Screen Printing - August/September 2012 - (Page 20)

Color-Management Aids Take a look at the many aids available to evaluate, analyze, and correct the color in a printing environment. Tony Quinn Nazdar H ave you ever bought a new computer and then a month later you see a better model with more features for two-thirds of the price you originally paid? We all have! The same situation can arise when evaluating color-management aids or tools. The way to avoid falling into this pitfall is to find the right solution for the specific job. Ensure that the hardware or software you intend to get will help you to meet the set goal. The purpose of this article is to give insight into the many options available for color-management tools. This is a big topic; therefore, it would be impossible to mention every tool, piece of hardware or software. Most color-management aids and tools cross over between digital and separation workflows. A color-management aid or tool is normally classified as a software package or an instrument. If it is softwarebased, an instrument to capture color data is required. You have to get the color data into the software to complete the evaluation. Many instruments have the ability to report color data back to the user, eliminating the need for computer software. However, if capturing data for future reference is the goal, software-based color-management tools would be recommended. Before you invest in a color-management aid, first, clearly define what you’re trying to achieve. Ask, why do I need a color-management aid? What am I trying to accomplish? Good examples of color management goals requiring an aid or tool are: • Develop a control point in production to gauge print consistency and repeatability. • Compare the printed color to an industry specification. • Evaluate print-color consistency from printer to printer. • Gauge print consistency from the color-approved press sheet through the end of the production run. • Create media configurations for new materials in digital printing. • Develop press curves to achieve gray balance control. In each of the color-management goals listed, it’s nearly impossible to complete any of the goals without some form of tool or aid. Imagine working as a plumber and the only tool you had was a pair of needle-nose pliers when the job called for a pipe wrench. The same mindset can be used 20 SCREENPRINTING

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Screen Printing - August/September 2012

Screen Printing - August/September 2012
Contents
Newsworthy
New Products
Strategies for Navigating the Regulatory Maze
New or Used?
Thin Is In
Color-Management Aids
Performance Equals Profits
A Look at Dye-Sub Printing for Garments
Shop Talk
Classifieds
US & Canadian Directory
Advertising Index
Editorial Insights

Screen Printing - August/September 2012