Colour Management - Profiling Printer & Paper

Following the profiling of the Monitors, see earlier blog with results of three monitor profiles, we engaged in the next step which was profiling the printer and paper.

Using the i1 TC 9.1 RGB Testchart Part 1 and 2 we printed out the two test charts on our selected printer. Then using the i1we scanned the 34 rows of the test charts and once the chart had been scanned the i1 software calculated the profile to be used when printing on that printer with the particular type of paper that the Testcharts had had been originally printed on. This process is specific to a printer and type of paper and has to be repeated if other printers are used or other types of paper.

Once the profile had been saved and loaded into the computer linked to the printer we printed a test chart using the new profile and also a ring-around print. The ring around consisted of 15 miniature copies of the test chart, five rows of three, with different setting colouror brighness intensities applied to each image with the central image having the correct print profile setting.  

It is good to see how the importance of not only profiling the monitor but profiling the printer is key to the look of the final printed image. Profiling of printers by commercial print establishments and their providing profiles to clients ensures that clients get the best from their work.