Color Targets

Hi Charles,
Correct me if I'm wrong, but perhaps the reason profiles haven't been released is because of the variations in colour that occur with temperature and humidity? If they are changing the way prints appear day to day, wouldn't profiles be only of limited use?

I think a better way to describe this would be a press profile that we could then use to softproof image files in PhotoShop with.. then tag the files with that profile.. Problem with this is the fact that different presses will be used for different runs, and.. obviously these will not have identical characteristics... not to mention the variables of temperature and humidity, etc.
However.. perhaps someone at VioVio could clarify this..(taken from the VioVio 'Color Consistency' blurb above)
"We recommend if you are purchasing one copy as a proof and plan to purchase a second copy later; for the proof, order the same product you plan to purchase later. By doing this you will eliminate the variation between pieces of equipment."

I work with other smaller digital press/binderies.. some on a one-to-one personal basis who do print on the same presses all the time. For some reason no one in the Digital Offset world seems to be willing (yet?) to commit to definitive press profiles.

That's exactly whatI want. Maybe I didn't use the correct term. By color target I mean a group of color patches that can be read by a spectrophotometer so as to create a profile that can be used in Photoshop. We hope to adjust skin tones for mmore consistancy.

Thanks

That will help with adjusting your monitor to the printer used by Viovio. You'll know, for example, that the books always come out a bit darker or lighter or redder than your monitor generally and you can adjust your files before you send them. I find that I add about 10% saturation and darken the file by about a quarter stop on the glossy paper to better match my system at home. It all depends on how your monitor at home is set - so don't go by my formula. Definitely order some short 5 -10 page trial books with different kinds of images - high contrast, muted, colorful, monochromatic, etc. This way you'll get a ballpark idea of how the prints look compared with what you get at home.

But it won't help with the consistency. One copy of the book might be a really close match to your monitor and then if you order it again a week or two later, it's possible that there might be a slight color shift - one time it might have a hint of extra magenta, another time a hint of cyan. Most people won't notice but if you're particular, you'll see it.

As Viovio says, something you have to live with with the current technology at the price point they offer.

Stephen, I'm so sorry for some reason I'm not exactly sure what you are asking. If you want to upload a test page and print that so that you can see how the colors display in print then yes, you could do that. If that is not what you are asking let me know what I missed.

Is it Possible to upload and print a color target so a color profile may be obtained thus ameliorating some color inconsistancy?

Thanks