In this step, you can limit the ink at the point the printer achieves its
maximum color density, and create a calibration file. The amount of ink affects the gamut size of
the calibration.
If you know that over-inking is a problem, you can manually reduce the ink limits before printing
the chart to prevent potential bleed issues, and cockling, and to ensure that the chart can be
successfully measured. Select Print with pre-ink limits per channel, and
click Pre-ink Limits. However, if in doubt, it is recommended that you do not
apply pre-ink limits before printing, as it can noticeably reduce the achievable gamut.
Note:
Pre-ink limits have been applied to all 1000 dpi resolutions so that the default gamut at 1000
dpi is the same as the gamut at 600 dpi. This allows you to align easily the color of both
resolutions. However, if you want to use the full gamut capabilities of the 1000 dpi mode (e.g. for
backlit media), reset all pre-ink limits for the 1000 dpi resolution to 100%.
-
Click Print.
Color Tools creates print files in the specified export folder.
-
Load the print files on the printer.
To calibrate the white channel for printing on black or transparent media, you must set up
layered printing for each RTL file at the print station before printing the charts.
-
Print the charts.
VUTEk printers only: Use the print options of each multi-layer job to set the smoothing level,
and margins, etc.
Use the double strike setting to increase the ink
density, if required. As this setting has a high impact on the color output, it is recommended that
you include "double strike" in the name of the calibration file.
Note:
You must print each job layer separately. You cannot group multiple layers together into one
layout.
-
Follow the on-screen instructions to measure the
chart.
-
Click Show patches
(optional).
By moving the pointer over a patch, you can view its L*a*b* value. Each patch is divided along
the diagonal. The top left area shows the expeted color, the bottom right area shows the measured
color.
You can view the color patches for all steps of the calibration procedure that require you to
measure printed charts.
-
Review the light/norm ink setup.
Based on the values for Norm ink, Norm ink start,
Light ink in full tone, and Dot gain at 50%, Color Tools calculates the maximum achievable chroma (*C) for the CMY inks
and the minimum possible L* value (0) for Black.
By clearing the Auto check
boxes, you can experiment with the light/norm settings to find the combination that achieves the
best balance between chroma and ink consumption, while still maintaining smooth gradations. The
chroma and ink consumption values are updated automatically when you press <Enter>.
-
Click Print Visual
Reference (optional), and check the primary color gradations.
-
Click Next.
