Fiery Command WorkStation

Fiery Color Reference

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Optimizing Spot Color Matching for output type

You can use the Spot Color Matching feature for on-demand color printing and color proofing. On‑demand color printing refers to those jobs for which the Fiery server is the final print device.

Printing jobs to the Fiery server in preparation for printing on another printer or offset press is referred to as color proofing. Both types of Fiery server print jobs can use RGB, CMYK, and spot colors.

Characteristics of on-demand jobs Characteristics of color proofing jobs

Production is done only on the Fiery server with Spot Color Matching On to produce the widest gamut and most accurate color possible.

 Accurately simulates a printer or offset press equipped with spot colors using Spot Color Matching On.
Spot Color Matching Off is used for printing jobs that do not contain spot colors, or to use the spot color definitions found within the file rather than in the Fiery server spot color libraries. Accurately simulates a printer or offset press that is not equipped with spot colors using Spot Color Matching Off.
Note: The term "on-demand" applies to producing printed output when it is needed. The term "short-run" usually applies to the volume of a printing task. Although these terms do not mean exactly the same thing, "on‑demand" in this document applies also to short-run printing. Because you can print as many pages as you need and reprint jobs quickly, the Fiery server performs equally well in either environment.

The type of printing you plan for a document, on-demand color printing on the Fiery server versus color proofing for eventual printing on an offset press, determines the way you define colors, as well as the print option settings you choose.

  • For on-demand color printing on the Fiery server, use any application and define colors in RGB or CMYK. If your application supports it, you can also choose colors from the PANTONE color library. Choose the appropriate settings for print options affecting color output (for descriptions of the print options, see Color Printing).

  • For color proofing, use a PostScript-defined color in CMYK or choose colors from color libraries, such as the PANTONE color library. Placed objects can also be defined in RGB or CMYK. Choose the appropriate settings for print options affecting color output (see Color Printing).

Note: The Fiery server lets you use RGB or CMYK data when printing proofs for an offset press run. However, sending data for offset printing usually requires CMYK data.
Parent topic: Color management workflows