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1-1 Managing color on the Fiery

1

Chapter 1:
Fiery Color
Management

The first part of this chapter describes the options available from the ColorWise color
management system and explains how you can customize the color settings for your
particular needs. It provides descriptions of the preset default settings of ColorWise
and covers additional options for users who need to customize ColorWise.

Beginning on page 1-13 is a detailed explanation of what a PostScript Level 2 or
PostScript 3 printer driver does, as well as information on the capabilities of various
printer drivers and instructions for setting color options with the PostScript drivers for
Windows NT 4.0, Windows 95/98, and Mac OS.

Managing color on the Fiery

There are three ways to modify the Fiery’s printing behavior:

• You can select ColorWise options for an individual print job using menus that
appear from the printer driver.

• You can select most ColorWise options as server defaults from Fiery Setup or from
the Control Panel, as described in the
to all subsequent print jobs unless you override them.

• You can select some ColorWise options, particularly default
and calibration options, from ColorWise Pro Tools. These options include default
Simulation Profile (see page 1-10), Simulation Method (see page 1-11), Appear in
Driver as (see page 4-7), default Source Profile (see page 1-8), RGB Separation (see
page 1-9), and associated calibration set (see page 3-3).

Configuration Guide

. These defaults will apply

ICC profile

settings

Applications can generate color data for the Fiery in many different
most common type of color data produced from office applications is RGB, while
prepress applications generally produce CMYK data. Desktop applications can also
generate spot colors such as PANTONE colors. To complicate matters, a single page
may contain a mix of RGB, CMYK, and spot colors. The Fiery lets users control the
printing of these mixed-color documents with features that apply specifically to RGB,
CMYK, or spot color data.

color spaces

. The

1-2 Fiery Color Management

1

Fiery color management generates CMYK data to be sent to the copier; additional
processing may then be performed before printing begins.

The diagram below illustrates the print options in the Fiery color management process
that affect color data conversions. You access these print options when you send a print
job to the Fiery. Most of these options and settings are described in subsequent
sections of this chapter.

RGB data

CMYK data

Spot color data

RGB Source Profile

Gamma
Phosphors

White Point
Rendering Style (CRD)
Brightness
Pure Black Text/Graphics
Black Overprint
RGB Separation
Output profile

CMYK Simulation Profile
CMYK Simulation Method
Brightness
Pure Black Text/Graphics
Black Overprint
Combine Separations
Output profile

Spot Color Matching

Fiery
color

processor

Color data
sent to
copier

RGB Source Profile is the only color option that applies strictly to RGB color data.
The other options that affect RGB color also affect the more rarely used Lab, XYZ, and
other calibrated color spaces.

N

:

OTE

For users who are familiar with PostScript 3.0 color, all CIE-based ABC spaces
are affected. Also, if you send CMYK data to the Fiery in DEFG format, for example,
by choosing PostScript Color Management in Adobe Photoshop, options affecting
RGB data also affect this CMYK data.

1-3 Managing color on the Fiery

1

Settings for the following options can be specified via print options when you send a
job to the Fiery. Some can also be set as defaults by the administrator during Fiery
Setup. Settings specified via print options override the defaults.

Fiery color print option: What it does:

Brightness

85% Lightest to 115% Darkest

Rendering Style

Photographic/Presentation/Relative
Colorimetric/Absolute Colorimetric
(Default set at Setup)

RGB Source Profile

EFIRGB/sRGB (PC)/Apple Standard/Other/
Source 1–10/None
(Default set at Setup or with
ColorWise Pro Tools)

(Other) Gamma

1.0/1.2/1.4/1.6/1.8/2.0/2.2/2.4/2.6/2.8/3.0

(Other) Phosphors

Hitachi EBU/Hitachi-Ikegami/NTSC/
Radius Pivot/SMPTE/Trinitron

(Other) White Point

5000 K (D50)/5500 K/6500 K (D65)/
7500 K/9300 K

Performs a color adjustment on all
lighter or darker.

Applies a Fiery color rendering style (CRD) to RGB data (see page 1-5), or to
any incoming data with a PostScript
CMYK.

Applies an RGB source space definition to RGB data (see page 1-8). If you
choose the Other setting, you can specify particular settings for gamma,
phosphors, and white point. See the corresponding options in this table. This
option, along with Gamma, Phosphors, and White Point, are the only
ColorWise options that effect
RGB data also affect other, less commonly used color spaces, such as CIELAB
or CIE XYZ.

Applies the specified
page 1-8). To use this print option, you must choose Other as the RGB Source
setting.

Applies the specified phosphor (monitor type) information to the RGB source
space definition (see page 1-8). To use this print option, you must choose
Other as the RGB Source setting.

Applies the specified white point value to the RGB source color space
definition (see page 1-8). To use this print option, you must choose Other as
the RGB Source setting.

gamma value to the RGB source space definition (see

color channels

source color space

strictly

RGB data. All other options that affect

to make the printed output

definition, including

RGB Separation

Output/Simulation

Determines which CMYK color space your original RGB data will be
separated into—CMYK for the copier (Output) or CMYK for a specified
simulation (Simulation) (see page 1-9). It is important to note that when RGB
Separation is set to Simulation, RGB colors are affected by CMYK Simulation
Profile and CMYK Simulation Method.

1-4 Fiery Color Management

1

Fiery color print option: What it does:

CMYK Simulation Profile

SWOP-Coated/DIC/Euroscale/Simulation
1–10/Match Copy/None
(Default set at Setup or in
ColorWise Pro Tools)

CMYK Simulation Method

Quick/Full
(Default set at Setup or in
ColorWise Pro Tools)

Output Profile

default output profile/Output 1–10
(Default set at Setup or in
ColorWise Pro Tools)

Pure Black Text/Graphics

On/Off
(Default set at Setup)

Black Overprint

On/Off (Default set at Setup)

Spot Color Matching

On/Off
(Default set at Setup or with
ColorWise Pro Tools)

Adjusts CMYK color data to simulate an offset press standard or a custom
color gamut defined at your site. The Match Copy setting bypasses Fiery
calibration to match a copy made from the copier glass. Choosing None
bypasses simulation (see page 1-10).

N

OTE: Some of the Simulation settings have slightly different names depending

on the model of copier.

Quick simulation applies one-dimensional transfer curves that adjust output
density only. Full simulation applies colorimetric transformations that adjust
hue as well as output density (see page 1-11).

The Output Profile is applied to all data in the print job (see page 1-11). User­defined output profiles can be downloaded to the Fiery with
ColorWise Pro Tools (see Chapter 4).

The On setting optimizes the quality of black text and line art output (see
page 1-6).

The On setting overprints black text placed on colored backgrounds; it
automatically activates the Pure Black Text/Graphics option (see page 1-7).

The On setting enables Fiery matching of PANTONE colors; Off instructs the
Fiery to match color output to a Pantone-specified CMYK combination (see
page 1-12).

More-detailed explanations of how these and other settings affect your print jobs are
provided in subsequent sections of this chapter.

1-5 Managing color on the Fiery

1

Rendering styles

The Rendering Style option specifies a CRD for color conversions. You can modify the
Rendering Style option to control the appearance of images, such as prints from office
applications or RGB photographs from Photoshop. The Fiery lets you select from the
four rendering styles currently found in industry standard ICC profiles.

Fiery rendering style: Best used for:

Photographic rendering typically results in less saturated

output than presentation rendering when printing out­of-gamut colors. It preserves tonal relationships in
images.

Presentation—Creates saturated colors but does not

match printed colors precisely to displayed colors. In­gamut colors such as flesh tones are rendered well,
similar to the Photographic rendering style.

Relative Colorimetric—

transformation between the source and destination white
points. For example, the bluish gray of a monitor will
map to neutral gray. You may prefer this style to avoid
visible borders when not printing full-bleed.

Absolute Colorimetric—

transformation between the source and destination white
points. For example, the bluish gray of a monitor will
map to a bluish gray.

Provides white-point

Provides no white point

Photographs, including scans and
images from stock photography CDs.

Artwork and graphs in presentations.
In many cases it can be used for mixed
pages that contain both presentation
graphics and photographs.

Advanced use when color matching is
important but you prefer white colors
in the document to print as paper
white. It may also be used with
PostScript color management to affect
CMYK data for simulation purposes.

Situations when exact colors are
needed and visible borders are not
distracting. It may also be used with
PostScript color management to affect
CMYK data for simulation purposes.

Equivalent ICC

rendering style:

Image, Contrast,

and

Perceptual

Saturation,
Graphics

Same

Same

1-6 Fiery Color Management

1

Pure Black Text/Graphics

The Pure Black Text/Graphics option affects the printout for black text and vector
graphics on a page. Under most circumstances it is preferable to leave this option set to
the On position. When Pure Black Text/Graphics is on, black colors generated by
applications are printed using 100 percent black-only toner (for example,
RGB = 0%, 0%, 0%; CMYK = 0%, 0%, 0%, 100%; or K = 100%). This means the
black text and line art will not exhibit halftone artifacts and will not be misregistered,
since there is only one toner used. In addition, this setting eliminates blasting. This
option is automatically set to On when the Black Overprint option is set to On.

For some jobs it is preferable to turn this option Off, for example, if the page includes
gradient fills that use black. The table below describes the behavior of the Pure Black
Text/Graphics option with black data defined in different color spaces.

NOTE: The Pure Black Text/Graphics option can be used only when printing

composites, not when printing separations.

Input

black color

RGB

CMYK

Prints 100% black

Spot

NOTE: PostScript applications, such as QuarkXPress, may convert elements defined as

RGB = 0%, 0%, 0% to four-color CMYK black before sending the job to the Fiery.
These elements are not affected by the Pure Black Text/Graphics option. See the
application notes for details. Also, black text and line art defined as RGB = 0%, 0%,

On Off

Pure Black Text/Graphics

With the default profile, prints a rich black
using all toners.

Prints only with black toner, because CMYK
simulations preserve the black channel. The
actual amount of toner used depends on the
current simulation and the calibration state of
the copier.

Prints only with black toner, because spot
color simulations preserve the black channel.
The actual amount of toner used depends on
the current simulation and the calibration state
of the copier.

1-7 Managing color on the Fiery

1

0% in office applications (such as Microsoft Word) are converted to single-color black
(CMYK = 0%, 0%, 0%, 100%) by the Microsoft PostScript Level 2 driver for
Windows NT 4.0. To print this single-color black at the maximum toner density of the
copier, set the Pure Black Text/Graphics option to On.

Black Overprint

The Black Overprint option lets you specify whether or not black text, defined as
RGB = 0%, 0%, 0%, or as CMYK = 0%, 0%, 0%, 100%, overprints colored
backgrounds.

• On—Black text overprints colored backgrounds, eliminating white gaps and

reducing halo affects or misregistration of colors. Setting Black Overprint to On
automatically activates the Pure Black Text/Graphics option.

• Off—Black text knocks out colored backgrounds.

The Compression option must be set to On to use this option.

NOTE: PostScript applications may perform their own black overprint conversions

before sending the print job to the Fiery. See the application notes for details.

One example of how you might use this setting is with a page that contains some black
text on a light blue background. The background blue color is CMYK = 40%, 30%,
0%, 0% and the black text is CMYK = 0%, 0%, 0%, 100%.

• With Black Overprint On, the final text portions of the page are overprinted, or

combined with the underlying colors. This results in CMYK = 40%, 30%, 0%,
100% for the color used for the text. There is no transition in the cyan and magenta
toners, and the quality of the output is improved since it will not show artifacts near
the edges of the text. The option also works with text defined in the RGB color
space, that is RGB = 0%, 0%, 0%.

• With Black Overprint Off, the border of the text is on an edge that has cyan and

magenta toners on one side (outside the text) and black toner on the other side
(inside the text). On many copiers, this transition causes visible artifacts because of
the practical limitations of the copier.

1-8 Fiery Color Management

1

RGB Source Profile

The RGB Source Profile setting allows you to define the characteristics of the RGB
data in your document so that the appropriate color conversion can occur on the Fiery.
Commonly used monitor color spaces are available from the driver and from the
ColorWise Pro Tools Profile Manager. In addition, for special needs you can use
ColorWise Pro Tools to download custom monitor or scanner profiles.

When you specify a setting other than None for the RGB Source Profile, the Fiery
overrides source color space definitions or profiles that other color management
systems may have specified. For example, if you specified a ColorSync System Profile
on your Mac OS computer, the RGB Source Profile setting overrides it. In cases where
you do not want this setting to override another specified source color space, choose the
None setting.

When you specify a setting other than None for the RGB Source Profile—since the
color space definitions are overridden—the prints from the Fiery will be consistent
across platforms. Below are the Fiery’s RGB Source Profile options.

• EFIRGB specifies an EFI-defined color space recommended for users who have no

detailed information about their RGB data.

• sRGB (PC) specifies the industry standard definition for a generic Windows PC

monitor.

• Apple Standard specifies the definition of all standard Mac OS computer monitors.

• Other allows you to specify custom RGB source settings. If you choose Other as the

RGB Source setting, you can choose settings for the Gamma, Phosphors, and White
Point options.

• Sources 1-10 specify the definitions you download as RGB source profiles. (For

more information about downloading RGB source profiles, see Chapter 4.)

If you are printing with the PostScript driver for Windows 95/98, the name of each
downloaded or custom profile is represented in the RGB Source Profile setting pop­up menu. If you are printing with the AdobePS driver from a Mac OS or
Windows NT computer, downloaded or custom profiles appear as Source 1 through
Source 10.

1-9 Managing color on the Fiery

1

• None instructs the Fiery to allow the RGB sources you defined elsewhere, such as in

the application, to be used. When you set RGB Source to None, the appearance of
colors will not be independent of the file type. For example, RGB EPS files will look
different from RGB TIFF files.

With RGB Source set to None, PostScript RGB data that contains a source color
space definition is converted using the CRD specified by the Rendering Style option
(see page 1-5). NonPostScript RGB data and PostScript RGB data that does not
contain a source color space definition is converted using a general undercolor
removal conversion method.

RGB Separation

The RGB Separation option determines how RGB colors (as well as Lab and XYZ
colors) are converted to CMYK. The name of this option is meant to be descriptive,
since the option defines the color spaces that will be used by the Fiery to “separate” the
RGB data into CMYK values.

The two choices available for this option determine whether RGB data is converted
into the full gamut of the copier (Output) or whether it is first converted into the
gamut of another digital printer or a press standard (Simulation). This feature is
helpful for making one device behave like another for RGB data. For example, if a
high-quality ICC profile is available for another print device, the copier can simulate
the behavior of that device.

RGB Separation is also useful for prepress applications. For example, it lets you
experiment with the appearance of an RGB scan under different press printing
conditions without having to convert the RGB data to CMYK data for each printing
condition. When the desired printing condition is found, you can then convert the file
to CMYK, if desired, using the same CMYK simulation profile that was used during
the experimentation.

NOTE: The RGB Separation print option should be used in conjunction with the

Output Profile or CMYK Simulation Profile print options.

1-10 Fiery Color Management

1

• Output converts all RGB colors into the CMYK color space of your copier (when the

Output Profile option is set to Printer’s default), or a customized CMYK color space
for your copier (when the Output Profile option is set to Output 1–10).

• Simulation converts all RGB colors into the CMYK color space for a specified

simulation (make sure to select the desired simulation with the CMYK Simulation
Profile print option).

CMYK Simulation Profile

The CMYK Simulation Profile print option allows you to print press proofs or
simulations. This setting specifies the offset press standard or other color printing
device that you want to simulate. This option affects CMYK data only.

On Windows 95/98, you can also view an unlimited number of custom Quick and
Full simulations created using ColorWise Pro Tools. On Windows NT and Mac OS
computers, you can view up to 10 Quick and 10 Full custom simulations. The number
of custom simulations is limited by the disk space on the Fiery.

NOTE: If you are printing with the PostScript printer driver on a Windows 95/98

computer, the name of each profile is visible in the pop-up menu for the CMYK
Simulation Profile setting. If you are printing with the AdobePS driver on Windows
NT or a Mac OS computer, custom simulations appear as Simulation 1 through
Simulation 10.

The CMYK Simulation Profile setting you should specify depends on the press
standard for which the CMYK data was separated.

• For images that were separated using a custom separation (such as a separation

produced with an ICC profile), choose the corresponding profile on the Fiery with
the CMYK Simulation Profile setting.

• For images that were separated for SWOP, choose SWOP as the CMYK Simulation

Profile setting.

1-11 Managing color on the Fiery

1

NOTE: To properly simulate a printed image that was separated through the use of an

ICC profile, the same profile must be present on the Fiery. For more information
about downloading ICC profiles to the Fiery, see “Downloading profiles” on page 4-4.

• The Match Copy setting bypasses Fiery calibration to simulate the color of a copy

produced by the copier. Use this setting when you print images scanned with the
Fiery Scan plug-in set to Match Copy.

CMYK Simulation Method

The CMYK Simulation Method setting specifies the quality of simulation to perform.

• Quick applies one-dimensional transfer curves that adjust output density only.

• Full provides a more complete and accurate simulation by applying colorimetric

transformations that adjust hue as well as output density. The Full Simulation
option also maintains the integrity of the black channel by adjusting it
independently. This is especially important for images separated using an optimized
black generation (UCR/GCR) setting either from a scan or from within an
application such as Photoshop.

Output Profile

The output profile is applied to all data in the print job, so make sure the selected
profile is right for your job. The default output profile consists of both a profile for
your copier, describing the copier’s color characteristics, and a calibration target that
describes the expected behavior of the copier. In certain cases you may wish to
customize the default output profile to achieve particular color effects (see page 4-6). If
so, the new customized output profile is applied to all data in the print job.

NOTE: Changing only the output profile does not affect its associated calibration target

(since the target is based on a copier model). If you wish, you can edit D-Max values of
the calibration target separately (see page 4-6).

You can also use ColorWise Pro Tools to download your own output profile to the
Fiery (see page 4-4). Downloaded output profiles are at first associated with the default
calibration target. As mentioned above, you can edit calibration target D-Max values
separately.

1-12 Fiery Color Management

1

Spot Color Matching

The Spot Color Matching option provides automatic matching of PANTONE colors
with their best CMYK equivalents.

• On—The Fiery uses its built-in table to generate the closest CMYK matches of

PANTONE colors your copier can produce. (New tables are generated when you
add new output profiles.)

• Off—The Fiery uses the CMYK equivalents defined by your application to print

PANTONE colors.

For jobs that include PANTONE spot colors, set Spot Color Matching to On unless
you are printing press simulations. In that case, set Spot Color Matching to Off and
choose the appropriate CMYK Simulation setting (see page 1-10).

NOTE: You can use the Spot Color Matching option only when printing composites,

not when printing separations.

Spot Color Matching and the PANTONE Coated Color Reference

The PANTONE Coated Color Reference (described on page 5-8) prints differently
depending on the Spot Color Matching setting.

• On—The Fiery uses its built-in table to generate the best matches of the PANTONE

colors that your copier can produce. The PANTONE number is printed below each
swatch.

• Off—The Fiery prints swatches using the CMYK values recommended by Pantone

(and used by applications that provide PANTONE color libraries). The CMYK
values used to generate the color, as well as the PANTONE number of the color, are
printed below each swatch. These CMYK values are printed through the selected
CMYK Simulation and Output Profile settings.

2-1 Workflow concepts

2

Chapter 2:
Simple and
Advanced
Workflows

This chapter discusses color management workflows used in short-run color printing
as well as color proofing on the Fiery. It also gives examples of color management in
specific desktop applications and the interaction between those applications and
ColorWise color management.

Workflow concepts

The term “workflow” is used to describe the path a job follows from its creation in a
desktop application to final printed output. It is helpful to think of the following
categories when describing workflows:

• Short-run printing versus color proofing for eventual output on an offset press

• RGB, CMYK, and PANTONE color systems

• Desktop color management within an application versus color management on the

Fiery, along with the notion that different versions of desktop applications handle
color management differently. So it is important to pay close attention to the version
of a particular application when considering the workflows in this chapter.

Short-run printing versus color proofing

Short-run color printing refers to those jobs for which the Fiery is the final print
device. Printing jobs to the Fiery in preparation for printing on an offset press is
referred to as color proofing. Both types of Fiery print jobs use RGB, CMYK, and
PANTONE colors.

• For short-run jobs, bright, saturated colors are often desirable. These are achieved by

using the full range of colors available, referred to as the full gamut of copier, or
more simply copier CMYK. See “Advanced Workflows” on page 2-10 for short-run
printing examples.

• Offset jobs proofed on the Fiery require the printed colors to match those from

another set of CMYK printing conditions. Colors that are specified for an offset
press require CMYK simulation optimized for proofing on the copier. See Advanced
Workflows on page 2-10 for color proofing examples that simulate the gamut of
another digital printer or press standard.

2-2 Simple and Advanced Workflows

2

RGB, CMYK, and PANTONE colors

Colors can be defined in several different color models, the most common being RGB,
CMYK, and the PANTONE color matching system. Each model requires a different
color conversion at the Fiery. These different color conversion workflows are explained
below.

• RGB source profiles and color rendering dictionaries are used to map RGB colors

through a device-independent color space to a destination space, either the full
copier gamut in a short-run printing workflow or CMYK simulation in a color
proofing workflow.

• CMYK colors are device-dependent. In a proofing scenario, colors specified in

prepress applications are adjusted so the Fiery copier’s gamut can simulate that of the
press. In a short-run printing workflow, specifying CMYK colors according to the
calibrated copier output eliminates the need for simulation during printing.

• PANTONE spot colors are special inks manufactured to run on an offset printing

press. Spot colors can be simulated using CMYK copier toners or process color inks.
Two basic workflows exist for printing PANTONE colors to the Fiery:

Spot Color Matching On instructs the Fiery to match the PANTONE spot color to
the output of the copier.

Spot Color Matching Off instructs the Fiery to match the copier output to a
PANTONE-specified process simulation. This CMYK combination is then printed
with the CMYK Simulation setting you choose, such as SWOP or Custom, and
CMYK Simulation Method set to Full.

2-3 Workflow concepts

2

Desktop versus Fiery color management

A desktop color management system uses ICC profiles to convert colors from one
device gamut to the next (see Appendix B). Desktop color management systems
convert color data when it is passed from one application to another or when the job is
sent to the copier.

ColorWise uses standard ICC profiles to convert colors to the copier gamut or to
simulate other devices such as an offset printing press. ColorWise manages color
conversions for all users printing to the Fiery from Windows and Mac OS computers.
It lets users follow a simple workflow with minimal intervention using robust default
settings, while giving advanced users the control and precision they need.

The Fiery can intelligently manage the printed appearance of RGB, CMYK, and
PANTONE colors. You can let the Fiery manage color for most short-run color
printing jobs without adjusting any settings.

Managing most or all of your color on the Fiery can eliminate the potential for
undesirable color management-related conflicts, such as iterative color conversions and
inconsistent color. The Fiery applies global corrections to specific groups of RGB,
CMYK, and PANTONE colors to avoid such conflicts, and color conversions on the
Fiery are in most cases much faster than similar conversions on a host computer.

Finally, by sending RGB files instead of larger CMYK files from applications to the
Fiery, network traffic is minimized and jobs are generally printed more quickly.

2-4 Simple and Advanced Workflows

r

2

Simple workflows

Every time you print a document containing colors that were not chosen for your
specific copier, those colors need to be converted, which requires color management.
There are many places where color management can take place. Since ColorWise is
compatible with most other color management systems, you can use the workflow
most familiar to you.

This section provides examples of color workflows that should meet the needs of most
Fiery users. For information on specific desktop applications, see Chapters 6 through

9.

Consider that colors can be defined or modified at any stage in the workflow, as illustrated
in the following diagram.

Colors you define in an application Colors in output from the copie

Application

CMS

File format Printer driver

ColorWise

CMS

ColorWise
calibration

2-5 Simple workflows

2

Select your colors wisely

For the colors you see on your monitor to match those on your printed output, they
must go through color management, including precise calibration of your monitor and
copier. If you are not equipped or inclined to maintain accurate monitor color
management, you may opt for an easier approach. First, determine which is more
important for you—printed colors or monitor displayed colors.

If displayed colors are more important, trust your eyes and your monitor. Visually
select colors on your monitor, but be aware that colors will be optimized only for your
monitor. When the document is opened on other monitors, the colors may look
different. And even though printed colors may not match those displayed on your
monitor, they will still print on the Fiery with good results.

If printed colors are your priority, choose colors from printed samples. Printed colors
will be consistent, even on different monitors. Print the palette of available colors from
business applications and then select colors from the printed samples. The Fiery comes
with color reference files on the user software CD (see page 5-2). You can also print the
color charts from the Control Panel and select colors by numbers or by name from the
printed samples. Advanced applications let you define colors in the easier-to-control
PANTONE and CMYK color spaces. See Chapter 5 for more advice on color
selection.

No matter which workflow most closely matches your own, you should calibrate your
copier regularly (see Chapter 3).

2-6 Simple and Advanced Workflows

r

2

Select a short workflow

Every time colors are converted, performance and color accuracy are affected.
Therefore, a workflow with fewer steps minimizes the risk of error.

Workflow 1 using ColorWise calibration—minimal workflow

A minimal color workflow requires that you calibrate the copier. Set the CMYK
Simulation option to None, since simulation is not needed when colors are already
defined using CMYK values optimized for your calibrated copier.

CMYK Simulation set to None is useful when you want to prepare an output profile of
your calibrated copier or when you use less efficient color management from the
desktop (such as ColorSync or ICM).

In this workflow, colors are modified only at the calibration stage. This is indicated by
the black box in the diagram below.

Workflow 1
Colors you define in an application Colors in output from the copie

Application

CMS

File format Printer driver

While this workflow lends some control over the color quality produced by the copier,
you should consider additional ColorWise color management, as described in the next
section.

ColorWise

CMS

ColorWise
calibration

2-7 Simple workflows

r

2

Workflow 2 using ColorWise color management—standard workflow

Fiery servers are highly optimized for the specific copier they drive, and ColorWise
addresses many issues unique to your copier, including screens, individual toner
response, interactions among toners, natural smoothness of blends, and the capability
to render PANTONE and custom colors. The Fiery distinguishes text and graphic
from image elements, so the black channel information is preserved while parameters
used for CMYK color separations are maintained.

Conventional color management systems typically address only color conversions, and
they occupy your computer’s processor. When you use ColorWise, jobs leave your
computer faster to be processed more quickly on the Fiery.

The recommended standard color workflow (indicated by the black boxes in the
diagram below) uses ColorWise calibration and color management.

Workflow 2
Colors you define in an application Colors in output from the copie

Application

CMS

File format Printer driver

The Fiery comes into play near the end of the color workflow. To ensure that the colors
you have selected reach the Fiery and ColorWise in a usable form, you should bypass
any color management from applications and printer drivers. (Keep in mind, however,
that color management from applications and printer drivers is fully supported by
ColorWise (see “Advanced workflows” on page 2-10).

ColorWise

CMS

ColorWise
calibration

2-8 Simple and Advanced Workflows

r

2

You must print with the CMYK Simulation print option set to match the CMYK
color space in your application when you selected the colors. Any CMYK Simulation
setting (except Match Copy) applies calibration, so the copier’s response will appear to
be stable.

The recommended values for CMYK Simulation are SWOP in America, Euroscale in
Europe, and DIC in Japan—choices that respect the color standard for each region. If
colors have been selected specifically for your calibrated copier, set CMYK Simulation
to None.

See the table on page 1-3 for the list and descriptions of ColorWise print options
affecting CMYK, RGB, PANTONE, and other colors.

Workflow 3 bypassing ColorWise—not recommended

Bypassing ColorWise color management, while an option, is not a recommended
workflow. When you bypass ColorWise, you must choose colors using only CMYK
formulas designed specifically for your copier, and you must print with the CMYK
Simulation option set to Match Copy. The Fiery still prints pages using your PostScript
files, and drives the copier and its accessories, but it does not perform CMYK color
transformation, nor does it consider the copier’s calibration. Calibration is needed in
order to get consistent output, since the color response from your copier’s engine varies
significantly depending on wear, heat, humidity, and service.

The diagram below indicates that no modifications are made to colors in this
workflow.

Workflow 3
Colors you define in an application Colors in output from the copie

Application

CMS

File format Printer driver

ColorWise

CMS

ColorWise
calibration

2-9 Simple workflows

2

Turn off color management in your application

Generally, when printing to the Fiery, it is best to disable color management in the
application to ensure that the Fiery receives color data properly and prints it accurately.
Examples later in this chapter illustrate the advantage of disabling color management
in the application, and you can find more specific information in Chapters 6
through 9.

Save your files using color-safe settings

There are several additional steps you can take to ensure color accuracy.

• When saving EPS files, do not include PostScript Color Management information.

This minimizes the risk conflicting data and multiple color conversions. PostScript
Color Management causes your CMYK and RGB colors to be interpreted by the
Fiery as though they were supplied in the Lab color space and, as a result, to be
processed by CRDs rather than your simulation settings.

• Include ICC color information in files. ColorWise will not conflict with this

information, and such data can be useful to identify the specific color space used by
your files.

• Do not include halftone and transfer functions.

• Turn off color management in the printer driver.

On Windows machines, if the printer driver offers Image Color Matching options,
select Printer Image Color Matching.

On Mac OS computers, you should set the printer driver to include no color
management commands at print time (see page 1-18).

2-10 Simple and Advanced Workflows

2

Advanced workflows

The following sections present advanced color management workflow examples for
three short-run printing and three color proofing situations. Each workflow example
consists of a brief description, steps for creating and manipulating the files, a list of the
ColorWise settings used in the example, and a table that summarizes the workflow.

NOTE: These examples use specific software packages to represent image-editing,

illustration, page-layout, and business/office applications; they are Adobe Photoshop,
Adobe Illustrator, QuarkXPress, and Microsoft PowerPoint, respectively.

Short-run printing examples

The following examples illustrate short-run printing on the Fiery.

Photoshop RGB workflow

This short-run workflow of printing an RGB image from Photoshop is one of the
simplest Fiery color workflows. In it, RGB data is sent from the application, through
the printer driver, to the Fiery, and the RGB-to-CMYK conversion takes place on the
Fiery using a CRD rather than in the application. Use the settings illustrated in this
workflow for printing photographs and artwork.

This document could be created as follows:

• Create an RGB image in Photoshop.

• Print the file directly to the Fiery.

See Chapter 7 for recommended print settings from Photoshop.

• Use ColorWise to convert the RGB image to copier CMYK for short-run printing.

The ColorWise settings used in this example are:

• RGB Source Profile set to EFIRGB or another RGB source definition

• Rendering Style set to Photographic

• RGB Separation set to Output

2-11 Advanced workflows

2

The diagram below indicates the steps for this particular workflow in black.

Photoshop RGB workflow

Photoshop Printer driver

Read Embedded Profiles

Define RGB Source

Embed Source Profiles

Convert RGB to CMYK

Convert CMYK to CMYK

Select RGB Mode

Select CMYK Mode

Select Destination Profile

Save as TIFF

Save as EPS

Save as JPEG

Print

ColorSync Color Matching
PostScript Color Matching

(Mac OS-only)

Black and White

Color/Grayscale

Select Rendering Style (CRD)

Select RGB Separation: Output

Select RGB Separation: Simulation

Convert Press CMYK to Press Sim.

Convert Press CMYK to Custom Sim.

Select Copier CMYK Simulation: None

Turn Spot Color Matching On

Turn Spot Color Matching Off

Select Custom Output Profile

ColorWise

print options

Define RGB Source

Select RGB Source: None

Select Output Profile

Photoshop RGB with Illustrator and QuarkXPress CMYK and PANTONE colors

This workflow involves short-run printing of a complex page layout with images saved
in Photoshop, illustrations created in Illustrator, and PANTONE spot colors. A
Photoshop image is saved in an RGB color space using the EPS file format. Illustrator
artwork contains objects defined as CMYK and as PANTONE spot colors, and they
are saved using the Illustrator EPS file format. After all of these individual objects are
imported into QuarkXPress, additional design elements in QuarkXPress are colored
using CMYK process colors or PANTONE spot colors. Use the settings illustrated in
this workflow for printing brochures, newsletters, and other layouts.

This document could be created as follows:

• Create an RGB image in Photoshop and save it as an EPS.

• Create a graphic in Illustrator using CMYK and PANTONE colors and save as

Illustrator EPS.

• Use CMYK colors and a PANTONE color in a QuarkXPress document.

• Import the Illustrator EPS into QuarkXPress and place the Photoshop EPS image.

• Print the QuarkXPress document to the Fiery.

2-12 Simple and Advanced Workflows

P

2

• Use ColorWise to convert the RGB image to copier CMYK, to adjust the process

colors for short-run printing, and to match the PANTONE spot colors using the
full copier gamut.

The ColorWise settings used in this example are:

• RGB Source Profile set to EFIRGB or another RGB source definition

• Rendering Style set to Photographic

• RGB Separation set to Output

• Spot Color Matching set to On

The diagram below indicates the steps for this particular workflow in black.

hotoshop RGB workflow with Illustrator, QuarkXPress CMYK, and PANTONE colors

Photoshop Illustrator QuarkXPress Printer driver

Read Embedded Profiles

Define RGB Source

Embed Source Profiles

Convert RGB to CMYK

Convert CMYK to CMYK

Select RGB Mode

Select CMYK Mode

Select Destination Profile

Save as TIFF

Save as EPS

Save as JPEG

Print

Read Embedded Profile

Define RGB Colors

Define CMYK Colors

Define PANTONE Colors

Convert RGB to CMYK

Convert PANTONE to CMYK

Embed Source Profile

Select Destination Profile

Export as TIFF

Save as EPS

Print

Read Embedded Profile

Define RGB Colors

Define CMYK Colors

Define PANTONE Colors

Convert RGB to CMYK

Convert CMYK to CMYK

Convert PANTONE to CMYK

Embed Source Profile

Select Destination Profile

Export as TIFF

Save as EPS

Print

(Mac OS-only)

Black and White

Color/Grayscale

ColorSync Color

Matching

PostScript Color

Matching

Select Rendering Style (CRD)

Select RGB Separation: Output

Select RGB Separation: Simulation

Convert Press CMYK to Press Sim.

Convert Press CMYK to Custom Sim.

Select Copier CMYK Simulation: None

Turn Spot Color Matching On

Turn Spot Color Matching Off

Select Custom Output Profile

ColorWise

print options

Define RGB Source

Select RGB Source: None

Select Output Profile

2-13 Advanced workflows

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Photoshop RGB with Illustrator CMYK and PANTONE and PowerPoint RGB

This workflow involves short-run printing of a complex presentation document with
images saved in Photoshop, illustrations created in Illustrator, and PANTONE spot
colors. All elements are imported into PowerPoint for output.

This document could be created as follows:

• Create an RGB image in Photoshop and save it as Photoshop EPS.

• Create a graphic in Illustrator using CMYK colors and a PANTONE spot color and

save as Illustrator EPS.

• Create a presentation in PowerPoint using RGB colors.

• Import the Illustrator EPS graphic into the PowerPoint presentation and place the

Photoshop EPS image.

• Print the PowerPoint document to the Fiery.

• Use ColorWise to convert the PowerPoint RGB colors and Photoshop RGB image

to copier CMYK, to adjust the process colors for more saturated short-run printing,
and to match the PANTONE spot colors using the full copier gamut.

The ColorWise settings used in this example are:

• RGB Source Profile set to EFIRGB or another RGB source definition

• Rendering Style set to Presentation

• RGB Separation set to Output

• Spot Color Matching set to On

2-14 Simple and Advanced Workflows

P

2

The diagram below indicates the steps for this particular workflow in black.

hotoshop RGB and Illustrator CMYK and PANTONE in PowerPoint RGB workflow

Photoshop Illustrator PowerPoint Printer driver

Read Embedded Profiles

Define RGB Source

Embed Source Profiles

Convert RGB to CMYK

Convert CMYK to CMYK

Select RGB Mode

Select CMYK Mode

Select Destination Profile

Save as TIFF

Save as EPS

Save as JPEG

Print

Read Embedded Profile

Define RGB Colors

Define CMYK Colors

Define PANTONE colors

Convert RGB to CMYK

Convert PANTONE to CMYK

Embed Source Profile

Select Destination Profile

Export as TIFF

Save as EPS

Print

Define RGB Colors

Convert CMYK to RGB

Print

(Mac OS-only)

Black and White

Color/Grayscale

ColorSync Color

Matching

PostScript Color

Matching

Select Rendering Style (CRD)

Select RGB Separation: Output

Select RGB Separation: Simulation

Convert Press CMYK to Press Sim.

Convert Press CMYK to Custom Sim.

Select Copier CMYK Simulation: None

Turn Spot Color Matching On

Turn Spot Color Matching Off

Select Custom Output Profile

ColorWise

print options

Define RGB Source

Select RGB Source: None

Select Output Profile

Color proofing examples

The following examples illustrate methods for simulating the output from another
printing system, such as an offset press. Each of the proofing examples uses an ICC
profile to describe the destination color space. While some examples use built-in
simulation profiles, others use ColorWise Pro Tools (see Chapter 4) to download
custom ICC output profiles to the Fiery for use as simulation profiles.

Photoshop 5.x RGB-to-CMYK conversion using a custom ICC profile

This workflow is useful for prepress environments that have integrated ICC color
management and have profiles for the presses they use. In this example, an image in
Photoshop 5.x is converted from RGB to CMYK using Photoshop’s ICC color
conversion features in the CMYK Setup option. (For more information on CMYK
Setup, see your Photoshop 5.x documentation.) Using the Simulation settings available
in ColorWise, the CMYK image is printed to the Fiery, and the output is made to
appear as if it were printed on an offset press.

2-15 Advanced workflows

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This document could be created as follows:

• In Photoshop 5.x, set CMYK Model in CMYK Setup to ICC.

• In the Profile menu, select an ICC profile for the desired offset press. Click OK.

• Open an RGB image. From the Image pull-down menu select Mode>CMYK Color.

• Save the image as Photoshop EPS.

• Print directly to the Fiery.

• Use ColorWise Pro Tools to select a simulation profile or download a custom ICC

profile to the Fiery for use as a CMYK Simulation Profile.

The ColorWise settings used in this example are:

• CMYK Simulation Profile set to the desired press standard or to the corresponding

custom simulation (Simulation 1-10) if you downloaded your profile with
ColorWise Pro Tools

• CMYK Simulation Method set to Full

The diagram below indicates the steps for this particular workflow in black.

Photoshop RGB-to-CMYK workflow using ICC profile

Photoshop 5.x Printer driver

Read Embedded Profiles

Define RGB Source

Embed Source Profiles

Convert RGB to CMYK

Convert CMYK to CMYK

Select RGB Mode

Select CMYK Mode

Select Destination Profile

Save as TIFF

Save as EPS

Save as JPEG

Print

(Mac OS-only)

Black and White

Color/Grayscale

ColorSync Color Matching
PostScript Color Matching

Select Rendering Style (CRD)

Select RGB Separation: Output

Select RGB Separation: Simulation

Convert Press CMYK to Press Sim.

Convert Press CMYK to Custom Sim.

Select Copier CMYK Simulation: None

Turn Spot Color Matching On

Turn Spot Color Matching Off

Select Custom Output Profile

ColorWise

print options

Define RGB Source

Select RGB Source: None

Select Output Profile

2-16 Simple and Advanced Workflows

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Photoshop 5.x Built-in RGB-to-CMYK workflow

This workflow is useful for prepress environments that have not integrated ICC color
management and do not have profiles for the presses they use. In this example, an
image is converted from RGB to CMYK using Photoshop 5.x’s Built-in color
conversion features in the CMYK Setup option. (For more information on CMYK
Setup, see your Photoshop 5.x documentation). Using the Simulation settings available
in ColorWise, the CMYK image is printed to the Fiery, and the output is made to
appear as if it were printed on an offset press.

This document could be created as follows:

• Select the Built-in radio button from CMYK Setup in Photoshop 5.x’s
Color Settings.

• Adjust the Ink Options and Separation Options to match your offset press.

• Select the Tables radio button in CMYK Setup and click Save.

This saves your settings as a CMYK ICC profile that you will later download to the
Fiery as a custom simulation profile.

• Click on the Built-in radio button in CMYK Setup again and click OK.

• Launch ColorWise Pro Tools and download your new CMYK ICC profile to the
Fiery as a custom Simulation profile.

For the Appear in Driver as option in Profile Settings, select Simulation-1. (For more
information on downloading profiles, see page 4-4.)

• Open an RGB image in Photoshop 5.x. From the Image menu, select
Mode >CMYK Color. Save the image as Photoshop EPS.

• Print the image directly to the Fiery and choose Simulation-1 as the CMYK
Simulation Profile setting.

The ColorWise settings used in this example are:

• CMYK Simulation Profile set to Simulation-1

• CMYK Simulation Method set to Full