Create output profiles with the embedded profiler

Output profiles determine how the system will print colour. PRISMAsync uses media families to indicate which output profiles will be used to reproduce colour on these media.

When the default output profiles do not achieve your colour reproduction standards on specific media, you can create new output profiles. The profile accuracy test can help to determine if you need to create new output profiles for the specific media. (Perform a colour validation test)

The creation of new output profiles can be done during the media family calibration. The embedded colour profiler creates and installs an output profile and calibration curve for every halftone. As part of the procedure you measure the calibration charts printed on the specific media.

Indicate media family calibration options and output profile creation

Before you begin

For information about:

Colour based workflow, see Learn about the colour-based workflow.
Calibration, see Learn about calibration.
Tolerance levels, see View tolerance levels for colour evaluations.
Metrics, see Colour validation metrics.

Procedure

Calibrate the printer. (Calibrate the printer)
IMPORTANT
You must always perform a printer calibration before you continue with this procedure.
Perform a shading correction. (Perform a shading correction)
Touch [System] → [Media] → [New] .
Fill out the general media attributes.
NOTE
For an optimal print quality you must define the correct values for the following media attributes:
- Size
- Weight
- Surface type
Select [Create new media family].
Touch [OK].
Select [Calibrate media family].
Select [Include output profile creation].
Select [Use halftone normal as basis] to shorten the media family calibration.
Load at least 12 sheets of the media for which you create the media family.
Touch [OK].
Follow the instructions on the control panel.

Results

After you created the output profiles, the feedback window shows the results of the performed procedure.

Feedback window of profile creation procedure

When you see a green checkmark icon, touch [OK] to save the new calibration curves.

When you see a red cross icon, use the table below to evaluate the result. Then, click [OK] to save the new calibration curves or [Cancel] to discard the results.

Feedback screen	Remarks
	Description The ΔE values of the [Measurement accuracy] information are indicators for the accuracy by which the patches are printed and measured. The control panel displays a heatmap whose patch locations correspond with the printed chart.
Evaluation When the average ΔE value is less than the [Value where heatmap turns green] value the patches on the control panel turn green and the colour quality is fine. When the average ΔE value is between the [Value where heatmap turns green] value and the [Value where heatmap turns red] value, the patches on the control panel turn orange-like and the colour quality can still be fine. However, you might want to try the options in the list below. When the average ΔE value is greater than the [Value where heatmap turns red] value the patches on the control panel turn red. You are advised to try one or more options in the list below.
	Options to improve colour quality Check the patch on the printed chart On the control panel, use the > and < symbols to scroll through the calibration charts. Use the zoom symbol to zoom in or out. Touch the red patch to find the row and column number to check the corresponding patch on the printed chart to solve the problem. Then, perform this profile creation procedure again. Check the media There may be something wrong with the media used Check the printer condition There may be a printer calibration or new toner required.
	Description The [Output profile information] information shows the following characteristics about the output profile: description, creation time, calibration target, creator and colour space.
	Description The [Gamut] information is an indication of the quality of the output profile. It is a visual representation of the colour gamut that the printer can produce with the created output profile on the used media. Touch the wire frame icon to view the black curve that shows the gradient of the neutral colours. This curve goes from paper white to the darkest colour black that the printer can produce.
Evaluation When you see an evenly shaped model with smooth colour transitions, the output profile is fine. When you see a smooth black curve, the output profile is fine. When you notice deviations in the colour gamut like dents, imperfections or deformities, examine the printed charts carefully. There can be something wrong with the measurement, the media or the printer condition. After this is resolved, perform the above procedure to create output profiles again.
	Description The thick black line of the [Neutral colours separation] graph shows how grey values are reproduced with the separate colours cyan, magenta, yellow and black (CMYK). Note that the darkest lightness value is on the left-hand side and the lightest value on the right-hand side.
Explanation for [Relative colorimetric] selection The rendering intent [Relative colorimetric] reproduces true colours, for example for proofing applications and spot colours. With this rendering intent the thick black line shows a kink at a lightness of about 12. This is the darkest colour black that the printer can reproduce. The colour black is only used at a lightness of about 92 (black starting point) and lower.
	Explanation for [Perceptual] selection The rendering intent [Perceptual] reproduces contrasts in dark grey areas, for example for photos. This rendering intent uses black point compensation. Hence, the thick black line gradually approaches the darkest colour black that the printer can reproduce. The colour black is only used at a lightness of about 92 (black starting point) and lower.
	Explanation for [Saturation] selection The rendering intent [Saturation] reproduces saturated colours, for example for business graphics. This rendering intent uses only black to create saturated colours. The thick black line gradually approaches the lightness of 0. Only the colour black is used at a lightness from 100 to 0.
	Description The percentage values of the [Calibration accuracy] information show how well the calibration procedure and output profile fit together. The graph shows per colour channel how close the measured values meet the target values.

Feedback screen

Remarks

Description

The ΔE values of the [Measurement accuracy] information are indicators for the accuracy by which the patches are printed and measured.

The control panel displays a heatmap whose patch locations correspond with the printed chart.

Evaluation

When the average ΔE value is less than the [Value where heatmap turns green] value the patches on the control panel turn green and the colour quality is fine.
When the average ΔE value is between the [Value where heatmap turns green] value and the [Value where heatmap turns red] value, the patches on the control panel turn orange-like and the colour quality can still be fine. However, you might want to try the options in the list below.
When the average ΔE value is greater than the [Value where heatmap turns red] value the patches on the control panel turn red. You are advised to try one or more options in the list below.

Options to improve colour quality

Check the patch on the printed chart

On the control panel, use the > and < symbols to scroll through the calibration charts. Use the zoom symbol to zoom in or out.

Touch the red patch to find the row and column number to check the corresponding patch on the printed chart to solve the problem. Then, perform this profile creation procedure again.
Check the media

There may be something wrong with the media used
Check the printer condition

There may be a printer calibration or new toner required.

Description

The [Output profile information] information shows the following characteristics about the output profile: description, creation time, calibration target, creator and colour space.

Description

The [Gamut] information is an indication of the quality of the output profile. It is a visual representation of the colour gamut that the printer can produce with the created output profile on the used media.

Touch the wire frame icon to view the black curve that shows the gradient of the neutral colours. This curve goes from paper white to the darkest colour black that the printer can produce.

Evaluation

When you see an evenly shaped model with smooth colour transitions, the output profile is fine.
When you see a smooth black curve, the output profile is fine.
When you notice deviations in the colour gamut like dents, imperfections or deformities, examine the printed charts carefully. There can be something wrong with the measurement, the media or the printer condition. After this is resolved, perform the above procedure to create output profiles again.

Description

The thick black line of the [Neutral colours separation] graph shows how grey values are reproduced with the separate colours cyan, magenta, yellow and black (CMYK).

Note that the darkest lightness value is on the left-hand side and the lightest value on the right-hand side.

Explanation for [Relative colorimetric] selection

The rendering intent [Relative colorimetric] reproduces true colours, for example for proofing applications and spot colours.

With this rendering intent the thick black line shows a kink at a lightness of about 12. This is the darkest colour black that the printer can reproduce.
The colour black is only used at a lightness of about 92 (black starting point) and lower.

Explanation for [Perceptual] selection

The rendering intent [Perceptual] reproduces contrasts in dark grey areas, for example for photos.

This rendering intent uses black point compensation. Hence, the thick black line gradually approaches the darkest colour black that the printer can reproduce.
The colour black is only used at a lightness of about 92 (black starting point) and lower.

Explanation for [Saturation] selection

The rendering intent [Saturation] reproduces saturated colours, for example for business graphics.

This rendering intent uses only black to create saturated colours. The thick black line gradually approaches the lightness of 0.
Only the colour black is used at a lightness from 100 to 0.

Description

The percentage values of the [Calibration accuracy] information show how well the calibration procedure and output profile fit together.

The graph shows per colour channel how close the measured values meet the target values.

Advanced search

Create output profiles with the embedded profiler

Before you begin

Procedure

Results