Expanded Gamut

[Keith41]

I am looking to implement an expanded gamut workflow. Would anyone have any suggestions for first steps? Also any suggestions for background research? Thanks in advance for your help.

[gordo]

I am looking to implement an expanded gamut workflow. Would anyone have any suggestions for first steps? Also any suggestions for background research? Thanks in advance for your help.

There are 8 main strategies.
In order from simplest to most complex they are:

1) Increase solid ink density.

2) Use FM screening.

3) Big Gamut CMYK

4) CMYK plus "bump" (touch plate) color.

5) Swing process colors.

6) Big "H" Pantone Hexachrome.

7) Small "H" Hexachrome.

8) CMYK plus "extended" process colors.

More info here: Quality In Print: Hi-Fi color - 8 strategies to implementation

best, gordon p

[Keith41]

Thanks Gordon, This is helpful. I appreciate any other help or information sources that you can direct my way.

Keith

[Luc St-Pierre]

If you choose to go CMYK plus red and/or green and/or blue, color separation will become a main issue. Forget about Photoshop and alike softwares for that. You may want to look into ICISS (Interactive Color Independent Separation Software), a simple search on google will lead you there. You may also have to shop around for a color management software that will aloow you to create nColor models ICC profiles, and be sure that your proofer's gamut will be as wide or wider than your new colorspace.

[PantherMac]

7) Small "H" Hexachrome.

Hey Gordo, isn't it considered generically "Hi-Fidelity Printing", if it's not Pantone Branded?

Big fan of Glynn Hartley and the ICISS product. Used it for several years in a past life.
Glynn is a great trainer, and the product is amazing. Very impressive (even if it does take a bit to learn the right 'touch').

Specialcolor - Worldwide distributors and implementers of color separation and color correction tools

- Mac

[gordo]

Hey Gordo, isn't it considered generically "Hi-Fidelity Printing", if it's not Pantone Branded?

IMHO, Hi-Fidelity printing is the broad term (like facial tissue) - Pantone is just one brand/implementation method (e.g. Kleenex).

"Small H" Hexachrome (the 7th type I listed) Unlike "Big H" or the official Pantone Hexachrome, uses standard CMYK inks plus Orange and Green inks to expand Gamut. This method is popular in the label and packaging markets.

best, gordon p

[PantherMac]

"Small H" Hexachrome (the 7th type I listed) Unlike "Big H" or the official Pantone Hexachrome, uses standard CMYK inks plus Orange and Green inks to expand Gamut. This method is popular in the label and packaging markets.

What about orange and purple 6/C combo's? Swapping PMS109 for the Yellow channel (not an additional 'bump' plate, still 4/C, just no longer process), that sort of thing? Where does that apple fall? I've always found it difficult to exclude a given process (like those mentioned), and found it easier to be generic and lump them all in together. The other processes mentioned seem so very narrowly defined, for my taste at least (why I like the iciss product, it's completely agnostic).


- Mac

[gordo]

What about orange and purple 6/C combo's? Swapping PMS109 for the Yellow channel (not an additional 'bump' plate, still 4/C, just no longer process), that sort of thing? Where does that apple fall? I've always found it difficult to exclude a given process (like those mentioned), and found it easier to be generic and lump them all in together. The other processes mentioned seem so very narrowly defined, for my taste at least (why I like the iciss product, it's completely agnostic).
- Mac

I guess you didn't read the blog posting that I included in my original post.

For example: "What about orange and purple 6/C combo's?" well that's covered in # 8) CMYK plus "extended" process colors. And swapping PMS109 for the Yellow channel (not an additional 'bump' plate, still 4/C, just no longer process) is covered in method #5) Swing process colors.

The eight methods that I listed are the 8 basic ways I know of for doing "HiFi" color. They are not narrowly defined except in the case of #6, Pantone's Hexachrome.
Which method is best in any particular case is shop and project dependent. How one implements it and what hues are added, or swapped are also not defined - they are up to the shop. This is just a listing of different options.
I don't understand your problem with it.

gordon p

[Ian Mackenzie]

Keith -

We actually have a product that can help you here and that is installed and implemented successfully at web and sheet printers across the continent.

We see Expanded Gamut Printing as something that the industry will migrate towards over the next few years. Heck, even Sharp Electronics believes this as they are the first to commercially release "Expanded Gamut Television. Sharp believes that consumers actually want to see imagery in greater color and detail. They have embarked on both print and TV ads to deliver this message.

Our product - the ICEserver - will help you expand gamut while also saving ink and reducing waste. Please let us know if you would like any more info.

FineEye | ICEserver Expanded Gamut

It's not just about increasing density. That has been possible for decades. The trick is to balance density with the ability to maintain gray balance and tonality. We have done that.

Thanks,
Ian

[O-blakz]

Hi!

Newbie here... wanna share and gain from all of you guys... It's nice to be here...