Profiling Inkjet Media

In color management, an ICC profile is a set of data that characterizes a color input or output device. There are two scenarios for inkjet profiling specifically. One method is using the printer driver only, printing directly from the application. The other method of profiling is using the color management software bundled with the RIP to build the profile as opposed to third party software. Using a printer driver and an ICC profile will gain greater color accuracy in output but will lack global and color channel ink limiting.

When you choose the media in the printer driver, this is only control you may have to adjust ink limit. Some printer drivers may also have additional adjustments to color density available in the advanced areas of the print dialog box.

Building an ICC profile using a RIP allows for ink limiting on a per color channel basis as well as a total ink limit control setting. This system of ICC generation is much more refined than using the printer driver as the ink limit master controller.

Many of the current RIPs on the market today utilize built in color management and media profiling. All RIPs on the market today follow the same basic steps, some combine steps, while others have different interfaces and reference targets. The RIP will step the user through the process of profiling a new media.

Basic ICC creation workflow with a RIP

• Media specification with device options chosen (resolution, number of head passes, heater settings, etc.)
• Global ink restrictions
• Linearization (corrects for input vs. output density errors
• Per color channel ink limiting (fine tuning the ink limit with that media)
• Printing and reading of an ICC patch set (900-3000 patches depending on media and use, fine art vs. billboard)
• ICC profile generation and print testing

When we speak of profiling media and inkjet printers, we are referring to characterizing the media and printer, together, in a specific machine configuration (media, resolution, heater settings, UV lamp settings, other settings, etc.).

Profiles and calibrations are specific to what?

• Media or Substrate used
• Ink type
• Output Resolution
• Number of head passes
• Dot Pattern in use
• Heater settings
• Ink Limiting 

Inkjet media profiling is a tiered approach, each step building on the preceding one. You need to take good notes and document your procedure well.

The goals of doing this are straightforward:

• Improved color accuracy
• Ability to soft proof (see on the monitor) using the same profile
• Limit trial and error color matching
• Save time and materials