in colors that are off. A good profile will also employ black ink along with cyan, yellow and magenta to produce vibrant blacks and grays with a minimum of ink. Profiling with the proper ink limits and density will reduce cost while improving colors.
Each RIP implements color and ink management differently. Because of this, an ICC profile that functions well in one RIP may not work well in another.
It is important to understand that even the most carefully calibrated printing system will not produce 100% accurate color. This is because the perception of color by the human eye varies by individual, viewing conditions, processes in the eye and brain, and numerous other influences. Plus the printer, the ink, and the media introduce systematic and random color variances. See Color Spaces by Rolf Kuehni for an excellent overview of color science.
Finally, the color science used for ICC profiles was developed for pigment ink and isotropic media. Dyes, including those used for dye sublimation, induce perceptual effects that diverge from the assumptions built into the ICC profile and G7 models. And textiles are far from the isotropic ideal for media. So, when working with dye sublimation and textiles, spot colors are critical when a very high level of color accuracy is required.