Whether you illustrate using traditional
media or digital media, high quality accurate or pleasing digitally output
prints of the utmost importance. Output has been a challenge for illustrators
from the very outset of digitally created or digitally processed imagery. The
number of variables that can occur in the imaging process causes the
difficulty. However, there are several methods and techniques that can be
applied to digital working methods to improve digital print quality.
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| © 2015 Don Arday. |
Multi-User Open Environments VS Single User Closed Environments
The easiest situation to deal with is that
of a closed (single-user) environment. In a closed environment all variables
can be systematically eliminated. When identical conditions are applied to both
the creation of illustrations, and the way they are output, in other words
under ideal circumstances. An example of this would be an illustrator who
creates their own art and outputs prints she or he wish to sell by using the
same equipment in the same environment and the same paper stock.
Unfortunately, many of us have to produce
prints in an open (multi-user) environment that contains many variables. The
variables not only occur at the output stage but also on the front end or input
stage. This is especially true for students that use community computer lab
facilities. These labs may present a variety of working conditions, as well as
operator created variables. These might include someone changing the monitor’s
brightness or even color preferences.
Regarding back end output, the truth is,
most freelance illustrators produce work for a number of clients, and each one
uses a different output system. There may even be times where an illustrator
may be unaware of output preparations or even who will be printing their illustration.
Ways To Improve Image Output
Calibration
Most output professionals would agree that
monitor calibration is the most effective way to optimize print output. There
are two categories of calibration that can be used. One involves the exclusive
use of a software program while the other requires the use of a hardware device
in combination with software. Although software calibration can improve the
relationship of input to output color in some situations it is not as effective
as a hardware colorimeter or color spectrophotometer. A colorimeter is used to
calibrate a monitor’s brightness, contrast, and color temperature while a spectrophotometer
is used to calibrate reflective light from prints. Using a colorimeter will
greatly increase the potential for all forms of color print or display output
to be accurate. There are a number of good commercially available colorimeters.
Color Management
Color management is a method of
controlling the color characteristics for every device in the imaging chain. All
devises rely on color management in the form of a color profile to control their
color space. The color space on an input device requires a translator or
converter to impart its color characteristics to an output device, which has a
separate set of color characteristics. Users by default can allow the input
software to manage color or alternate parameters can be chosen. Although
occurring behind the scenes color management is something illustrators should
be aware of. Alternative color monitor settings can be selected in Adobe
software under Edit > Color Settings.
Print Profiles
A digital profile is a descriptive index that is used
to define of properties and limitations of a color space. A profile registry is
a set of finite values that create meaning for digital display media or
physical output media. Profiles exist for hardware devices, within software
programs, and for physically displayed media. The best visual results and
intended color consistency is achieved by using profiles that were created for their
respective destination environments. Imbedding the correct print profile in an
image file can greatly improve print quality. Profiles can be selected in Adobe
software under Edit > Assign Profile.
Monitor Brightness
Users, to suit their own personal
preferences in a multiuser environment, frequently alter monitor brightness. Although
a simple adjustment, this alteration can have a significant impact on color
accuracy. An overly bright monitor will result in darker print output while a
darkened monitor will result in lighter prints. It is always advisable to check
the status of the monitor when working in a non-calibrated multi-user
environment.
Color Sampling
When dealing with darker
tones in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and other like programs it is advisable
to sample the colors to see what there CMYK or RGB color percentages are,
especially when painting or blending colors. Sampling dark colors can inform an
artist about how much black is contained in a color, how saturated it may be,
or whether it is warm or cool toned. This can indicate if there will be any
gain or over saturation that will occur when printing. Even subtle warm and
cool colors can be hard to judge. This may sometimes appear to cause a shift
when printing, but it may actually be a misperception of a color’s content to
begin with. The link below is to a perceptual color test provided by X-Rite. The
online color challenge, based on the Farnsworth Munsell 100 Hue Test.
Work Environment
It’s
time to think outside of the box. All the conditions referred to above occur
inside hardware devices, but there is one factor that influences color
perception that does not--the users environment. The amount of light in the
workstation environment, whether it varies, and the quality of the light will
all influence the colors used in an illustration. Both natural and artificial
light varies in amount and in color temperature. Color
temperatures over 5,000 Kelvin are cooler in color--bluish white,
while lower color temperatures, 2,700–3,000 Kelvin are called warm colors--yellowish
white through red. Color temperature and brightness can alter an illustrator’s
use of a particular color scheme. Working in an environment with a stable
lighting situation can improve output results. Professional colorimeters
include ambient light testing.
Conclusion
All or any of the above suggestions can
greatly enhance color display and output quality and accuracy. Even in
difficult to control multi-user open environments certain color management procedures
can be applied to improve the color environment.
