Wouldn't 300% be the same as SWOP? I thought GRACoL was higher.
My point was that ISO Coated v2 is very similar to GRACoL. They both have a “standard” version that is 330>… however in the case of ISO Coated v2, the 300% limit version is favoured by some who like to play things “safe”. Why should GRACoL be any different? Some may prefer a lower total ink than the “standard”.
There is more to a print condition than total ink limit. Yes, the ink limit can be both be 300%, however GRACoL is not the same as SWOP.
For example, gray balance is different between SWOP and GRACoL. Different primaries, different traps, different TVI.
Assign a SWOP profile to a GRACoL job, or assign a GRACoL profile to a SWOP job. If the only difference is total ink limit, the image should not change visually. Yet it does (different primaries, different traps, different TVI).
Assign ISO Coated v2 300% to a ISO Coated v2 job or vice versa, there should be no visual change as the source characterisation data is the same. Same primaries, same traps, same TVI. Different total ink limits, so this is where some minor variation may occur.
Yes, in theory heavier type 1 paper in a sheet fed press can hold 330%+ total ink and lighter type 3 paper in a web press can hold less ink – however that does not mean that all printers printing on sheetfed presses like to print over 300% total ink, even if they can do so without set-off or worrying about breaking a web.
There is a point of diminishing returns when it comes to total ink limits:
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