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Why do we need Proof Setup?
Whilst our typical inkjet printer uses CMYK inks the images we create
and edit in Photoshop are usually RGB. Likewise our monitors are designed
to display RGB. We know that prints are
reflective and the output from the monitor emissive. We also know that
the colour gamut and dynamic range of printed material is vastly
different to that of our typical monitor. So given these mismatches
between the printer and monitor a good visual match between the two
devices is actually quite difficult to achieve. However, using the magic
of colour management we can use our monitor to provide accurate preview
or Soft Proof of how the image will actually print. Once we have an
accurate preview we can usually fine-tune the
RGB image to match capabilities of the CMYK printer.
An Adobe Acrobat PDF version of this tutorial can be downloaded by
mouse clicking the following icon
What
do I need to make Proof Setup
work?
Making it work is what this tutorial is all about.
Nevertheless, before you can even begin it will necessary for you to
obtain ICC/ColorSync media profiles for your particular model of inkjet
printer. Since media profiles are now available for most inkjet printers
this isn't as difficult as it once was. Normally they'll
be installed automatically with the Mac driver but PC users will probably
need to download them from one of Epson's
web sites. You'll also need to make sure that
the monitor is accurately calibrated. If you're
interested in getting the optimum prints there are plenty of hardware and
software solutions available from the following sources.
When do we use it?
The answer to this question very much depends upon the image being
printed, the paper/ink combination and the quality of the ICC/ColorSync
profiles that you intend to use.
As mentioned above ICC/ColorSync media profiles will be required for
each paper/ink/printer combination. However, no matter how good these
profiles are they cannot work miracles and it's
very rare for any media profile to do equal justice to all images.
Typically, the dynamic range and colour gamut of the image will be
compressed but other issues such as small changes in colour balance are
equally possible. For some media types (e.g. matt paper) this compression
can be quite marked.
The method described below uses a workflow not unlike that outlined by
Bruce Fraser and David Blatner in the book Real World Photoshop. If you
haven't already bought a copy then I recommend
that you do.
- Stage 1 - Creating the soft proofing profiles.
- Stage 2 - Creating the reference image
- Stage 3 - Editing the image
- Stage 4 - Printing the image
Stage 1 - Creating the soft proofing profiles
Before we can begin previewing our images, it is necessary to create
the preview profiles. At this point I am assuming that you already have
the necessary ICC/ColorSync media profiles.
- Make sure you have NO images open on the Photoshop desktop
- Select View > Proof Setup
> Custom from the View menu
- From the Proof Setup dialog choose the media profile that
you wish to preview.
-
Intent should be set to Relative
Colorimetric or Perceptual
-
Select the Paper White
checkbox. Ink Black will automatically be grey out.
-
Leave
Preserve Color numbers unchecked
-
Press the
Save button
Bruce Fraser
suggests that you wish to temporarily look away from the monitor when
setting Paper White to ON. This means that you don't see the very
dramatic change in image appearance that occurs when this option is
activated. The shift typically results in washed out shadows and
compressed highlights when compared to the non-proofed version. By
temporarily looking away from the monitor you're
allowing your eyes to adapt to the change. In theory, the Simulate: Paper
White and Ink Black options will take into account the limitations of the
black ink and the brightness of paper white. However, depending upon the
quality of the profiles theory and reality can be very different. Some
profiles may not even allow the selection of the Paper White checkbox,
although you shouldn't worry if it isn't an option.
Note:
The Photoshop 6 Proof Setup
dialog is slightly different in that the Use
Black Point Compensation option is not available.
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