♦ Modify and manage advanced ICC build settings.

This option is in the ICC Profile step (Figure 1). Click icon. You will see Preset Selection and [Edit…]buttons (Figure 1).

Preset Selection - The drop-down menu contains preset ICC build options. By default Media Manager will auto select an appropriate preset based on the Ink Configuration used in the print mode (Figure 2).

• Ink with Light Black
• Ink with Light Cyan and Magenta
• No Light Inks
• Stable Grayscale

Edit - Clicking this button opens the"ICC Build Options" dialog (Figure 3). Clicking the down arrow opens the “ICC Options Manager” dialog where custom presets can be created. Click [New] to name and configure a custom ICC Build preset (Figure 4).

Build Options:

GCR and UCR

GCR (Gray Component Replacement): In any two-color combination using C, M, or Y, a two-color combination constitutes a desired color (Chroma). While the third remaining color channel constitutes the Gray Component of the desired two-color combination, and is used to make the color darker. We refer to this third color as the Gray Component.

UCR (Under Color Removal): Works a bit differently. UCR defines how much CMY Gray Component to remove when generating black.

From a conventional standpoint UCR and GCR are often used in conjunction with one another. You define how much black to use with GCR and how much CMY to remove with UCR.

Summary: When using the [GCR] option you are indicating that you want to selectively control the black ink portion. When using the [UCR] option you are indicating that you want to selectively control the Grayscale CMY portion.

 

NOTE: It is a reasonable assumption that there is a linear increase in the uncontrolled portion of the Grayscale.

Achromatic and Chromatic Theory

Achromatic: Colors without hue. White, Gray, and Black. Colors along the [L*] axis of the gamut (Luminance).

Chromatic: Defined as colors with Hue, or colors along the [a*] and [b*] axis of the gamut (Chroma and Hue).

 

Any color can be thought of being totally achromatic (having no hue), totally chromatic (a completely saturated color), or a mixture of these two extremes. The Black Generation settings allow for the black generation to be defined for colors at the extremes with a mixing of the black generations being performed when the color is a mixture of the extremes.

 

Achromatic Black Generation (without UCR): The [Start Black], [Maximum Black], and [Black Generation] selections control when, how quickly, and to what extent Black ink is used for colors without hue. In other words these controls affect colors along the general [L*] axis of the profile gamut. An increasing amount of CMY ink will be automatically determined by the profile build engine to achieve the grayscale objectives (from light to dark).

Achromatic Black Generation (using UCR): The [Start CMYGray], Gray], [Maximum CMY Gray], and [CMY Gray Generation] selections control when, how quickly, and to what extent the CMY inks (making up gray) are used to define colors without hue. These controls affect colors along the general [L*] axis of the profile gamut. An increasing amount of black ink will automatically be determined by the profile build engine to achieve the grayscale objectives (from light to dark).

Chromatic Black Generation: The [Start Black], [Maximum Black], and [Black Generation] selections control when, how quickly, and to what extent black ink is used for determining dark ink colors at an extreme distances from the [L*] axis. In other words these controls affect how black ink is used in colorful areas of the gamut.

 

NOTE: The CMY gray component is not used for chromatic black generation.

TIP: To learn more about using Achromatic UCR go to this Thrive article and click the Maxi-imize tab.

Total Ink Limit - The [Total Ink Limit] sets the maximum percentage of total ink allowed for the profile. 400% means that C, M, Y, and K channels may all be used together in full capacity (each channel at 100% equals 400%). If you must limit the total ink, you should try adding an Ink Limit calibration before reducing the Total Ink Limit of the ICC Profile itself. 400% is the default setting for an ICC Profile.

NOTE: Some printers that have additional ink channels such as CMYKR and CMYKG will have a higher maximum of total ink such as 500%.

Table Size - This option determines the size of the ICC Profile. A larger table size (41 grid points) is more accurate but slightly slower than the Standard table size (33 grid points). The [Standard table size] is the default setting.

ICC Profile Version - This option contains ICC Profile standards that can be used. It is generally better to select Version 4.x.

Gamut Mapping - This option determines how out of gamut colors are mapped. You can select [Classic], [More Lightness Preserving], [Vivid Color], or [Enhanced Color].

• Classic will attempt to preserve both Lightness (L*) and Chroma (C*) equally.
• More Lightness Preserving will map the color as close as possible while preserving Lightness (L*). [More Lightness Preserving] is generally used for low gamut media.
• Enhanced Color will map the color as close as possible while preserving Chroma (C*). [Enhanced Color] is recommended when more saturation/colorfulness is desired.
• Use Large Input Profile Size - Enabling this option makes your ICC profile usable for proofing.

• Vivid Color will map the color as a lighter more colorful output compared to the other gamut mapping options.

Chroma Boost - This option allows you to map out of gamut colors and is useful for low gamut media and direct to textile profiles. When this option is enabled, you can select a value to apply to Chroma Boost ranging from 0.00 to 1.00. The default is set at [0.50] and this value represents the area to search when looking for a closer Chroma value. This area is relative to where the color originally is mapped when [Chroma Boost] is off.

Viewing Light Source – This option is only available if you use spectral data device to read swatches. It allows you to build an ICC profile for target lighting other than D50. (* Default setting is [D50])

Balance CMY Gray - This option balances your CMY gray values. For best results, this option should be enabled.

Improve Profile Interpolation - Enabling this option improves gamut boundaries by interpolating data points.

Dynamically Generate Ink Separations - This option is only available when using spot colors. It allows for maximum Chroma when using HIFI inks. Disabling this option leaves ink separations static.

BUILD ICC　Profile (Figure 5)

Click [Build ICC Profile] button after you have read in your swatch and set your desired options.

TIP: To learn about Rebuilding ICC Profiles click here.