Color Management with ColorEdge Monitors

A lesson on color management with
153 Shimokashiwano, Hakusan, Ishikawa 924-8566 Japan
Phone +81-76-277-6792
www.eizo.com
Fax: +81-76-277-6793
© 2011 Eizo Nanao Corporation
All product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective
companies. ColorEdge and EIZO are registered trademarks of Eizo Nanao
Corporation.
Is that really the correct color?
“Is this color good to go?” — A hesitation we often have before making prints in the digital workflow.
What is color management?
In the print production digital workflow, where data and paper output are intertwined at each
step, issues concerning color are a constant concern. This all originates from the lack of a
dependable color reference that can be trusted as the correct color.
Color management is the practice of processing data along a common color reference at each step of
the digital workflow, including material production, design, plate making, and printing.
If the color of the final deliverable can be expressed at each step of the process by adjusting the
color of each device, the image of the completed product can be unified throughout the workflow.
This enables more accurate and efficient data handling while also improving the quality of the final
deliverable.
Typical concerns in the digital workflow:
• Is the photograph edited the way the photographer intended?
• What is a work space? What is a profile?
• Is it alright for each member, including our in-house designers and illustrators, to be
working in different color environments?
• Will the final print match the color of the design comp produced on an inkjet printer?
• Image of the final product is always different between the production company,
the client, and the printing company.
• The difference in color between the design comp and the color proof is shocking.
We are always nervous.
• Color of the photograph is different from the real thing. Is it alright to print with this color?
Color reference
Concerns over color in the digital workflow
A designer’s worries and headaches
Photographer
Retoucher
Supplied
materials
Illustrator
Is it properly
calibrated?
Is it printed with
the right color?
Digital workflow
What environment should
I check the color under?
What are the color
settings of the application?
Are the monitor’s colors
accurate?
Color image of
the final deliverable
Profile
Design company
Plate making company
Printing company
OK
Comp
Color proof
Co l or E dg e 20 11
02
WARNING
Poor color management in the digital workflow can
lead to big problems at the back end of the process.
Deliverable
Client
Printed material
Magazines, catalogs, packages, etc.
03
No more color worries. The Basics of color management.
Four key points. Keep these in mind to significantly improve your color management.
Color management in practice
The four key points in color management
There are four key points in practicing color management. (See page 05.)
By setting up the work environment along these four points and following a set of rules to correctly handle
the data, not only will it improve the end quality but also bring other big benefits to each work step.
01
Prepare a profile and
print in the correct color.
P.06
Prepare a profile that provides the color characteristics unique to each device.
Display with applications that
support color management
For correct display, use
monitors specifically made
for color management
Check under the correct
kind of fluorescent
lighting
02
P.08
Maintain a light source specifically for color evaluation to ensure more accurate
color checks.
03
Print in the
correct color!
Check the color
under the correct light source.
Use a display monitor
specifically for color management.
P.12
Maintain a monitor that can accurately simulate printed colors and color data.
04
Display using applications that
support color management.
P.16
Correctly utilize profiles with applications that support color management.
Examples of benefits at each step of the process when using color management
Benefit 1
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04
Communication between front-end and back-end of process is smooth
Benefit 2
Reduce cost and time associated with
reprints and re-proofs
Apply color
management
Photographer / Retoucher
Illustrator
Design company
Plate making company
Unified image
Printing company
1st proof 2nd proof
3rd proof
Good on 1st proof or
monitor-based proof
Benefit 3
Conduct color related tasks
with peace of mind
Peace
of
mind
Proof
Deliverable
Accurate display
05
Key point
01
Prepare a profile and print in the correct color.
Establishing profiles
In-house rule 2
Printing companies have image profiles that are used as internal
references, and by establishing rules on how such references are
applied, they are able to maintain consistent print quality. This may
include rules such as fixing the printer to a setting that is known to
produce best results, or always using the same proofing paper.
In-house rule 3
Create image in accordance
with in-house procedures
Always specify same device
and paper for color proof
Conversion
Convert and
transmit
An accurate image profile
When a workflow is designed around such rules, the keys that
determine print quality are the performance of the printing
machine, the image profile, and the accuracy of the profile for
each printing machine.
Inkjet
Conversion
Image data
Color copy
In-house rule 1
Apply an in-house reference
profile to an image
Conversion
Correct application of accurate
profiles leads to high quality
On-demand
In-house rule 4
Always use optimal
RIP/printer driver settings
Performance and accurate profile of each printing machine
In-house reference profile
embedded in image
How printing companies
use profiles 1
When embedding an in-house
profile in an image
Profiles of each company referencing actual print
color. For example, companies will create their
own profiles using prints made with specific
printing machines, paper, and settings as the color
reference.
How printing companies
use profiles 2
When embedding a JAPAN
COLOR profile in an image
Unique profile
Develop
unique
profile
In-house reference profile
embedded in image
Print
simulation
The most commonly used color reference in Japan
that an increasing number of printing companies
are conforming to. Also has the benefit of being
able to use general purpose profiles.
JAPAN COLOR
Prints that meet
conditions
Visually close
Visually close
C ol orE d g e 2 0 11
06
Print
Print
simulation
Monitor, Printer
Print
Monitor, Printer
07
Key point
02
Check the color under the correct light source.
Why the light source must be controlled
Even with a clear image of the desired color, a change in environment can result in the following:
The color of printed material looks different (impression) to the human eye
depending on the lighting environment (surrounding light).
Natural light (sunny)
In the photo studio
Perfect lighting!
Photo comes out as
envisioned
Natural light (cloudy)
Under uncontrolled
lighting ...
... color evaluation also
is uncontrolled.
At the printing company
Color calibration
At the design company
Incandescent light
To correctly control color in the
Co lo r E dg e 201 1
08
digital workflow, it is necessary
to evaluate printed material
Cool fluorescent light
Reference color in
the publishing/printing
industry
5000 K
Color tone of
regular
LCD monitors
6500 K
When printed, different
from what was envisioned.
Color tone of
regular
televisions
9300 K
according to set standards with
appropriate lighting conditions.
09
Controlling environmental light
Solution!
High quality comes from sharing the same image!
(1) Fluorescent light with high color rendering index and
appropriate color temperature.
(2) View solely under fluorescent lighting by shutting out outside light.
High Color Rendering Fluorescent Lights*
Size
Name
High Color
Rendering
Fluorescent
Lamp
20" FL20SN-EDL
40" FL40SN-EDL
40" FLR40SN-EDL/M
40" FLR40SN-EDL/M.NU
Light source
approximately 5000 K.
Photograph taken with
printing in mind.
Monitor is
displayed
at 5000 K
Printed output is checked
under 5000 K light source
Final check under
5000 K light source.
Start printing.
Panasonic
Toshiba Lighting & Technology
Type
The image profile and evaluation environment of the printed output are the rules that provide a common output image across different steps in the digital workflow.
Color
Temp.
Ra
Type
Size
5000 K
99
High Color
Rendering
Fluorescent
Lights
20" FL20SN-EDL
40" FL40SN-EDL
40" FLR40SN-EDL/M
Name
Color
Temp.
Ra
5000 K
99
Correct color
under 5000 K
light source
*Availability outside of Japan may vary.
In the printing digital workflow confirm your prints
using fluorescent light with the following specs:
Printed material
Photographer
Color Temp: 5000 K
Designer
CRI (RA): 99
Plate making
company
Client
Printing company
Use of color evaluation systems
can be very effective!
Installing a dedicated color evaluation
system will make it possible to perform color
checks of printed material in an optimal
environment.
Under proper lighting,
color evaluation can be
performed with confidence
Hanging fluorescent light module for color
proofing designed to reduce unevenness in
color and illumination
Colors match
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Desktop color viewing light box
Color viewing system
11
Key point
03
Use a display monitor specifically for color management.
What is monitor color?
1 Easily setup using dedicated software
The display color that can be adjusted from the buttons
at the front of the LCD monitor.
Of the many adjustable settings, “brightness” and
“color temperature” are especially important.
Brightness
Dark
Brightness of the monitor
display. Expressed in a unit
called cd/m2 (candela).
40 cd/m2
80 cd/m2
Bright
120 cd/m2
Color temperature
Color tone when white is
displayed on the monitor.
Expressed in a unit called K
(kelvin).
Yellowish
white
4500 K
Just like the color of paper can look different depending on
the lighting conditions, different monitors will display different colors.
Adjust to
preference
Color creep
over time
Adjust darker
Initial settings
Paper color
Monitor color
5000 K
Blueish white
6500 K
Correct use of color is possible by adjusting
the monitor to the reference.
Evaluate under
the correct
light source
In-house
color reference
5000 K / Ra.99
Print according
to reference
Adjust according
to reference
Color matching between prints and monitor
When the objective is to match the color
of the printed material and the monitor
(evaluate side-by-side) it is necessary to:
White on the monitor
White of the paper
Adjust the monitor so the white matches
on the paper and the monitor.
Calibrate the monitor, then create and set
the monitor profile.
C ol orE d g e 2 0 11
12
1 Easy operation requiring just
a simple selection of a number
2 Adjustment to target value
is completed
in a few short minutes
3 Very accurate adjustment
5000 K / Ra99
Adjustment under a
5000 K light source
Evaluation
under a 5000 K
light source
Simply specify the target value
on the slide bar
Color expression as
the user intended
Provide a color
reference also
for monitors
case 1
TOSHIBA
Color illuminator
FL20SN-EDL
When print output is being evaluated in a 5000 K
environment, adjusting the monitor to 5000 K enables
good color matching and correct use of color.
ColorNavigator, dedicated calibration software for
ColorEdge, supports easy, accurate, and quick adjustments.
2 Automatically generate
Automatically generate and store monitor profiles
accurate profiles
Setting an accurate monitor profile is essential
for accurate color matching. With its dedicated
calibration software, ColorEdge is able to
automatically generate and store an accurate profile.
5000 K
Profile
Even easier for models with a built-in calibration sensor!
A swing-out mechanism that automatically appears
only during calibration
With a built-in sensor,
cumbersome operation is
virtually eliminated!
With ColorEdge,
1 Easily setup using dedicated software......... See page 13.
it is possible to:
3 Fine tune to accurate settings ..................... See page 14.
2 Automatically generate accurate profiles .... See page 13.
13
case 2
3 Fine tune to accurate settings
3 -1 Even with the color temperature of the monitor set to 5000 K,
its white may still not match that of the paper.
Even with accurate adjustment
of the monitor, utilization of
profiles, and a strictly
controlled evaluation
environment, the monitor's
white may still not match the
white of the paper. This is
caused by the base-color of the
paper, reflection of surrounding
objects, and other reasons.
Matching the monitor color
for all workers
5000 K/Ra.99
Color quality in the digital workflow can be improved by matching the
color of each monitor and having the workers share a common image.
There are two standards by which the color of monitors may be matched.
TOSHIBA
Color illuminator
FL20SN-EDL
1 Matching them to the printed output.
2 Matching them to an industry reference value.
5000 K
By using each of these methods appropriately for a given purpose, accuracy in the use of color can be improved.
1 Matching them to the printed output
When compared with the
paper, the white does not match!
Influencers
• Base-color of the paper
• Reflection of the wall color
• Multiple light sources
With ColorEdge, fine tuning
of the display is possible even
after calibration.
By visually reselecting the
white color, it is possible to
derive a calibration target
value that is better suited for
the matching application.
An intuitive
user-friendly interface
reference value
Just move the pointer towards the desired color.
The white color is adjusted accordingly!
C ol orE d g e 2 0 11
14
With ColorEdge,
5266 K
98 cd/m2
γ2.2
ColorNavigator makes it
easy to share target values
using its target adjustment
value import/export function.
5266 K
98 cd/m2
γ2.2
Fine tuning
complete
5000 K
2 Matching them to an industry
With ColorEdge, it is possible
to regenerate a profile to
better match the objective by
performing recalibration
based on the target values
obtained from manual fine
tuning.
Settings may be slightly different
between each monitor due to model
differences or individual differences.
5266 K
98 cd/m2
γ2.2
5266 K
98 cd/m2
γ2.2
3 -3 Possible to regenerate profiles to match the objective.
By taking the adjustment value to match
the white of the printer paper obtained in
case 1 and applying it to all monitors in
the company, theoretically, the display
color of all monitors are matched.
5266 K
98 cd/m2
γ2.2
In these cases, fine tuning the monitor's white to match the paper
will improve precision of the match.
3 -2 ColorNavigator’s manual adjustment function makes
fine tuning of the white color very easy!
is not compatible outside the company but very convenient
for in-house color unification!
5000 K
80 cd/m2
γ2.2
provides high level of compatibility, but may not match
print output
By adjusting all in-house
monitors along an industry
standard can establish a basic
color management environment.
However, this may not meet
necessary requirements in terms
of matching with actual print
output.
6500 K
80 cd/m2
γ2.2
A profile better suited for
the matching purpose
5000 K 80 cd/m2 or above 2.2 (ISO 12646)
5266 K
98 cd/m2
γ2.2
Profile
[ISO12646] is a core standard for “soft proofing”, the
practice of performing print color proofing on a monitor. The
Japanese printing industry also often follows this standard.
[ISO 12464:2008] Characteristics of a proofing monitor and observation conditions
Fine tuning
complete
Repeats status measurement and profile generation
upon completion of fine tuning.
Status is measured
with the built-in
sensor
6500 K ***cd/m
2
2.2
sRGB standard
An international standard on color gamut. A standard set for
CRT monitors, but many manufacturers still conform to this
standard. The large installed base provides high compatibility
thus making it useful in applications such as web content
development.
With ColorEdge, it is possible to store
monitor adjustment settings for each
application and easily switch between
them depending on the job.
5000 K 80 cd/m2 or aboveγ2.2
6500 K ***cd/m2γ2.2
In-house matching
Communicating with design company A
Data submission to printing company B
For sRGB workflow
etc.
15
Key point
04
Display using applications that support color management.
Displaying images using applications
STEP 1
For accurate color management, it is necessary to check the data
and simulate printing on the display using applications that
support color management.
First, check the application’s color settings
For precise color utilization, first, color settings are adjusted to the requirements of each job.
Work space
To correctly view an image in accordance with color management rules,
the application must load each of the profiles for the monitor and the image
and perform accurate color conversion.
It is convenient to have the profile for your
normal digital workflow set up in advance.
RGB: Typically, “sRGB” or “Adobe®
RGB”.
CMYK: Select according to the color
standard used in the workflow. When
re-embedding the image profile, make
selections based on the back-end workflow
and the type of end deliverable.
Color
conversion
Monitor profile
Color management policy
Image profile
For both RGB: and CMYK:, select
“Maintain embedded profile.”
LCD Monitor
Applications supporting color
management
Image data
Loading the monitor profile
Applications that support color management will automatically load the monitor profile
set in the OS. NOTE: Some applications may require manual setup.
Monitor
profile
Profile is set
Referenced
automatically
Select all check boxes so it is possible to
make positive identification either when
files that have embedded profiles that do
not match the “work space”, or when
files without an embedded profile are
being opened. (Recommended)
STEP 2
Open the image file
Loading the image profile
To open an image file correctly while referencing a
profile, select one of the following two methods.
Use the profile embedded in the image.
Use the profile specified in “Color settings”.
In normal digital work, the embedded profile
should be used by selecting method .
Use the profile embedded in the image
When opening the file in the
application, select “Use
embedded profile instead of
work space”. By maintaining
C ol orE d g e 2 0 11
16
the embedded profile, an
ColorEdge
will automatically set generated
accurate monitor profiles in the OS
image can be handled with
the same color setting
Automatically
set
throughout the digital workflow. When a file’s embedded
profile matches the work space, checking is not necessary as
the file opens automatically.
Use the profile specified in “Color settings”
The image can be
viewed in the work
space specified in the
application’s “Color
settings”. When utilizing
data that come from
various external
organizations or devices, or when it is necessary to switch
profiles depending on the back-end process, this is a useful
function.The image can be viewed in the work space
specified in the application's “Color settings”. When
utilizing data that come from various external organizations or devices, or when it is necessary to switch profiles
depending on the back-end process, this is a useful function.
17
Summary
http://www.eizo.com/
Many people are involved in the production of printed material.
As such, being able to use the correct color among all parties or not having to question the color along the way
can result in efficient delivery of high quality prints.
To make this a reality, it is important to understand the importance of color management,
and to prepare the environment, the peripheral equipment, and the applications for either a dedicated,
or an adaptable setup that will enable more accurate utilization of color data and color matching.
61cm (24.1")
Color management LCD monitor
02
TOSHIBA
Color illuminator
FL20SN-EDL
Built-in calibration sensor
Adobe® RGB coverage 98%
IPS panel
01
03
04
76cm (29.8")
Color management LCD monitor
Adobe® RGB coverage 98%
IPS panel
61cm (24.1")
Color management LCD monitor
Adobe® RGB coverage 98%
IPS panel
68cm (27.0")
Color management LCD monitor
C ol orE d g e 2 0 11
18
01
02
03
04
Create an environment
for optimal printing and
set a profile for an image
Prepare an appropriate
lighting environment
Calibrating with a
color management-ready
monitor
Check application settings
and how to use them
It is necessary to calibrate
devices such as digital
cameras, monitors, and
printers to their optimal
condition, create profiles that
record the color characteristic
unique to each device, and
share these profiles across
each of the process steps.
When checking the color of
printed material, it is
necessary to do so under
appropriate lighting
conditions. Color temperature
and color rendering
properties are important in
the evaluation of commercial
print material; a light source
with color temperature =
5000K and color rendering
index = 99 should be used.
For precise color matching
and color management, a
monitor capable of generating
an accurate monitor profile is
essential. For precise and
dependable utilization of
profiles, we recommend the
ColorEdge series — easy to
adjust stable displays.
In the digital workflow, it is
important to perform data
checks and display print
simulations on an
application that supports
color management. A unified
output image can be shared
across the workflow by using
the correct profile.
Built-in calibration sensor
Adobe® RGB coverage 98%
IPS panel
56cm (22.0")
Color management LCD monitor
Adobe® RGB coverage 95%
Equipped with FlexStand for highly flexible positioning
Color management LCD monitors with hardware calibration support

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