Color Management PDF - AS1809

AS1809 COLOR MANAGEMENT “The general term for any technology that predictably brings the color of an artist’s vision to the printed page is color management” (Ashe, 2014). Color Management Systems Close-Loop Color Management System In t...

AS1809 COLOR MANAGEMENT “The general term for any technology that predictably brings the color of an artist’s vision to the printed page is color management” (Ashe, 2014). Color Management Systems Close-Loop Color Management System In the early days, before the “desktop” printing, a scanner operator manages high-quality color reproduction by rendering large color gamut and dynamic range to fit into smaller gamut and dynamic range of the printing press. This technique is done in a close-loop system, which means that scanning is assigned to one specific printer only (Ashe, 2014). As further discussed by Ashe (2014), some photographers today are still working this way. When the monitor or display doesn’t match the color coming off the printer, the color, contrast, and brightness are being adjusted. However, this color system is too fragile because the combination may work solely for that particular printer, paper, and monitor and might not match when sent to another printer, display, or paper. Open & ICC-Based Digital Color Management The evolving digital world demands a more flexible color management since input can be made from a variety of devices (camera, scanners, etc.), viewed on different monitors or display, and printed on different printers or printing press. Since devices can vary its color gamut, it is a challenge and a goal to produce consistent and accurate color throughout the production process across all devices. This led to the foundation of characterization or profiling in the form of an ICC Profile (Ashe, 2014). “Characterization or profiling is a description of the color capabilities or limits of a device or process... the characterization is the color gamut that the device or process can see, display, or produce once the device is in the calibrated state” (Ashe, 2014). ICC stands for International Color Consortium (ICC) founded by computer, digital, and media manufacturers such as Microsoft and Apple. It aims “to develop the standards that would allow for a more open system for maintaining consistency and managing color. In other words, they wanted all of their different devices to be able to talk to one another and get as close a match as possible” (Ashe, 2014). Figure 1. Example of Lookup Tables from ICC Profile Source: Color Management and Quality Output Working with Color from Camera to Display to Print, 2014, p. 35 09 Handout 1 *Property of STI  [email protected] Page 1 of 3  AS1809 Figure 1 shows that to transform the scanned image and match its color in an RGB printer, it has to be adjusted. Example: Red - 75, Green – 123, Blue – 64 to Red - 66, Green – 150, Blue – 50. Pantone Color Matching System - “The Pantone matching system (PMS) is an example of an arbitrary color system based on color swatches, and corresponding assigned names” (Rhyne, 2016). - “The Pantone color matching system (PMS) is a proprietary color space used primarily in printing and also in a wide range of other industries, including cosmetics, colored paint, fabric, and plastics” (Rhyne, 2016). This system reproduces and identifies colors using their own Pantone numbering system. Its guide uses cardboard sheets, approximately 6 by 2 in or 15 by 5 cm (Rhyne, 2016), with pre-printed rectangular samples to show the Pantone colors; it is also bound together like a fan to which allows the strips to be browsed. Figure 2. Pantone Swatchbook System Source: Color Management and Quality Output Working with Color from Camera to Display to Print, 2014, p. 33 The swatch books vary from coated, uncoated, matte, metallic, cotton, plastic, and metallic shimmer, depending on the surface that particular color will be printed on. These swatches are helpful so that one already knows the gamut and palette that are possible for a particular surface/paper and ink combination to reproduce. This system is “also known as spot colors, which are specially mixed inks that produce exact hue, including specific saturation and value” (Bleicher, 2012). This is further discussed below: The foundation of the PMS is spot/solid colors—the fifteen base hues mainly used in lithographic printing. Unlike process colors, when spot/ solid colors are mixed and printed, they appear to not contain any dots, hence the term “solid.” They also allow for special finishes and hues such as varnishes, metallic, and fluorescents. (Opara & Cantwell, 2013) 09 Handout 1 *Property of STI  [email protected] Page 2 of 3  AS1809 The Pantone color matching system released its digital versions in 2009 and 2016. These mobile applications are myPantone app and PANTONE Studio app. Figure 3. Progression from the virtual fan deck of the older myPantone app to the new digital swatches of the PANTONE Studio app Source: Applying Color Theory to Digital Media and Visualization, 2016, p. 71 References Ashe, T. A. (2014). Color management and quality output working with color from camera to display to print. Oxon: Focal Press Bleicher, S. (2012). Contemporary color theory and use (2nd ed.). New York: Cengage Learning. Opara , E. & Cantwell, J. (2013). Best practices for graphic designers color works: An essential guide to understanding and applying color design principles. Massachusetts: Rockport. Pantone Homepage. (n.d.). Retrieved from PANTONE: https://www.pantone.com Rhyne, T.M. (2016). Applying color theory to digital media and visualization. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. 09 Handout 1 *Property of STI  [email protected] Page 3 of 3