Prinect

Color and Quality

Generation and Application of

DeviceLink Profiles

2 Prinect Color Solutions User Guide Introduction

Prinect Color Solutions

Prinect Color Solutions User Guide
In the publication series Prinect Color Solutions User Guide we aim to take a
closer look at individual aspects of the color workflow. The focus here is on
practical applications.
The aim of Prinect Color Solutions is to optimize printing press presettings
and monitor the printing process before, during and after print. This is
achieved essentially by improved integration of the printing press into prepress workflows. To achieve this, parameters of the printing materials and
consumables as well as target values of the printing process for presetting
are transferred between prepress and press using the Prinect CP2000 Center.
Together with the zonal area coverage on the printing plate, this allows the
printing press to be set up quickly following a job change. For print control
using Prinect Image Control and Prinect Axis Control, information about the
printing process and the contents of the print sheet is made available via the
Prinect Prepress Interface.
Prepress supplies the parameters for presetting and monitoring the print.
The parameters are generated by the Prinect Signa Station, Prinect Printready
System and Prinect MetaDimension applications. The Calibration Manager is
responsible for creating the correct calibrations of the plate setter and the
printing process, PrintOpen for profiling printing and proofing processes
and QualityMonitor for monitoring all the components involved.
There is a complex interaction between the individual components.
Prinect Color Solutions User Guide is designed to make this interaction more
transparent for the user.

Generation and Application of DeviceLink Profiles Prinect Color Solutions User Guide 3

Generation and Application of DeviceLink Profiles

The aim of the publication Generation and Application of DeviceLink Profiles is to
describe the ways of generating and using this special type of ICC color profile in prepress.
DeviceLink Profiles are required for special applications in color workflows. Examples of applications include process conversion between different
printing processes, process calibration within a printing process and recently
also the (potential) ability to save on chromatic inks by creating special color
compositions in the data to be printed (gray component replacement).
DeviceLink Profiles in the context under review here transform data
directly from a CMYK input color space into a CMYK output color space. In
addition it is also possible to generate and apply DeviceLink Profiles from
RGB to CMYK or from CMYK to 5 and 6 colors. However, such profiles are not
dealt with here.
When using standard input and output profiles, data is transformed via a
defined device-independent intermediate color space. In doing so, information on the black generation is lost. This can be avoided by using DeviceLink
Profiles. The disadvantage of using DeviceLink Profiles is that one or several
profiles must be created for each combination of color spaces and devices.
This document describes how DeviceLink Profiles can be created using the
Heidelberg applications, how they may be applied in workflows and what you
need to consider when doing so.
Software versions
The present publication refers to the following software versions of Prinect
products:

Software versions
PrintOpen

Version 5.1 (Prinect Profile Toolbox 1.1)

Prinect Color Editor

Version 2.0 (Prinect PDF Toolbox 2.0)

Prinect Printready System

Version 2.0

Prinect MetaDimension

Version 5.0

More recent versions of the software generally also support the functions
described, although the look of the actual user interface may vary slightly.
Information about this is given in the respective product and user documentation. The products and options described here are not always supplied as
standard, so some of them may have to be purchased separately.

Table of contents
2
2
3
3

Prinect Color Solutions

Prinect Color Solutions User Guide
Generation and Application of DeviceLink Profiles
Software versions

5 Table of contents
6 What are DeviceLink Profiles
9 Range of Application of DeviceLink Profiles
11 Generating DeviceLink Profiles using PrintOpen
16
16
21
24
25
26

Workflows and Application of DeviceLink Profiles

Prinect Color Editor and DeviceLink Profiles
Prinect Printready System and DeviceLink Profiles
Prinect MetaDimension and DeviceLink Profiles
Summary
Appendix: Glossary

6 Prinect Color Solutions User Guide What are DeviceLink Profiles

What are DeviceLink Profiles

ICC Profiles are standardized files that describe the color characteristics of
devices, images and graphics using colorimetric standards. Devices are image
scanners, digital cameras, monitors and all types of color printers and printing processes. Images and graphics are files that may appear in a very wide
range of device-independent or device-dependent color formats. ICC Profiles
provide color management systems with the information needed to transform color data between the various input and output color spaces.
There are various classes of ICC Profiles. Input profiles describe image
scanners and digital cameras, monitor profiles describe luminous or projection output devices and output profiles describe printing processes, printers,
proofers and photosetters from a wide range of technologies. There are four
other profile classes in addition to the device profiles. One of them is the class
of DeviceLink Profiles. These contain a color transformation from an initial
device color space directly into a second device color space. This clearly distinguishes them from the profiles mentioned first, which transform the
input or output color space into a device independent color space (PCS, Profile
Connection Space). This means that there are always two profiles required in
order to transform data from one device color space into another device color
space. DeviceLink Profiles are able to transform data directly but are not as
flexible in use as the other profiles.

More about profile classes

The ICC profile format specification recognizes the following seven classes of
profile:
Input Device Profiles
Description of input devices (scanners, digital cameras) by a transformation
of the device color space into the PCS. The device color space is generally
RGB.
Display Device Profiles
Description of luminous output devices (monitors, projectors) by a transformation of the PCS into the device color space. The device color space is
generally RGB.
Output Device Profiles
Description of output devices and printing processes (offset printing, newspaper printing, gravure printing, inkjet printing, photosetters etc.) by a transformation of the PCS into the device color space and of the device color
space into the PCS. The device color space is generally CMYK, but may also
include RGB or color spaces with more than four printing colors.
DeviceLink Profiles
Transformation of an input device color space into an output device color
space. The device color spaces may include RGB, CMYK or more than four
printing colors.

What are DeviceLink Profiles Prinect Color Solutions User Guide 7

More about profile classes continued

ColorSpace Conversion Profiles

Transformation of a device-independent color space into the PCS and of the
PCS into the device-independent color space. Device-independent colors
may be CIELAB, RGB and other color spaces that are precisely defined
colorimetrically.
Abstract Profiles
Transformation of the PCS into the PCS, for example a LAB-to-LAB transformation or a LAB-to-XYZ transformation. These may be used for color
correction in image editing systems and linked in such cases to an input
profile of a scanner.
Named Color Profiles
Contain color tables such as Pantone or HKS and allocate both color
measured values (CIELAB) and device-dependent color values (CMYK) to a
color name.

As color transformation always proceeds via the three dimensional PCS

(CIELAB or CIEXYZ color space) when using input, monitor and output
profiles, information may be lost under certain circumstances. This occurs,
for example, when data for one printing process (CMYK) is to be converted into
data for another printing process. In this case special information about color
composition, and particularly about the use of the black, is lost. An extreme
case is a text or gray image composed of the black ink which, after a transformation, is suddenly composed of all four colors. In a few cases this behavior
is undesirable and the problem may only be solved by calculating special
DeviceLink Profiles that indicate a defined behavior in this situation.
There are two ways of calculating such DeviceLink Profiles. Basically,
profiles are calculated from the characterization data of the devices. The
special characteristics of the printing processes are taken into account for the
calculation. In addition to the maximum area coverage when overprinting,
these include black generation and gamut mapping.

8 Prinect Color Solutions User Guide What are DeviceLink Profiles

More about characterization data

Color management and digital data transfer of documents demand clear correlations between the digital tone values and the printed color values. Digital
tone values are normally available in the form of CMYK process color values.
In packaging printing, individual process colors may be exchanged for other
product-specific colors. The printed color values are dependent on the printing
process (sheet-fed offset printing, web offset printing, gravure printing, flexo
printing), the process standard (inking, dot gain) and the materials used (printing material, ink). The digital tone values and assigned color values are usually
described by the term characterization data.
Characterization data records are created with the aid of test elements. The test
chart according to ISO 12642 (IT8.7/3), which consists of defined color patches
for the CYMK process colors, is well known. Besides this standard test chart,
there are other manufacturer-specific test elements and further developments
of ISO 12642 in America (IT8.7/4, specially for packaging printing) and
Germany (DIN 16614 (ECI2002), for general application with finer scanning of
the color space.

Test elements according to ISO 12642 / IT8.7/3 (left) and DIN 16614 / ECI2002 (right)

Standardized characterization data records for defined printing conditions

have been established for process standards common in America and Germany
(SWOP, PSO). In addition there are other individual characterization data
records produced by various print shops and publishing houses.

DeviceLink Profiles can now be calculated using two methods. One method
is to calculate a new profile from scratch, based the characterization data of
both processes or printing conditions. Total area coverage, black generation
and gamut mapping must be set according to the output printing conditions
here. The other method is to calculate a new profile from the existing profiles
of the two processes or printing conditions. Area coverage and gamut mapping are taken from the output profile and the black generation can be defined via relevant parameters.
The Heidelberg PrintOpen software uses the second method, on the basis
of existing profiles. Our experience has shown that this method, when
employed correctly, has no disadvantages compared to the first method.
However, it does require an intelligent CMM (color space transformation).

Range of Application of DeviceLink Profiles Prinect Color Solutions User Guide 9

Range of Application of
DeviceLink Profiles
DeviceLink Profiles may be used for process conversion, process calibration
and ink saving. Different applications require different calculations. These
different calculations are supported by PrintOpen. DeviceLink Profiles purely
for limiting total area coverage are not supported by PrintOpen, but can be
made available where required.
Process conversion
Process conversion is used when a transformation is to be carried out between
two different processes. This includes conversions between different printing
processes, such as offset and gravure printing or offset and newspaper printing, but also applies to conversions within a printing process, for example
between coated and uncoated papers in offset printing.
With process conversion the target printing process defines the color
composition and gamut mapping. It is not absolutely necessary to preserve
the black generation. Newspaper printing generally employs moderate gray
component replacement due to the lower area coverage. Undesirable limitations and printing problems can occur if the black is preserved when transforming from offset printing into newspaper printing. Caution should be
exercised here.
On the other hand there might be undesirable transformations especially
in text and gray images. The decision on which strategy to adopt for color
composition will ultimately vary from case to case.
It is also necessary to take into account whether images or graphics are
to be transformed and whether the data to be transformed comes from unknown sources. This must be taken into account when calculating DeviceLink
Profiles, in order to avoid losses in quality.
Process calibration
Process calibration is used when a transformation is to be made between two
similar processes. This includes conversions within a printing process in
which, for example, different sets of printing inks or different dot gains need
to be compensated for and where these calibrations cannot be carried out by
one-dimensional dot gain corrections.
In process calibration there is no fundamental change in the color composition or gamut mapping. In general it is necessary to preserve the black generation here, particularly in order to avoid changing objects produced using
gray component replacement (images, text, graphics).

10 Prinect Color Solutions User Guide Range of Application of DeviceLink Profiles

Ink saving
A recent idea is to use DeviceLink Profiles to save on inks and therefore reduce
the cost of printing. This involves a transformation between two identical
processes where the colored inks used to produce the dark areas are replaced
by black using gray component replacement in the color separation. This
reduces the total area coverage for tertiary colors in chromatic images. The
savings achieved on long print runs can be considerable.
The black must not be preserved when calculating the DeviceLink Profiles
for this application. Since the gray values are printed using a high proportion
of black, a possible conversion of black-generated gray values into chromatically composed gray values is not so critical. Ultimately a judgment has to be
made between ink saving and maintaining quality, since extreme gray component replacement leads to a noticeable reduction in the quality of images.
Area coverage limitation
It is already possible to take account of the maximum area coverage by a suitable choice of parameters when calculating ICC profiles. In certain cases,
however, defined limitation might be necessary. The standard profiles of
offset printing for paper types 1 and 2 (ISOcoated) have a maximum total area
coverage of 350%. If this is too high and the intention is to print with only
320%, special DeviceLink Profiles are available for limitation. These profiles
are designed to preserve the black and carry out a reduction in the chromatic
inks if the total area coverage is exceeded.
Limiting profiles are available on request.

Generating DeviceLink Profiles using PrintOpen Prinect Color Solutions User Guide 11

Generating DeviceLink Profiles

using PrintOpen
The Device link profile dialog box can be called up via the Special menu in
the main program functions Generate, Calculate or Compare.

PrintOpen user interface with the main

program functions selection of the
Device link profile dialog box in the
Special menu

In this dialog box, two device profiles are linked to form one DeviceLink
Profile. Various parameters can be set here.
First the profiles to be linked are opened. Profile 1 is the profile that describes the input color space and profile 2 is the profile that describes the
output color space.

Device link Profile dialog box

selection of profiles and parameters

12 Prinect Color Solutions User Guide Generating DeviceLink Profiles using PrintOpen

The example shown here is a process conversion from an offset printing

process on coated paper (ISOcoated) to an offset printing process on uncoated
paper (ISOuncoated). The profiles are, however, not restricted to CMYK. RGB
profiles or profiles for more than four printing colors may also be selected.
Options for linking the profiles together are the Rendering Intent,
Preserve black and Shadow compensation. The four Rendering Intents,
the four Preserve black options and the Shadow compensation that may only
be selected in the case of Rel. colorimetric give a total of 20 different
combinations for linking the profiles.
A description for the new profile can be entered in the Description tag
text field. This text then remains in the description tag of the profile and in
many applications is displayed instead of the file name. Once the calculation
is successful, the profile may be saved. For this, the description tag or part of
the description tag should be chosen as the file name.
Rendering Intents
The four rendering intents specified by the ICC are available for selection.
Which rendering intent is selected depends on the intended application of
the DeviceLink Profiles.
For a process conversion between various printing processes such as an
offset-gravure conversion, the rendering intent Perceptual is selected. The
various gamuts of the processes are mapped to one another as accurately as
possible here. For process calibration between similar printing processes,
such as the calibration of different screenings and dot gains within a printing
process, the rendering intent Rel. colorimetric is selected, since the gamut
remains the same. If the intention is to simulate the color tone of the paper
from the input process in the output process, as could be the case for a proof,
the rendering intent Abs. colorimetric is selected. If the intention is to
achieve an output result in a different process that is as similar as possible to
that of the original process, again the rendering intent Rel. colorimetric is
selected. For an exact reproduction of product colors, the rendering intent
Abs. colorimetric may also be selected.
The rendering intent Saturation is of no real significance here.

More on rendering intents

Rendering intents are labels to describe the intended rendering of images and
graphics on an output device or output process. Rendering intents are closely
associated with gamut mapping.
The gamuts of output processes (e.g. offset printing, gravure printing, newspaper printing), yet also of other processes such as inkjet and laser printing or
output on a monitor, vary in size and are generally smaller than the gamuts of
digitized originals or scenes. Four different strategies have been defined to
calibrate the different gamuts of originals and output processes. Two strategies
are based on measured parameters of the devices and processes, while the
other two strategies are based on calibrated values allowing for the differences
in the output processes, the materials used and the viewing conditions.
The selection of the rendering intent depends on the content of the originals as
well as the characteristics of the output processes. Natural originals and

Erzeugung von Device-Link-Profilen mit PrintOpen Prinect Color Solutions User Guide 13

More on rendering intents continued

scenes are generally treated differently than computer-generated graphics. The

implementation of rendering intents is to a great extent manufacturer-specific.
Absolute Colorimetric
The rendering intent Absolute Colorimetric is used for the exact and
measurable rendering of color values. Absolute Colorimetric finds
application in the simulation (proof) of an output process on a different
output device or when outputting defined color values in the print.
Colors of the original that are within the color space of the output process are
rendered correctly. Colors that are outside the color space are represented by
the closest color that can be rendered. This can mean that very light, very
dark or very saturated details in the originals can no longer be reproduced
distinctly. For the simulation of an output process, the printing material will
only be simulated if the brightness and hue of the paper are within the color
space of the output process.
Relative Colorimetric
The rendering intent Relative Colorimetric is used for the exact rendering of
color values relative to the media. Relative Colorimetric finds application in
the partial simulation of an output process on another output device relative
to the white of the medium.
Colors of the original are rendered relative to the white of the media. The
white point of the origi-nal is mapped to the white point of the rendering.
Colors that are outside the color space are represented by the closest color
that can be rendered. This can mean that very light, very dark or very
saturated details in the original can no longer be reproduced distinctly. For
the simulation of an output process there will be no simulation of the printing
material. If the simulation is carried out on press paper, the result matches
that of the rendering intent Absolute Colorimetric.
Perceptual
The rendering intent Perceptual is used for the harmonious rendering of
color values in the print while taking into account the different gamuts of
original and print. The main application of Perceptual is in the color
separation of images.
Here gamut mapping is carried out in such a way that all natural colors of the
original are rendered by the correct hue but with limited contrast. The gamut
mapping method is manufacturer-specific and may be set in part by the user
when generating the profiles.
Saturation
The rendering intent Saturation is used for rendering color values of the
original with emphasis on saturation in the print, allowing for the preservation of the saturation of the color values in the original. The main application
of Saturation is in the color separation of graphics and charts (Business
Graphics).
Here gamut mapping is carried out in such a way that the colors of the original are rendered as correctly as possible for saturation but with limitations in
lightness and hue. The gamut mapping method is manufacturer-specific and
may be set in part by the user when generating the profiles.

14 Prinect Color Solutions User Guide Generating DeviceLink Profiles using PrintOpen

Preserve black
Four different options may be selected for preserving black.
If none is selected, the black generation of the DeviceLink Profile is
adopted from profile 2, the output profile. The black generation of the input
profile is overwritten. This is always useful if the processes are very different.
For example, an offset process on art paper with a total area coverage of 350%
is to be converted to a newspaper printing process with a total area coverage
of 240%. Separations in offset printing use a skeleton black, whereas newspaper printing uses a relatively high gray component replacement. In this
case, gray component re-placement requires the option none to be selected
for preserve black.

Selection of the Preserve black option

For the preserve black option K=K the black color separation is transferred from the input process to the output process without any modifications. Only the chromatic color components are converted, so that the overall
color perception is preserved as far as possible. This option is, for example,
useful when one of the chromatic printing colors is replaced by a similar
color (blue-shade magenta by a red-shade magenta) and all other process
conditions remain the same. K=K is also recommended where a document
contains a lot of text and graphics. K=K prevents the black elements from
suddenly having a considerable chromatic color component.
When selecting Basic for preserving black, the calibration of the black
color separation occurs on the basis of a gradation curve. Different color
values or densities of black are converted, so that they produce the closest
possible appearance in the new printing process. As with K=K the chromatic
color components are converted so that the overall color perception is preserved as far as possible. With this process there is a risk that a 100% black is
not achieved and text and graphics may be poorly reproduced. This is always
the case where the output color space is smaller than the input color space.

Generating DeviceLink Profiles using PrintOpen Prinect Color Solutions User Guide 15

When selecting Special for preserving black, both the highlights and
middle tones of black on the one hand and the shadows of the black on the
other are treated differently. In the highlights and middle tones the black is
converted using gradation mapping. This preserves the gradation. The
original black is preserved in the shadows. The chromatic printing colors
are converted in such a way that the color perception is preserved as far as
possible.
The option Special should normally be selected, as it produces the best
visual results for images, text and graphics.
Shadow compensation
In PrintOpen the option Shadow compensation only works in conjunction
with the rendering intent Rel. colorimetric. With this option, different
shadows of the input and output process are mapped to one another. At the
same time the chromatic colors are also mapped. This makes shadow compensation a special form of gamut mapping (linear gamut mapping). This
option is useful if the differences in color space between two processes are
not too great and the aim is to obtain the closest possible rendering.
Useful options
With the many potential combinations of options (20 in total), it is a good idea
to have some sort of limitation. A few of these combinations are given in the
following table.
Profiles for limiting the area coverage have the rendering intent Rel.
colorimetric, Black preserve K=K and no shadow compensation.

Purpose

Rendering Intent

Preserve black

Shadow
compensation

Process conversion,
images

Perceptual

none

cannot select

Process conversion,
graphics

Rel. colorimetric

Special

on

Process calibration,
general

Rel. colorimetric

Special

off

Process calibration,
Paper white

Abs. colorimetric

Basic

cannot select

Ink saving

Rel. colorimetric

none

off

Heidelberg CMM
The calculation of DeviceLink Profiles is carried out by the Heidelberg Color
Management Module (CMM). The options Rendering Intent, Preserve black
and Shadow compensation are parameters of the CMM and are available not
only for calculating DeviceLink Profiles but also to the workflow applications
Prinect Color Editor and Prinect Printready as well as the RIP application
Prinect MetaDimension. This ensures that behavior is similar both for transformation using DeviceLink Profiles and when using individual device profiles. The Heidelberg CMM basically calculates DeviceLink Profiles before
each color transformation.

16 Prinect Color Solutions User Guide Workflows and Application of DeviceLink Profiles

Workflows and Application of

DeviceLink Profiles
The following describes the application of DeviceLink Profiles generated with
PrintOpen or other applications in the Heidelberg software products Prinect
Color Editor, Prinect Printready System and Prinect MetaDimension.

Prinect Color Editor and DeviceLink Profiles

Prinect Color Editor is a plug-in for Adobe Acrobat which can be used for
color management of the objects in a document. With Prinect Color Editor,
all colors are converted to the process colors to be printed in the current
printing method.
Profile Import
The DeviceLink Profiles are conveniently stored in the relevant profile folder
of the plug-in. However, they may also be in a different location. It is not
necessary to specially import the profiles.
Parameterization
The color definitions present in the document and their conversion by the
Job Parameter Settings are displayed in the upper part of the main dialog box.
In this example the document contains printable colors that have been
separated for the printing process ISO Coated and device-independent
colors such as CIEL*a*b* and RGB.

Workflows and Application of DeviceLink Profiles Prinect Color Solutions User Guide 17

Display of document colors and the profile

embedded in the document before conversion

In the display window for the color values of the current object the color
magenta, for example, is shown as 100% as well as a simulation of the conversion based on the job setting. The settings in Job Setting are shown in the
following screenshots.

18 Prinect Color Solutions User Guide Workflows and Application of DeviceLink Profiles

The DeviceLink Profiles for transformation of CMYK images and CMYK

graphics are specified in the Device Colors tab. In this example a process conversion from a print on coated paper is parameterized to a print on uncoated
paper. The rendering intent and shadow compensation (BPC) are not relevant
and are ignored.
It is a good idea to use different DeviceLink Profiles for images and graphics. With images, for example, a profile for process conversion (Rendering
Intent Perceptual, Preserve Black none) may be selected, and for graphics
a profile for process calibration (Rendering Intent Rel. colorimetric, Preserve Black Special).

Settings for Device Colors

DeviceLink Profiles for the other device-dependent colors can also be

entered. This may be necessary where there are no PDF/X documents being
processed (PDF/X documents must not contain any device-dependent RGB
elements) or if Multi Image and Multi Graphic elements are present.
DeviceLink Profiles from RGB to CMYK and from MultiColor to CMYK can be
calculated using PrintOpen in the manner described above.
Gray Images and Gray Graphics must be treated as CMYK elements. The
Preserve Black function is not relevant here.
A press profile must be specified in the Color Management section. This
press profile must be embedded in the document after conversion. The PDF/X
Output Intent must not be used for the conversion.

Workflows and Application of DeviceLink Profiles Prinect Color Solutions User Guide 19

Color Management Settings

In this case the press profile is the output profile that was used to calculate the DeviceLink Profile. A PDF document can contain device independent color data (Lab, RGB). This data is transformed into the target color
space directly with the output profile.
It may also be necessary to select the option Ignore Embedded CMYK
Profiles, so that special objects with embedded profiles can also be transformed.
Under Spot Color and Miscellaneous (not shown here) it may be
necessary to parameterize the handling of spot colors in the document as
well as overprinting.
The parameterization can be saved as a new setting. After returning to
the main dialog box, the settings can be applied to the document.

20 Prinect Color Solutions User Guide Workflows and Application of DeviceLink Profiles

Display of the document colors and the

profile embedded in the document after
conversion

The new value for magenta, for example, is shown in the display window
for the color values of the current object. The new press profile has been
embedded in the document. Therefore we now have a PDF/X file again.
Application
Using the above-mentioned settings makes it easy to convert a PDF or PDF/X
document into a PDF or PDF/X document calibrated to the printing process.
This document can then be outputted on a proofer or a platesetter.

Workflows and Application of DeviceLink Profiles Prinect Color Solutions User Guide 21

Prinect Printready System and DeviceLink Profiles

The Prinect Printready System is a prepress workflow system based on the JDF
format for automated processing of prepress data. As part of the Heidelberg
Prinect system, Prinect Printready System is a modular system which brings
together various document processing tools in a common user interface.
Profile Import
The DeviceLink Profiles are conveniently stored in the relevant profile folder
of Prinect Printready System. A special import is not required.
Parameterization
The Color Management Settings are made under Administration > Templates
> Prepare > Color Conversion. They correspond to those of the Prinect Color
Editor.

Parameterization of templates in Prinect

Printready System

After opening the menu, DeviceLink Profiles may be selected for CMYK
Images and CMYK Graphics under Device Dependent Color. In the example
below a process conversion from a print on coated paper is parameterized to
a print on uncoated paper. The rendering intent and shadow compensation
(BPC) are not relevant and are ignored.

22 Prinect Color Solutions User Guide Workflows and Application of DeviceLink Profiles

DeviceLink Profiles for the other device-dependent colors may also be

specified. This may be necessary where there are no PDF/X documents being
processed (PDF/X documents must not contain any device-dependent RGB
elements) or if Multi Image and Multi Graphic elements are present.
DeviceLink Profiles from RGB to CMYK and from MultiColor to CMYK can be
calculated using PrintOpen in the manner described above.
Gray Images and Gray Graphics must be treated as CMYK elements. The
Preserve Black function is not relevant here.

Parameterization of the Color Conversion

Device Dependent Color

Workflows and Application of DeviceLink Profiles Prinect Color Solutions User Guide 23

Parameterization of the output

A press profile must be specified under Output. This press profile must
be embedded in the document after conversion. The PDF/X Output Intent
must not be used for the conversion.
It may also be necessary to select the option Ignore Embedded CMYK
Profiles, so that special objects with embedded profiles can also be transformed.
Application
Using the above-mentioned settings makes it easy to convert a PDF or PDF/X
document into a color-mapped PDF or PDF/X document. This document can
then be output on a proofer or a platesetter.
A PDF document can also contain device independent color data (Lab, RGB).
This data is transformed into the target color space directly with the output
profile.

24 Prinect Color Solutions User Guide Prinect MetaDimension and DeviceLink Profiles

Prinect MetaDimension and DeviceLink Profiles

Prinect MetaDimension is able to process print jobs in PostScript format or in
Adobe Acrobat PDF format. Print output into a file, on a printing plate or to a
proofer can be configured via Output Plans.
Profile Import
It is not possible to import DeviceLink Profiles in Prinect MetaDimension.
If you wish to use these profiles, they must be copied directly into the profile
folder of the Prinect MetaDimen-sion system. After a restart of the user interface, the DeviceLink Profiles appear in the CMYK profile list and may be
selected from there.
Parameterization
To activate the Color Management Function, the option Color Management
must be activated by clicking the checkbox. If Color Management has been
selected, all Color Management functions are available for all jobs processed
using this output plan.

List of available Output Plan Templates

After opening the menu, DeviceLink Profiles may be selected for CMYK
Images and CMYK Graphics under Device Dependent Color. In the example
below a process conversion from a print on coated paper is parameterized to
a print on uncoated paper. The rendering intent and shadow compensation
(BPC) are not relevant and are ignored.

Prinect MetaDimension and DeviceLink Profiles Prinect Color Solutions User Guide 25

Parameterization of Color Management

A press profile may be specified in the Output section. The PDF/X Output
Intent must not be used for the conversion.
Application
In Prinect MetaDimension, process conversions and process calibrations can
be carried out directly when imaging the plate or before proofing (also to save
on ink).
Summary
Heidelberg products enable DeviceLink Profiles to be generated and used in
the area of prepress. Process conversions and process calibrations can be
carried out easily. Even processes for ink saving and limiting the total area
coverage are possible.
As there is such a large number of applications, the profiles must be calculated individually. Standard profiles are of no use here. It is also necessary
to set workflows individually, in order to avoid quality issues. It is worth
carrying out a trial which can be done using proofing systems.

26 Prinect Color Solutions User Guide Appendix: Glossary

Appendix: Glossary
Characterization
Colorimetric description of a (printing) process.
Characterization data
Specification of a clear relationship between digital tone values and measured
color values in the print (process color values CMYK / color values CIEXYZ or
CIELAB). Characterization data is used in workflows based on color management to describe different input and output processes. It represents the starting point for calculating device profiles or printing process profiles and may
also be used for process monitoring.
Characterization data record (table)
Data format for transferring characterization data. The international standard
ISO 12642 defines the digital tone values to be used as well as measuring
conditions and the file format for printing processes.
ICC International Color Consortium
The ICC is a consortium of manufacturers and users from the graphic arts
industry. The aim of the ICC is to develop solutions for the transfer of color
data in heterogeneous and diversified open color systems.
ICC Profiles
ICC Profiles or Device Profiles are standardized files that describe the color
characteristics of devices, images and graphics using colorimetric standards.
ICC Profiles provide color management systems with the information needed
to transform color data between the widest variety of color spaces.
Color Management Module (CMM)
A color management module is a type of software based on mathematical
methods for converting color image data from an initial color space into a
second color space using one or several ICC profiles. To do this, several ICC
profiles are usually linked together to form one profile before the color
conversion takes place. This saves time and increases the accuracy of the
transformation. A color management module may be a part of an operating
system or application program. This means that all essential applications in
the area of color management have their own color management module at
their disposal. In Microsoft Windows 98, ME, 2000 and XP operating systems
as well as in Apple Macintosh operating systems these modules can be found
under the terms ICM Integrated Color Management (Windows) or ColorSync (Apple).
Total area coverage, tone value sum
Sum of tone values on all color separations within a narrowly defined range.
Maximum tone value sums depend on the printing process and the printing
material in question. They must not be exceeded. The maximum tone value
sum is normally reached at the darkest point on the gray axis. Units: %

Appendix: Glossary Prinect Color Solutions User Guide 27

Rendering Intents
Rendering Intents are definitions to describe the intended rendering of images
and graphics on an output device or output process. Rendering intent is closely associated with gamut mapping.
Absolute Colorimetric
The rendering intent Absolute Colorimetric is used for the exact and measurable rendering of color values. Absolute Colorimetric finds application in
the simulation (proof) of an output process on a different output device or
when outputting defined color values in the print.
Relative Colorimetric
The rendering intent Relative Colorimetric is used for the exact rendering
of color values relative to the media. Relative Colorimetric finds application
in the partial simulation of an output process on another output device relative to the white of the medium.
Perceptual
The rendering intent Perceptual is used for the harmonious rendering of
color values in the print, taking into account the different gamuts of original
and print. The main application of Perceptual is in the color separation of
images.
Saturation
The rendering intent Saturation is used for rendering color values of the
original with emphasis on saturation in the print, allowing for the preservation of the saturation of the color values in the original. The main application
of Saturation is in the color separation of graphics and charts (business
graphics).
GCR Gray Component Replacement
Process for replacing chromatic color components producing a gray effect
with black.

Trademarks
Heidelberg, the Heidelberg logotype, and Linotype-Hell are
registered trademarks of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen
AG in the U.S. and other countries. All other trademarks are
property of their respective owners.
Subject to technical modifications and other changes.

Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
Kurfuersten-Anlage 5260
69115 Heidelberg
Germany
Phone +49 6221 92-00
Fax +49 6221 92-6999
www.heidelberg.com

00.000.0000

Publishing Information
Printed in: 01/06
Photographs: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
Fonts: HeidelbergGothicMl
Author: Dr. Guenter Bestmann
Printed in Germany