Xerox Linearization and Calibration Help...

[kdw75]

I don't claim to know much about color management so if I talk like an idiot please bear with me.

We are running a Xerox 560 with a bustled Fiery FS100. We have Command Workstation and Friday we received the ES-2000 and Fiery Color Profiler Suite. The guy from Xerox said we just need to open CW and profile it. This gives a sheet with CMYK from 100% down to white in four columns. Is this calibration or is it linearization?

Then in the EFI Color Profiler Suite there is another calibration which prints out hundreds of color blocks. This I would think is the actual calibration. Am I right?

 

[gordo]

Terminology.
Calibration is putting a device into a specific known condition.
Linearization is making a device's output equal to the input to the device.

Gordo

 

[Ferran]

In my opinion, on this subject when you say calibration and linearization you are talking about the same. I think only calibration is mentioned in the CW software... not sure in the user guide... That single sheet with CMYK values from 100% down to white in four columns is just for calibration purposes, and the EFI Color Profiler Suite is more focused on Color Management apps like ICC profiles creation, evaluation and editing, and other utilities like verification of a control strip, etc...

 

[kdw75]

So the 4 color bars that CW prints out are are all I need to read on a regular basis and the color profiles I build only change when the paper changes?

 

[Ferran]

I think you are getting the idea...

Calibrating the Fiery print controller ensures consistent and reliable color output. Calibration adjusts for variations in the color output of the copier/printer, which changes over time and under different printing conditions. Calibration is applied to a job when you use the particular output profile associated with the calibration.

Fiery Color Profiler Suite gives you integrated color management tools that guarantee your color reproduction is always accurate, consistent and reliable. Lets you create, visualize and edit ICC color profiles with complete control.

What is important for you to know is that Color Management is always ON. If you are not familiar with building ICC profiles I do not recommend to you to start applying your own output profiles on your daily production from the beginning. There are several factory-profiles (Fiery) available and you can use them. I would recommend to visit the Fiery Online Resources: Fiery Online Resources
There you'll find a lot of educational downloads, How-To Guides, webinars, videos, etc...

all the best,
ferran