Xerox DC260 colour inconsistency

[wonderings]

We have a DC260, and while its a nice step up from the DC12, I am really dissatisfied with the colour of the machine. From 1 day to the next, its very inconsistent. Anyone else find this with there 260? We have had xerox bring in a colour specialist when we bought it as we were not happy from the beginning. Its liveable and we get by with it, but I expected much more from this unit. Our X12 is much more consistent and I find has much better colour. Am I the only one?

 

[GusG]

Do you calibrate it? If so, doesn't that give you the consistency?

 

[fredmens]

260 inconsistent ??

260 inconsistent ??

We have a DC260, and while its a nice step up from the DC12, I am really dissatisfied with the colour of the machine. From 1 day to the next, its very inconsistent. Anyone else find this with there 260? We have had xerox bring in a colour specialist when we bought it as we were not happy from the beginning. Its liveable and we get by with it, but I expected much more from this unit. Our X12 is much more consistent and I find has much better colour. Am I the only one?

Hi,

The 260 should be a quite colorconstistent machine. Callibrating it, preferrable NOT from the platen but f.i with an Eye one works well. Which RIP do you use ? do you feel familiar with setting up the profiles ? Once set up right it should be a solid nice and solid machine.

The DC12 had a VERY high colorquality, the DC 260 will have a hard time beating the DC12, but it should be reliable though.

 

[wonderings]

Hi,

The 260 should be a quite colorconstistent machine. Callibrating it, preferrable NOT from the platen but f.i with an Eye one works well. Which RIP do you use ? do you feel familiar with setting up the profiles ? Once set up right it should be a solid nice and solid machine.

The DC12 had a VERY high colorquality, the DC 260 will have a hard time beating the DC12, but it should be reliable though.

We are new to the digital end of things, learning as we go. The DC12 was our step into digital printing. We upgraded and added a 260 after that. I use the built in calibration as I dont have anything else to calibrate with. I did set up a colour profile for a specific jobs cover, that profile when used again a few months later was way off base from the original printing with that same profile. What would you for accurate colour calibration for someone who is not the most technically sound in colour management?

 

[che.c]

Make sure you're running the same print settings. Make sure you're running the same paper stock. Make sure that the file has the same setup and colourspace (RGB/CMYK/Spot) for whatever colour you're trying to match.

Calibrate before the job every time, as in RIGHT before you run it, preferably hot on the heels of the previous job so the printer doesn't have too much time to cool down.

If the colour shifts during the job, stop it and calibrate, but this needs done very quickly or else the same will happen again.

 

[wonderings]

Make sure you're running the same print settings. Make sure you're running the same paper stock. Make sure that the file has the same setup and colourspace (RGB/CMYK/Spot) for whatever colour you're trying to match.

Calibrate before the job every time, as in RIGHT before you run it, preferably hot on the heels of the previous job so the printer doesn't have too much time to cool down.

If the colour shifts during the job, stop it and calibrate, but this needs done very quickly or else the same will happen again.

This was an exact repeat job that I had the colour issues with, and all settings were left as a preset on the Fiery RIP. I will try the calibration and such before a job. The colours were incredibly far off though, almost not even in the same family. It took playing around with the colour profile to get something that was exceptable to get the job done. I would like to set up a better system to keep tighter control on colour. There is nothing worse then not being able to repeat a job exactly when a customer returns for more.

 

[che.c]

What colour are you trying to match? A light tint? Dark colours? Spots? Pictures?

Did you grab the file for the reprint from the rip or spool it again? Make sure you've eliminated any possibility for difference in your pre-RIP workflow then point the finger at the printer.

What are your environmental conditions? We do not have air-con at our shop and as long as the machine is calibrated as I said, generally speaking colours are close enough.

Have you updated your RIP or anything since the last time the job was run?

Only other thing is if you had a drum nearly shot when you last ran the job which has now been replaced, or a major part of the print engine replaced. Any work done by techs since the last run?

 

[Milo Wilson]

Is it a stand alone fiery RIP ? Save a profile in Prowise colorcal with the stock and if gloss, matte,..etc., paper or not. You definitely should use a stand alone densitometer.