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13.02.2020 Color management

The goal of every customer when ordering a print product is not only fast production but also the correct and accurate reproduction of colors on the substrate or printing material. Since the human eye is the most sensitive tool for comparing colors, it is essential to have control over the colors to ensure visual color consistency.

Color control is called **Color Management**, which ensures the consistency of color reproduction throughout the technological process. It is important to note that color management involves all devices in the technological process, including the camera, scanner, computer monitor, television screen, color printer, and printing press. By considering color management, we ensure that the colors are **predictable and repeatable**.

For all devices to "communicate color" with each other, each device has its own adjusted color scheme called an ICC profile, through which we achieve the closest possible match between color devices. The goal of using ICC profiles is to ensure that the colors from a photo taken by a camera match those on a computer monitor and the final printed product.

As mentioned, there are several devices involved in the technological process from image capture to the final product—printed materials—each with different color spaces. To avoid errors, it is advisable that input devices (camera, scanner, computer monitor) be color-calibrated or color-characterized.

The key device in the printing process is, of course, the computer monitor, where you prepare the file for print. Whether it is a regular or professional monitor, we recommend that you regularly calibrate your monitor, as color accuracy is crucial when preparing files for printing. For calibration, you need a tool and software, and the calibration process is simple and quick. It is recommended to repeat this process every 200 hours of use.

What is calibration?
Calibration refers to the characterization of different output devices, where we measure the color space. The first step is linearization, followed by the creation of an ICC profile, which then transforms the colors in the device to a more accurate form.

Color Management Control in Demago Printing House
To ensure that the printing process meets graphic standards, Demago Printing House has standardized its production workflow. The first condition for the proper operation of all devices or printing presses is optimal climatic conditions, which we continuously maintain in a temperature range of 20 to 23°C and relative humidity of 40 to 60 percent. Each of the output digital printing devices, substrates, and monitors are color-profiled, and digital printers are linearized at least twice a day. Print quality control and viewing conditions are carried out according to graphic standards, and most machines are equipped with SPM (self-calibration) spectrophotometers. Periodic measurements are also performed using a densitometer, ensuring that the print is within the 3-6 ΔE range.

In the near future, we plan to make another significant step in print standardization with full automation. With the development of artificial intelligence and integrated devices for color inspection and cloud technology, fully automated G7 calibration will soon be available.

Idealliance G7® AI Master Calibration System Certification recently awarded HP Indigo certification for G7 AI Master calibration, where the digital printer automatically calibrates, checks the print in real-time, and sends the data for verification anywhere in the world, all without human intervention.

Conclusion
We ensure optimal printing; you take care of preparing a color-coordinated file for print, and the result will certainly meet your expectations.

Rafael K.