Color Management

Workflow
For HP Indigo Web Presses with SPM

CA394-23520 Rev.01 / September 2015

Prepared by HP Indigo documentation and training tools department

Contents
• Introduction
• ILD vs. SPM
• Color management pyramid
– Lighting illusion & Standardization
– Colors and color refinement
• Media fingerprint and 3D calibration
– Media fingerprint and 3D - FAQ
• Workflows and scenarios
• Changes to SPM-related features
– Improved 3D and MF control
– Continuous color calibration (CCC)
– SPM-DFE closed loop
– Import/Export

1
Introduction
• To achieve the best color performance, HP Indigo web presses use either an inline
densitometer (ILD) OR a spectrophotometer (SPM) as the color measurement device:
– HP Indigo legacy presses come with ILD (HP Indigo WS6600 Digital Press –only – can be
upgraded /supplied with SPM)
– New HP presses come with SPM
• Both ILD and SPM operate during the color calibration process; they measure the
parameters of the substrate and the colors printed on it.
• It is important to understand the differences between a press with ILD and one with
SPM to be able to know how to address and manage color.
• It is important to distinguish between pre-press-related processes and press-related
processes.
• This way you will be able to understand how to manage colors and reach the color
targets at your press, when using the different measurement devices and features
available today with HP Indigo web presses.

ILD vs. SPM

2
 ILD vs. SPM
ILD

Optical Ink layer thickness

density
Substrate

SPM

Spectrum
L*a*b

ILD vs. SPM

ILD
sees, recognizes
& tastes

SPM
tastes & distinguishes
between flavors

3
ILD - Measures optical density (OD)
• ILD measures:
– the amount of light reflected from the printed ink layer and the substrate.
– the solids optical density (OD) of the ink, for each color (ink) installed on the press.
• The OD is proportional to the thickness of the ink deposited on the substrate.
• Example of OD values for glossy substrate:
Y(1.0), M(1.45), C(1.45), K(1.75), O(1.9), V(1.45), G(1.4)

High OD

Low OD

Ink Ink

Substrate

SPM - Measures the spectrum

• The spectrum is the intensity of light

reflected from the measured color
patch.
• The output of a measurement is a series
of 31 values representing the intensity
of light in each wavelength from 400nm
to 700nm (with 10nm intervals).
SPM measurements
• From these values we can calculate the
physical color (Lab coordinates) and/or
the OD values. For example:
RGB filter
L* (17.34), a (31.8), b (-70.44)

V (1.48), C (1.88), M (1.27)

OD values

4
What is the L*a*b spectrum
= Uniform color space consisting of lightness variable and chromaticity indices

The central vertical axis represents lightness values

(indicated as L*), running from 0 (black) to100 (white)

The b-b' axis, which runs from

positive to negative, indicates
amounts of and blue

The a-a' axis, which runs from

positive to negative, indicates
amounts of red and green

What is Delta E (ΔE)

• Delta E (ΔE) is a single number

indicating the difference between
printed color and desired color.
• This difference is expressed by the
geometric distance between two
colors.
• The bigger the ΔE value, the bigger the
visual difference.
• ΔE is calculated using ΔE formulas that
take into account the different color
discrimination thresholds of human eye
color vision and CIE Lab spectrum.
• ΔE 2000 is the recommended formula
for graphic arts.

10

5
So what is the difference between SPM and ILD?

SPM is more
accurate than ILD

How will it affect my print if I have presses with both types of devices?
• Both presses starting point (= when starting a job) will be very similar as regards color
accuracy.
So where is the difference?
• The difference will be noted over time during printing: the SPM -with MF & 3D- will be
able to maintain better accuracy and stability.
• The deviation between ILD and SPM can be ± 1-2 %.

1-2 % difference has NO impact 1–2 % difference may & will impact
11

So what is the difference between SPM and ILD?

SPM is more
accurate than ILD

When will the starting point of SPM-based and ILD-based presses be similar?
• If both presses were correctly baselined.
• If the same color profile and strategy were done for the job on both presses.
• If color matching is not done on the press but only on the DFE.

12

6
The color management
pyramid

Color management pyramid

• The general guidelines for achieving the best colors on HP Indigo digital presses can
be represented as a color management pyramid.
• All the steps of this pyramid —from the solid foundation at the bottom to the
fine tuning at the top— are prerequisites for achieving best color performance.
• The DFE color management features are
to be used after the press is baselined,
calibrated and PQ validated.
DFE

Press

14

7
Color management - Standardization
Standardization comprises the following steps: To next step
in the color
• Implementing the site preparation recommended conditions. management
pyramid
• Standardizing the printing production workflow.
• Documenting printing conditions and monitoring all process
control and production activities.
• Setting the print quality (PQ) and color acceptable tolerances
• Setting the end-user color expectations and precision
• Establishing quality control (QC) and quality assurance (QA)
procedures for all suppliers
• Maintaining the supplies according to the best practice guide.
This will increase the supply lifespan, which in turn will
increase press utilization.
• Verifying that lighting (*) and viewing conditions are set
correctly, according to graphic arts standards.

(*) See examples of lighting illusion here

15

Lighting illusion
&
Standardization

16

8
Shadow illusion

What do you think?

Are A & B the same color?

17

Shadow illusion

Yes they are

This is why correct lighting
is very important

18

9
Afterimage illusion

Do you see the

green DOT?

19

Same image under different light source

20

10
Color management - Baseline and maintenance
The press is correctly baselined when:
• Inks are set up and calibrated correctly
• PIP, Blanket & BID are in good condition
• Press is well maintained
• Color calibrations are done as required and frequently

21

Color management – Substrate definition

Substrate has significant impact on the output; different substrates may give different
color results.

22

11
Color management – Substrate definition
When defining a substrate, take into account that color performance may differ for each
type of substrate.
Be sure to correctly define the substrate-related parameters for all printed substrates:
• Glossy level
• Thickness
• 2nd transfer
• FaceStock
• Blanket temperature
NOTE: it is recommended to define transparent substrates
as “Non-white”.
NOTE: Substrate standardization – monitor that substrate
quality & color are maintained constant by the substrate
supplier.

Relevant docs:
• CA394-13153 - Production Handbook
(Release announced in TN&CN-1635)

23

Color management – Color calibrations

Perform color calibration to ensure that colors are accurate and consistent over time

When to perform color calibrations (also MF and 3D):

• With every new substrate
• With new PIP, Blanket & BID
• Every 10K imp (or less, as needed)

• Perform 3D calibration every 30K imp

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12
Color management – Color calibrations (cont.)
Perform color calibration to ensure that colors are accurate and consistent over time

When to perform V-electrode calibration:

• BID replacement
• INK rebuild
Use the Start with default
• Every 30K – 60K parameters option only as part
of troubleshooting, if color
• Color calibration fail calibration failed.

25

Color management – Color calibrations (cont.)

How do you know that the press is well calibrated?

Measure the output of the press after color calibration:

• Using a correctly calibrated external X-Rite densitometer, compare the OD readings of the solid
patches on the CATP job to the results on the UI (= from the Color Calibration wizard *).

• Do NOT compare the OD readings on the printed color calibration

wizard patches as the last sheet you check (or the sheet you
check) is not necessarily the right one to compare.
• If a measurement for any of the 4 process colors
varies by more than ± 0.04 from the SPM reading (*),
perform an SPM self-calibration procedure.

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13
Color management – Color calibrations (cont.)
How do you know that the SPM is calibrated?

• With the SPM we do not have the ability to calibrate the unit using an external device like we
used to do with the ILD.
• So, to make sure that the SPM is calibrated correctly do the following:
– Perform SPM self-calibration.
– Using a correctly calibrated external X-Rite densitometer, compare the OD readings of the solid patches on
the CATP job to the results on the UI.

• If a measurement for any of the 4 process colors varies by more than ± 0.04 from the SPM
reading, perform an SPM self-calibration wizard again. If readings are still off, perform
recommended troubleshooting such as:
– SPM height/position from ceramic and white roller.

Note: Do NOT compare the OD readings on the printed color calibration wizard patches as the last
sheet you check (or the sheet you check) is not necessarily the right one to compare.

27

Color management – PQ and color validation

The performance of the HP Indigo digital press is validated using a quality control (QC)
target job as a reference
• The QC target job should not include color management.
• Either visually check the QC target job or measure its parameters.
• The customer may save a printed sample of the QC target job
as a reference, in order to track past color performance and
troubleshoot problems in pre-press or within the HP Indigo digital
press. The printed sample of the QC target job must be kept in
proper storage conditions.

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14
Color management – PQ and color validation (cont.)
The performance of the HP Indigo digital press is validated using a quality control (QC)
target job as a reference
• As part of the validation print a “Gray_20” job to see if all the BIDs are performing correctly and
no marks appear on the print.
• If BID/color marks appear on the print, they could be generated by a dirty or contaminated BID.
• Contaminated or dirty BID will lead to color issues.
Examples:

“Clean” Gray_20 “Dirty” Gray_20

29

Color management – PQ and color validation (cont.)

VERY IMPORTANT: make sure that the color validation job readings are in the correct
density mode.
ILD and SPM work in different density modes:
• ILD works in “G” mode
• SPM works in “T” mode

NOTE: to reduce confusion, if you have a job that was previously printed and checked on “G” mode,
and now you are printing it on a press with SPM, check the job also in “G” mode.

30

15
Color management – DFE steps

In the DFE phase of the pyramid we create new color strategies based on eight stages:
1. Press configuration in Color Engine
2. Color Engine preferences (ΔE)
3. Substrate profiling
4. PANTONE inks automatic refinement
5. Master color strategy settings “Color strategy” =
6. Color strategy derivatives
7. Printing PANTONE simulation guides
8. Attaching strategies to tickets

31

Color management – DFE steps: color strategy

What is a “color strategy”?

• A bundle of color management settings. Color Engine settings:

• The color profile is the foundation of any color Conversion

strategy. (*)
• A color strategy is created right after the
profile.

(*) The DFE was improved as a tool but the

Input inks Output inks
process remains the same. Therefore you
still/always need to do color profile/strategy!

Extra Output inks

(White goes here!)

32

16
Color management – DFE steps: color profiling
What is a “color profile”?

• Color profiles are used to convert colors from different color spaces (*).
For example from RGB to CMYK, or from one CMYK color space to another
CMYK color space.
• Conversions of RGB to CMYK are generally done through color management
systems, using color profiles that describe the color spaces being converted.
The conversions cannot be exact since these spaces have very different color gamuts.
• For a site with several HP Indigo presses, if the color profile is modified on one HP Indigo press,
the same change must be implemented on all other HP Indigo presses, in order to ensure color
matching.
• Most of the color profiles are related to a dedicated type of substrate.
• Color profiles may be also used for:
– Color matching between different printing technologies.
– Meeting color standards of ISO and other worldwide certification bodies (e.g., FOGRA,
IDEAlliance, etc.) and their standardization targets (e.g., IDEAlliance's GRACoL and SWOP).

(*) Color spaces = color differences between existing and expected results.

33

Color management – DFE steps: color profiling (cont.)

What is a “color profile”?

• From the DFE side, profiling means mapping the colors that the press can
print on a substrate.
• You create a color profile for a substrate, just like the media fingerprint
does a “profile” for a substrate.
• BUT, color profile and media fingerprint are 2 different things:
– Color profile is done on the press and for the press;
– MF is done for the DFE.

• Both color profile and media fingerprint are steps that must be performed to achieve good color
output from the press.
VERY IMPORTANT:
Color profiles should not be modified or manipulated to match colors between different
HP Indigo presses, and neither for stabilizing the color on a specific HP Indigo press.
Modification of color profiles only causes additional color problems and prevents color matching of
returning jobs.

34

17
Color management – DFE steps: color profiling (cont.)
When to do “color profiling”?

• When one of the print settings change.

REMEMBER: changing the color management

pyramid variables causes printing in a
NON color-managed state!

(See also here).

35

Color management – DFE steps: color refinement

What is “color refinement”?

• From the DFE side, you fine tune the colors that you have defined at the color profile, but for a
specific job, not for the substrate.
• What do you refine? You refine a spot color in order to match the expected result/output of the
press. (See Colors and color refinement – Spot color).

36

18
Colors and color refinement

37

Spot color
What is a “spot color”?

• The term “spot color” indicates a color (not CMYK) that was prepared
according to customer specifications.
• A spot color is defined by one of the colors in the Pantone book of colors.

• A spot color is made of a known combination of CMYK/OVG colors.

38

19
File color resources

Special Inks:
PANTONE 525 C
PANTONE 3282 C
PANTONE 7709 C

Process Inks:
Cyan
Magenta
Yellow
Black

39

When printed on HP Indigo…

All PANTONE inks are simulated using Indichrome plus inks. CMYK
are kept unchanged.

Green Violet Black Yellow Magenta Cyan

40

20
How it is done?
• CMYK Colors:
– Mapped to Indigo CMYK
P. 525 P. 3282

C C 90%
• PANTONE Colors:
M M 70%
– CMYK+OVG color strategy
recipe
Y Y

K K 40% 5%
• Special Colors
– White as extra output ink.
525 V 57%

3282 G 65%

White P.Extra
525 output White

41

When do we need to do refinement?

Special Inks:
PANTONE 525 C
PANTONE 3282 C Use manual PANTONE
PANTONE 7709 C refinement

Process Inks:
Cyan
Magenta Use CMYK adjustment
Yellow curves
Black

42

21
When do we need to do refinement?
• Are the PANTONE colors visually similar enough?
• Check ΔE. Is it above tolerance?

43

When do we need to do refinement?

Are the CMYK elements visually similar enough?

The refinement process is done via the DFE and is either a manual or an automatic wizard.

44

22
Gamut CMYK+OVG
CMYK CMYKOV
• CMYK
• IndiChrome – CMYKOV
• IndiChrome Plus – CMYKOVG
• CMYKOV or CMYKOVG are
mostly used for emulating
Pantone and spot colors …
extending the color gamut.

CMYKOVG

45

Media fingerprint
and 3D color calibration

23
Media Fingerprint
• Media fingerprint is a substrate characterization process used to match the press
colors to the type of substrate being used on the press, for optimum color matching
results.
• Media fingerprint specifies the substrate color parameters, so a better color accuracy
can be achieved by taking the media fingerprint data into account when ripping the
job.
• The characterization is done on CMYK colors only.
• The media fingerprint process is executed once in a substrate lifetime.
• During the media fingerprint process, the press prints and scans 1,617 color patches.
• The media fingerprint process starts automatically, after the completion of the full
color calibration (FCC), only for new substrates.
• The operator may choose not to execute the media fingerprint process by clearing the
checkbox selection – but it is not recommended.

FCC always comes before MF FCC MF

47

Media Fingerprint (cont.)

• The media fingerprint process does not calibrate the press color.
• The media fingerprint process captures the press color output.

1,617 patches

CMYK

48

24
 3D Color Calibration
• A short printing version of the media fingerprint process, the 3D calibration is
performed automatically after 30K imp (not stopping a job but only at the end of a
job).
• Once a substrate has been characterized with media fingerprint, a software will select
900 color patches, out of the 1,617, for the 3D color calibration.
• These color patches will be compared to the full media fingerprint and corrections will
be done on the V-Corn 5 using a LUT.

FCC always comes before 3D FCC

3D

49

Media fingerprint and 3D color calibration

MF
3D color calibration

Click here for example

of printing with the
HP Indigo WS6800
Digital Press:

Press Color MF
3D

MF 3D

50

25
Why do we need media fingerprint and 3D calibration
3 5 7
1 While printing… Continue printing… Continue printing…
This is the color target, the color shifts a bit the color shifts a bit the color shifts a bit
i.e. the area where the
operator wants the color to
be at all times

8
After 3rd color adj
(30K imp) + 3D color
calibration

2
A well maintained & baselined
press with media fingerprint 4 6
done for a substrate will put After 1st color adj After 2nd color adj
you here

51

Why do we need media fingerprint and 3D calibration

To maintain the color stability

BID & WH BID & WH BID & WH BID & WH

power power power power
Digital
FCC MF FCC FCC FCC LUT
10k imp 10k imp 10k imp 3D
New New New New
Machine LUT Machine LUT Machine LUT Machine LUT

Color
target

52

26
Media fingerprint and 3D color calibration

Print color patches and measure with inline spectrophotometer

Generate
Media Fingerprint

COLOR
CALIBRATION

Compare to Media Fingerprint

and compensate for local variations
via 3D Color Calibration
Print color patches and Automatic 3D color
measure with inline calibration – periodically
spectrophotometer every 30K imp

53

Media fingerprint and 3D color calibration

What if I do not want to do 3D?
• Then do not create the media fingerprint because you will lose the ability to
maintain color stability.

Generate
Media Fingerprint

COLOR
CALIBRATION

Compare to Media Fingerprint

and compensate for local variations
via 3D Color Calibration

Print color patches and Automatic 3D color

measure with inline calibration – periodically
spectrophotometer every 30K imp

54

27
Media fingerprint and 3D color calibration
Media fingerprint and 3D color calibration are done on CMYK colors only

Why not on OVG colors?

• Media fingerprint and 3D color calibration processes will take much longer
• Currently the press has no capability for it

So should I skip media fingerprint because I use OVG colors?

• Absolutely NOT. Media fingerprint should be done in any case.
• OVG profiling is done on the DFE, same as it has always been done.

OVG calibration is done via full color calibration (FCC), and using the SPM the OVG colors
are more accurate.

55

What is the difference between FCC and MF/3D?

• Full color calibration (FCC) is the baseline calibration of the press. It calibrates the
color by modifying the BID power and WH lasers, thus creating a new machine LUT.

• Media fingerprint (MF) is a profile that is created by capturing the press color output
to a specific substrate.
• 3D color calibration is a digital calibration based on the media fingerprint capture. It
corrects the press color output by digitally modifying the colors via the V-Corn 5, and
creating a new (digital) LUT that goes along with the machine LUT created by the FCC.
• The digital LUT does not replace the FCC LUT but “accompanies” it, correcting any
“color gaps” that still exist following the creation of the new machine LUT.

56

28
 Workflow following FCC + MF + 3D
• On the next FCC, a new machine LUT will be created.
• The press will use the last 3D LUT created, along with the new machine LUT created
following the FCC.
• On the next 3D calibration, a new digital LUT will be created while the “old” one is
erased.

After 30k imp After 10k imp

FCC = FCC = 3D = FCC =
Machine LUT MF Machine LUT Digital LUT Machine LUT
Digital LUT

After 20k imp After 30k imp

FCC = FCC = 3D =
Digital LUT
Machine LUT Machine LUT Digital LUT

57

MF and 3D related UI screens

Select these checkboxes to:

• Create media fingerprint (Note: this option needs to be selected also via
the substrate properties, and disabled from the color calibration wizard
if media fingerprint was already created for the substrate).
• Automatically perform 3D calibration every 30k imp.

58

29
MF and 3D related UI screens (Cont.)

Select this checkbox to

Create media fingerprint
for the defined substrate.

59

On-press flow
DFE color profiling/
job refinement DFE V4.1.1
scanned at the pre-press

Generate Media Fingerprint

Media Print color patches and measure with inline spectrophotometer generation -
Fingerprint once per media

~15 min

COLOR

~8 min
CALIBRATION

Compare to Media Fingerprint Automatic

Print color patches and measure with
and compensate for local 3D color calibration –
variations via 3D Color Calibration inline spectrophotometer
periodically

60

30
Media fingerprint and 3D
FAQ

61

If I do media fingerprint, do I need to profile on the DFE?

OF COURSE!
• Media fingerprint does not replace color profiling and strategy, or refinement
processes, done on the DFE.
• Media fingerprint and 3D capture press color performance on a substrate.

• Color profile matches the press colors/performance of the press

to the substrate. Device

62

31
Why do we need 3D color calibration?
What is the press weakness?
o Color stability/fatigue over time
Normally what does an operator do when the color starts to “shift”?
o Changes the color match on the press (LUT or OD) to stabilize/fix the color.
So…what is so special about the 3D color calibration?
o It scans/reads and compares the color with the original media fingerprint file and fixes any
shift/change that took place, taking the color back to its starting target.

63

Why are we told not to touch the color “on the press”?
Once the press was FCC calibrated successfully, the press reaches its target
zone/”sweet” spot
o Bid developer/electrode, WH laser power were optimized
Giving the press the correct starting point for the job/color
If the DOT area/optical density of the job are changed, the initial press baseline is
completely shifted
o The color strategy is now lost.
o Color accuracy in the repeated jobs is now harder to reach.

Or simply..

64

32
Why not touch the color “on the press”

65

Workflows and scenarios

33
Correct workflow for a new job
Press Maintenance: Build a job via Pre-press :
inks, substrate definitions, screen, LUT colors/spot,
consumables, color calibrations substrate definitions

Media fingerprint & Color profiling/strategy

full color calibration
If needed

Refinement
Color profiling print test

Rip job
Print job
After 10K imp

Full color calibration

After 30K imp

Continue print job
After 10K imp

Full color calibration

3D color calibration &

Continue print job Continue print job
full color calibration

67

Correct workflow for an existing job

Press Maintenance:
inks, substrate definitions, Rip job via Esko 4.1.1
consumables, color calibrations

Color profiling/strategy
Media fingerprint & correction,
full color calibration or job color correction
If needed

Test job Refinement

If color OK

Print job Rip job

After 10K imp

Full color calibration This step might be required

due to previous condition
After 30K imp of the press when the job
Continue print job profiling was done

After 10K imp

Full color calibration

3D color calibration &

Continue print job Continue print job
full color calibration

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34
Jobs case scenarios – 1
Press Press
with with
ILD SPM

Press MF
maintenance

Press
Build a job via Pre-press : maintenance
screen, LUT, colors/spot,
substrate definitions
Same job can be sent
Color profiling / strategy to press with SPM and
printing results will be the same

Refinement
FCC
w/o color To maintain the
corrections on color stability
the press
3D

Customer printed job on press

with ILD, with good results

69

Jobs case scenarios - 2

Press Same job will be sent to press
with with SPM and printing results will
Press SPM not be the same
with
ILD
Press
maintenance
Press
maintenance

MF
Build a job via Pre-press :
screen, LUT, colors/spot,
Color profiling / strategy
substrate definitions

Refinement
Color profiling / strategy
w/o color
Refinement corrections on
the press

w/o color
Job can be sent to press with SPM
corrections on
and printing results will be good
the press

FCC
Customer printed job on press
with ILD, with average results To maintain the
color stability
3D
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35
Jobs case scenarios – 3
Press Same job will be sent to press
with with SPM and printing results will
Press SPM not be the same
with
ILD

Press
maintenance
Build a job via Pre-press :
screen, LUT, colors/spot,
substrate definitions
Build a job via Pre-press :
Color profiling / Press
screen, LUT, colors/spot,
strategy maintenance
substrate definitions
Refinement
Color profiling / strategy
MF
w/o color
Refinement corrections
on the press
Job can be sent to press with
w/o color SPM and printing results
corrections on will be good
the press

FCC
Customer printed job on press
with ILD, with average results To maintain the
color stability
3D
71

Jobs case scenarios – 4

Press Same job will be sent to press
with with SPM and printing results will
Press SPM not be the same
with
ILD

Press
maintenance Color profiling /
strategy

Refinement Press
Build a job via Pre-press :
maintenance
screen, LUT, colors/spot,
substrate definitions w/o color
corrections
on the press
Color profiling / strategy MF

Refinement
Job can be sent to press with
SPM and printing results
will be good
Color corrections
on the press
FCC

Customer printed job on press To maintain the

with ILD, with good results color stability
3D

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36
Changes to SPM-related
features

Changes to SPM-related features

• Improved 3D and MF control
– 3D is now available to be activated per operator
request (not only every 30K imp). It is part of the
FCC (full color calibration) wizard.
– Several options are available on UI screens for
3D and media fingerprint control.
• CCC (Continuous Color Calibration) - An
automatic feedback system that enables the
press to maintain color consistency
throughout a print run.
• SPM-DFE closed loop – The press SPM scans
DFE profiles and returns the data to the DFE.
• Import/Export – Moving the media fingerprint
file of a substrate to other presses to be used
for the same substrate type.

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37
Improved 3D and MF control

75

Improved 3D control
• The 3D color calibration feature is now available to be activated per operator request,
not only every 30K imp.
• It is part of the FCC (full color calibration) wizard.

3D checkbox. Select to
activate the 3D per demand
Media fingerprint checkbox.
Selected when media fingerprint
exists for the substrate

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38
MF and 3D related controls on UI screens

Operator checkboxes to be
selected to have media
fingerprint and 3D calibration
performed automatically

77

MF and 3D related controls on UI screens (cont.)

• Control and activate the 3D color calibration select the relevant options on the
Print Preferences screen:

Lets explore these options

78

39
 MF and 3D related controls on UI screens (cont.)

Selecting
this checkbox

Will automatically
activate these options

79

MF and 3D related controls on UI screens (cont.)

Clearing
this checkbox

Will automatically
disable these options

80

40
 MF and 3D related controls on UI screens (cont.)

Select this checkbox to

perform MF & 3D as part of
the color calibration wizard,
according to logic conditions
or customer choice.

81

MF and 3D related controls on UI screens (cont.)

Automatically perform color
calibration every 10k imp.

Automatically include the

V-electrode calibration, per
press need.

Create media fingerprint

(Note: this option needs to be
selected also via the substrate
properties, and disabled from
the color calibration wizard if
media fingerprint was already
created for the substrate).

Automatically perform 3D
calibration every 30k imp.

Select this option to:

1. Allow the press SW to use the 3D color calibrations results to correct the color.
2. Enable the feature of “manually” activating the 3D calibration via the color
calibration wizard, as needed.

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41
MF and 3D related controls on UI screens (cont.)

Clear this checkbox to

“manually” perform the
color calibration wizard,
according to logic conditions
or customer choice.

83

MF and 3D related controls on UI screens (cont.)

Clearing the 3D option while

media fingerprint creation is
selected is NOT RECOMMENDED

If a customer does not want to

perform 3D calibration… then
media fingerprint should also NOT
be created!

Media fingerprint without

3D calibration is pointless.

It brings NO added value.

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42
Continuous Color Calibration
(CCC)

85

Continuous Color Calibration (CCC)

• The CCC is an on-the-fly color calibration performed during print in order to maintain
color consistency.
• A CCC strip is printed on the rear side of print/substrate, at the edge of the printable
area.
• The CCC target is collected at the start of job print (based on substrate and screen),
from the 2 first strips of each color (CMYKOVG).
– The next strips are compared to target, per color, and a correction LUT is added to the
Machine LUT, per allowed tolerances.
– CCC does not stop the print. CCC will stop if it fails tolerance a few times; Job Print will
continue.
– On non white substrates, white will be printed under the strip, only if it is defined in the Job.
• If there is No white separation in the Job – a warning will notify that CCC cannot run due to missing white.
• If the substrate is “non white” and the job is only CMYK – CCC cannot run.

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43
CCC – How does it work
• A CCC strip is printed along the substrate edge for the entire print run. The CCC strip
is 9 mm wide and contains solids and grays. (From 100% to 5%).
• As the substrate moves through the press, the SPM scans and measures the CCC strip.
– The “start” trigger tells the SPM to start scanning.
– The “end” trigger tells the SPM to stop scanning.
• The CCC “scans” each color (which is printed separately, twice).

NOTE: Before you send

a job to the press be
aware that the CCC strip
uses 9 mm of printing
space. Make sure that
the job is not cut short
by the CCC strip.

87

CCC – How does it work (cont.)

• The CCC corrects the colors based “CCC” targets it collects at the start of job print
(based on substrate, LUT and screen); the targets are based on the readings from
the 2 first strips of each color (CMYKOVG).
• CCC does not change the original LUT that was created; it corrects the LUT on the fly.
• The CCC corrects both the LUTs and the solids.
• CCC corrections are done by modifying the BID voltages.
• CCC is done to all colors.
• CCC supports Pantone colors (ink cans).
• If CCC fails to correct the color, this will not stop the press.
• The CCC uses the initial prints (of a job) as a reference, for the needed corrections to
be done later on.
• The CCC “collects” 2 readings from each strip of CCC patches.

88

44
 CCC – How does it work (cont.)
• When printing MP3, 1 strip of patches is printed every 4 pages.
• When printing MP4, 1 strip of patches is printed every 3 pages.
– The correction will take place at the 16th page, which means that the change will be noticed
around the 20th page.
– Meaning that since the job had started, color correction will be seen on the 24th page.
• CCC calibrates similar to color calibration, correcting the BID power based on the
patches readings and the initial job reference.
• CCC refers to the press LUT and not to the setup of the job. The “old” CCC used to refer
to the press LUT but change if job color was modified on the press.
• The substrate must be defined as “non white” (unless the substrate is white).
– When you print on a white substrate, define the substrate as “non white”. This will enable CCC
to work on the white substrate.
– When substrate is defined as “non white”, white is printed under the printed patches with
double hit (for opacity).

• If white is not installed (for non white substrates), CCC will not be activated and a
warning will appear notifying that “white ink is not installed”.

89

Why do we need CCC

To maintain color stability between FCC and 3D

Corrects based on first Maintains Maintains

2 readings on the job the target the target
BID & WH BID & WH BID & WH BID & WH
power BID power power BID power power BID power power
Digital
FCC MF CCC FCC CCC FCC CCC FCC LUT
10k imp 10k imp 10k imp 3D
New New New New
Machine LUT Machine LUT Machine LUT Machine LUT

Color
target

Color
target

90

45
CCC – Summary
• Minimum RL (return length): 490 mm

• CCC patches width: 9 mm

• Printing width:
– Min: 200 mm
– Max: 320mm (-9 mm used by the CCC strip/patches)

• CCC is activated per job

• CCC supports printing from MP3 and up

• CCC does not support:

– printing in MP2
– reverse printing

• It is not recommended to use CCC for a job of less than 100 m.

• It is recommended to plan in advance the jobs that will be using CCC and are to share the
same screen type.

91

CCC – Summary

Clarification CCC corrects the colors based on “CCC”

targets it collects at the start of job print
(based on substrate, LUT and screen); the
targets are based on the readings from the
2 first strips of each color (CMYKOVG)

When a “color related topic” (LUT, DOT gain,

Screen) within a job is changed, the 2 first
the “targets” are “reset” and recalculated
strips
taking into consideration the changes made

92

46
How to activate the CCC feature
CCC is activated for each job individually . To activate CCC:
1. Open the Job Properties screen and go to the Special Marks tab.
2. Select the Activate Continuous Color Calibration option.
3. Touch OK.

93

SPM-DFE closed loop

94

47
 DFE

On-press closed loop flow

Press
YMCK OVG ~40 min YMCK ~20 min

DFE color (& job) profiling/ Stored to Generate Print color patches Media Fingerprint
Print refinement scanned inline Database for Media and measure with generation -
job by the press SPM future use Fingerprint inline SPM once per media

~15 min

DFE V5.1

COLOR
CALIBRATION

~5min

Compare to Media Fingerprint Print color patches and Automatic 3D color

and compensate for local variations measure with inline calibration – periodically
via 3D Color Calibration spectrophotometer every 30K imp
95

On-press closed loop flow

Send job request
Color
profiling
Spot
refinement

Pantone
book

DFE V5.1
Print & scan job request HP Indigo Press

Closed Loop
Digital Front End

96

48
Request jobs
42 rows

12 patches

• Each spread has 504 patches (12 patches x 42 rows)

• Scan time per page: 2.5min Number of requests

97

Closed loop
• High level information
• Media fingerprint and 3D still support YMCK only
• Minimum RL (repeat length): 490 mm
• Minimum printing width: 200 mm
• The press prints, scans and communicates back to the DFE:
– Color profiling (YMCKOVG)- 7200 patches, 14.4 pages *2.5min = 37 min
– Color profiling (YMCK)- 3800 patches, 8 pages *2.5min = 20 min
– Pantone book (of max patches for 1700 colors) - 10,000, 20 spreads*2.5 min = 50 min
– Spot color refinement: up to 100 patches = 2.5min
• Substrate must be defined as “non white” (unless the substrate is white).
• User can choose not to use the closed loop feature, which means to continue working
“offline” using the DFE-SPM system to scan and build a profile.
• LUT, screen, angle screen and ink order are set via the DFE as part of the request to
print. No change is done on the press.

98

49
Recommendations for closed loop color management process

1. The press MUST be baselined

2. Color profile for every new substrate

3. Spot color refinement (for jobs)

3
2

99

Closed loop benefits

Automatic workflow:

• Much faster Spot color refinement process (using the inline SPM), compared to the
manual process.
• Easy to create profile charts and automatic refinement for entire Pantone book.
• User-friendly:
– No need to rip & print the profile/refinement charts jobs.
– No need to cut the sheets & manually position the robotic arm of the i1iO spectro.

– No “human errors” such as:

• Did not place the reference points correctly on the I1IO table.
• Placed chart number 3 instead chart number 2.
– No measurement problems which will cause to slow “Patch Mode” measurements.

100

50
Closed loop disadvantages
• PQ issues during printing and scanning of the patches will not stop the system.
• If PQ issue was not spotted by the user, the bad readings will be seen only at the
color engine in “Check measurement profile” view. Will need to repeat the process in
order to fix the readings.
• Interruptions (such as paper jam) during printing & measuring will stop the process.
All measurements will be lost and the closed loop process will be reset (compared to
offline process , which allows saving the previous measurements and re-measuring
just the corrupted lines).
• No real-time display viewer for the measurements results, especially for automatic
refinement (compared to offline process which allows viewing the results to
determine wrong measurements).

101

Customer workflows – Using inline SPM

Create New Profile

using inline SPM

Create automatic
Print refinement for entire
Pantone+ ink book

NO

If still not on target, start Check if Pantone jobs

the manual grid chart for need to be refined
visually matching

Perform automatic refinement Yes

100 patches for the specific
Pantones from a job

102

51
Customer workflows – Using both inline SPM and offline i1iO
• New jobs using custom spot colors by measurements, or Pantones from analog press
which do not match the official Pantone book.

Create New Profile

using inline SPM

Create new ink by measuring

customer sample (from analog
press), using offline i1iO
Print

Perform automatic refinement 100 patches

If still not on target, start (or less) for the specific custom spot color from
the manual grid chart for designer /custom ink book, using inline SPM
visually matching
Option: compare inks by using offline i1iO The SPM time to print & measure
20 patches vs. 100 is minimal (1-2 minutes)
103

Import/Export

104

52
Import/Export
• Importing/exporting the Media Fingerprint data from a substrate that was scanned
with Media Fingerprint, from/to another press, to be used for the same type of
substrate. This way you save the time of performing another Media Fingerprint on
the 2nd press.

• The substrate properties definitions of the “2nd press” (which is now getting the
exported Media Fingerprint data) MUST be set up exactly the same as the “1st press”.
Different settings will affect/impact the performance of the calibrations that are
based on the exported Media Fingerprint data.

105

Fleet management using substrate Media Fingerprint sharing

Across presses and sites

106

53
Import/Export
The created Media Fingerprint from one press now can be moved to a 2nd press (or more).

1,617 patches

CMYK

107

Import/Export – How is it done?

Make sure that

media fingerprint
was created for the
selected substrate

108

54
Import/Export – How is it done? (cont.)

Select the substrate to

be exported.

Under Sharing, select Export

109

Import/Export – How is it done? (cont.)

Location in second
press, where we are
exporting the file

Name of substrate to
be exported

Touch Export to export the selected

sbst file to another press

110

55
 Import/Export – How is it done? (cont.)

The media fingerprint

(*.sbst) file was
exported.

111

Import/Export – How is it done? (cont.)

Under Sharing, select Import

Location in second
press, from where we
are importing the file

Name of substrate to
be imported

If needed, replace an
existing substrate (file)
on the “2nd press”

112

56
Import/Export – How is it done? (cont.)
VERY IMPORTANT: After the Import action is completed, check all the substrate
parameters in the Properties > Edit tabs.
The following substrate properties are imported exactly as they were exported.
From the General tab:
• Type
• Material
• FaceStock
• Width
• Thickness
• Activate ILP
(if selected)

113

Import/Export – How is it done? (cont.)

From the Color Control tab:
• Non-white substrate
• Gloss level
• Inherit color calibration
• Calibration substrate
• The Media Finger Print
(Media finger print has
been created)

114

57
Import/Export – How is it done? (cont.)
From the Advanced tab:
• Image linearity smoothing
• Blanket temperature
• Second transfer
• External heater fan level
• Activate heater (checkbox
only)
• Conductive

115

Import/Export – How is it done? (cont.)

The following parameters are also imported exactly as they were exported.
• Target OD values from the Color Calibration Wizard

116

58
Import/Export – How is it done? (cont.)
The following parameters are NOT exported automatically with the export/import of
the file:
• Core size
• End of roll diameter

117

Import/Export – How is it done? (cont.)

The following parameters are NOT exported automatically with the export/import of
the file:
• All the substrate tensions, the PTH temperature, and all ILP properties

118

59
Thank you

60