I am in the process now of doing the gracol7. My proofer is an hp5000 using Bestcolor for color managing the proofer. We calibrate the proofer to each paper for proofing. The proofer is calibrated and probably the most consistent part of our proofing process.
just a side note… in the days of film we used the matchprint system and we heard more people complaining about color than we do today from the proofer…
So I am happy with the proofer and customers are happy with proof so as backwards as this is my goal is to make press match proof. The gracol number I took and the way I read it is to do the following.
- Calibrate my Delta to out put lineriar plates
- Entered a process curve to meet my goal dot gain
a. Black 18%
b. Magenta 14%
c. Yellow 14%
d. Cyan 16% - Output test plates using this process
- Pressman ran press up to consistant densities that work best on her press.
a. Black 1.70
b. Magenta 1.35
c. Yellow 1.25
d. Cyan 1.35 - From this run I take dot gain reading from stock.
- I take these numbers back to my Delta in enter them in to a measured curve that will bring my gain down to my goal gains listed in # 2.
- My initial testing matched the proof well.
My neutral gray way a little warm so I now I need to make a few adjust ments but My goal from this process is to have my 4c GTO running the same dot gain on both coated and uncoated sheet. I hope this wil give me the same feel and weigt of color on each sheet.
My question now is is this how other are doing this because I am still in the testing any input will be awsome
thanks