Monitor proofing

The following should be improved: The denglishe term " soft proofing " is explained by another, also denglishe and to obscure terms such as RIP, stand, etc.. This is of course not good, so that he is "not really helpful". - 89.183.48.161 14:51, October 24, 2013 (UTC)

A soft proof ( roughly: Soft Proof ) is a digital Probeabezug before a final order is released to the printer. Under soft proofing refers to the colorimetric and contextually correct output of digital print data on a monitor. The same conditions as in the Contract Proof on paper apply. The software used must calibrating and profiling of the output device, so a monitor or projector to allow, it must ensure a validation to the standard pressure of later production and enable the output of the print data. When doing this, only the actual print data can be optimally used in the PDF format.

General definition of soft proofs

Representation of data, for example on a monitor or projector to for certain types of lighting and environmental conditions to synthesize the color appearance of the color beschriebenen by the data, and display.

Explanation

In a narrower sense is meant by soft proofing to simulate a specific output condition - usually a printing condition - on a monitor. An output condition is characterized by the objective to be achieved values ​​, which are influenced by the combination of the materials, equipment and their control used. Typical output conditions are for example the offset printing according to " Process Standard Offset ", the printed by inkjet printer on a particular paper or the exposure of photo paper in a minilab.

The file used for soft proofing, an image file in a device-dependent (RGB, CMYK, Mehrkanal-/Sonderfarben ) or device-independent (CIELAB, CIEXYZ ) be color space. The file format are eg jpeg or tiff common. For a correct color representation of device-dependent data device-independent information must be ( usually in the form of an ICC source profile ) available.

The file can (usually PDF) include in a container format image elements, graphic elements and text in different color spaces. For an "open" file in a layout program can also be a desired soft-proof display. Also already for the exposure of a printing plate into individual color separations (eg CMYK) disassembled files in 1 -bit format can be used for soft proofing.

In a somewhat broader definition is under soft proofing generally the correct color representation of an (image) file understood on a monitor. A typical use case occurs at photographers who judge on the monitor the color of an interpreted RAW file or present in an RGB working color space data directly, ie without pressure simulation, the monitor can display.

No soft proof in the sense of this definition, is a " state Proof", in which the representation of a layout is checked at a monitor. Here the color -correct presentation is attached only a subordinate role; the review of the file on the monitor is to ensure primarily the correctness of the content and status, which is reproduced on the basis of the print data after processing by the RIP. In terms of a clear distinction to color correct representation of data, a term such as " position proof " should not the term " soft proofing " is used, but can be selected.

Current situation of the soft proofs

Currently ( March 2012) are important for the soft proof mainly two scenarios: first, the vote, for example, between an advertising agency and the client, which will look at the same color result on two monitors at two different places at the same time. Secondly, the color matching on press with the real printed result. Here is a soft proof is desirable primarily for cost reasons: If on paper color matching can be performed with a monitor screen instead of an expensive "contract proofs " arise out of the purchase of the monitor and, if softproofing Software any further costs.

But in this very important scenario reveal even the strongest limitations of the soft proofs. While in printed halftone proofs, even the representation of the screening of the pressure and offset rosette can be checked, the monitor soft proofing is always unscreened. The lighting on the print press control station is still a problem: whereas on control panel for controlling the pressure and for color matching in accordance with ISO standard 2000 lux / - must prevail 500Lux brightness, the current soft proofing monitors produce only a fraction of the brightness. This was approximately achieved in that in addition to the control center a light booth was installed in a monitor and a darkened light source were fitted with standard light. This means the printer controls in the bright 2000 lux light pressure on the machine and then put the printed result in the dimmed and shielded light box to match the color with the soft proof on the monitor. In practice this proved to be quite difficult, however, since the print product should be adjusted under different brightnesses. Therefore represents a further development of the standard dimmable light at the console with soft proof display shows: Here the color matching is done at the same place, only the lighting of the control center must be strong for color matching with the soft proof dimmed.

Meanwhile Abmusterungs monitors are available which contain up to 700 candelas per square meter luminance and theoretically make do without dimming at the console. Real can afford more than two years, a luminance up to 200 cd / m² current softproof monitors today, so the lighting of the control station must be reduced to only 700 lux, ie roughly one-third. That's still a difference, but is applied in production today. In addition, there has recently been a proof monitor that is advertised with a luminance of 700cd / m² and can be operated with a real luminance of 450cd / m². The illumination of the control station must therefore be merely reduced to around 500 lux, which within the ISO standards ( 2000 lux / - 500 lux ) could be mapped. The condition would be created to use a soft proof on a monitor directly to the press without dimming for color matching. However, this monitor can display only about 90 % of the color gamut of the most common printing condition ISOcoatedV2/FOGRA39. In newspaper printing but ISO - compliant production conditions with the benefits of soft proofs are possible today.