Printer Substrate Color Adjustment via Spectral Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Print processes often fail to accurately match the color tones of proofs provided on one substrate with the final printed product on a different substrate, leading to costly and inaccurate adjustments due to unaccounted color differences, especially when transitioning from a proof on a colored paper to a white paper or virtual monitor-based proof.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that measure and calculate the spectral or colorimetric values of both proof and print substrates, convert these values into CIE XYZ and CIELAB values, and apply adjustments to the color printer to align tone reproduction, ensuring a close match between the proof and final print, including calibration of electronic output systems to match monitor-based images with different substrates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If adjustments are made to tone reproduction curves using trial and error or guesswork, then the process is simple to operate, but the manufacturing precision and color matching accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary measurement of both proof substrate and print substrate colorimetric values before the actual printing process. By pre-determining the substrate color differences and calculating compensation values in advance, the system eliminates the need for trial-and-error adjustments during production, thereby maintaining both operational simplicity and high color matching accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback by measuring the actual colorimetric values of substrates and using this information to automatically calculate and apply compensation adjustments to tone reproduction curves. This closed-loop approach ensures accurate color matching while keeping the operator interface simple, as the system self-adjusts based on measured data.
2Manufacturing precision
If measurements and calculations are performed to determine precise substrate color differences, then manufacturing precision improves, but device complexity and measurement requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses colorimetric values as an intermediary measurement parameter that bridges the physical substrate properties and the digital tone reproduction adjustment. By measuring standard colorimetric parameters (L*, a*, b*) and using these as intermediaries to calculate compensation values, the system achieves high precision without requiring complex spectral analysis or multiple measurement devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the measurement parameters from complex spectral data to simplified colorimetric values (L*, a*, b*). This parameter transformation maintains sufficient accuracy for color matching while significantly reducing measurement system complexity and calculation requirements, making the system more practical for production environments.
3Productivity
If color adjustment errors due to metameric ink color differences are not detected until printing, then the process continues without interruption, but productivity decreases due to rework and time loss
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculation of compensation adjustments based on substrate color measurements before the printing process begins. By determining the correct tone reproduction curves in advance, the system prevents metamerism errors from occurring during printing, eliminating the need for post-printing detection and rework, thus maintaining high productivity without time loss.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for adjusting for differences between a proof substrate and the ultimate substrate on which an illustration or other image is to be printed. Embodiments are particularly useful for any print process on an opaque substrate where a proof representing the expected result is provided that has a different substrate color or value from that being used in the print process.