Input Color Management
Introduction
The ErgoSoft RIPs provide several tools for color management. These tools can be separated into two distinct parts of the color management workflow: tools that affect input colors and tools for output control.
Input Color Management mainly deals with settings affecting the colors of the image itself, such as the conversion of the image from the original color space to the internal LAB color space of the ErgoSoft RIP. It covers settings regarding input profiles and rules for color conversion.
The rendering intent is part of the input color management and specifies how out-of-gamut colors of the device-independent Lab color space are to be converted into the printer gamut. This conversion is necessary because the Lab color space holds much more colors than the printer gamut.
More direct ways of controlling the colors such as modifying the color in the image or parts of the image also fall into this category.
Output Color Management deals with the density linearization, ink limitation, and output profile (printer profile). The tools and features that combine to transition the image from the ErgoSoft RIPs internal LAB color space to the output color space.
Input Color Management
Input Color Mangement settings can be found in Tools > Options > Color Management and govern how input profiles for images imported into the ErgoSoft RIP should be handled. Input color management lets users set input profiles, rendering intents and specialized rules for dealing with different types of images and data.
As different types of images need to be handled differently, input color management is split into 3 distinct sections according to image types:
Raster Images
Input Color Management settings for raster images are grouped by image color space: RGB, CMYK, LAB and Greyscale. Note that the settings in Raster Images will only affect raster image types (jpg, png, tiff, etc.), and the settings will only affect images with that color space. So none of the settings in "Raster Images" will have an effect on PDF files, and settings made under CMYK will not affect handling of RGB images.
The settings available for each image color type are:
- Ask on missing embedded Profile: When importing an image with no embedded profile, a prompt will appear asking what profile to use.
- Use profiles embedded in image data files: Will automatically use profiles embedded in image files when present. Otherwise uses the default profile set in the dropdown. When unchecked, embedded profiles will be ignored.
- Rendering Intent: Sets the default rendering intent to be used.
- Delete: Deletes the currently selected input profile.
- Import: Allows Importing of external icc input profiles.
Postscript/EPS
Input Color Management settings for PostScript/EPS images are grouped by image color spaces CMYK and RGB, and sub-divided into different image elements that may appear in such files:
Images: These settings apply to raster image elements embedded into a PostScript or EPS file.
Graphics: These settings apply to vector image elements embedded into a PostScript or EPS file.
Text: These settings apply to Text image elements embedded into a PostScript or EPS file.
Note that the settings in PostScript/EPS will only affect images in PostScript and EPS format (.ps, .eps), and the settings will only affect the specific image element with that color space. So none of the settings in "PostScript/EPS" will have an effect on PDF files, and settings made under CMYK will not affect handling of RGB images.
PostScript/EPS Color Management Settings:
- Use images profile for all types: Sets all image elements in that color space to use the same settings.
- CMYK Profile/RGB Profile: Sets the ICC input profile for CMYK or RGB for the resepective image type.
Rendering Intent: Sets the rendering Intent for CMYK for the resepective image type. - Use embedded: Prioritizes profile and rendering intent embedded in the image file. If embedded profiles are present, they will be used, otherwise settings in the dialog apply.
PostScript/EPS Color Management Advanced Settings
- PDF/X: Use standard settings for PDF/X files: If active, the RIP will apply the default settings intended for PDF/X files.
- Use intermediate color space:
Default CMYK Output Profile: Specifies a default CMYK output profile if no other profile is specified in the Print Environment.
Default RGB Output Profile: Specifies a default RGB output profile if no other profile is specified in the Print Environment. - Use "Named Color Profile" for spot color replacement: If active, the RIP will automatically detect spot colors from named color profiles in image files and replace them.
- Deactivate Gray to K mapping (for Gray without color management): If enabled, the RIP will treat gray as black, so that output in these areas will be without color management.
Please note that advanced settings are intended for experienced users. In most cases it is best to leave these settings as defined in one of the presets supplied by ergosoft.
PDF
Input Color Management settings for PDF images are grouped by image color spaces CMYK, RGB, Gray and LAB and sub-divided into different image elements that may appear in such files:
Images: These settings apply to raster image elements embedded into a PostScript or EPS file.
Graphics: These settings apply to vector image elements embedded into a PostScript or EPS file.
Text: These settings apply to Text image elements embedded into a PostScript or EPS file.
Note that the settings in PDF will only affect images in PDF format (.pdf), and the settings will only affect the specific image element with that color space. So none of the settings in "PDF" will have an effect on raster or eps files, and settings made under CMYK will not affect handling of RGB images.
PostScript/EPS Color Management Settings:
- Use images profile for all types: Sets all image elements in that color space to use the same settings.
- CMYKProfile/RGB Profile: Sets the ICC input profile for CMYK or RGB for the resepective image type.
- Rendering Intent: Sets the rendering Intent for CMYK for the resepective image type.
- Use embedded: Prioritizes profile and rendering intent embedded in the image file. If embedded profiles are present, they will be used, otherwise settings in the dialog apply.
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