Prinect

Color and Quality

User Guide
Gray Reproduction and Gray Balance
Fundamentals and Application (3. Edition)
2 Prinect User Guide – Color and Quality Gray Reproduction and Gray Balance

Color and Quality

Prinect User Guide – Color and Quality
In the publication series "Prinect User Guide – Color & Quality" we aim to take a closer
look at individual aspects of the color workflow, while focusing on practical applica-
tions.
The integrated color workflow: reliable color and reproducible quality
With Prinect you can ink up fast and reliably, while checking and maintaining consis-
tent quality throughout the entire print run. The Prinect integrated color workflow al-
lows you print to well-defined and standardized values that can be reliably controlled
with measurement equipment. This means you can define the parameters for automati-
cally presetting your press as early on as in the prepress stage, merging prepress and the
pressroom into one system.
Prinect enhances your cost-effectiveness by giving you control over your color and
quality management, ensuring you can reliably reproduce the results again and again
and ink up rapidly with fewer waste sheets and shorter make-ready times. You benefit
from consistent production run quality and get more out of your press.
Printing to standards and norms
In practice, your print results can be impacted by so many different factors: from the
type of paper, the halftone screening and the printing inks, through to the actual press it-
self, but you can only coordinate proof, plate and print when you know what these fac-
tors are.
Prinect brings reliability to your production process. Verifiable values and tolerances
only need to be defined once to set up a standard that coordinates proof printer, plate
setter and press. This standardization ensures that both the proof and the print are per-
fectly matched. You can accurately maintain inking values, while optimizing your color
and quality management.
Inking is easier and faster, and if there are any deviations or customer complaints, logs
documenting the production process are available to make your negotiations that much
easier. You can use established standards such as the ISO standard or the process stan-
dard for offset printing, or you can easily implement other specifications, such as your
customer‘s.
Standardization brings reliability for both you and your customer. You can be sure you
are printing according to your customer‘s specifications on each and every press, while
your customers can be sure you deliver the quality they are looking for and will want to
come to you again. This is the surest guarantee in the long-term that your print shop re-
mains profitable.
The interaction between the individual components in color workflow is complex. The
publication "Prinect User Guide – Color & Quality" aims to make this interaction more
transparent for you, the user.
Gray Reproduction and Gray Balance Prinect User Guide – Color and Quality 3

Gray Reproduction and Gray Balance – Fundamentals and Application

The correct reproduction of gray values is one of the keys to quality in the print process.
The human eye finds it visually irritating when gray values deviate from print substrates
(paper and carton) perceived as being color neutral, particularly in large areas.
When the press operator sets up a print process for a specific ink batch and a specific
print substrate – alongside ensuring the solids are accurately inked and the tone value
increase is correctly calibrated – he also needs to make sure gray is correctly repro-
duced. Normally, to do this he regulates the ink film thickness at the press. Sometimes
when larger changes are made to the ink film thickness of the solids, the chromaticity
coordinates and tone value increase can deviate too far from their optimal values. Every
so often satisfactory gray values simply cannot be reproduced by just changing the ink
film thickness.
Processes in which defined tone values are replaced by a defined gray balance cannot be
properly analyzed by conventional methods of process calibration and, therefore, re-
quire new analysis methods.
The aim of the publication “Gray Reproduction and Gray Balance – Fundamentals and
Application” is to explain the basic fundamentals of gray reproduction and gray bal-
ance, as well as describing how to use gray balance calibration and gray balance optimi-
zation in Prinect Color Toolbox.
4 Prinect User Guide – Color and Quality Gray Reproduction and Gray Balance

Software Versions
This publication refers to the following software versions for Prinect products:

Prinect Color Toolbox Version 13.0

Option Profile Tool Version 13.0

Option Quality Monitor Version 13.0

Option Calibration Tool Version 13.0

Higher, and sometimes even lower, versions of the software will usually support the
functions described, or at least some part of these functions.
This may, however, cause changes in the user interface. You can find hints and tips on
this in the relevant product and user documentation. The products and options described
here may not necessarily be supplied as standard with your Prinect modules and may
need to be purchased separately.

Publishing Information
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
Kurfuersten-Anlage 52-60
69115 Heidelberg
Phone +49 6221 92-00
Fax +49 6221 92-6999
www.heidelberg.com

Status: 04/2013
Author: Dr. Guenter Bestmann
Copyright © Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG, 2013
Heidelberg, the Heidelberg logo and Linotype-Hell are registered trademarks of Heidel-
berger Druckmaschinen AG in Germany and other countries. Other names used here are
trademarks of their respective owners.
We reserve the right to make technical and other changes.
Gray Reproduction and Gray Balance Prinect User Guide – Color and Quality 5

Table of Contents
Color and Quality ....................................................................................................................... 2
Prinect User Guide – Color and Quality ................................................................................ 2
Gray Reproduction and Gray Balance – Fundamentals and Application .............................. 3
Software Versions .................................................................................................................. 4
Publishing Information ........................................................................................................... 4
Table of Contents ....................................................................................................................... 5
Fundamentals ............................................................................................................................. 6
Introduction to Gray Reproduction and Gray Balance ........................................................... 6
A Short Historical Overview .............................................................................................. 6
Dependency of the Gray Balance on the Printing Process ................................................. 6
Some Definitions ................................................................................................................ 8
Process Calibration and Gray Balance ................................................................................... 9
Calibration of Tone Value Curves ..................................................................................... 9
Calibration of Gray Balance ............................................................................................. 10
Gray Balance Optimization .............................................................................................. 11
Characterization Data, ICC Profiles and Gray Balance ................................................... 11
Influence of the Color Separation on the Gray Balance................................................... 13
Process Control and Gray Balance ....................................................................................... 16
Checking Inking Values in Printing ................................................................................. 16
Checking the Tone Value Increase................................................................................... 16
Checking the Gray Balance .............................................................................................. 17
Application ............................................................................................................................... 18
Gray Balance Calibration Procedure .................................................................................... 18
Test Charts for Gray Balance Calibration and Gray Balance Optimization .................... 19
Measuring and Evaluating the Test Charts ...................................................................... 20
Profile Calculation (optional) ........................................................................................... 23
Gray Balance Calibration with Profile Tool ........................................................................ 25
Calculating Correction Data ............................................................................................. 26
Gray Balance Calibration with Calibration Tool ................................................................. 27
Creating Calibration Groups and Calibration Data Records ............................................ 27
Importing Gray Correction Data ...................................................................................... 30
Exporting Calibration Data Records ................................................................................ 32
Application of Calibration ................................................................................................ 34
Iterative Gray Balance Optimization with Profile Tool ....................................................... 36
Iterative Gray Balance Optimization with Calibration Tool ................................................ 38
Process Control with Quality Monitor und Profile Tool ...................................................... 42
Generating a new Process Standard ................................................................................. 42
Process Control of Tone Values and Color Values .......................................................... 45
Process Control Gray Reproduction ................................................................................. 46
Summary .............................................................................................................................. 47
Glossary.................................................................................................................................... 48
Literature .................................................................................................................................. 50
6 Prinect User Guide – Color and Quality Gray Reproduction and Gray Balance

Fundamentals
Introduction to Gray Reproduction and Gray Balance
Correct reproduction of gray values is one of the keys to quality in the print process.
The human eye reacts highly sensitively when the white of a print substrate which the
eye perceives as being neutral shows the smallest of deviations. The perceived white of
the print substrate does not, however, only depend on its physical properties but also
depends on the various ambient viewing conditions. It makes a real difference whether
you are looking at a gray under standard lighting, artificial lighting or by daylight. In
this publication we will be taking a closer look at the relationship between the white of
the print substrate and the gray that the human eye perceives as being neutral.

A Short Historical Overview

Gray balance in relation to the correct reproduction of gray values is a much discussed
topic. Not too long ago, gray balance was in fact a highly decisive element of color re-
production. In those days, the rule was that gray balance had to conform to certain val-
ues. The ISO standard on process control ISO 12647-2:1996 even defined target values
(“unless otherwise specified, gray balance should be given … 25-19-19, 50-40-40, 75-
64-64”). Analogue drum scanners used these target values in their separation tables;
analogue proofing systems were based on these target values and printers set up their
inking units so that they were able to achieve correct gray reproduction with this gray
balance.
Today, analogue drum scanners are rarely used, analogue proofing processes are on the
wane and digital technologies hold sway over everyday routine. Today, color image
scanners and digital cameras produce media-independent data in the same way as
graphics programs (AdobeRGB, eciRGB, sRGB ...). Digital proofing systems are capa-
ble of simulating all kinds of different output processes (sheet-fed offset, web offset,
newspaper printing, gravure …) on all kinds of different papers using a range of differ-
ent inks.
The print process has also seen many changes – ink pre-settings, color control and spec-
tral measurement technology – and along the way gray balance has lost its prominent
significance. Witness to this is also the latest ISO standard on process control
ISO12647-2:2004 in which gray balance has been completely dropped from the stan-
dard and banished to an appendix for information only.
This ISO standard is being revised at present and when it is released will introduce a
new concept on the basis of defined gray reproduction. Gray balance will then be
treated as a dynamic, process-specific factor. The software we describe here (Prinect
Color Toolbox 13) takes this new concept into account.

Dependency of the Gray Balance on the Printing Process

Generating characterization data and the ICC profiles for sheetfed and web offset gives
us far-reaching insights into gray balance behavior. Small changes in inking within the
tolerance range of the ISO standard rapidly lead to changes in gray balance. Likewise,
changes in tone value increase within the tolerance range of the ISO standard also lead
to visible changes. The color printing order, however, has not been examined in depth.
However, we know from other tests that gray balance is highly dependent on the color
printing order.
Gray Reproduction and Gray Balance Prinect User Guide – Color and Quality 7

While you can often assume a classic gray balance situation when the printed colors ex-
hibit relatively low ink coverage, any deviations can easily become larger with higher
ink coverage. This is to do with the ink acceptance behavior in wet-on-wet printing.
When the ink coverage in gray areas is lower, the screen dots tend to be positioned
alongside each other and have no effect on their neighbors. When the ink coverage is
higher, the screen dots are printed over each other, which mean they impact on each
other.
The following figure (Fig. 1) shows on the left the gray balance for FOGRA39 charac-
terization data for offset printing on coated paper, and on the right the corresponding re-
production with the print profile ISOcoated_v2 with conventional black composition.
Drawing a line vertically downwards from the 50 % value for cyan will give you the
corresponding tone values for magenta and yellow. This matches reasonably well with
the frequently used reference values 50/40/40.
In this example, we need to be careful that we are looking at gray balance independently
from paper white (so-called relative colorimetry).
The right-hand figure shows us how the color images are separated.

Figure 1: Gray balance FOGRA39 / ISOcoated_v2 (conventional black composition)

In traditional reproduction, a short skeleton black was used for separations and printing.
Today, this has all changed. The black in the gray area begins much earlier. This en-
ables us to achieve much more stable gray reproduction. Applying GCR1 improves gray
reproduction even more.
Moreover, gray balance also seems to depend on the halftone screening. This can be
seen clearly when comparing gray balance in periodic screening (Fig. 1) and non-
periodic screening (Fig. 2).
You can see the differences when you take a look at the 50 % value for cyan in non-
periodic screening and then calculate the corresponding values for magenta and yellow.
In comparison to Figure 1, Figure 2 shows a very different balance between the chro-
matic colors for achieving a neutral gray as well as a very different color separation.

1
GCR: Gray Component Replacement, the replacement of chromatic gray components with black
8 Prinect User Guide – Color and Quality Gray Reproduction and Gray Balance

Figure 2: Gray balance FOGRA43 / ISOcoated_NP (non-chromatic composition with

GCR 50)

In practice print results prove that conventional gray balance belongs to the past. If you
still want to work with gray balance today, you will need to generate it specifically for
that process.

Some Definitions
After these preliminary considerations, the time has now come to define the terms gray
reproduction and gray balance. Reference books describe the definitions for the two
terms as follows:
Definition of Gray Reproduction
Gray reproduction is a set of color values (CIE L*a*b*) for controlling the print process
which defines a printed area under defined viewing conditions and defined printing
conditions without any visible color perception.
Definition of Gray Balance
Gray balance is a set of tone values (cyan, magenta, yellow) for setting up the print
process which defines a printed area under defined viewing conditions and defined
printing conditions without any visible color perception.
Gray reproduction is to do with how colors are visually perceived (defined by standard-
ized color values). Gray balance refers to the abstract numerical values (defined by per-
centage values) in a data record.
This means gray balance is defined as a set of tone values for cyan, magenta and yellow
which when printing according to predefined print conditions under predefined viewing
conditions produces a neutral gray2. These printing conditions are, for example, defined
in the relevant process standards (the German Printing and Media Industries Federation
(bvdm) Process Standard Offset) on the basis of the ISO specifications (ISO12647-
2:2004 and the appendix to this standard Amd1 from 2007). Viewing conditions have
also been standardized by ISO.
In practice, these days there are two definitions for a neutral gray which are explained
for informative purposes in the ISO standard 12647-2:2004 appendix:

2
The terms “neutral gray”, “achromatic color”, and “without any visible color perception” describe the same sit-
uation in gray reproduction but in different words
Gray Reproduction and Gray Balance Prinect User Guide – Color and Quality 9

a) a hue that has the same a* and b* values in the CIELAB color space as the print sub-
strate and
b) a hue that has the same a* and b* values in the CIELAB color space as a black hue of
the same lightness on the print substrate.
The definition in a) is more suitable for light gray values where the print substrate plays
a major role. The effect of the print substrate becomes less apparent in dark gray values
and here the comparison with black becomes more important. In such cases definition
b) is more preferable.
This makes it worthwhile in practice to calculate values for gray reproduction that com-
bine definition a) in the highlights and definition b) in the shadows.
A uniform procedure is being developed and will be described in the new version of
ISO 12647-2: on the basis of the measured a* and b* values of paper white, a function
dependent on the lightness L* of the gray is defined that delivers target values a* and b*
for process control. This also takes into consideration that by screening parts of the pa-
per white can still be perceived and that the human eye does not completely attune to
paper white3.

Process Calibration and Gray Balance

The technical specification ISO/TS 10128 on process calibration in offset printing de-
scribes the various methods for calibrating a print process in plate imaging. These
methods include methods for calibrating or adapting tone value curves, methods for ap-
plying gray balance scales and methods for applying multidimensional transformations
with Device Link profiles.
Applying Device Link profiles, i.e. multidimensional transformation of the process col-
ors, is not process calibration in the true sense. For this reason this procedure is only
mentioned here for the sake of completeness. This procedure is supported by Heidelberg
in the same way as the previously mentioned procedure (see User Guide “Generation
and Application of Device Link Profiles”).

Calibration of Tone Value Curves

The methods for calibration of tone value curves are well known. On the basis of a de-
fined reference printing condition with specified chromaticity coordinates of paper and
printing inks for this specific paper, the tone values in printing are set by means of cali-
brating the tone values on the printing plate.
In the following we use the FOGRA39 standard reference printing condition again as an
example to describe such a standard-compliant printing process. The gray balance of the
chromatic colors and the gray balance when printing the chromatic colors with black is
an integral part of the characterization data for the reference printing condition and can
be calculated from the data according to the definition.

3
The proposed equations for calculating the a* and b* values are:
a* = a*Paper x (1 - 0.85 x (L*Paper - L*) / (L*Paper – L*cmy))
b* = b*Paper x (1 - 0.85 x (L*Paper - L*) / (L*Paper – L*cmy))
L*, a* and b* are the gray values, L* Paper, a* Paper and b* Paper are the paper white values and L*cmy is the light-
ness value of the three-color overprint. The factor 0.85 describes the human eye’s incomplete chromatic percep-
tion.
10 Prinect User Guide – Color and Quality Gray Reproduction and Gray Balance

In day to day printing routine, deviations often occur in gray reproduction. This is fre-
quently caused by the differences in paper whites (e.g. as a result of using optical
brighteners), ink properties, ink acceptance by the printing inks when overprinted and
by halftone screening.
Normally gray balance is corrected at the press by altering the ink film thickness.
Changes in the ink film thickness lead to changes in the color of the solids and the half-
tone screening, which in turn result in changes in the tone values. Altering the ink film
thickness enables you to optimize gray reproduction in critical gray areas.

Calibration of Gray Balance

Sometimes values are outside the tolerances for color and dot gain specified in the proc-
ess standard or the press operator is unable to achieve a uniform gray balance. This
makes it well worthwhile taking gray balance into account when setting up the print
process by selectively changing dot gain for the chromatic process colors. The advan-
tage of such a non-standard procedure is that you can achieve uniform gray balance as
well as nevertheless optimal ink film thickness or inking in the chromatic colors. It does
not matter if dot gain is actually outside of the normal tolerance range.
This non-standardized procedure uses so-called near neutral scales. These scales de-
scribe the target values of the chromatic process colors for defined gray color values,
usually using the CIELAB color space. The objective of gray balance calibration is to
change the tone values on the printing plate to such an extent that the gray color values
are achieved. The procedure is relatively complex and is not easy to carry out without
using special tools.
A procedure developed and successfully tested by Heidelberg is based on the one hand
on an analysis of the reference printing conditions, and on the other hand on an analysis
of the current print process to be set up. The data from this analysis enable calibration of
the tone values with unequal tone value increase curves in the print. The print result,
however, is visually comparable to the reference printing condition in terms of lightness
gradation and gray reproduction. This procedure delivers very well-matched results
when printing on different presses, with different papers and different halftone screen-
ing.
The procedure is as follows:
 Select and define a reference printing condition
 Define a test chart and image this test chart
 Print the test chart under standardized conditions
 Measure several printed test charts, average and smooth the data
 Calculate the gray balance corrections with Prinect Color Toolbox
 Calculate the new tone value increase corrections with Calibration Tool
 Apply the corrections when re-imaging the test chart
 Print the test charts and check the results
The procedure for calibrating gray balance is especially suitable for visually adjusting
printing conditions that do not precisely conform to the standard with paper types and
paper colors that deviate from the reference, printing inks that deviate from the refer-
ence, halftone screening that deviates from the reference and ink acceptance behaviour
that also deviates from the reference.
Gray Reproduction and Gray Balance Prinect User Guide – Color and Quality 11

When both the press and the print process have been set up well, differences between
calibrations will only be minimal.
The gray balance calibration process is, therefore, not in basic contradiction to the ISO
standard and to the offset printing process standard (PSO). It is in fact a worthwhile aid
in achieving a specific objective. Standardized printing and the development of refer-
ence printing conditions can only be established in conformity with the ISO standard
and PSO. Certification can also only be carried out in conformity with the ISO standard
and the PSO.

Gray Balance Optimization

Calibrating a print process is a procedure that is only carried out under certain condi-
tions: when using a new type of paper, a new printing ink batch or carrying out a critical
job. If a calibration deviates from the target values, you can also carry out an iterative
correction. To do this, special small control elements (Mini Spots) are also printed in
the on-going print job. Iterative correction or optimizing gray balance can also be car-
ried out using a gray balance control element.
The procedure for iterative correction is as follows:
 Select a control element (e.g. ECI/bvdm gray control strips)
 Position the control strip on the current job
 Set up the print process for optimal inking
 Pull several sheets for evaluation
 Manually optimize gray reproduction and production of the job
 Assess the control strips on the sheet you have pulled
 Calculate new tone value increase corrections
 Use these corrections for the next job
This procedure is described in detail further on.

Characterization Data, ICC Profiles and Gray Balance

Reference printing conditions and printing conditions in practice (including target print-
ing conditions) are defined by characterization data and the ICC profiles calculated
from these data (reference print profiles and practice or target print profiles). The gray
balance values of a print process are contained in the characterization data and ICC pro-
files and can be calculated from them both.
Characterization data are the definition of an unambiguous relationship between digital
tone values and the measured color values in the print process (CMYK process col-
ors/CIEXYZ or CIELAB color values or spectral colors). Characterization data are used
in color management-based workflows to describe different input and output processes.
They are the starting point for calculating device profiles or print process profiles and
can also be used to control print processes.
Characterization data are calculated using a test chart according to ISO 12642-2:2006.
12 Prinect User Guide – Color and Quality Gray Reproduction and Gray Balance

Figure 3: ISO 12642-2-compatible test charts (visual and random)

ICC profiles or device profiles are standardized files that describe the color characteris-
tics of devices, images and graphics using colorimetric standards. ICC profiles provide
color management systems with the information they need to transform color data be-
tween all kinds of different color spaces. ICC profiles contain the gray balance values of
a print process.
Together with the bvdm, the ECI (European Color Initiative) has developed gray control
strips for visual control and measurement control in all the usual printing conditions.
They determined the color values on the print substrate for defined black fields (30 %,
50 % and 70 %) and calculated chromatic color combinations with similar lightness
from the ICC profile. Both patches (black and chromatic gray) are positioned adjacent
to each other so they can also be compared visually. They can also be compared by
measurement using Quality Monitor.

Figure 4: ECI_GrayConL, ECI_GrayConM and ECI_GrayConS (from top to bottom)

Adjustment to your own printing conditions is easy with the ECI templates (see litera-
ture appendix). The relevant control elements and definition files for various measure-
ment devices for the more common sheet fed offset printing conditions are supplied
with Color Toolbox.
Beside the already described test charts and gray control strips there are other test ele-
ments like the P2P25 test chart from IDEAlliance.

Figure 5: P2P25 test chart from IDEAlliance

Based on the tone scales of the color patches and gray patches and on the patches cover-
ing the surrounding of the gray axis it is possible to perform a gray balance calibration
as well as a process evaluation. The test chart is supported by Prinect Color Toolbox 13.
Gray Reproduction and Gray Balance Prinect User Guide – Color and Quality 13

Influence of the Color Separation on the Gray Balance

In practice, gray is rarely made up purely of chromatic colors. When image data are
separated using ICC profiles, a significant amount of black ink is present in the gray
axis and can even dominate color composition from a certain threshold onwards. Gray
graphic elements such as logos or diagrams are usually not generated with chromatic
inks.
Gray Balance and Conventional Chromatic Composition
In conventional chromatic composition, the gray component of the chromatic colors in
gray is replaced by black from a defined level onwards. One strategy here is to begin
with black at a later point. This black is also called skeleton black because it only occurs
in dark gray areas. Figure 6 below shows just such a gray progression4.

Figure 6: Gray balance of a standard profile: Conventional black with a length of 5

The relative lightness L* is shown on the horizontal axis in this and in the following
figures. Paper white shows L* = 100. The tone values are shown from 0 to 100 % on the
vertical axis. By restricting the total area ink coverage, the use of black makes for a sig-
nificant reduction in chromatic colors. Maximum area ink coverage is achieved when
lightness L* = 0, i.e. in the absolute shadows.
Today, black is often allowed to begin very early on, which means that the chromatic
colors are only slowly replaced by black.

4
The following shows as far as possible only parts of the Color Toolbox user interface so that you can see the
essential information more clearly.
14 Prinect User Guide – Color and Quality Gray Reproduction and Gray Balance

Figure 7: Gray balance of a standard profile: Conventional black with a length of 9

The above diagram shows the gray balance of a typical ICC profile in which black starts
at around 10 % cyan. Overall, a considerable proportion of chromatic colors have al-
ready been replaced by black. This means that gray reproduction is much less suscepti-
ble to fluctuations in inks.
Gray Balance and Achromatic Composition
In achromatic composition, an even larger proportion of chromatic colors is replaced.
Originally this term referred to the complete replacement of chromatic colors with black.
However, in practice this led to disharmonious images so that printers have now aban-
doned this procedure. Today, there is a seamless transition between heavy chromatic
composition and short skeleton black, since Profile Tool can continually adjust the use
of chromatic color replacement and the extent of chromatic color replacement in achro-
matic composition when generating profiles.
Gray Reproduction and Gray Balance Prinect User Guide – Color and Quality 15

Figure 8: Gray balance of a standard profile: Achromatic composition with G50

The diagram above shows the replacement of chromatic colors in a medium achromatic
composition with 50 %. There are as many chromatic colors as black over a large area
of the gray axis. Black only becomes dominant again in the shadows. Although not
visible in the print, the slight bend in the gradation of the colors at around L* = 30 % is
caused by limiting the total area ink coverage.
The next diagram shows a heavy achromatic composition in which 80 % of the chro-
matic colors have been replaced by black.

Figure 9: Gray balance of a standard profile: Achromatic composition with G80

16 Prinect User Guide – Color and Quality Gray Reproduction and Gray Balance

Gray Balance and Print Stability

To assess the impact of the change in tone value increase on the stability of gray repro-
duction in various color compositions, you can carry out either test prints or approxi-
mate calculations on the basis of profiles and typical gray values.
To achieve medium gray (e.g. L* = 50) you can determine the CMYK tone values from
different profiles with varying color composition. Then you can change the CMYK tone
values within the permitted tolerance ranges. You can then determine the matching
color values from the new CMYK tone values and calculate the differences.
When using a short black in the color separation (U300 K100 5-5)5 a change of 4 % in
cyan becomes very apparent. A ΔE of 3.0 in a gray results in a clearly visible deviation
which is generally not acceptable. This also applies to a profile with a long black (U300
K100 9-5). In this case there is less cyan but the fluctuation is just as great.
There is only an improvement when moderate achromatic composition (U300 K100
G50) is used. A deviation of 4 % in cyan in the mid-tones causes a color shift of ΔE =
1.9 in medium gray. This result is better but again not completely acceptable. Only
when heavy GCR is used does the deviation become less.
Normally such large deviations do not occur during production printing. However, there
are always small fluctuations in process colors. This makes it even more important that
these fluctuations have no significant effect on gray reproduction. This is best achieved
with (moderate) achromatic composition.

Process Control and Gray Balance

Process control and regulation are based on print control strips. With Prinect Image
Control, the entire printed sheet can be used for control and regulation. This specific
case is, however, beyond the scope of this user guide.

Checking Inking Values in Printing

Reference printing conditions and reference print profiles in sheet fed offset printing are
based on a white measurement backing and standardized papers and inks. Usually a
black backing is used when printing. Papers and inks can sometimes deviate considera-
bly from the standard. Added to this, the color values can change again depending on
the inks’ drying behaviour. This means that printing requires reference values that take
the different measurement backings, the different papers and the varying printing inks
as well as the inks’ drying behaviour into account. With just a little effort, it is possible
to determine the best achievable values and store them then as a reference.
This reference is then used for setting up and controlling production during the printing
process. Any follow-up assessments in which other control elements such as step con-
trol wedges are used and assessed are compared against these reference printing condi-
tions.

Checking the Tone Value Increase

The reference printing condition defines the tone value increase. Tone value increase
should be set up independently from the measurement backing, paper and printing inks
and their drying behaviour. In practice, there is a slight relationship between the meas-

5
This is the usual definition of the color composition in Profile Tool in Prinect Color Toolbox. U300 defines a
total area ink coverage of 300 %, K100 defines the maximum black in the shadows, 5-5 defines the black length
(starting point) and black width along the gray axis.
Gray Reproduction and Gray Balance Prinect User Guide – Color and Quality 17

urement backing and drying behaviour, although it is negligible within the tolerance
range.
Tone value increase is not usually checked during make-ready and production as only a
few color patches are available in the print control strip. This means you need to carry
out process calibration especially carefully beforehand.
Today, providing there is enough space, additional control elements such as step control
wedges are very often positioned on the printed sheet. These control elements can be as-
sessed later on and used for recalibration.

Checking the Gray Balance

On some print control strips there are approximate chromatic gray elements with values
of e.g. 70-60-60 or 50-40-40. Target values can be calculated from the reference print-
ing conditions. These values, however, are not without their problems since they gener-
ally refer to another paper and other measurement conditions. This means that when set-
ting up the printing process at the press, you need to adjust neutral gray visually on the
basis of the relevant motif so that you can then use the gray value of the control element
for checking production printing.
At present there are no generally accepted control elements and evaluations for a print-
ing process that has been set up using the gray balance optimization method. The chap-
ter Application describes one way of overcoming this problem based on the ECI gray
control strip.
18 Prinect User Guide – Color and Quality Gray Reproduction and Gray Balance

Application
This chapter describes how to calibrate the gray balance of a print process using an ex-
ample from printing in real life. The standard FOGRA39 is used as the reference print-
ing condition, since this is the standard most frequently used in sheet-fed offset printing
on coated paper, and ISOcoated_v2_eci is used as the reference print profile. A print
run from a test series on gray balance calibration carried out in autumn 2010 is used as
the print condition to be calibrated.
We printed on a Speedmaster SM74 on coated paper (BVS) and used the printing inks
marketed by Heidelberg (Excel, Ink100). We carefully checked the printing press and
plate-setter before we began our printing tests.

Gray Balance Calibration Procedure

The following is a brief description of how to perform gray balance calibration:
Linearization of the plate-setter (optional)
It is not absolutely essential to carry out linearization of the plate-setter for the printing
plates used but it is useful if you are aiming at seamless process control. Linearization
can be carried out with Calibration Tool and a plate measurement device.
Imaging a set of plates with ISO 12642-2 or P2P25 test charts
Whether you have selected the option to linearize or not, a set of plates is output on the
plate-setter. This set of plates contains not only elements for process control (print con-
trol strips, step control wedges) and for visually assessing gray balance (images from
the roman16 series) but also a test chart for characterization of the printing process. This
set of plates is output without process calibration.
Running the press to a standard printing condition
The optimal inking values for the process standard used can be set using the imaged
plates and print control strips. Once the press is printing consistently, several sheets are
pulled and the inking values and settings are saved as a reference for subsequent print
runs.
Measuring the test charts
Test charts are measured with Prinect Image Control or another suitable external meas-
urement device. Color Toolbox in Quality Monitor averages, smoothes and evaluates
the data. The color of the measurement backing plays little role in gray balance calibra-
tion. However, if you are using the measurement values for process control, you will
need to think about the measurement backing (an exception to this is high-grammage
papers).
Calculating an ICC profile (optional)
A standard ICC profile can optionally be generated and saved using Profile Tool. The
profile settings for ink coverage, black composition and gamut mapping are of no sig-
nificance here, since only the absolute color values from the ICC profile are used for
gray balance calibration.
Calculating gray balance calibration
A correction data record is calculated and saved using the application for gray balance
calibration in Color Toolbox. The characterization data set or the ICC profile from the
reference printing condition and the characterization data set (ISO 12642-2 or P2P25) or
the ICC profile from the above described print run are used for this.
Gray Reproduction and Gray Balance Prinect User Guide – Color and Quality 19

Importing gray balance calibration values into Calibration Tool

Process calibration is calculated in Calibration Tool on the basis of a linear set of proc-
ess curves and stored in the internal database.
Output and print of a set of calibrated printing plates
When the process calibration is activated, the calibrated set of printing plates is output
again, and printed according to the process standard selected. As soon as the press is
printing consistently, several printed sheets are pulled and are visually assessed and also
measured. It is worthwhile comparing them to a proof that corresponds to the reference
printing condition.
Re-measuring the calibrated test chart
The newly printed test chart can be used as a process control during production and for
profiling the print process. The inking values of the print process and the (varying) tone
value increase curves can be stored in Quality Monitor as target values.
Process control
Alongside checking the inking values and the (varying) tone value increases, you can
also use an ECI/bvdm gray control strip that has been specially adapted to the reference
print for process control. The control strip (large, medium or small) is positioned on the
printed sheet. Once it has been measured, Quality Monitor can then evaluate it.
Iterative optimization of gray balance
If you find in everyday routine that you continually need to re-adjust gray reproduction,
iterative optimization of the gray balance may be the answer. To do this, you need to
position the ECI/bvdm gray control strips on a printed sheet for the relevant printing
condition.

Test Charts for Gray Balance Calibration and Gray Balance Optimization
In principle, you can use any kind of test chart with an ISO 12642-2 compatible test
element or with a P2P25 compatible test element together with the relevant print control
strips. In practice, however, it is worthwhile positioning a number of additional gray
elements and images on the test chart for visual assessment. Several step control wedges
distributed over the sheet are also useful for checking or adjusting tone value increase at
the same time. An ECI/bvdm gray control strip is required for iterative gray balance op-
timization. These control strips are available for all normal standard printing conditions.
20 Prinect User Guide – Color and Quality Gray Reproduction and Gray Balance

Figure 10: Example test chart for gray balance calibration

We used the test chart above for a test print carried out in Heidelberg. In the centre you
can see the ISO 12642-2 test element in a form that ensures even ink coverage. The step
control wedges for optionally evaluating tone value increase are positioned underneath
on the right, the left and in the centre.
The print control strips are automatically positioned at the lower sheet edge during the
imaging process (not shown here). We used images from the German Federal Printing
and Media Association’s “roman16 bvdm reference image” series.

Measuring and Evaluating the Test Charts

In Prinect Image Control there are appropriate masks that can be selected to automati-
cally measure the ISO 12642-2 test chart and the step wedge. Several sheets printed at
various times should be measured to ensure you have a reliable set of data for further
analysis. These measurement values are then forwarded via Color Interface to Quality
Monitor.
You can also used different measurement devices for this, as long as they deliver meas-
urement values in a standardized format according to ISO 28178.
Gray Reproduction and Gray Balance Prinect User Guide – Color and Quality 21

Figure 11: ISO 12642-2 test element in ordered view

Quality Monitor averages the measurement values from the ISO 12642-2 or P2P25 test
charts and then slightly smoothes them. The spectral data remain unaltered when the
measurement values are averaged. However, they are lost during the subsequent
smoothing process, which means that the tone value increase curves do not match the
usual values and gradations. For this reason, the step control wedges should be used for
assessing tone value increase, especially since they show a better average result because
they are averaged over the entire sheet.

Figure 12: Setup smoothing of color data

The smoothed measurement values can be depicted and assessed as an overview in a*b*
diagram.
22 Prinect User Guide – Color and Quality Gray Reproduction and Gray Balance

Figure 13: Display of smoothed color data in a a*b* diagram

Similarly, the tone values from the step control wedges are also averaged in Quality
Monitor. The tone value curves cannot be smoothed here, but they can be smoothed in
Calibration Tool.

Figure 14: Display of tone value increase of the non-calibrated print

Gray Reproduction and Gray Balance Prinect User Guide – Color and Quality 23

The step control wedge’s tone value curves are required later on for the (optional) com-
parison with the curves after gray balance calibration. They are also required for a pos-
sible comparison with the curves after calibration of tone value increase .

Profile Calculation (optional)

There are no particular settings in Profile Tool required for calculating the optional pro-
files. The default settings for offset printing on coated or uncoated paper can be used.
The profile is only temporarily used for gray balance calibration and can be deleted af-
terwards.

Figure 15: Profile setting parameter U=330 K=95 length=7 width=5

The averaged and smoothed measurement data are used to generate the profile for the
non-calibrated print process. When the profile has been calculated, you can view the
gray balance of the non-calibrated process.
24 Prinect User Guide – Color and Quality Gray Reproduction and Gray Balance

Figure 16: Gray balance out of profile (with black)

In the example above, there is too much yellow in both the highlights and in the shad-
ows along the neutral gray axis (a* = 0, b* = 0). However, this depiction of gray bal-
ance is not necessarily meaningful. Here, as is often the case, the current paper white
has not been taken into account correctly when depicting gray balance.
Calculating a three-color CMY profile in Profile Tool will enable you to view pure gray
balance without black

Figure 17: Gray balance out of profile (three-colors)

Gray Reproduction and Gray Balance Prinect User Guide – Color and Quality 25

The above example shows a good overprint behaviour of the three process colors be-
tween each other, as well as with black, which was printed first (Figure 16). With a little
experience, the overprint behaviour will tell you if there are any problems with the ink-
ing settings for the print (see Figure 18).

Figure 18: Gray balance out of profile (three-colors) with insufficient ink trapping

Here you can clearly see that there is a problem in the print process. A very high pro-
portion of yellow is required for the neutral shadows. Since yellow was the last color
printed, either the yellow is under-inked (the ink film thickness is too low) or the ink
acceptance behaviour in overprinting is far from ideal. Visually assessing and measur-
ing the printed sheet confirms that too little yellow was printed. The neutral gray tones
have a strong, blue color cast and insufficient yellow ink was printed (density).
Gray balance calibration ensures satisfactory gray reproduction, even when the print
process is badly set up. Simply correcting tone value increase would not have had the
same result. Nevertheless, it is always better practice to setup the print process before-
hand to avoid having to repeat printing a press proof in such a case.

Gray Balance Calibration with Profile Tool

Gray balance calibration is opened in the menu bar selecting “Gray balance calibration”
from the drop-down menu “Extras”.
26 Prinect User Guide – Color and Quality Gray Reproduction and Gray Balance

Figure 19: Opening Gray balance calibration

Calculating Correction Data

Once you have opened “Gray balance calibration”, select either a reference characteri-
zation data set or a profile. The next step is to open the measurement data (either char-
acterization data or P2P25 data) or an ICC profile for the print process you want to cali-
brate and then select the correction data format. Gray correction data can be calculated
with either 5 or 8 reference points. This can be set in the dialog box “Data Format”.

Figure 20: Gray balance calibration setup

If you are calibrating gray balance with 5 reference points, corrections are calculated at
25 %, 50 % and 75 % (the values refer to cyan; magenta and yellow are then lower at 19
%, 40 % and 66 %). This would seem to be generally sufficient. Gray balance calibra-
tion with 8 reference points is slightly more precise, since here corrections are calcu-
lated for 15 %, 30 %, 40 %, 50 %, 60 % and 75 %.
Gray balance calibration with values greater than 75 % is not worthwhile, since here
black already dominates in the usual color separations. This can lead to unnaturally
heavy corrections when the three-color overprint values severely deviate from the refer-
ence values in the shadows.
At the same time that gray balance calibration is carried out, tone value increase for the
process color black is also corrected. Here the number of reference points is also 5 or 8
and the results also refer to cyan.
Gray Reproduction and Gray Balance Prinect User Guide – Color and Quality 27

Figure 21: Gray balance calibration calculation

After you have set all the parameters, calculation can begin. At present this takes some
seconds. Afterwards you can save the correction data in Calibration Tool for further
processing.
You can view the correction data in the table on the right-hand side of the dialog box.
Interpreting the figures takes a little getting used to: the reference values on the left-
hand side need to be corrected by a calibration curve in such a way that they result in
the process tone values on the right-hand side. The calibration has to change the refer-
ence value C = 25 % into the process value C = 21.6 %. This also applies to the values
for magenta and yellow. This behaviour becomes understandable when you take a look
again at the tone value increase in Figure 14 (tone value increase is clearly too high).

Gray Balance Calibration with Calibration Tool

Once you have generated a correction data record with gray balance calibration, you
then need to calculate a process calibration from these values for plate imaging using
Calibration Tool. At this point, we will only describe the steps that deviate from the
usual procedure for gray balance calibration. This also assumes you are experienced in
working with Calibration Tool.

Creating Calibration Groups and Calibration Data Records

It is worthwhile setting up a calibration group under the name of “Gray Balance Cali-
bration” in Calibration Tool in Prinect Color Toolbox or in Calibration Manager in
Prinect MetaDimension.

Figure 22: Creating a new calibration group

28 Prinect User Guide – Color and Quality Gray Reproduction and Gray Balance

Here, as elsewhere, the name of the calibration group can be anything and serves only
as an example.

Figure 23: Creating a " GrayBalanceCalibration" calibration group

The calibration group is opened and a new calibration data record is created.
Gray Reproduction and Gray Balance Prinect User Guide – Color and Quality 29

Figure 24: Parameter a new "CoatedPrint" calibration data record

Again, any name can be selected as the data record name; in this example it has been
named “CoatedPrint”. Color, screening, medium and print parameters are set as usual.
New at this point is that you need to select a linear data record “HD Linear” as the proc-
ess curve set. Parameterization is concluded with “OK” and the data record then appears
in the calibration group.
30 Prinect User Guide – Color and Quality Gray Reproduction and Gray Balance

Figure 25: Display and selection of the new calibration data record "CoatedPrint"

Importing Gray Correction Data

Once the new calibration data record has been created, the data record is opened and the
gray correction data are imported from the gray balance calibration.
Gray Reproduction and Gray Balance Prinect User Guide – Color and Quality 31

Figure 26: Importing the gray correction data

When you click “Import”, a small dialog box appears asking for the type of data source.

Figure 27: Selecting the type of data source

In this case, “IT8 File with Measurement Data” is selected as the data type and then in
the next dialog box the gray correction data set is selected. Selecting “All Colors”, im-
ports the data, which then are listed in a table and depicted in a diagram.
32 Prinect User Guide – Color and Quality Gray Reproduction and Gray Balance

Figure 28: Display of the gray correction data record (cyan color)

Clicking the buttons “Apply” or “OK” submits the data to the database.

Exporting Calibration Data Records

The calibration data record can be used in Profile Tool for converting measurement val-
ues. To do this, you first need to change the calibration data record into a different for-
mat. This is done by inserting nominal values or more simply by selecting a test chart.

Figure 29: Converting the data record

In this example, the test chart “HD Default” has been selected and confirmed with the
button “Set Testform”.
Gray Reproduction and Gray Balance Prinect User Guide – Color and Quality 33

Figure 30: Querying test chart conversion method

The user is then asked which method should be used for converting the test chart. In this
example “Preserve Measurement Values” has been selected.

Figure 31: Converted measured values

The new values and the new curve are displayed and can be confirmed by clicking the
buttons “Apply” or “OK”. Parameterization has been completed and you can now view
the calibration curves. To do this, you need to change the view from measurement val-
ues to calibration curve and select the colors CMYK.
34 Prinect User Guide – Color and Quality Gray Reproduction and Gray Balance

Figure 32: Display of calculated calibration curves

The calibration data record can then be exported from the view “Calibration Group”.
The calibration data record contains the measurement values and the process curve, as
well as the calibration curve in 1 % steps for the plate-setter.

Figure 33: Selection of data format

You also need to select the appropriate data format here. In our example we have se-
lected the format “IT8 File with all Curve Data”. The data are given a name and then
saved as usual.

Application of Calibration
At this point it becomes interesting to use the calibration for the next print process and
for comparison with a conventional tone value increase -based calibration, which is
what we did as part of our test print.
Figure 14 shows the original tone value increase curves before calibration. In compari-
son to the process standard, tone value increase is far too high here. You can see from
Gray Reproduction and Gray Balance Prinect User Guide – Color and Quality 35

the gray balance calibration in Figure 21 that tone value increase has been reduced
while gray reproduction has been corrected at the same time. This can be clearly seen in
Figure 34. The data were taken from a subsequent test print.

Figure 34: Tone value increase curves after gray balance calibration

Tone value increase is within the tolerance range of the process standard for the chro-
matic colors as well as for black and the spread is low. This would indicate that the print
process has been set up well. Machine settings and materials (paper and printing inks)
are a good match.

Figure 35: Tone value increase curves after conventional calibration

36 Prinect User Guide – Color and Quality Gray Reproduction and Gray Balance

Figure 35 shows tone value increase in a test print with the same press setup and the
same materials but with the difference that tone value increase was calibrated according
to conventional methods.
Tone value increase is within the tolerance range of the process standard for the chro-
matic colors as well as for black. The spread is also low here. You can see slightly dif-
ferent gradations in tone value increase here in comparison to gray balance optimization.
Looking at the curve gradation, you can also see that yellow and magenta have been in-
terchanged and that all curves are slightly higher.
You should be able to see these small differences when comparing the printed images.
Direct comparison under standard lighting conditions shows slight differences, although
it is a matter of taste as to which of the images is considered to have been reproduced
more “correctly”.

Iterative Gray Balance Optimization with Profile Tool

Iterative gray balance optimization is used when you find that the same gray reproduc-
tion corrections continually need to be made manually at the press. In this case, one or
more control elements are printed in the subsequent print job as well. These control
elements are positioned in an appropriate place on the printed sheet. Current technology
supports ECI/bvdm gray control strips.
Plate imaging and printing are carried out as usual, but without any corrections for the
optimal reproduction of gray values. One or preferably several printed sheets are pulled
and the control elements are measured. If several control elements and several sheets are
measured, the individual measurements will need to be averaged. This task can be per-
formed easily with Color Toolbox.
Iterative Gray Balance Optimization is opened under “Extras” in the menu bar.

Figure 36: Opening gray balance optimization

The user interface is shown in Figure 37.

Gray Reproduction and Gray Balance Prinect User Guide – Color and Quality 37

Figure 37: User interface Gray balance optimization

After opening the application, first of all a reference printing condition is selected
(Characterization data set or ICC-Profile). Then the measurement values of the control
elements (Mini Spot measurement values) are loaded. The data format is determined by
the control element and cannot be modified.
The following screenshot shows an example of possible parameters and the calculation
results. This example is a continuation of gray balance calibration. The measurement
values originate from the same test print.

Figure 38: Setup and calculation of gray balance optimization

Interpreting the figures takes a little getting used to: the curves should be optimized in
such a way that the numerical values on the right-hand side of the table (original tone
values) match the numerical values on the left-hand side (Mini Spot tone values). In this
specific case, calibration should slightly increase all values throughout. This is consis-
tent with the print results in Figure 34 where the values are slightly too low throughout.
The data from the iterative gray balance optimization are saved and can be further used
in Calibration Tool.
38 Prinect User Guide – Color and Quality Gray Reproduction and Gray Balance

Iterative Gray Balance Optimization with Calibration Tool

Iterative gray balance optimization is the correction of an existing calibration. We rec-
ommend making a copy of the original calibration (in this case CoatedPrint) so that you
can carry out corrections on the copy (in this case CoatedPrint Optimization).

Figure 39: Copy of gray balance calibration

This copy is now opened so you can work on it. The dialog box shows the current
measurement values. These measurement values should now be modified in such a way
that they result in an improved reproduction of gray balance and tone value increase in
black.
Gray Reproduction and Gray Balance Prinect User Guide – Color and Quality 39

Figure 40: Modification of curves

To do this, you need to modify the curves. In this case, a correction of gray balance is
necessary. To select the correction method, check the box according to your selection
and click “Import Correction Values”.

Figure 41: Importing correction values for gray balance optimization

The correction values from the iterative gray balance optimization are then imported
and a box appears asking whether all colors or only selected colors should be imported.

Figure 42: Querying import of color data

40 Prinect User Guide – Color and Quality Gray Reproduction and Gray Balance

At this point, you need to correct all colors. The values you want to import are shown in
a window.

Figure 43: Display of imported color data

After you have confirmed with “Yes” that the correction should be performed, the cor-
rection values are taken into account in the measurement values and the new measure-
ment values appear.
Gray Reproduction and Gray Balance Prinect User Guide – Color and Quality 41

Figure 44: Display of new calculated measurement data and comparison with old
measurement data

A comparison between the new and the old measurement values indicates the changes.
This comparison can also be carried out with the calibration curves (see the following
screenshot).
42 Prinect User Guide – Color and Quality Gray Reproduction and Gray Balance

Figure 45: Display of corrected calibration curves

The corrected data are saved with either “Apply” or “OK”, and can be used to correct
tone values for the next plate imaging process.

Process Control with Quality Monitor und Profile Tool

Following gray balance optimization, the tone value increase curves no longer necessar-
ily comply with the specifications of the reference printing condition. The inking values
are generally within the tolerance range (unless too many optical brighteners in the pa-
per have led to very large shifts in values). It is, therefore, worthwhile saving the current
process as the default standard for further prints.

Generating a new Process Standard

With Prinect Color Toolbox, you can save the current measurement values as the proc-
ess standard and select them when you need them.
Gray Reproduction and Gray Balance Prinect User Guide – Color and Quality 43

Figure 46: Use measurement data as process standard

You can set up a new process standard by clicking “Edit” under “Process Standard” in
the main application. First of all, you need to give the standard a new name and it is also
worthwhile entering a comment.
Under the toggle “Print Order”, you will find a button “Use Measurement Values”. It is
essential that the checkbox for “Use Tone Values” is activated. All the available values
are applied and can be checked and manually corrected in the relevant toggles. The val-
ues for the secondary colors need to be entered manually afterwards in the toggle “CIE-
LAB Color Values and Density Values”.
The tone values can also be modified in the toggle “Tone value increase Values”. Fre-
quently tone value curves are slightly wavy since the values can slightly deviate from a
harmonious curve due to the design of the test chart and the position of the ink zones.
Modifications to the values become apparent in the curves when you first save the stan-
dard and then reopen it.
Here, as an example, the measurement values (inking, tone value increase) for the test
print have been saved for gray balance optimization. The name of the process standard
has been modified accordingly.
44 Prinect User Guide – Color and Quality Gray Reproduction and Gray Balance

Figure 47: Setup missing color values for secondary colors

In the screenshot above the secondary colors have been activated to enter their values.

Figure 48: Manual setup of tone value increase curves

The tone value curves have not been manually adjusted. The new process standard is
saved and is then activated for another process control.
Gray Reproduction and Gray Balance Prinect User Guide – Color and Quality 45

Process Control of Tone Values and Color Values

Figure 53 shows an evaluation of a gray control strip from the first non-calibrated press
proof in comparison to the process standard. The color values are well within the toler-
ance range. Tone value increase is too high but nevertheless just within the permitted
tolerance range. This shows the press has been set up well.

Figure 49: Process control tone values and color values from a non-calibrated print
run

After gray balance has been calibrated, the tone values and color values are also within
the tolerance range (Figure 50). However, tone value increase is slightly low.
46 Prinect User Guide – Color and Quality Gray Reproduction and Gray Balance

Figure 50: Process control tone values and color values from a calibrated print run

Process Control Gray Reproduction

Quality Monitor now evaluates the ECI/bvdm gray balance control elements by compar-
ing the chromatic gray patches and the black patch with each other. The following
screenshot shows this for the non-calibrated press proof.

Figure 51: Process control gray reproduction from a non-calibrated print run
Gray Reproduction and Gray Balance Prinect User Guide – Color and Quality 47

The gray balance of the non-calibrated proof was already very good, thanks to the care-
ful setting up of the press and the pigmentation of the printing inks. It was only tone
value increase that was too high. This was corrected as far as consistently possible by
gray balance optimization so that the gray balance itself has hardly altered (see next
screenshot).

Figure 52: Process control of gray reproduction from a calibrated print run

While in Figure 51 you can see a slightly violet color cast in gray (cold gray), this has
turned into a slightly yellow color cast (warm gray) after calibration. This result was to
be expected since the reference printing conditions FOGRA39 and ISOcoated_v2 also
lead to a slightly warm gray.

Summary
This User Guide describes how to use gray balance calibration and iterative gray bal-
ance optimization on the basis of a practical example. Gray balance optimization is a
tool for adapting a print process to a specified gray balance derived from a reference
printing condition by performing process calibration.
To maintain truly stable print production, special emphasis should also be placed on a
color composition with a large amount of black in the gray axis. Following calibration,
it is essential that the reference values are saved in the relevant programs for setting up
the press and for process control. Following all these points will ensure nothing should
come between you and successful printing.
48 Prinect User Guide – Color and Quality Gray Reproduction and Gray Balance

Glossary
Characterization
Colorimetric description of a (printing) process

Characterization data
Specification of a clear relationship between digital tone values and measured color
values (tone values CMYK / color values CIEXYZ or CIELAB)
Characterization data is used in workflows based on color management to describe dif-
ferent input and output processes. It represents the starting point for calculating device
profiles or printing process profiles and may also be used for process monitoring.

Characterization data record (table)

Data format for transferring characterization data
The international standard ISO 12642 defines the digital tone values to be used as well
as measuring conditions and the file format for printing processes.

ECI European Color Initiative

The European Color Initiative (ECI) is a group of experts who are involved in the me-
dia-neutral processing of color data in digital publication systems. It was founded in
1996 as an initiative by the Bauer, Burda, Gruner+Jahr and Springer publishing houses
in Hamburg. The ECI develops reference printing conditions in cooperation with Fogra
and provides resources such as ICC profiles and control elements (www.eci.org).

Fogra Graphic Technology Research Association

FOGRA Graphic Technology Research Association advocates printing technology in
the areas of research, development and application and aims to make the results utiliz-
able for the printing industry. The association maintains its own institute for this pur-
pose. Fogra provides characterization data as well as control elements (www.fogra.org).

German Printing and Media Industries Federation (bvdm)

The German Printing and Media Industries Federation (bvdm) is the employers' and
trade association of the German printing industry. Its members are twelve independent
state associations, in which almost 6000 print shop and media enterprises are organized.
The associations of the printing industry are in turn active in national and international
committees and associations in order to stand up for the interests of their member print
shops. The BVDM provides publications and resources such as the Print Media Stan-
dard, the Process Standard Offset or the roman 16 reference images (www.bvdm-
online.de).

Gray balance
A set of tone values for cyan, magenta and yellow in the database or on the color sepa-
ration film which produce an achromatic color when printed under specific printing
conditions and viewed under specific conditions

ICC profile
ICC profiles or device profiles are standardized files for describing the color properties
of devices, images and graphics when working with colorimetric standards. The ICC
Gray Reproduction and Gray Balance Prinect User Guide – Color and Quality 49

profiles supply color management systems with the required information in order to
transform the color data between the widest ranges of color spaces.

Printing Material
Paper or material similar to paper for the print job on a sheet-fed offset press
The parameters of current printing materials generally deviate from the reference values
of the ISO 12647-2 standard to a larger or smaller extent and exert a considerable influ-
ence on the reference values.

Print order
Specification of the color sequence in a press run
The characterization data and profiles have been determined for a defined sequence.
The usual sequence is K, C, M and Y.

Process standard
A specification of the process parameters and their values that should be used when
generating color separations for four-color prints or proof prints

Reference printing condition

A standardized, generally known printing condition, in which the measured values
adopt stipulated reference values
Example: FOGRA39, offset printing according to ISO 12647-2:2004 and Amd1:2007
on 115 g/m2 coated art paper, process colors in line with ISO 2846-1. Characterization
data of reference printing conditions can be downloaded from Fogra.

Reference print profile

Exemplary and practice-oriented implementation of a reference printing condition with
a defined total area coverage, black composition and adjustment to the color gamut
Reference press profiles can be downloaded from the ECI.

Tone value increase (tone value increase)

Difference between the tone values before and after one or more processing steps
The tone value increase can also be negative (tone value decrease). This specification
mainly applies to a tone value of 40%. Units: %

Tone value increase characteristic curve (tone value increase curve)

Graphic display of the tone value increase of a printing process
The tone values of the data record or film are given on the horizontal axis, and the tone
value increase on the vertical axis.
50 Prinect User Guide – Color and Quality Gray Reproduction and Gray Balance

Literature
ISO 12642-2:2006
Graphic technology – Input data for characterization of 4-colour process printing – Part
2: Expanded data set
International standard
Source: Beuth-Verlag, Berlin (www.beuth.de).

ISO 12647-2:2004 and ISO/AMD 12647-2:2007

Graphic technology – Process control for the production of half-tone colour separations,
proof and production prints – Part 2: Offset lithographic processes
International standard
Source: Beuth-Verlag, Berlin (www.beuth.de)

ISO/TS 10128:2009
Graphic technology – Methods of adjustment of the colour reproduction of a printing
system to match a set of characterization data
International technical specification
Source: Beuth-Verlag, Berlin (www.beuth.de)

Process Standard Offset 2012

Description of the inspection methods and materials, the working procedures and re-
quirements of data and films, test and proof prints as well as plate making and print run
production.
Source: German Printing and Media Industries Federation (bvdm), (www.bvdm-
online.de)

Print Media Standard 2008

Technical guidelines for data, films, proof printing and print run production
The Print Media Standard is made up of various modules, and it is the user's own re-
sponsibility to ensure that these are organized and implemented correctly. The Print
Media Standard contains information on all significant components required for correct
application in the individual printing processes.
Source: German Printing and Media Industries Federation (bvdm), (www.bvdm-
online.de)

ECI Gray Control Strip

Control element for checking tone value increase and gray reproduction for a defined
printing condition visually and by measurement.
Source: ECI European Color Initiative (www.eci.org)

G7 Specification
American specification for the production of prints according to predefined gray bal-
ance
Source: IDEAlliance (www.idealliance.org)