Create output profiles with the embedded profiler

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

When the default output profiles do not achieve your color 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 color validation test)

The creation of new output profiles can be done during the media family calibration. The embedded color 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:

Color-based workflow, see Learn about the color-based workflow.
Calibration, see Learn about calibration.
Tolerance levels, see View tolerance levels for color evaluations.
Metrics, see Color 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 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 color 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 color 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 color 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 color space.
	Description The [Gamut] information is an indication of the quality of the output profile. It is a visual representation of the color 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 colors. This curve goes from paper white to the darkest color black that the printer can produce.
Evaluation When you see an evenly shaped model with smooth color transitions, the output profile is fine. When you see a smooth black curve, the output profile is fine. When you notice deviations in the color 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 colors separation] graph shows how gray values are reproduced with the separate colors 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 colors, for example for proofing applications and spot colors. With this rendering intent the thick black line shows a kink at a lightness of about 12. This is the darkest color black that the printer can reproduce. The color 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 gray areas, for example for photos. This rendering intent uses black point compensation. Hence, the thick black line gradually approaches the darkest color black that the printer can reproduce. The color 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 colors, for example for business graphics. This rendering intent uses only black to create saturated colors. The thick black line gradually approaches the lightness of 0. Only the color 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 color 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 color 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 color 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 color 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 color space.

Description

The [Gamut] information is an indication of the quality of the output profile. It is a visual representation of the color 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 colors. This curve goes from paper white to the darkest color black that the printer can produce.

Evaluation

When you see an evenly shaped model with smooth color transitions, the output profile is fine.
When you see a smooth black curve, the output profile is fine.
When you notice deviations in the color 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 colors separation] graph shows how gray values are reproduced with the separate colors 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 colors, for example for proofing applications and spot colors.

With this rendering intent the thick black line shows a kink at a lightness of about 12. This is the darkest color black that the printer can reproduce.
The color 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 gray areas, for example for photos.

This rendering intent uses black point compensation. Hence, the thick black line gradually approaches the darkest color black that the printer can reproduce.
The color 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 colors, for example for business graphics.

This rendering intent uses only black to create saturated colors. The thick black line gradually approaches the lightness of 0.
Only the color 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 color channel how close the measured values meet the target values.

Advanced search

Create output profiles with the embedded profiler

Before you begin

Procedure

Results