ColorLogic’s Printer Profile PSOcoatedv3_GCR_ColorLogic.ICC explained

PSOcoatedv3_GCR_ColorLogic.ICC profile

ColorLogic’s Printer Profile ‘PSOcoatedv3_GCR_ColorLogic.ICC’ explained

PSOcoated_v3_GCR_ColorLogic vs. PSOcoated_v3

Tutorial: ColorLogic’s Printer Profile ‘PSOcoatedv3_GCR_ColorLogic.ICC’ explained

Optimized Printability for neutral Image Areas

This profile is an alternative to the ICC profile ‘PSOcoated_v3‘ from the ECI. It is based on FOGRA51 characterization data and offers optimized printability for neutral image areas.

Details on PSOcoatedv3_GCR_ColorLogic.ICC

Good printability in offset printing requires optimized GCR settings (Gray Component Replacement) and a fine-tuned balance of K and CMY in separated images. When RGB images are converted to CMYK using ICC profiles the GCR settings are fixed in the CMYK printer profile and specified during ICC profile generation.

The example below shows a comparison between the GCR settings of the ECI profile ‘PSOcoated_v3.ICC’ and ColorLogic’s alternative profile:

The two main differences in regard of GCR settings of our ICC profile ‘PSOcoated_v3_GCR_ColorLogic‘ and the ‘PSOcoated_v3‘ profile from the ECI are:

1) Neutral images are printed more stable: Maximum GCR in neutrals

The original ECI profile features a medium GCR which is similar in both neutrals and skin tones. In contrast, ColorLogic’s profile has a maximum GCR in neutrals but is reduced in tertiary colors like skin tones. This GCR strategy combines the best of both worlds: A maximum GCR for neutral colors to prevent color casts as far as possible or unstable gray balances during printing. A medium GCR for skin tones to prevent grayish skin tones in case black is printed too strong.

2) More stable printability for light image areas: Black starts at zero

When using ColorLogic’s profile, black starts at zero and replaces similar CMY values. This stabilizes areas of light neutral colors. RGB images which contain neutral vignettes or drop shadows from gray to white will be printed more stable.

Links and Downloads

 

ColorLogic’s PSOcoatedv3_GCR_ColorLogic.ICC Profile

ColorLogic's PSOcoatedv3_GCR_ColorLogic.ICC

Optimized printability for neutral image areas

This profile is an alternative to the ICC profile PSOcoated_v3 from ECI. It is based on FOGRA51 characterization data and offers optimized printability for neutral image areas.

Why use ColorLogic’s version?

Good printability in offset printing requires optimized GCR settings (Gray Component Replacement) and a fine-tuned balance of K and CMY in separated images. When RGB images are converted to CMYK using ICC profiles the GCR settings are fixed in the CMYK printer profile and specified during ICC profile generation.

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GCR settings of the ECI profile ‘PSOcoated_v3.ICC’ vs. ColorLogic’s PSOcoated_v3_GCR_ColorLogic profile

The two major differences in the GCR settings:

1) Neutral images are printed more stable: Maximum GCR in neutrals

The original ECI profile features a medium GCR which is similar in both neutrals and skin tones. In contrast, ColorLogic’s profile has a maximum GCR in neutrals but is reduced in tertiary colors like skin tones. This GCR strategy combines the best of both worlds: A maximum GCR for neutral colors to prevent color casts as far as possible or unstable gray balances during printing. A medium GCR for skin tones that prevents grayish skin tones if the black is too strong.

2) More stable printability for light image areas: Black starts at zero

When using ColorLogic’s profile black starts immediately at zero and replaces similar CMY values. This stabilizes areas of light neutral colors. RGB images which contain neutral vignettes or drop shadows from gray to white will be printed more stable.

Links and Downloads

Information on Roman16 Images for the evaluation of color management workflows