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Datacolor Spyder3Print User Manual

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Spyder3Print User Guide Index
Welcome to Spyder3Print
Print Guide Rule.
Preferences.
Allows access to user configurable settings.
Tools.
Describes the advanced functions available from the Tools menu.
Printer Definition.
Configure Printer Settings.
for your uses.
Print Quality Check.
Media Setting Check.
Spyder3Print.
Select Target.
Allows the selection, preview, and printing of profiling targets.
Spectro Calibration.
Read Patches.
Selects or creates color target measurements in Spyder3Print.
Build Profile Setup.
profiles accordly.
TM
SpyderProof
.
Provides SoftProofs and printed samples using your profile.
Here's an overview of how the application works.
Using the optional Rule for reading targets.
Allows you to define features of your printer for later use.
Offers assistance in determining the best printer settings
Checks that your printer is performing properly.
Assists in determining the optimal media setting for
Calibrates your spectro to the white tile in the calibration base.
Offers a range of profile settings and adjustments, and builds

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Summary of Contents for Datacolor Spyder3Print

  • Page 1 Allows the selection, preview, and printing of profiling targets. Spectro Calibration. Calibrates your spectro to the white tile in the calibration base. Read Patches. Selects or creates color target measurements in Spyder3Print. Build Profile Setup. Offers a range of profile settings and adjustments, and builds profiles accordly.

  • Page 2: Further Information

    Datacolor License Agreement. Describes the licensing restrictions that apply to use of Spyder3Print and the profiles built with Spyder3Print. Further Information For information such as a list of Frequently Asked Questions and details on all Datacolor products be sure to visit our website: http://www.datacolor.com/Spyder3...
  • Page 3 • Making Adjustments to Your Profile Page Setup: Landscape (horizontal) orientation in Page Setup is recommended for use with Spyder3Print. Previews of all targets and test images are shown in an embedded preview, with a larger, resizable, preview available by clicking on the...
  • Page 4 OS X) captures USB devices, and sometimes does not release them for use by OS X applications. It is recommended that you quit Classic Mode before running Spyder3 applications. If Spyder3Print cannot find a properly connected Spectro or Printer, quit Classic Mode, and try again.
  • Page 5 Print Guide Rule Skip to: Help Index Usual Setting Many users will find it faster to read patches freehand. But for those who prefer assistance in keeping the patch reader in line vertically, the included Print Guide Rule can be used. The Purpose of This Step To offer assistance for those who find freehand patchreading difficult or tiring.
  • Page 6 row to row while retaining its orientation. Further Information For information such as a list of Frequently Asked Questions and details on all Datacolor products be sure to visit our website: http://www.datacolor.com/Spyder3...
  • Page 7 Sensor Communication Errors Sensor Info Sounds Usual Setting Preferences are located in the Spyder3Print menu. Default Preferences are ideal for most users. The Purpose of This Step Preferences allows access to user configurable settings and special functions. The Long Answer Sensor: This popdown list allows you to toggle between two settings : Spectro, and None.
  • Page 8 Spectro while ???? values are displayed in this section. Sounds: It is recommended that all three sounds options be checkmarked, to give useful auditory prompts while using Spyder3Print. Individual users may have personal preferences to turn one or more of these sound prompts off.
  • Page 9 Tools Skip to: Help Index Measurement File Information Deleting Measurement Files Exporting from Measurement Files Averaging Existing Measurement Files Calibrating the Spectro from the Tools menu Taking Spot Measurements from the Tools menu Exporting Measurement Logs Usual Setting Typical profile building occurs from the Wizard interface. The Tools menu is not needed for standard profile building.
  • Page 10 Measurement File Information: Users can determine printer, ink, paper, media setting and other important information about a Measurement File by selecting it with the Information tool. It is possible to copy, paste, and manually edit much of the device information using one or more Information Windows, and to save the adjusted versions under a new new using the Save As command.
  • Page 11 To delete a measurement set, choose the Delete command from the Tools menu. This will open a floating window containing a popup menu listing all existing Spyder3Print measurement sets currently in your Print Data folder. Choose the measurement set you wish it delete, and click on the Delete button. A warning dialog asking if you are sure you wish to delete this file will appear.
  • Page 12 Measurement file, converted to a tab delineated text file, that will be written to the Export subfolder in the application’s Data folder. After choosing the Lab radio button, and then clicking the OK button, a second dialog will appear asking you to name your new text file.
  • Page 13 Tools Calibrate function: This button launches a calibration window that allows both black and white tile calibrations. It is not necessary for standard use; the calibration function occuring in the Wizard interface is all that is needed. Calibration from the Tools menu is a for special testing and support purposes, or for calibration when using the Tools Measure function.
  • Page 14 Further Information For information such as a list of Frequently Asked Questions and details on all Datacolor products be sure to visit our website: http://www.datacolor.com/Spyder3...

  • Page 15: Printer Definition

    Printer Definition Help Index Entering Information about Your Printer Save Template Skip to Profiling Process Usual Setting Type in Printer, Paper, and Inkset names, then select the Next Button The Purpose of This Step This screen allows you to define the type of printer you will be profiling, and to enter information about it that will be used throughout the process.
  • Page 16 Save Template This option allows users to batch process profiles. Set printer data as desired, choose Save Template, name your Measurement Set, and select the desired Target. Repeat to define other Measurement Sets. Printed targets with accurate information from these batch-created templates can be printed by choosing the template in the lower half of the Measure Patches screen, backing up one screen to the Select Target screen, and printing.
  • Page 17 Configure Printer Settings Help Index Print Settings in Spyder3Print Printer Driver Settings Epson Driver Settings Canon Driver Settings HP Driver Settings Windows Specific Settings Print Settings in Adobe PhotoShop Print Settings in Adobe PhotoShop Elements Settings in Other Applications Usual Setting Please use the same printer driver settings when printing profiling charts as when printing final work, to assure maximum consistency and accuracy in profile usage.

  • Page 18: Printer Driver Settings

    To print Spyder3Print color targets from remote printers, it is recommended that you install Spyder3Print on the computer attached to the printer, and run the application in Demo mode to check printer settings and print color targets.
  • Page 19 Some typical drivers and settings will be shown here to give you an idea of where to find the necessary items, and how to set them. Please note that these driver settings vary between brands and models of printers, as well as between operating system versions, so it is not possible to cover all possible examples.
  • Page 20 This close-up from the above Epson driver window shows that the Print Settings section included the Media Type list. This list is where choices of media type settings occur, and is important for use with the Media Setting Check window. This close-up from the above Epson driver window shows that the Printer Color Management section included the option for disabling color corrections by the printer, by choosing ‘Off (No Color Adjustment)’.
  • Page 21 This illustration of the Print Settings from the simple driver shows that the only choice that would effect print color is the selection of ‘Color’ or ‘Black & White’ settings. Please note that with many printers, using the ‘Color’ setting and a custom color profile may produce more desirable Black &...
  • Page 22 The ‘Quality and Media’ section of the driver contains the Media Settings, where paper type would be chosen, and where Media Setting Checks would be performed. Printer Color Management is turned off in the ‘Color Options’ section of the driver, by choosing ‘None’.
  • Page 23 printer driver level must be avoided. The HP Laserprinter driver shown above is typical of many laser drivers. It shows a number of color options under different headings, but none of them are actually configurable, so none need to be reviewed or set before printing.
  • Page 24 The only user selectable item in the above HP driver is media type, with a selection of media that HP considers appropriate for laser printer uses. Users would want to experiment with a range of these media types, to determine which one might be optimal for the media in use.
  • Page 25 In this XP Advanced Printer Options Window ICM has been disabled. Here is another XP driver with ICM selected, so that Driver Color Adjustment can be turned Off. In most cases choosing ‘No Color Management’ or ‘ICM Disabled’; or in some cases choosing ‘ICM’, then a subsetting of ‘None’...
  • Page 26 Management’ in the pop-down list that appears. Color Profiling Charts should be printed with the Source Space set to Document, and Color Handling set to No Color Management; or prior to CS2 set the Print Space to Same as Source which is at the top of the popdown list.
  • Page 27 PhotoshopCS2’s Color Management Settings, as they would be set to print images (not profiling targets) through a custom profile. These are typical of settings used in previous versions of Photoshop to print profiling targets without unintended color conversions. Advanced Topic: Print Settings in Adobe PhotoShop Elements® When printing from Photoshop Elements, set the Color Settings (found under the Photoshop Elements Menu item) to Full Color Management.
  • Page 28 To print from Elements use the Print command, and choose Show More Options at the bottom of the main print page, then under Color Management set the Print Space to Same as Source when printing a profiling target. Advanced Topic: Settings in Other Applications Color managed applications offer some type of setting for choosing an output or printer profile.

  • Page 29: Print Quality Check

    Quality Check image will be printed in. Page Setup: Spyder3Print is designed to be used in Landscape (Horizontal) mode, so it is recommended that you use it in that orientation. It is optimized for Letter or A4 paper, so it is most effective to print your media setting check prints on these sheet sizes.
  • Page 30 overnight (which may improve output) and try again the next day. If issues persist,try replacing the ink or colorant supply, which may correct the problem. If, after repeated cleaning and replacement attempts, the printer still is not producing clean, smooth, output on a reasonable paper, then it may be necessary to contact the printer manufacturer for further assistance.
  • Page 31 Spotting Missing Ink Channels Not all problems show as skips or uneven print areas. In some cases an entire ink or toner color is missing, resulting in smooth, even Quality Check Prints, but not proper image colors. Compare your Check Print to the image below to assure all colors are printing.
  • Page 32 Correct Quality Check Print, No Skips, No Missing Ink Colors The image above illustrates the type of result you would see with the Light Magenta ink empty or not printing. Note that only part of the Magenta ramp is blank, and that the color of other (secondary) ramps is also effected.
  • Page 33 The image above illustrates the type of result you would see with the Dark Cyan ink empty or not printing. Note that it effects far less of the print than a Light Ink failure. It is important to look at the color initials at the top of the Check Print and be sure that they match the colors printed below them;...
  • Page 34 The image above illustrates the type of result you would see with the Black ink empty or not printing. Note that it effects far less of the print than either a Light or Dark Ink failure. Printer problems with Light Black inks can be difficult to detect. Pay particular attention to the ‘K’...
  • Page 35 The image above illustrates the type of result you would see if the jets were misfiring, and printing color in areas that should be white. While it is worth attempting to clean a printer that is showing such symptoms, it is likely that you will need to replace the printheads.
  • Page 36 Media Setting Check Skip to: Help Index What Media Settings Do Print Quadrant Function Media Setting Finalization Color Density Sliders Analyzing Media Setting Check Prints Analyzing Photo-Content Usual Setting Print a series of Check Prints, four to a page, at varying media settings, including ones with unrelated names, and review to see which offers the optimal output.
  • Page 37 Photographic content is included at the bottom of the Check Print to assist in determining the photographic qualities of differing media settings What Media Settings Do: Different media settings will lay down different densities of ink in the various sections of the check print, and offer varying degrees of linearity (consistancy) in the steps between adjacent patches.
  • Page 38 Letter size page with four Media Setting Check Prints on one sheet. Media Setting Finalization: After determining the optimal media setting from those tested, be sure to type that optimal setting name into the Media Setting box before continuing, so that this information will be included on your Profiling Target. Then use this media setting both when printing your profiling target, and when using your custom profile.
  • Page 39 issues. Its important to keep in mind that lower quality papers often exhibit problems in the areas described, and that for some paper, printer and ink combinations these issues cannot be eliminated, only minimized. On better papers, there may be multiple media settings that offer acceptable results.
  • Page 40 Clogged Near Blacks • Avoid settings that have a lack of near black patches, jumping directlyto medium grays from black. Weak Near Blacks • Avoid settings that have excessively off-color near black patches, often occurring in the third section. This is not as significant as other Black issues, but should be considered.
  • Page 41 Green, Cyan, and Blue Primaries occur in the same section as Black Yellow, Red, and Magenta Primaries occur in the same section as White...
  • Page 42 Comparing Settings: Compare a range of media settings. Look for the following elements: • Bright primary colors, without overinking • Good color range and brightness in other colors in the image • Good gradation from Primary colors into the rest of the color space. This image shows a good gradation from Blue to Black, with distinct patches throughout.
  • Page 43 This image shows a problematic gradient between blue and green, which results in a visible stairstep pattern. This type of break is not as undesirable as overinked primaries, but should be avoided if possible. Inking issues: There are a range of possible inking issues that a particular combination of printer, colorant and media may cause.
  • Page 44 Here the blue areas have bled both between patches, and beyond the edge of the chart. • Mottling of inks within patches, showing grainy, uneven areas where the ink is heaviest, often where two or more colors are mixed at high ink levels. The above illustration shows what mottling might look like if it occurred where Dark...
  • Page 45 Cyan, Yellow, and Black inks were all being used to create deep greens. • Worming may look similar to mottling, but it occurs within the dither pattern of the printer. Larger, often worm-like, shapes may occur in the printer’s dithering pattern in certain flat color patches.
  • Page 46 • Gloss Differential is similar in nature to bronzing, but occurs in the lighter areas of prints. It is a difference in the glossiness of uninked paper and adjacent inked areas. It is only an issue with Gloss and Luster surfaces. A few printer models offer a gloss optimizer option, which applies an unpigmented ink to blank areas to reduce gloss differential.
  • Page 47 This version of the photo content shows blown out highlights. This version of the photo content shows clogged shadows. This version of the photo content shows posterization. Further Information For information such as a list of Frequently Asked Questions and details on all Datacolor products be sure to visit our website: http://www.datacolor.com/Spyder3...

  • Page 48: Select Target

    Page Setup: Spyder3Print is designed for landscape mode, so it is recommended that you use it in that orientation. It is optimized for Letter or A4 paper, so it is most effective to print your Profiling Targets on these sheet sizes, unless you are using the Large Expert Target, which is designed for larger sheets and rolls.
  • Page 49 Selecting a Profiling Target Initial Testing: When first becoming familiar with using Spyder3Print, it will save considerable time, effort, paper, and colorant, if practice profiles are built at the 150 patch or 225 patch settings. Which target for which uses? Most newer inkjet printers are quite linear, and offer similar results at all three target resolutions.
  • Page 50 orientation for best results. Sample 150 Patch Profiling Target, formatted on Letter size Landscape oriented paper. 225 Patch Target: This is the High Quality target, and produces improved results for difficult printers and advanced uses. It samples the entire printer gamut at a 5 x 5 x 5 matrix, plus a larger range of additional patches in the most demanding areas.
  • Page 51 Sample 225 Patch Profiling Target, formatted on Letter size Landscape oriented paper. 729 Patch 3 Page Target: This is the Expert target formatted to print on three sheets of standard Letter or A4 paper, and produces improved results for difficult printers and advanced uses in areas where the 225 patch target does not include extra patches.
  • Page 52 Sample 729 Patch 3 Page Profiling Target, formatted on three sheets of Letter size Landscape oriented paper. 729 Patch 1 Page Target: This is the Expert target formatted to print on a single sheet of larger paper, and produces identical profile results to the 729 patch 3 Page target described above.
  • Page 53 Sample 729 Patch 1 Page Profiling Target, formatted on one sheet of 17x22 inch size, Landscape oriented paper. Extended Grays Target: This target augments any color target with extra data in the gray and near gray areas, for improved printing of grayscale images and gray elements in color images.
  • Page 54 Sample Extended Grays Target, formatted for Letter size Landscape Oriented Paper. Target Preview: Choosing any of the available targets will generate a live preview of that target at your current page setup. This avoids accidentally formatting in a difficult to read manner. If an inappropriate format is generated, adjust your page setup to reflect more effective page size and orientation.
  • Page 55 150 Patch Target formatted for A4 Portrait Orientation. Note that the patches are tall and narrow, which is undesirable for reading along the rows. Changing to landscape orientation in Page Setup would correct this problem. Full Size: This button allows the user to view an enlarged version of the formatted target.
  • Page 56 these larger sheets, landscape mode is still recommended. Print Target: This button allows the user to print the selected target, at the selected page setup and orientation, complete with target information entered in previous steps. Please review information in the Configure Printer Settings section to assure that optimal printer settings are selected, and that color correction is turned off in the...

  • Page 57: Further Information

    of the same printed target at a later time will produce a corrected version of the profile. To learn how to take spot measurements, see the Tools Measure Function section in Preferences Help. Further Information For information such as a list of Frequently Asked Questions and details on all Datacolor products be sure to visit our website: http://www.datacolor.com/Spyder3...
  • Page 58 Spectro Calibration Skip to: Help Index Calibrating to the White Tile Spectro Connection Connection failure Usual Setting Place Spectro on the calibration base, checking that the white tile is situated below the Spectro-head, press the Spectro button on the top of the device. Wait for calibration to be completed, and the application will auto-forward to next step.
  • Page 59 correctly located, and press the top of the Spectro, or hit the enter or return key on the computer to trigger calibration. When the calibration process is complete, the application will automatically move forward to the Read Patches screen. If calibration fails, an error message will appear.
  • Page 60 OS X) captures USB devices, and sometimes does not release them for use by OS X applications. It is recommended that you quit Classic Mode before running Spyder3 applications. If Spyder3Print cannot find a properly connected Spectro, quit Classic Mode, and try again.
  • Page 61 Read Patches Skip to: Help Index New Measurement File Naming The Patch Reading Process Checking for Patch Reading Errors Saving the Measurements Existing Measurement Files Deleting Existing Measurement Files Extended Grays Measurement Files Selecting Blank Templates for Printing and Measuring Usual Setting Users will typically name their measurement file, then choose the Read Patches button, to read the patches of their printed target into the floating template window,...
  • Page 62 and move the Spectro towards you when measuring patches. This uses the body’s most controlled motion when moving from patch to patch, and allows easier viewing of the Spectro’s location on the target. The Purpose of This Step This screen allows you to measure the color patches of a printed profiling target into a Measurement File, or to select a previously built Measurement File instead.
  • Page 63 reading template. Patch Reading Template: The patch reading template displays a rectangle for each correlating color patch in the printed target. Each rectangle is divided diagonally into an upper left section and a lower right section. The upper left section displays the pure color value for this patch.
  • Page 64 the 1 and 3 number keys, is an excellent way to check that the pattern of measured patches matches the pattern of pure patches. Patch Value Display: In the lower left hand corner of the screen values for the currently selected patch are shown. The arrow keys can be used to navigate to any patch.
  • Page 65 be too high (or your table too low). If the back of the Spectro seems too high or too large, your chair may be too low (or your table too high). Target Positioning Note: It is easiest to position the target sideways on the table, and move the Spectro towards you when measuring patches.
  • Page 66 the user can configure the measurements sound cues. The default setting is to have all three sound cues on, and this is the recommended mode. With experience, users may find they prefer to turn one or more of these sounds off. This can be done by unchecking the associated preference item for that sound.
  • Page 67 continue from that location. In this example the circled patch does not fit the pattern of this page, indicating a double reading in a previous patch. This type of error will cause the end of row tone to sound at the wrong time, cuing the user that an error has occurred. Use the arrow keys to return to the beginning of this row, and reread patches until the incorrect area is overwritten.
  • Page 68 Patch measurements are saved to the measurement file as they occur. Once measuring and reviewing of the patch values is complete, close the floating template window, and click the Next button to advance to the Build Profile Setup screen. It is possible to use the Back button to return to the Read Patches screen for further review or correction of patch values, or review and adjustment can occur at a later time by selecting as an existing measurement file.
  • Page 69 Selecting Blank Templates for Printing and Measuring Blank templates with printer definition information and preselected targets can be accessed from the Existing Measurement Files section on the lower half of the Read Patches screen as well. Choose the template by name. This will display the blank patch set, confirming that this is a batch template file.
  • Page 71 Build Profile Setup Skip to: Help Index Naming your Profile Choose Profile Resolution Select a Location for Saving Your Profile Reference White and Black Functions Basic Slider Adjustments Advanced Slider Adjustments Adjustment Presets Absolute Grays Checkbox Curve Importing Editing Profiles Using Curves Building a Profile Usual Setting Users will typically choose the Profile Name button, adjust the profile name, and click...
  • Page 72 If a series of profiles are to be build in Spyder3Print using different settings such as Viewing Light Brightness and Color Temperature adjustments, then each could have VB +6 or CT-5 appended to the profile name to indicate a Viewing Light Brightness setting of +6, or a Color Temperature setting of –5.
  • Page 73 Please note that it is the root library ColorSync Profiles folder that is opened by Spyder3Print when the File Menu “Open Profiles...” command is selected. This command simply gives users easy access to the main profiles folder in each supported...
  • Page 74 Windows: Different versions of Windows locate the Color directory in differing locations. Your printer profiles will be automatically placed in the correct Color directory location for your version of the operating system. In some cases Color directories will be located in more than one location. This generally occurs when an application expects to find the Color directory in one location, and when it does not find it there under a different version of Windows, the application creates an unofficial Color directory in that location for its own profiles.
  • Page 75 profiles as well. The new High Resolution profiles are 16 bits per channel, and offer 33 point grids on the preview tables as well as the printing tables, to offer the ultimate in profile resolution. This creates a substantially larger profile size, so please keep this in mind if you have need to send your printer profiles over the internet.
  • Page 76 The Paper White Compensation checkbox offers automated correction for the most common issue with white preview. It reduces the artificial blue tone that can occur when artificial paper whiteners (which look blue to colorimetric reading devices) are present in paper. This makes the paper color viewed on screen in a print preview mode more natural and more similar to what the eye sees viewing the printed image.
  • Page 77 In most cases Spyder3Print users will need to adjust both the preview and the resulting prints, so will check this box.
  • Page 78 Basic Profile Adjustment Sliders These sliders allow the user to adjust how a profile prints; and with the Show Edits in Preview box checked, how it previews as well. Most Spyder3Print profiles need no adjustment. After printing a test image through your new profile, if you feel that adjustments would further improve your results, then begin clicking the back arrow to return to the Build Profile Setup page.
  • Page 79 The Brightness slider adjusts how light or dark your prints will be. It does not force colors to white or black, so no data is lost, though it may become less visible at one end, as the adjustment is made. Use the Brightness slider to lighten your images with a positive slider value if they consistently look like there is a gray film over them.
  • Page 80 The Cyan to Red slider adjusts color on that axis, reducing Cyan, while increasing Red in all colors in an image, with a positive adjustment, and increasing Cyan, while reducing Red with a negative slider adjustment. Use this slider when you feel there is a global color cast in all your images that is on the Cyan to Red axis.
  • Page 81 Advanced Profile Adjustment Sliders These sliders allow the user to adjust how a profile prints; and with the Show Edits in Preview box checked, how it previews as well. Most Spyder3Print profiles need no adjustment. After printing a test image through your new profile, if you feel that adjustments would further improve your results, then begin clicking the back arrow to return to the Build Profile Setup page.
  • Page 82 desired direction. This amount is enough to make a visible change in the resulting profile, allowing the user to determine if a lesser or greater adjustment would be more effective. Each edit will require a new profile to be built, and a new test image to be printed to check the result.
  • Page 83 Highlight Tints: The Cyan slider adjusts color on that axis, increasing Cyan in the highlights, with reduced effect in darker colors. Use this slider when you feel there is a highlight-only color cast in all your images that is on the Cyan to Red axis. The Magenta slider adjusts color similarly along that axis, while the Yellow slider work on a third axis.
  • Page 84 This slider allows you to compensate for nonlinear shadow detail. If your shadow detail is clogged and dark, as often occurs on fine art papers, a profile compensating for this can be built with a positive slider value; +5 is often effective for art papers. The less common condition of lack of shadow punch can be corrected with a negative adjustment.
  • Page 85 In such a case, force quitting the application is the simplest solution. On the Mac there is a force quit option in the Apple menu. On Windows press the ctrl, alt, and delete keys and end the Spyder3Print task in the Task Manager.
  • Page 86 Further Information For information such as a list of Frequently Asked Questions and details on all Datacolor products be sure to visit our website: http://www.datacolor.com/Spyder3...
  • Page 87 SpyderProof Help Index Test Image Descriptions Previewing Slider-Adjusted Profiles Previewing PreciseLight Adjusted Profiles Usual Setting SpyderProof will typically be used for a quick check of the results from building a profile with your Spyder3 products. For more advanced analysis, see ‘The Long Answer’...
  • Page 88 The image window shows a matrix of all 16 available images, grouped in four quadrants. Quadrant One (upper left) contains saturated colors. Quadrant Two (upper right) covers skintones. Quadrant Three (lower left) contains landscapes and gradients. Quadrant Four (lower right) covers grayscale (black and white) images. Clicking on any quadrant will bring that group of four images up to fill the window.
  • Page 89 Profile section and a Print Emulation section. Both sections are for on-screen display (not printing) only. Spyder3Print Controls offer both on-screen and print capabilities, so that users can print any or all of the test images directly from Spyder3Print to check profile results.
  • Page 90 Image One: Colors (q1i1).jpg. This image includes synthetic step gradients of Magenta, Blue, Cyan, Red, Yellow, Green, and Black. The high saturation patches in many of these gradients will be outside the gamut of most monitors, as well as most printer/ink/paper combinations.
  • Page 91 Image Three: NightShot(q1i3).jpg. This image exhibits the effects of colors too bright for the camera’s dynamic range: many of the neon signs burn to white in the image, but their less intense reflections on the water show the true colors of the signs. Use this image to check saturated colors against a dark background, and to view shadow noise or grain in the dark areas.
  • Page 92 inking by bleeding and eliminating the narrow light areas. Fabric detail in the jacket can be used to check shadow detail capabilityt on screen and in print. Out of focus flowers in the lower background can be used to check print gradiation from colors to black, for breaks in gradient.
  • Page 93 Image Four: Reflections (q2i4).jpg. Tungsten highlights in hair burn to device (or paper) white, clearly showing ramp of warm yellow tones to device white, demonstrating the change that can occur when a color ramp ends in a mismatched white. Mix of warm and cool highlights in maniquin and window reflections. Warm and cool highlights in mirrorballs.
  • Page 94 Image Two: Adobe Church (q3i2)jpg. Pure, saturated sky gradient. Sunlit adobe surfaces with detail and gradiation. Deep shadow detail in tower windows and on rear ell. High contrast greenery in forground. Excellent sharp contrasts between sky and crosses, rail and adobe, adobe and sky etc. Image Three: Sunrise (q3i3)jpg .
  • Page 95 Image One: B&Wportrait(q4i1).jpg. Detailed grayscale skin and hair textures and gradients. This image tests neutrality and detail, with a focus on the skintone range. Includes both sharply focussed, and out of focus elements, producing a range of detail textures. Image Two: Infinity(q4i2).jpg. This image focusses on the dark tones, and the edges between light elements and darker backgrounds, as well as wood grain detail and other darktone patterns.

  • Page 96: Further Information

    Image Four: B&WTestImage(q4i4).jpg. Datacolor’s standard B&W Test Image includes a wide array of pictoral and graphic elements. Use the long gray ramp at the top and short radial grayscale at the bottom to judge smoothness and continuity. Use the stepped gray ramp for checking distinct values. Review the enlarged details above each image for highlights and shadows: The Trees in Fog detail checks fine distinction in neutrals, while the Boat Planks Reflection checks the ability to distinguish deep shadow details.
  • Page 97 For information such as a list of Frequently Asked Questions and details on all Datacolor products be sure to visit our website: http://www.datacolor.com/Spyder3...
  • Page 98 Demo mode to allow access to all the pre-profiling fuctions during the remote target printing process. The Purpose of This Step This step allows Spyder3Print owners to profile printers that are not at the same physical location as their Spyder3Print installation. Please review the Spyder3Print license agreement for details on profile usage.
  • Page 99 Printing from Demo Mode To minimize errors, offer maximum support to the remote user, and obtain optimized target prints, it is best to have the remote user download a copy of Spyder3Print from the Datacolor website (URL below) and use it in Demo mode (no serial number or spectro required) to print the necessary targets, at the optimal settings.
  • Page 100 Printing with Custom Profiles Skip to: Help Index Print Settings in Adobe PhotoShop Print Settings in Adobe PhotoShop Elements Settings in Other Applications Choosing a Rendering Intent Usual Setting Please use the same printer driver settings when printing your final work as when printing profiling charts, to assure maximum consistency and accuracy in profile usage.
  • Page 101 choose Show More Options’ at the bottom of the main print page, then Color Management’ in the popdown list that appears. Color Profiling Charts should be printed with the Source Space set to Document, and Color Handling set to No Color Management;...
  • Page 102 These are typical of settings used in previous versions of Photoshop to print images (not profiling targets) without unintended color conversions. Print Settings in Adobe PhotoShop Elements® When printing from Photoshop Elements, set the Color Settings (found under the Photoshop Elements Menu item) to Full Color Management. To print from Elements use the Print command, and choose Show More Options at the bottom of the main print page, then under Color Management choose your custom printer profile and prefered intent in the popdown lists that follow.
  • Page 103 Settings in Other Applications Color managed applications offer some type of setting for choosing an output or printer profile. This is where you will choose your custom profile as you print. Please note that non-color managed applications, ones that do not offer a printer profile choice when printing, cannot be used directly with ICC printer profiles.
  • Page 104 may better retain their hue with other types of devices. Perceptual Intent: Datacolor’s Perceptual intent falls somewhere between Relative Colorimetric and Saturation intents, and is best used when an intermediate result is needed. Use in cases where Hue Shift with Saturation intent is objectionable, but the low color brilliance with Relative Colorimetric is problematic.
  • Page 105 ICC Capable Black and White Inks Usual Setting Spyder3Print owners can read the detailed instructions elsewhere in the Help pages and Help tutorials for black and white printing instructions. This tutorial offers an overview of the black and white printing field for those who wish to gain a wider understanding of available methods.
  • Page 106 This tutorial is an basic overview, it does not contain descriptions of all methods currently available. For those who already own Spyder3Print for their color work, it offers the ability to control several of these methods at no additional charge.
  • Page 107 Light Cyan, Light Magenta, and Yellow, as earlier Epson models did. This is why they have not been included in the list above. Spyder3Print owners would typically use the color driver, not the black and white option, for more precise and controllable results, and described in the Color Driver sections below.
  • Page 108 Epson models did. This is why have have not been included in the list above. Spyder3Print will improve black and white output via the color driver to most all printers, but only offers gallery quality black and white for “two gray” printers, or printers fitted with special black and white inksets.
  • Page 109 2100, 2200, 4000, 7600, 9600 2400, 3800, 4800, 7800, 9800 Jon Cone’s InkJet Mall K6 and K7 inks in any tint can be profiled with Spyder3Print. Advanced Topic: Profiling an ICC Capable Black and White Inkset The process of profiling an ICC Capable black and white inkset is simple:...

  • Page 110: Further Information

    Using you custom black and white profile is easy as well. Tint images as desired in Photoshop, softproofed through Photoshop’s Proof Setup > Custom option, or print as neutral. Spyder3Print slider adjustments are not intended for creating tints with black and white inksets, their range is designed for color inksets, so will offer little adjustment for black and white inksets.
  • Page 111 Creating Tinted Black and White Profiles Skip to: Help Index Creating Your Own Spyder3Print Slider Tints Creating Your Own Curves Sets in Photoshop® Sharing Spyder3Print Presets and Curve Sets Usual Setting Standard color profiles augmented with measurement data from the Extended Grays target will print both color and neutral black and white images.
  • Page 112 Avoid Special Characters in Preset and Curves Names To avoid unreadable characters, it is recommended that Spyder3Print Slider Presets and Photoshop Curves Sets be names with unaccented English text characters only. Historic Tinted Black and White Black and white photographs were created by numerous methods, many of which produced images with unique color tints;...
  • Page 113 All the bundled Spyder3Print Presets also include a +5 Shadow Detail value intended for Fine Art papers; to try these Presets for other paper types, you may wish to reduce this adjustment before use.
  • Page 114 Curves Sets including any combination of global, red, green, and blue curve adjustments (grayscale curves are also accepted). After naming the curve set, it can be saved directly to the Spyder3Print Data > Presets folder, for access from the Spyder3Print Import Curves function.
  • Page 115 Datacolor products be sure to visit our website: http://www.datacolor.com/Spyder3...
  • Page 116 Color Gamuts and Rendering Intents Skip to: Help Index Choosing a Rendering Intent Selecting Intents in Photoshop & Elements Settings in Other Applications Understanding Color Gamuts & Colorspaces Source Color Issues Workingspace Color & Monitor Color Printer Color and Your Custom Profile SoftProofing Usual Setting Inkjet users will typically want to start by printing through the Saturation intent, and...
  • Page 117 Choosing a Rendering Intent Many applications allow a choice of rendering intents when printing. How do you determine which intent is best for your work? With Datacolor profiles, it is recommended for inkjet printers that you start by trying the Saturation intent. If that is not ideal, move to Perceptual, and finally Relative Colorimetric, to test other choices.
  • Page 118 low color brilliance with Relative Colorimetric is problematic. Absolute Colorimetric Intent: This is a special intent for proofing purposes, where the off white paper of the final printing device needs to be emulated on the whiter paper of the proofing device. Unless you are emulating newsprint output on your desktop printer, you probably will never need this intent.
  • Page 119 Settings in Other Applications Color managed applications offer some type of setting for choosing an output or printer profile. This is where you will choose your custom profile as you print. Choice of Rendering Intent may not be included in the user adjustable items in all applications.
  • Page 120 generally offer an sRGB setting as well, but are more often used set to their AdobeRGB colorspace option, as it captures a wider color range. Which RGB color workingspace you set Photoshop or Elements to use may depend on what colorspace your camera utilizes.
  • Page 121 The Long Answer SoftProofing Basics Softproofing refers to emulating the output to a specific printer/colorant/media combination on screen by using special settings. Spyder3Print has special profile controls for softproofing. Applications such as Photoshop have special viewing controls...
  • Page 122 Using SoftProof with a Spyder3Print target as your test image offers an even more specific test of patch measurements. SoftProof also shows what a typical image will look like printed to this combination of ink, paper, and printer, so you have a sense of the limitations of this combination.
  • Page 123 controls that will effect SoftProofs viewed through the profile created. These functions can be accessed either by clicking on the Ref White and Ref Black buttons, or on the White and Black color patches to the right. Reference White and Black buttons on the Build Profile Setup screen. Reference White Adjustment: The Ref White button allows users to adjust the way white previews on screen when using printer profile previewing functions such as Photoshop’s Custom Proof Setup option to view a soft proof of how images will print to...
  • Page 124 present in paper. This makes the paper color viewed on screen in a print preview mode more natural and more similar to what the eye sees viewing the printed image. If there is no blue component (negative b* value) present in the white measurement, this function will be grayed out, and unavailable.
  • Page 125 Monitor Black Compensation checkbox will grayout the preview L value. If you wish to manually adjust the L value for futher fine tuning of the preview, simply uncheck the checkbox. Once Black and White Reference values have been defined, the profile can be tested. SoftProofing may show that it is worthwhite to rebuild the profile with more exacting Black and White Reference values.
  • Page 126 Device to Simulate The first setting to adjust is the Device to Simulate popdown, which will display a list of your available profiles. Choose your custom printer profile for the inks and papers you will be using. Leave Preserve RGB Numbers unchecked, as it does not produce a color corrected result.
  • Page 127 Custom Proofing Conditions Once a group of custom settings has been configured, it can be named and saved for later use. Advanced Topic: Editing SoftProofed Images Once SoftProofing has been configured users can edit SoftProofed images to optimize printed output on the specific printer, colorant, and media involved. Highlights and shadow detail can be corrected, neutrals adjusted, and color saturation tweaked.
  • Page 128 In the image above, the Gamut Warning is set to medium gray. The medium gray sections of the image represent colors the selected printer cannot reach. Some of these are dark colors more saturated than the printer can manage in such dark tones. Such colors sometimes appear muddy or dull in images.
  • Page 129 Choosing a Camera Mode Monitor Calibration Processing Jpeg Files Color Settings for Elements and Photoshop Processing RAW Files Spyder3Print Printer Profiling Print Settings in Adobe PhotoShop Print Settings in Adobe PhotoShop Elements Settings in Other Applications Usual Setting Its important to find a digital workflow that works with your equipment and meets your personal needs.
  • Page 130 While other options exist, digital camera files come it two main types: Jpeg and RAW. If your camera does not offer RAW capabilities, then you will be shooting in Jpeg mode. If you own a professional or semiprofessional camera that offers RAW capabilities, then you need to determine whether the simplicity and smaller files size or Jpeg suits your needs, or if you prefer the greater control of RAW images.
  • Page 131 Simple and Advanced Color Workflows Monitor Calibration Once you have shot your images, you need to view them on screen on a color accurate monitor. That’s where monitor calibration and profiling comes in. By using the Spyder and software on your screen you assure that what you are seeing represents what the image file really contains.
  • Page 132 major adjustments later in your image editing software is not ideal, since no extra data is available to cover the gaps these edits create. The most common correction tools in Photoshop Elements are those in the Adjust Lighting section, and the Adjust Hue Saturation tools.
  • Page 133 and choose sRGB or AdobeRGB on opening your camera images as appropriate for your camera. Most cameras which do not have a RAW format option are optimized for sRGB, so that choice would be selected when opening images. For Photoshop CS2 and earlier versions, choose AdobeRGB or sRGB as appropriate for your camera as your RGB color space in Color Settings.
  • Page 134 You have your image on screen, which has been calibrated and profiled with your Spyder, and you save that image for future use. This is where your Spyder3Print custom printer profile comes into the picture. Build your profile for the printer, inks,...
  • Page 135 Print Settings in Adobe PhotoShop® When printing from Photoshop, always use the Print with Preview command, and choose Show More Options’ at the bottom of the main print page, then Color Management’ in the popdown list that appears. Color Profiling Charts should be printed with the Source Space set to Document, and Color Handling set to No Color Management;...
  • Page 136 PhotoshopCS2’s Color Management Settings, as they would be set to print images (not profiling targets) through a custom profile. These are typical of settings used in previous versions of Photoshop to print images through a custom profile. Print Settings in Adobe PhotoShop Elements When printing from Photoshop Elements, set the Color Settings (found under the Photoshop Elements Menu item) to Full Color Management.
  • Page 137 To print from Elements use the Print command, and choose Show More Options at the bottom of the main print page, then under Color Management set the Print Space to your custom printer profile for printing your work. Settings in Other Applications Color managed applications offer some type of setting for choosing an output or printer profile.
  • Page 138 Spyder3Print creates in the Profiles folder of that computer, and print by selecting them from the popdown list in their color managed applications. For users who intend to use Spyder3Print with more than one computer, or relocate the profiles to other computers, it is important to read the licensing agreement below, to assure that the intended uses are allowed.
  • Page 139 This license agreement ("License") is a legal agreement between you and Datacolor ("Datacolor") granting you certain rights to access and use the Datacolor Software owned by Datacolor and contained in this envelope (the "Software"). YOU HEREBY AGREE, BOTH ON YOUR OWN BEHALF AND AS AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY ORGANIZATION FOR WHICH YOU ARE USING THE SOFTWARE ("EMPLOYER"), THAT YOU AND YOUR EMPLOYER WILL USE THE SOFTWARE ONLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOLLOWING...
  • Page 140 lasts, so this limitation may not apply to you. The Limited Warranty set forth herein is exclusive and in lieu of all others, whether oral or written, express or implied. DATACOLOR SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WITH RESPECT TO MEDIA. This Limited Warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state.
  • Page 141 otherwise than in the course of a business; neither do they limit or exclude any liability for death or personal injury caused by Datacolor's negligence. If you have purchased the Software for business or commercial use, you also agree that DATACOLOR EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTIBILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE OR NON-INFRINGEMENT WITH RESPECT TO THE SOFTWARE.
  • Page 142 license to install and use the Software in object code format on a single computer at a time. If you wish to use the Software on a network, please contact Datacolor. In addition to installed copies, you may make one copy of the Software in machine-readable form only for backup purposes.
  • Page 143 disassemble, or reverse engineer the Software in whole or in part; (C) defeat, disable or circumvent any protection mechanism related to the Software; (D) sell, license, sublicense, lease, rent, distribute, disclose, permit access to, or transfer to any third party, whether for profit or without charge, any portion of the Software or any product (as a separate product or bundled with any other products other than the Software) created with the Software (except Profiles,...
  • Page 144 assign to Datacolor all right, title, and interest in and to any modifications you make to the Software and any product you make with the Software, whether or not such modifications are permitted. You agree not to disclose the Software to anyone. 7.
  • Page 145 10. Complete Agreement. This License constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the use of the Software and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous understandings regarding such subject matter. No amendment to or modification of this License will be binding unless in writing and signed by Datacolor.