Proof GmbH is a partner of FreieFarbe e. V.

freeColor e. V. is a consortium of German and Swiss color experts who work to produce consistent color in all areas of application. Sounds reasonable? Exactly. That is the issue that is of central importance to our proofing customers. Therefore we are currently working in a project with the colleagues of FreieFarbe e. V. and are now also as Proof GmbH member and partner of FreieFarbe e. V.

FreeColor relies on open standards such as LAB and HLC, which have long been integrated in computer software and want to show: the computer is an ideal tool for color, it can make color free! The association FreieFarbe e. V. aims to promote colour communication without pursuing commercial goals.

freeColor e. V. would like to promote developments that…

  • Make coulor calculable
  • Make colour applicably
  • Make ink systems comparable
  • Simplify color communication
  • Have no license costs
  • Give Tips and hints for a correct cross-media colour workflow
  • make the multiple mysteries of color understandable

In recent months, Holger Everding, Peter Jäger, Eric A. Soder and Jan-Peter Homann have developed a completely new approach to this, which we were able to develop together with our colleagues into a product that we will present shortly.

We would like to take this opportunity to point out a great feature of the website of FreieFarbe. de: The colour database: Here you can look up the most important colour values for more than 300 colour systems and calculate colour comparisons of all kinds.

For the work within the association FreieFarbe e. V. the association is always looking for competent companions. If you, like us, are touched by the subject of colour in a variety of ways, there are many opportunities at fF to contribute with your knowledge and strengths. If you feel like our good cause, please contact us!

www.freecolour.org

Proof. de offers proofs according to the latest tolerance criteria of ISO 12647-7:2016

The ISO 12647-7 proofing standard was revised in November 2016 and the test criteria for FograCert contract proof creation were adapted. We have now incorporated these changed criteria into our proofing system and are now working to the stricter tolerances of the latest ISO 12647-7:2016.

Why hardly anything changes for our Proof customers

The good news is: you won’t notice that our proofs are now precisely produced according to the latest standards. Why? Quite simply: Because our demands on our proofing system, our FIERY proofing software, our EFI proofing papers and the X-Rite measuring decvices are already so high that all components of our proofing system – and of course our proofs themselves – have been meeting the new criteria of the revised November 2016 standard for years.

The most important new features of the new Proof Norm in brief

1. colour accuracy

The new standard brings the classical formula for the colour distance Delta-E from the traditional definition of 1976 (CIELAB 1976) to the updated version of 2000 (CIEDE2000). Since the values cannot be converted directly, new tolerances for the test report are introduced, which are valid immediately. These new tolerances and new criteria are also the only difference that you will notice on our proof when you take a closer look at it.

Why this change: Fogra used measurements from the 116 Contract Proof Certifications from 2016 to show that the old and new tolerances of the old? These colors have so far had a? E-value that is too high in relation to the visual assessment. The new Delta-E values, on the other hand, are much more “equidistant”, i. e. with the human assessment of the colour distance, which Fogra has also demonstrated in tests.

The deviations of the gray axis and hue are now also determined more precisely, the evaluation of the hue spacing? You can also see this on the test report. The Fogra writes:”Since HC mainly depends on the hue angle, the evaluation of neutral grey or similar colours with sometimes very large differences in brightness and saturation did not yield meaningful results. The measure?Ch now describes the actual distance of a color pair in the CIEa*b* plane and is therefore no longer suitable only for the evaluation of the colorfulness difference of very rich colors.

2. durability of proofing papers

The ageing tests for proof papers were clarified more clearly with the introduction of the new standard. All certified proof papers undergo the following tests:

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ISONewspaper 26v5 – WAN-IFRAnewspaper26v5 Proof Profile available

The WAN-IFRA Standard Profile for newsprint “ISOnewspaper26v4.icc” is contained in countless newspaper printing specifications around the world, almost every German newspaper is printing to this proven standard.
Now the IFRA has placed a successor with the new ISO Newspaper 26v5 to the starting line, that increasingly conquers market shares. The new profile adapts the changes in ISO 12647-3: 2013, in particular with a decreased total ink coverage. The current ICC Profill called ISOnewspaper26v5.icc contains a total ink coverage of 220% and a dot gain of 26%. The name of the new profile is “WAN IFRAnewspaper26v5.icc”. The new newspaper printing profileWAN-IFRAnewspaper26v5 Proof Profil available.

Since today we offer proofs in ISONewspaper26v5.

IDEAlliance launches new V2 ICC Profiles

Idealliance Logo

On idealliance.org, new V2 ICC profile versions of the CRPC Profiles are available. The download includes the following ICC profiles:

  • SWOP2013C5_CRPC5 V2.icc
  • CGATS21_CRPC3 V2.icc
  • CGATS21_CRPC7 V2.icc
  • CGATS21_CRPC5 V2.icc
  • CGATS21_CRPC4 V2.icc
  • GRACoL2013UNC_CRPC3 V2.icc
  • CGATS21_CRPC2 V2.icc
  • CGATS21_CRPC1 V2.icc
  • GRACoL2013_CRPC6 V2.icc
  • CGATS21_CRPC6 V2.icc

No further documentation was available at that point on the IDEAlliance Website. The ICC files can be downloaded in a ZIP file here:

Version 2 (V2) ICC CRPC Profiles

Fogra 51/52: Profiles and Characterisation Data Online at Fogra and ECI

Bildschirmfoto 2015-10-01 um 00.53.04Following today’s kick-off of the new Fogra 51 (PSO Coated V3) and Fogra 52 (PSO Uncoated V3) printing conditions, Fogra and ECI (European Color Initiative) have published the new profiles and associated characterisation data on their respective websites.

The Fogra characterisation data for Fogra 51 and 52 can be found here

You can download the ECI profiles Bildschirmfoto 2015-10-01 um 00.52.56here, somewhat hidden in the middle of the page

In each download you will also find PDF files with explanations and notes on the respective profiles and characterisation data. On the Fogra page you will also find the current colour values for the UGRA/Fogra Media Wedges CMYK 3.0 for the new printing conditions PSO Coated V3 and PSO Uncoated V3.

Proof GmbH: First Fogra 51 and Fogra 52 certified company worldwide

fogra cert logo and pdf-x-ready logo

Proof GmbH has again been certified by Fogra in September 2015, this time for the standards Fogra 51 (PSOCoated_v3), Fogra 52 (PSOuncoated_v3) and Fogra 39 (ISOcoatedv2).

Fogra Certificate Proof GmbH for Fogra51 and Fogra52 Proofs (PSOCoatedV3 and PSOUncoatedV3 proofs)

The Proof GmbH has thus reaffirmed it’s quality by the strict criteria of Fogra. The tests Fogra conducted went far beyond the pure colorimetric readout of a media wedge. The special proofs for Fogra were evaluated among the following criteria:

  • Color accuracy of the Ugra / Fogra media wedge CMYK 3
  • Overall color accuracy and gamut
  • Uniformity and homogeneity of the proofsProof GmbH has again been certified by Fogra in September 2015, this time for the standards Fogra 51 (PSOCoated_v3), Fogra 52 (PSOuncoated_v3) and Fogra 39 (ISOcoatedv2).
  • Color and gloss of the proofing papers used
  • Tonal range and tonality
  • Register and resolution
  • Status information on the proof
  • Tonal values

The color matching our proofs submitted for the test was confirmed by Fogra with date of September 24, 2015. The Proof GmbH is thus the world’s first company that has certification for the production of contract proofs on a Fogra 51 and Fogra 52.

We are very pleased that our preparation and the efforts of the past few months were rewarded by a successful certification. You can order Fogra51/52 proofs in our proofing shop Order Fogra 51 / Fogra 52 Proofs (PSOCoatedV3 and PSOUncoatedV3).

The full, 12-page report from Fogra can be downloaded here:
Fogra certification report on Proof GmbH of 2015 No. 29712

Fogra 51 and 52: The new printing conditions start in September 2015

With long delay, the new printing conditions Fogra Fogra 51 and 52 – PSOCoatedV3 and PSOUncoatedV3 – will be presented at the end of September and finally come into practice. The German bvdm invites together with Fogra and ECI to a joint “kick-off” of the new printing conditions in the “Hochschule der Medien” in Stuttgart.

On Wednesday, the 30th of September 2015 from 10 o’clock representatives of the associations will introduce in the university the innovations, Karl Michael Meinecke wrote of the ECI mailing list.

In this kick-off the new, jointly developed printing conditions and  to implement the ISO 12647-2:2013 are presented to printing and media professionals. Attendance is expected to be free, but registration with name and company to the email address ks@bvdm-online.de is requested. The event takes place at the HdM in auditorium i003 in the Nobel Straße 10, D-70569 Stuttgart (Vaihingen) in the Stuttgart Media University.

Fogra51 and Fogra52: A difficult start

The launch of Fogra51 and Fogra52 had been marked by delays and disruptions. Large series of measurements had to be discarded after testing, measurement technology as the new SpectroProofer ILS 30 or new proofing papers were delivered only with great delay. Several seminars on how to manage the change to the new ISO standards in the Fogra are running since late last year with numerous participants in full swing – only the new standards were still not in sight. Now there is at least the kick-off date at the end of September in sight.

Cirtainly, all involved representatives of associations and interested companies were often reminded of the negative model of the US standardization bodies:

The IDEAlliance had presented in 2013 probably too hastily developed new printing conditions for GRACol 2013 and SWOP 2013, but so far they hardly play any role in practice. Why? Even the IDEAlliance open most their publications on the new standards with the tenor: “If you are not extremely color-critical, there is no reason to change from the old standards to the new ones … Conclusion: Please stay with their established, old workflow with profiles from 2006 … we are currently working on numerous ‘supplements’ …”

PSOCoatedV3 and PSOUncoatedV3: What definitely comes

But it is clear: The new standards will bring many changes to companies in printing and prepress: The individual changes in detail:

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New SWOP and GRACoL 2013 Profiles available for proofing

Idealliance Logo

idealliance_logo_webRecently Proof GmbH made available in their proof online shop the new US Proof Standards of SWOP and GRACoL with their 2013 profiles. Unlike the new Fogra51 and Fogra52 profiles from their Munich colleagues, the IDEAlliance have pushed their new standards forward and published new M1-based profiles already in 2013 – M1 meaning, that the new standards are measured in consideration of optical brightening agents (OBAs), and also contain a different white point than the previous SWOP and GRACoL profiles of 2006.

The release was perhaps a bit too early – even the Americans feel uneasy. So several documents of IDEAlliance regarding GRACoL 2013 and GRACoL 2006 almost discourages a necessity of a change towards the new profiles.

Ron Ellis and Don Hutcheson wrote: “The few minor changes are barely visible in most subject matter and should not significantly affect printers, designers or print buyers. […] In fact the differences are smaller than the typical variation between two good offset press runs “Not even image data or proofs must be adapted to the new standards”. The really good news Is that legacy image files and proofs produced using GRACoL 2006 Should not need to be adjusted or converted for printing or proofing to GRACoL 2013 (and vice-versa), except in rare situations.” GRACoL 2013 Guidelines

LAB values ​​of the primary colors, white paper and more have of course changed, therefore the reluctance can be explained only by a degree of uncertainty, as the Fogra and the ECI will implement their new Printing Conditions Fogra51 and Fogra52 at the end of September 2015. But ont thing is for shure: When it comes to dot gain and paper white, the American profiles are noticeably different from the new PSOCoated standards of the German Fogra.

The Proof GmbH has already implemented the new GRACoL and SWOP profiles and provides proofs with the new printing conditions.

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Heaven 42 proofs on proof paper with optical brighteners

Scheufelen Heaven 42 Heaven42 Comparison with digital proof from Proof GmbH
Good consistency in the paper white of proof paper and original Scheufelen heaven 42 paper color
Good consistency in the paper white of proof paper and original Scheufelen heaven 42 paper color

The Proof GmbH provides proofs for Scheufelen Heaven 42 papers on the new EFI 8245 OBA proofing paper. With this new proofing paper it is now possible to proof the bright-white paper dye of Heaven42l.

With Heaven 42 a bright white paper was developed by the German paper company Scheufelen, which opened up a new color whiteness. Especially technical motifs (shades of gray, silver tones from 4c, strong contrasts) act on Heaven 42 particularly brilliant and neutral. With an unchanged separation (eg with ICC profile “ISOcoated_v2”), but the printed image with the same color and dot gain looks considerably colder. Using images with warm tones (z. B. skintones) it is therefore recommended to do color adjustments.

We proofed Heaven42 on EFI Proof Paper 8245 OBA with optical brighteners and measure the Proofs M1 standard with consideration of optical brighteners. The proof can be provided with a UGRA / FOGRA media wedge and test report. Our Heaven42 proofs provide a good simulation of Heaven42 offered by Scheufelen for the ICC Profiles of Heidelberger Druck. The profile can be downloaded from the Scheufelen Website with additional notes from Scheufelen to pressure requirements etc., which are also included in the download of the profile.

Scheufelen offers two ICC-Profiles for Download, we are proofing the profile of Heidelberger Druck (“_HD”).
Profile: Heaven42_AM_U280_K98_G80_HD.icc
Ink Coverage: ~280 % (U)
Black: GCR , 80 % (G)
Max Black: 98 % (K)
Proofing Substrate: EFI Proof Paper 8245 OBA Semimatt
Verification Profile: Made from Reference Data
Verification Light: M1 with OBA

Heaven 42 Proofs can be ordered directly in Proof store of Proof.de. Simply select the profile “Heaven 42”.

Scheufelen Heaven 42 Heaven42 Vergleich mit ISOCoatedV2 Digitalproof der Proof GmbH
Bottom left: ISOcoatedv2 Proof on EFI Gravure Proof Paper 4245, Bottom right: Heaven 42 Proof on EFI Proof Paper 8245 OBA Above: Original paper white Heaven 42 by Scheufelen
Scheufelen Heaven 42 match with ISOCoatedV2 Digitalproof of Proof GmbH
Below: ISOcoatedv2 Proof to EFI Gravure Proof Paper 4245. Above: Heaven 42 Proof EFI Proof Paper 8245 OBA. Middle: Original paper pattern Heaven 42 Scheufelen

New Proof papers for Fogra51 and Fogra52 in use

Ugra Fogra-MediaWedge V3.0 and measuring protocol

Three weeks ago, we have introduced two new proofing papers for the proof of Fogra 51 and Fogra 52 Beta standard and other color standards, that require proof papers with optical brighteners:

EFI Proof Paper 8245 OBA Semimatte
EFI Proof Paper 8175 OBA Matte

A proof for coated papers with optical brighteners, we offer on semi matte EFI 8245 OBA semimatte with 245 gr / sqm. The EFI Proof Paper 8245OBA Semimatte has been specifically designed for proofing white and brightened, coated papers. The white point of this semi matte paper is very close to the values ​​of the FOGRA51 profile and thus allows proofing of FOGRA51 with virtually no paper white simulation at all. It is also well suited for simulating paper conditions PC1 according to ISO 12647-2:-2013.

EFI Proof Paper 8245 OBA Semimatt

Weight: 245 g / sqm
Thickness: 245 microns
Opacity:> 95%
Gloss: 22%
CIE L * a * b * (M0): 95.8 | 0.9 | -4.3
CIE L * a * b * (M1): 96.0 | 1.1 | -5.6

For Proofs on uncoated papers with optical brighteners, we offer proofing on matte EFI 8175 OBA matte with 175gr / sqm. The EFI Proof Paper 8175OBA Matte has been specifically designed for uncoated proof standards. It is highly brightened and very suitable for proofing of Fogra52.

EFI Proof Paper 8175 OBA Matte

Weight: 175 g / m²
Thickness: 230 microns
Opacity: 97%
Gloss: 5%
CIE L * a * b * (M0): 96.8 | 2.5 | -7.7
CIE L * a * b * (M1): 97.0 | 3.0 | -10.8

Fogra 51 and Fogra 52 Beta Proofs available

By switching to the new Fiery XF 6.1 and the use of the new X-Rite SpectroProofer ILS-30 measuring instruments, we are now able to proof the current beta versions of the new printing standards Fogra 51 and Fogra 52.

Since the current proofing profiles are available only in preliminary beta versions, the versions are of course not color binding and legally binding. Nevertheless, interested agencies and printers can get a picture of the current state of development and evaluate the coming changes of the OBA proofing papers used better match the colors of the new proofing standards.

We have created a new category in our Proof.de Store:
Fogra 51 / Fogra 52 Beta Proofs

The Fogra 51/52 Beta proofs are listed as follows:

Proof profile Coated:
PSO_Coated_v3_ECI Practice Fred15_Oct2014.icc

Proof profiles Uncoated:
PSO_Uncoated_v3_eci_Fred15-July2014.icc
PSO_Uncoated_blueish_v3_ (ECI) -Fred15-July.icc

Software: Fiery XF 6.1
Proof printer: EPSON 7900/9900
Measurement: Epson / X-Rite SpectroProofer ILS30
Measuring standard: M1 with UV

Proof Paper Coated: EFI Proof Paper 8245OBA Semimatt 245gr / sqm
Proof Paper Uncoated: EFI Proof Paper 8175OBA Matt 175gr / sqm

 

Proof.de Introduced new measuring technology: X-Rite SpectroProofer ILS30

Detail of X-Rite SpectroProofer ILS30 Measuring head and comparison to X-Rite Spectroproofer ILS20

With the new SpectroProofer ILS30 made by X-Rite, Proof GmbH has created the basis for automated measurements and Proof verifications according to M1 standard. Proofs with optical brighteners (OBAs – Optical Brightning Agents) can now be measured. Contrary to earlier announcements, the new SpectroProofer are also able to measure the current proofing standards as before in M0 measurement standard.

Because of the new ILS30 SpectroProofer, the layout of the Ugra / Fogra media wedge was slightly modified. For a comparison between old and new media wedge, see the image below.

Detailed X-Rite SpectroProofer ILS30 measuring head compared with X-Rite SpectroProofer ILS20
Detail Spectroproofer ILS30 front, ILS20 at the back
X-Rite Spectroproofer ILS30 Packaging
X-Rite Spectroproofer ILS30 Packaging

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Fogra Fogra 51 and 52: No Start in sight.

ONE Technologies: The proof paper for Fogra 51 announced in May is still not available.

Fogra Fogra 51 and 52, optical brighteners and the new standards for offset printing and proofing are currently on everyone’s lips. In the proof area we still see only announcements and beta versions, but no real solutionsby now. In 2013 the reorganization of ISO 12647-2 was adopted for offset printing, but according to ECI the earliest “expected recommendation on the implementation of the new ISO 12647-2 as well as the provision of appropriate handouts and instruments’ will be in 2015. The current status of Fogra 51 and Fogra 52 from our perspective:

Color profiles:

  • Fogra Fogra 51 and 52 have completed the beta phase at the Fogra in May 2014 and were forwarded to the ECI. The there in the project “fred15” compiled information and downloads are but from March, July to October 2014, but since then there has been no more news on the new standards. So there is currently no date for the release of the final profiles, handouts and tools foreseeable. Fogra, ECI, bvdm and UGRA continue to work together on the new standards.

Proof Papers:

ONE Technologies: The proofing paper for Fogra 51, already announced in May is still not available today.
ONE Technologies: The proofing paper for Fogra 51, already announced in May is still not available today.
  • ONE Technologies announced in May 2014, the certified proofing paper “ONE Proof Paper 51 SATIN” on … that in November is not yet available anywhere.
  • GMG announced in October, the proofing paper “GMG Proof semimatte 250 OBA”, which to this day is also available anywhere.
  • Also working on new  proofing substrates is EFI, but naming, pricing and release dates are not known.

Measuring technology:

  • Epson announced in August to deliver from 1 September 2014 all Epson SpectroProofer measuring devices with the new measuring head ILS 30 only. Unfortunately, the new SpectroProofer is not yet commercially available as an accessory.
  • While all previous sources reported that the new SpectroProofer –  Although Fogra 51 and 52, ie M1 and M2 capable, can not measure ISOcoatedv2 or M0. EFI with Fiery XF 6.1 and the SpectroProofer ILS 30 support all measurement modes, ie Fogra 51 and 52 and ISOcoatedv2 simultaneously … unfortunately is neither Fiery XF 6.1. previously available nor the SpectroProofer … but according to EFI they are currently testing all 3 modes … M0, M1 and M2 with the new SpectroProofer … that sounds promising.

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PaC.Space Proofs in the shop: New Proof Profile for packaging gravure printing

PaC.Space is the first uniform colour standard and proof standard for packaging gravure printing on coated substrates and films. Proofs in the PaC.Space colour space can now be ordered conveniently at shop.proof.de.

Up to now, there have been no colour standards in packaging gravure printing, as it is much more complex than magazine gravure printing, for example, and much larger colour spaces can be achieved in packaging printing. So far, the ISOCoatedV2 color space has often been used, but it contains considerably fewer colors than PaC.Space. Or in-house standards of the packaging printers were used, but they still had to be revised for the final print before the printing process.

With PaC.Space there is now a color space suitable for many packaging gravure prints, with which a proof can be created very early in the design process, which comes very close to the later production result. The data can and should be processed directly in PaC.space, which helps to reduce costs and time.

The idea of a uniform color space is the result of a project of the Pro Gravure Working Group of the European Rotogravure Association (ERA) under the leadership of GMG and Europe’s largest cylinder house Janoschka. At Proof.de PaC.Space Proofs are created according to the following conditions:

PaC.Space
PaC.Space is the first uniform color standard for packaging gravure printing that enables an interface from supplied prepress data to process- or print-specific adjustments.
Profile: PaC.Space_CMYK_engravure_V1a.icc
Paper: Coated substrates and films in packaging gravure printing
Check profile: FOGRA_PaCSpace_MKCheck11.it8

Proof for Improved Newsprint (INP), Fogra 48

Contract Proof in SC Paper FOGRA40, including media wedge and measuring protocol

The default was:

“We need a proof for improved newsprint, white’76.”
“Do you know the proof profile?”
“No, unfortunately not. Can’t you decide that?”

We have looked into this question: UPM EcoPrime 76 H is printed on web offset paper in a large print shop. The information of the customer service there was:

“The default profile is Fogra 42, PSO SNP Paper (ECI) but that doesn’t fit at the back and front, is much too gray. “Proof according to Fogra 40, SC Paper (ECI), that’s much better.”

The two profiles do not match at all. SC Paper is for super-calendered paper, PSO SNP Paper for standard newsprint.. And the dot gain curves also differ completely.

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What is a finishing proof? Fogra49 and Fogra50 in detail.

original picture, iso coated v2 300%

With the proof standards Fogra49 and Fogra50 for the first time a proof standard was created that is not binding for printing. Why?

Fogra49 and Fogra50 describe two colour spaces as they are created by foil lamination not after printing but after printing and finishing.

  • Fogra 49 refers to the ICC profile: PSO Coated v2 300% Matte laminate (ECI) – PSO_Coated_v2_300_Matte_laminate_eci.icc
  • Fogra 50 refers to the ICC profile: PSO Coated v2 300% Glossy laminate (ECI) – PSO_Coated_v2_300_Glossy_laminate_eci.icc

Why were these profiles created?

Print finishing plays an increasingly important role in the further processing of printed matter. The application of a printing varnish, for example, is nowadays usually done directly during the printing process, e.g. with dispersion varnish in a 5th inking unit. The print image is usually only slightly changed in the process: An dispersion varnish, for example, results in a dot gain of 2-3 percent, a UV varnish up to around 5-7 percent. In contrast, foil lamination with OPP foil has a much stronger

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Layout in RGB, print in CMYK. Problems?

Especially in larger companies today the layout in RGB is the rule rather than the exception. The advantages are obvious:

  • The layout takes place in a large, almost media-neutral color space
  • All Photoshop filters are available without restrictions
  • The process of color space conversion to CMYK is shifted to the production process as late as possible

In practice, however, there are two potential problems in particular.

Problem 1: CMYK conversion in the last step.
The catalogue is designed in InDesign, all data is perfectly matched, the last step before printing and proofing is the export to a printable PDF in CMYK. Usually this is done via a preset in InDesign, which defines the exact specifications for the color space conversion. In practice, however, this color space transfer can hardly be monitored. The problem: Even if you check the color values in Acrobat in the exported PDF file, for example, Acrobat does not really display the colors it contains. Acrobat brav would show you CMYK values even if the RGB images are still wrongly contained. However, other CMYK values can occur during printing when the data is processed again. Lately it looked like this:

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The proof is much darker than the image on my monitor. Why?

Customers are often unsettled when they hold a proof in their hands. “The proof of the picture is much darker than the picture on my monitor. Why is that so? And what do I do now?”

There are many possible reasons for a deviation between the proof and, for example, the monitor display:

  • The monitor is not calibrated
    Only calibrated monitors can accurately display color. When I buy a cheap monitor and connect it to my computer, I definitely can’t see any real color. As a rule of thumb, only a hardware-calibrated monitor has a chance for correct color.
  • The monitor is calibrated, but the colors look different
    A monitor below 1,000 Euro cannot usually be calibrated to good color representation for the standard color space ISOCoated V2, because it has a too small color gamut. Only real proof monitors are also designed and suitable for the display of proofable colors.
  • The proof is not viewed under D50 standard light
    Especially in winter the lighting conditions are often poor. And incandescent lamps, energy-saving lamps and conventional neon tubes only provide very poor colour reproduction. Without a D50 light source, a proof cannot be evaluated.
  • The color settings in the software are wrong
    Often the image editing software like Photoshop is simply installed and used without adjustments. The selected color profiles often do not correspond to the profiles used for proofing. Apple-Shift-K for Macintosh and Control-Shift-K for Windows show you your profile settings in Photoshop.

In general, no patent remedy can be given for the correct display of proofs for the monitor. However, if a proof is provided with UGRA/Fogra media wedge CMYK V3.0 and test report, the chances are high that it reproduces the required colors very precisely. If your monitor image does not correspond to the proof, the error usually lies with you. The list of causes above can help you in troubleshooting.

My customer wants to print on a tin can. Pantone? CMYK? Can this be simulated in the proof?

Requests such as the proof of a printed tin can often reach us. Why can’t such a printed can be “proofed”?

A proof is a standardized product. Take the classic ISOCoatedV2 proof, for example; the standard proof for coated printing paper. Here is the definition in brief:

“Paper type 1 and 2, glossy and matt coated paper, dot gain curves A (CMY) and B (K) from ISO 12647-2:2004” (Source: farbproofs.de)

Metal is printed with a varnish. Neither the colour of the metal of the tin can nor the colour of the lacquer is clearly defined, nor the thickness of the lacquer application and the printing process in which the lacquer is applied (digital print / screen printing, pad printing etc.) is defined.

A contract proof refers to very tight tolerances and precisely defined framework conditions. This includes not only the densitometric and colorimetric reference of the printing ink, but also, for example, the paper white, which is simulated very precisely in the proof. For exactly this reason there is no proof for recycled paper: The papers and paper whites are simply so different that no uniform, standardized “color” of a recycled paper can be defined. From classic recycled paper with a neutral grey or yellowish-grey colouring to de-inked, almost white recycled papers, everything is available on the market. Just not by default.

Therefore, a proof always refers to offset or gravure printing under standardized conditions. Changed surfaces such as metal or changed paper colours such as recycled or high-quality image papers with inclusions or printing on coloured papers have not yet been standardised and therefore cannot be proofed.

A proof without profile. Is that possible?

Proofing service providers are often asked the question: “I have to have a proof done, but I don’t know for which profile. Can I also have a proof made without a profile?”

Proofs are standardized products that are created and tested according to a certain set of values. This is exactly the point that distinguishes them from any “colourful printouts”.
Specifically: A proof for coated printing paper is produced according to the standard values of ISOCoated V2 (paper type 1 and 2, glossy and matt coated image printing, dot gain curves A (CMY) and B (K) from ISO 12647-2:2004) and checked according to a set of values (FOGRA39L). A proof for uncoated paper (e.g. PSOUncoated or ISOUncoated) is produced and checked according to completely different value sets. Logically, because a print on uncoated paper looks definitely different in terms of colour and white value than a print on picture printing paper.

A proof must therefore always be prepared according to a standard and be verifiable according to a reference value set. A list of the current Proof Profiles (as of 2012) can be found here.

The problem: Many printing processes such as digital printing on a color laser or printing on a large format printing system (LFP) are not standardized and therefore there are no valid profiles and specifications.

So what to do? The most frequently used standard has established itself as the “de facto basis”: ISOCoated V2.

This is understandable, because colour-critical prints, catalogues etc. are mainly produced in offset printing on picture printing paper and are therefore subject to this standard. It is therefore generally assumed that a digital printer or an LFP printer, for example, should follow this standard and at least achieve this colour result.

So if you need to make a proof but don’t have the exact details of the profile you need, proof ISOCoated V2, which has become the industry’s most widely used standard and will always be accepted as the basic proof.

Unfortunately, a proof without a profile cannot be produced, because that would just be “colored paper from a proofing system”, but not a valid, ISO-compliant proof.

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