Color Proofing

For some of the same reasons that printed digital art may not match the same art viewed on a color computer monitor, digital art printed to a desktop inkjet printer or another printing device may not match when compared to the same art printed using CMYK lithographic processes—for example, color gamuts may vary for each. Consequently, to ensure that color gamuts are comparable, proofs should be produced in accordance with SWOP (Specifications Web Offset Publications) guidelines. For contract color proofing (i.e., proofs that serve as a contract between the provider and the printer that an acceptable reproduction can be achieved), since the proof is expected to serve as a predictor of CMYK offset lithographic press output, the proofing system used must have been SWOP-certified, and proofs must have been produced in accordance with the SWOP ADS (Application Data Sheet).

Because proofing devices can vary significantly relative to color reproduction, due to toner/pigment and paper/substrate differences, and because significant variations exist for monitor to proof, and for proof to press, color management techniques have been developed.

In order to reconcile the differences between input and output device color gamuts, chosen devices must be capable of consistency—after having been qualified as reliable, each device is calibrated to the defined standard. Devices are subsequently characterized by comparing device output against a standard color gamut, the outcome of which is an ICC (International Color Consortium) profile or tag that serves as a color space description for the device. Conversion is achieved when variations between the input device profile and the output device profile are reconciled by means of a CMM (Color Management Module).