GMG help

[Munsell]

I just started as the Color Management Specialist at The Kennedy Group, a label printer in northern Ohio in January. Prior to hiring me, they installed the GMG proofing system with a HP Designjet Z2100 Photo proofer. I've had no exposure to the GMG system. I'm used to using Profile maker and measure tool to read in spectral data.

The company currently does not own any other profiling software. Ideally, I'd like a better way to measure the targets, since I can't seem to find a way to get the data in a text document like Measure Tool provides.

I was wondering if anyone could point me in a general direction of GMG's capabilities and how I can best use it. I've worked through the tutorials, and have a fairly good understanding of how the program is set up. Any help, tips and tricks would be appreciated!

 

[JasonM]

You should be able to read you target with Profile Maker and then import that data when making an MX4. You can also export the MX4 target data as an it874 to your text file when you read in your target with the GMG.

Hope this helps.

 

[meddington]

I'd like a better way to measure the targets, since I can't seem to find a way to get the data in a text document like Measure Tool provides.

GMG will export a text file of target or current
Values...choose the "it8" format for the most "cgats" like.

Being that you have a z2100, you should take advantage of the built in spectro. Word of caution though...its a UV excluding device, and all published characterization data includes uv. Therefore I would only use it to build and maintain the calibration and do the actual profiling with an offline, UV included spectro...if you got one.

Of course, if you did have an offline spectro, you could use MeasureTool and import into GMG.

 

[gordo]

[SNIP]Word of caution though...its a UV excluding device, and all published characterization data includes uv.

Does the published data define/state or provide any information relating to the amount of UV/Optical Brightners used in the paper(s) they used?

best, gordo

 

[meddington]

Does the published data define/state or provide any information relating to the amount of UV/Optical Brightners used in the paper(s) they used?

No, other than what one could infer from the white point lab values. One might assume that if the OB content was negligible in the paper of the characterization data and the proofing stock (as indicated by a low delta b* on one stock measured with and with out uvcut), that the instrument filtration as far as uvcut or uv included wouldn't be significant. Quite often the proofing stock has a significant amount of OBs though...as does the actual press stock, so...well, there's no easy answer.I personally haven't found uvcut mesurement to give the best visual results with profiling unless both the source and destination data are measured with it, though it also works fine for calibration.

But maybe this is too much info for a simple post on GMG.

 

[Munsell]

Great info.

I'm using an I1-I0 table which is UV cut. I'm used to using a spectrolino which had a removable UV filter. Can I do this with the IO?

In regards to the calibration of the proofer, are there any other steps I should take other than running the calibration cycle within the printer?

The worst part is that I came here and they said "heres our color stuff, figure it out". I'm trying to get them to buy Profile Maker so I have some more control.

I just thought of two more questions last night.

1. I am getting ready to run a profile on a 7" flexo press. I can only fit one of the two ECI2002 target parts on a plate for this press. Ideally, don't want to split it into two runs. Is there a different chart I can use?

2. I am in the process of standardizing anilox rolls for process in our shop. Working with Harper, we are converting the presses to using 1200 line 1.8 Bcm rolls for process work. Should I go ahead and calibrate the press, then run the profile target to run through GMG. Is there a way I can utilize GMG for calibration?

Sorry for the simple questions. I graduated in December and somehow managed to forget the basics of profiling. I need to hit the books hard.

 

[meddington]

I'm using an I1-I0 table which is UV cut. I'm used to using a spectrolino which had a removable UV filter. Can I do this with the IO?

Nope. Unless you also have an unfiltered i1 to swap out the uvcut.

In regards to the calibration of the proofer, are there any other steps I should take other than running the calibration cycle within the printer?

Kind of a broad question...if you follow the calibration and profiling process step by step, you shouldn't have any problems. Just understand that the color profile (mx4) is married to the calibration (mx3). The mx4 can't cheat on the mx3 with another mx3. However, with the mx3 its a double standard. The mx3 can have multiple mx4 partners as long as the mx4's were created initially with that mx3. And the mx3 is the more high maintanence of the two...needing recalibration on regular basis.

1. I am getting ready to run a profile on a 7" flexo press. I can only fit one of the two ECI2002 target parts on a plate for this press. Ideally, don't want to split it into two runs. Is there a different chart I can use?

Your saying your two part ECI target won't fit on the form, right? You're correct in that you don't want to split these up. Unfortunately this is one of the drawbacks with targets formatted for the i1 and io...they take up real estate. If you had ProfileMaker, you could make a custom test chart with the max number of patches that your space will allow. With a Custom chart the problem becomes importing the data into GMG...which might involve importing an ICC profile and deriving target data for GMG that way. If you don't have that ability, might want to ask GMG if they have a smaller target for the IO.

Is there a way I can utilize GMG for calibration?

For the press itself? No. GMG Color Server can sort of "calibrate" a press...basically create a FileOut profile and utilize an MX3 to occasionally update the profile without printing larger color targets and re-profiling, but its a bit involved.

Do you intend to base CMYK separations off this press using an ICC profile (in Photoshop for example)? If so, you need another profiling solution (ProfileMaker for example).