Tips & Tricks - Colour Control in MetaDimension
In MetaDimension there are several options to define the colour
control and UCR. Generally, all profiles convert colours into the
device-independent L*a*b colour space and from there into the
required printing colour space. Normally that is CMYK.
1 - The input ICC Profile defines how to treat graphics or images. If these are activated, the possibly embedded profile in the file is replaced by the activated profile. The advantage of using the known profile rather than the embedded one is that the conversion and therefore the printed result is predictable for the MetaDimension user.
2/4 - The Black Point Compensation can be activated with all rendering intents, but the effect will only be visible with the "relative colorimetric" intent. The effect of this compensation is to ensure that details in dark image or graphic areas are preserved. This can be realised by colour shifts to display finer details, however the activation of this option could also affect lighter areas and therefore is not suitable for true-colour proofing.
Since the L*a*b colour space is larger than the CMYK space and also has more contrast, the conversion into CMYK could clip these finer contrasts and result in a loss of detail in the shadows. The "relative" conversion ensures that these shades are kept.
Put simply, UCR does exactly the opposite, as it takes away CMY in dark areas (i.e. halftone image areas) and replaces same with black. UCR therefore is activated by disabling the Black Point Compensation . Due to the potential loss of detail, the user needs to define if UCR is appropriate for the respective job.
We recommend the use of a perceptual rendering intent with activated black point compensation. This will keep the details in dark areas but will minimise colour shifts.
3 - Matching black Graphic Objects eliminates CMY in all graphic objects where black is defined as 100%. This function is especially useful for marks, which don't need to be printed in 4 colours.
The function of Preserve Black in CMYK Images/Graphics has potentially the biggest effect on ink saving. We recommend use of the Special option by default. CMY are converted to the CMY colour space for mid-range and light hues. Black is converted by a special model which ensures the preservation of details in dark hues. Tests have shown that these settings will provide the best result and will also achieve the biggest ink saving.
We recommend enabling the CMY preservation of primary/secondary colours only if Colour Management should not be applied.
For further questions or a more detailed explanation please contact your Heidelberg service representative.
1 - The input ICC Profile defines how to treat graphics or images. If these are activated, the possibly embedded profile in the file is replaced by the activated profile. The advantage of using the known profile rather than the embedded one is that the conversion and therefore the printed result is predictable for the MetaDimension user.
2/4 - The Black Point Compensation can be activated with all rendering intents, but the effect will only be visible with the "relative colorimetric" intent. The effect of this compensation is to ensure that details in dark image or graphic areas are preserved. This can be realised by colour shifts to display finer details, however the activation of this option could also affect lighter areas and therefore is not suitable for true-colour proofing.
Since the L*a*b colour space is larger than the CMYK space and also has more contrast, the conversion into CMYK could clip these finer contrasts and result in a loss of detail in the shadows. The "relative" conversion ensures that these shades are kept.
Put simply, UCR does exactly the opposite, as it takes away CMY in dark areas (i.e. halftone image areas) and replaces same with black. UCR therefore is activated by disabling the Black Point Compensation . Due to the potential loss of detail, the user needs to define if UCR is appropriate for the respective job.
We recommend the use of a perceptual rendering intent with activated black point compensation. This will keep the details in dark areas but will minimise colour shifts.
3 - Matching black Graphic Objects eliminates CMY in all graphic objects where black is defined as 100%. This function is especially useful for marks, which don't need to be printed in 4 colours.
The function of Preserve Black in CMYK Images/Graphics has potentially the biggest effect on ink saving. We recommend use of the Special option by default. CMY are converted to the CMY colour space for mid-range and light hues. Black is converted by a special model which ensures the preservation of details in dark hues. Tests have shown that these settings will provide the best result and will also achieve the biggest ink saving.
We recommend enabling the CMY preservation of primary/secondary colours only if Colour Management should not be applied.
For further questions or a more detailed explanation please contact your Heidelberg service representative.
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