Emulation Proofing for Digital PressesYour digital press should be a press - not a proofing device.
Mark SamworthColor Specialist
!Let’s start with something slightly off topic that you could only do at the PIA color conference!
Which Do You Prefer?
Chroma Level A
Chroma Level A
Chroma Level B
Chroma Level B
?What is an Emulation Proof?
The Use Case for Emulation Proofing
Conventional Press Digital Press Proofer
When your digital press is emulating something else and it can’t emulate it perfectly
?What is an Emulation Proof?
What is a Proof?
high fixed cost / low variable cost low fixed cost / high variable cost
What is a Proof?
Source Destination
What is a Proof?
Destination
GRACoL2006.icc
Source
SubstrateCorrected
?What is an Emulation Proof?
What is Emulation?What is a Proof?
Source Destination
What is Emulation?
Source Destination
What is Emulation?
Destination
GRACoL2006.icc
SubstrateCorrected
Source
?What is an Emulation Proof?
Source Destination
What is an Emulation Proof?
?
00Master Colors
(as mixed by Pantone with 14 liquid based inks)Dependent Aim Colors
(as printed on Sue’s HP Indigo 20000 with CMYK dots)Pantone+ Solid Coated
Purple Purple Purple Purple
CMYKCMYK + Spot CMYKOGV
What is an Emulation Proof?
CMYKCMYK + Spot CMYKOGV
What is an Emulation Proof?
Destination SourceSource Destination
What is an Emulation Proof?
?/
GRACoL2006.icc
SubstrateCorrected
Source Destination
What is an Emulation Proof?
Destination Source/
Source Destination
What is an Emulation Proof?
Destination Source/
Source
What is an Emulation Proof?
Digital Printing StrategyDestination
Destination
What is an Emulation Proof?
Source
Proofing Strategy
Source Destination
What is an Emulation Proof?
Proofing StrategyDigital Printing StrategyDestination Source/
!The Best Way to Understand Emulation Proofing
Make a Proof Using Two Separate Workflows
!You Don’t Need Emulation Proofing Software to Make an Emulation Proof.
But is sure does help!
Source Destination
Step 1 – Match Your Digital Press to Your Source
Raw Flexo Press Profile Raw Digital Press Profile
+ =
Digital Press Emulating Flexo Press
Raw Flexo Press Profile
Raw Digital Press Profile
Digital Press Emulating Flexo Press
3 Profiles to Create
Raw Flexo Press Profile
Raw Digital Press Profile
Digital Press Emulating Flexo Press
3 Profiles to Create
Goal of Step 1
Source
Step 2 – Match Your Proof to Your Digital Press
*Digital Press Emulating Flexo PressRaw Proofer Press Profile
+ =
Emulation Proof
Destination
*
The Proofer Profile(same for “normal” or “emulation” proofing)
Raw Proofer Profile
4 Total Profiles to Create
4Raw Flexo Press Profile
1
Raw Digital Press Profile
2
Digital Press Emulating Flexo Press
3Raw Proofer Profile
4Raw Flexo Press Profile
1
Raw Digital Press Profile
2
Digital Press Emulating Flexo Press
3Raw Proofer Profile
An Emulation Proof Workflow Uses 3 Profiles
Emulation Proof Workflow
Fred’s Flexo Press on White 7c Sue’s HP Indigo 20000
Sue’s HP Indigo 20000 to Fred’s Flexo Press
Sue’s HP Indigo 20000Dayton Epson P7000
Dayton Epson P7000 to Sue’s HP Indigo 20000
Raw Flexo Press Profile
1
Raw Digital Press Profile
2
Raw Proofer Press Profile
3
Fred’s Flexo Press on White
Sue’s HP Indigo 20000
Dayton Epson P7000
Emulation Proof Workflow
Fred’s Flexo Press on White 7c Sue’s HP Indigo 20000
Sue’s HP Indigo 20000 to Fred’s Flexo Press
Sue’s HP Indigo 20000Dayton Epson P7000
Dayton Epson P7000 to Sue’s HP Indigo 20000
Raw Flexo Press Profile
1
Raw Digital Press Profile
2
Raw Proofer Press Profile
3
Fred’s Flexo Press on White
Sue’s HP Indigo 20000
Dayton Epson P7000
!Emulation Proofing is More Than Just Reducing the Number of Profiles!
Source Destination
More Profiles = More Measurement Error
Raw Flexo Press Profile Raw Digital Press Profile
+ =
Digital Press Emulating Flexo Press
Reduced Measurement Error = Increased Color Accuracy
Emulation Proof Workflow
Fred’s Flexo Press on White 7c Sue’s HP Indigo 20000
Sue’s HP Indigo 20000 to Fred’s Flexo Press
Sue’s HP Indigo 20000Dayton Epson P7000
Dayton Epson P7000 to Sue’s HP Indigo 20000
Raw Flexo Press Profile
1
Raw Digital Press Profile
2
Raw Proofer Press Profile
3
*Fred’s Flexo Press on White
Sue’s HP Indigo 2000
Dayton Epson P7000
* No “additional”profiles are required. In most cases, all profiles are already made and used in “normal” workflows.
Only “Raw” Profiles
Digital Press
Source Destination
Color Conversion Example
Destination Source/
C MYK
100% 0%0%0%
LAB
55-37-50
C MYK
100% 4%2%1%
LAB
57-36-49
C MYK
93% 9%6%3%Flexo Press Digital Press Epson Proofer
?How Do I Check the Process Color Accuracy of my Emulation Proof?
Checking Color Accuracy of the Emulation Proof
1. Proof Chart 2. Measure Chart 3. Compare to Aim
Digital Press Emulating Flexo Press
Proof of Digital Press Emulating Flexo Press
1.223.220.781.110.97
Million Dollar Question
Digital Press Emulating Flexo Press
Proof of Digital Press Emulating Flexo Press
0.923.220.780.790.84
aim
actualmeasurements
What is the Aim?
Color AccuracyResult
Million Dollar Question
Digital Press Emulating Flexo Press
Proof of Digital Press Emulating Flexo Press
1.423.220.781.110.97
aim
What is the Aim?
4 Total Profiles to Create
Raw Proofer Press Profile
4Raw Flexo Press Profile
1
Raw Digital Press Profile
2
Digital Press Emulating Flexo Press
3
Raw Proofer Press Profile
4Raw Flexo Press Profile
1
Raw Digital Press Profile
2 3
4 Total Profiles to Create
Digital Press Emulating Flexo Press
Million Dollar Question
Digital Press Emulating Flexo Press
Proof of Digital Press Emulating Flexo Press
0.892.100.781.110.79
aim
What is the Aim?
The Ultimate Aim:
The True Aim:
The Compromise Aim:
The print specification for your shop
Your digital press matched ACAP to your substrate corrected ultimate aim.
Aims for Emulation Proofing
- GRACoL- Your flexo press in its “natural” state- Your flexo press matched ACAP to GRACoL
(bad idea)
Digital Press
Source Destination
The True Aim
Destination Source/
C MYK
100% 0%0%0%
LAB
55-37-50
C MYK
100% 4%2%1%
LAB
57-36-49
C MYK
93% 9%6%3%Flexo Press Digital Press Epson Proofer
93% 9%6%3%Digital Press
Source Destination
The True Aim
Destination Source/
C MYK
100% 0%0%0%
LAB
55-37-50
C MYK
100% 4%2%1%
LAB
57-36-49
C MYKFlexo Press Digital Press Epson Proofer
The Ultimate Aim:
The True Aim:
The Compromise Aim:
The print specification for your shop
Your digital press matched ACAP to your substrate corrected ultimate aim.
Your substrate corrected ultimate aim.
Aims for Emulation Proofing
- GRACoL- Your flexo press in its “natural” state- Your flexo press matched ACAP to GRACoL
(bad idea)
Digital Press
Source Destination
The Compromise Aim
Destination Source/
C MYK
100% 0%0%0%
LAB
55-37-50
C MYK
100% 4%2%1%
LAB
57-36-49
C MYK
93% 9%6%3%Flexo Press Digital Press Epson Proofer
Digital Press
Source Destination
The Compromise Aim
Destination Source/
C MYK
100% 0%0%0%
LAB
55-37-50
C MYK
100% 4%2%1%
LAB
57-36-49
C MYK
93% 9%6%3%Flexo Press Digital Press Epson Proofer
substrate corrected
Color PilotDigital Press
StrategyFredsFlexoPress on White 7c Sue’s HP Indigo 20000
Relative Colorimetric = Substrate Correction to Destination
Color PilotDigital Press
StrategyFredsFlexoPress on White 7c Sue’s HP Indigo 20000
Relative Colorimetric = Substrate Correction to Destination
GRACoL2006.Coated1
Will match GRACoL2006.Coated1 substrate corrected to the substrate of Sue’s HP Indigo 2000 profile.
Substrate Correction to DestinationMean No Dots in Print
pure substrate
Substrate CorrectionGRACoL2006.Coated1
L95.0 a0.0 b-2.0
Substrate of Digital Press
L87.3 a-1.0 b-1.5L36.3 a48.6 b18.9 L32.5 a44.5 b17.7
Substrate Correction in Color Pilot 16.1Substrate of Digital PressGRACoL2006.Coated1
Digital Press Emulating Flexo Press
Proof of Digital Press Emulating Flexo Press
0.892.100.781.110.79
Million Dollar Question
What is the Aim?
Million Dollar Question
GRACoL2006.Coated1
Proof of Digital Press Emulating GRACoL2006
What is the Aim?
aim
actualmeasurements
Color AccuracyResult
3.8711.928.134.934.13
Million Dollar Question
GRACoL2006.Coated1_L87.3_a-1.0_b-1.5
Proof of Indigo Emulating GRACoL2006_L87.3_a-1.0_b…
What is the Aim?
aim
actualmeasurements
Color AccuracyResult
0.822.050.030.590.82
!The Future: Substrate Correct the Reference in the Compare Tool
Million Dollar Question
Proof of Indigo Emulating GRACoL2006_L87.3_a-1.0_b…
What is the Aim?
aim
actualmeasurements
Color AccuracyResult
0.802.030.000.570.79
GRACoL2006.Coated1
√ Substrate Correct Reference
?What About Spot Colors?
00Master Colors
(as mixed by Pantone with 14 liquid based inks)Dependent Aim Colors
(as printed on Sue’s HP Indigo 20000 with CMYK dots)Pantone+ Solid Coated
Purple Purple Purple Purple
PANTONE 286 C MASTER
PANTONE 286 DEPENDENT
PANTONE 185 C MASTER
PANTONE 185 DEPENDENT
PANTONE 106 C MASTER
PANTONE 106 DEPENDENT
PANTONE 286 DEPENDENT
PANTONE 185 DEPENDENT
PANTONE 106 DEPENDENT
Emulation Proof Verification Chart
CMYKProcess(IT8.7-4)
SpotColors
Spot Color Accuracy Check
NormalProof
HP IndigoCMYK
Pantone Solid CoatedMaster Standard
masterstandard
dependentaim
Pantone Solid CoatedMaster Standard
Sue’s HP Indigo CMYKDependent Aim
Emulation Proof Verification Chart
CMYKProcess(IT8.7-4)
SpotColors
!The Ultimate Spot Color Check?
The Esko SpotColorCheck_600 Chart
The science of process color matching is based on standardized data sets!
Sue’s HP Indigo 20000 PressGRACoL2006.Coated1.icc
!No Such Data Set Exists for Spot ColorsUntil Now …
The SpotCheck_600 Color Data SetA Standardized Data Set for Spot Color Assesment
SpotCheck_600 Aims
SpotCheck_600 Results
Where did the SpotCheck_600 Color Data Set come from?
Matt Furr ThesisClemson University - 2014
100COLORS
100COLORS
100COLORS
100COLORS
100COLORS
100COLORS
The SpotCheck_600 Color Data SetA Standardized Data Set for Spot Color Assesment
RIT ResultsAVG = 0.99MAX = 4.4295% = 3.26
?When Don’t You Need an Emulation Proof?i.e. when can you just use a normal proof?
Case 1When Your Digital Press Can Match Your Ultimate Aim
Source DestinationDestination Source/
Case 1When Your Digital Press Can Match Your Ultimate Aim
Source DestinationDestination Source/GRACoL2006.icc
substratecorrected
Case 2You have a PDF in Your Digital Press Color Space
Source DestinationDestination Source/
Case 3When Your Digital Press is Not Emulating Anything
Source DestinationDestination Source/
?When Do You Need an Emulation Proof?i.e. when can’t you just use a normal proof?
The Use Case for Emulation Proofing
Conventional Press Digital Press Proofer
When your digital press is emulating something else and it can’t emulate it perfectly
Emulation Proofing for Digital PressesYour digital press should be a press - not a proofing device.
Mark SamworthColor Specialist