Make a characterization file of the scanner (Profiling)

Scanners are image digitizing devices and are the starting point for most print jobs. With the use of ICC profile, accurate scan files can be obtained to realize the digital workflow of accurate color transmission. Scanning is the most important link in the digital workflow. If there is no problem in the downstream link, you must pay special attention to the scanning process. It is relatively simple to create a characterization file for the scanner, because the scanner is a relatively easy-to-control device. For flatbed scanners, simply close the lid of the scanner, fix the light source and the size of the image to obtain a high-quality characterization file. The following will briefly introduce how to make and use the scanner's characteristic description file, as well as how to set up the scanner and how to select the scanner test swatch.

Scanner feature file summary

There are usually two steps to color management for a scanner. First, make a characterization file for the scanner; then apply the characterization file when scanning the image. Each scanned image must be associated with a characteristic description file. There are many ways to apply a characteristic description file. For example, you can embed it in an image, you can directly apply it to the image through the scanning software, or you can Time to combine images and feature description files (as in Photoshop). It does not matter which method is used to combine the image and the characteristic description file. The important thing is to connect or associate the characteristic description file with the image.

Characteristic description files can improve the quality of scanned images, increase the contrast of images, enhance the reproduction of image gradations, and better reproduce colors. But this does not mean that the scanner profile can correct poor originals, it can only copy the originals accurately. Therefore, if the contrast of the original is low and the colors are not very vivid, then the characteristic file of the input device can only guarantee accurate copying of the original, and it is impossible to improve the quality of the image itself.

Choose a test swatch

In order to generate a characteristic description file of the scanner, you need to select a test swatch. The principle of selecting a swatch is based on the type of material to be scanned. If you want to scan a transmission draft, you need to select the transmission test swatch. The standard transmission test color plate is IT8.7 / 1 color plate. If the original to be scanned is a printed original, you need to select the IT8.7 / 2 swatch. IT8.7 / 1 and IT8.7 / 2 are the same on the surface, but they are made of different materials. The IT8 produced by Fuji, Agfa, and Monaco contains 288 color patches, while the Kodak IT8 has 252 color patches (there is a portrait of a person on the right side of the color palette).

The software that makes the characterization file also supports some special test swatches, such as the HutchColor swatch, which is a relatively new swatch that contains different numbers of color blocks and different color options. In addition, you can obtain the negative picture swatches from the manufacturer. Fujifilm ColourKit is one of the few manufacturers that provide negative picture characterization files. Fujifilm's software can scan negative images using color negative image swatches.

The principle of choosing a color swatch is that it can represent the material to be scanned. For example, when scanning a transmissive manuscript, a transmission color swatch is selected. If the type of the scanned material and the color swatch material can be further unified, it is more ideal, that is, two materials The type of pigment composition used is consistent. If you are scanning a Fujicolor original, the scanner's characterization file is best generated by Fujicolor IT8.7 / 2 color palette. This is because the characterization file is a reflection of the overall situation of the system, which means that it measures not only the scanner itself, but also the mixture of the scanner and the film.

Similarly, if you are scanning an Ektacolor original, you should use the Ektacolor IT8.7 / 2 color swatch to create a characterization file. Generally, a series of products only use a few limited pigments, so an Ektacolor swatch can be applied to various Ektacolor papers; Ektacolor transmission swatches can also be applied to various Ektacolor series films. If this matching cannot be achieved completely, then at least make sure that Kodak vs. Kodak, Fuji vs. Fuji, etc.

Scan test swatches

In order to generate a characterization file for the input device, first turn off all scanner interface controls, and then scan the test swatches. It is very important to turn off the automatic control of all correction levels and color reproduction. Some systems are usually set to automatic color balance to automatically correct the colors in the image according to the image. When generating the characterization file of the input device, do not start any automatic color control function, and do not want the scanning software to use the "intelligent" function. Since we want to be able to record and study the entire behavior of the device, we are more interested in the original response made by the device. Any application of image control tools may reduce the color rendering range of the scanner to a certain extent. In addition, it is necessary to pay attention to whether the sharpening control function is turned off. When scanning the swatch, it cannot be performed with the sharpening setting, and all the sharpening mask parameters are set to zero.

In addition, when scanning the test swatches, additional reflections must be taken into account, especially when scanning the transmission test swatches. If the transmissive color plate is placed on the platform without any shielding around, the light will be reflected back, causing irregular shadows to appear. The scanning resolution should be selected appropriately. If the size of the swatch is too small, the number of pixels in each color block on the swatch will not be enough to generate enough data. If the size of the swatch is relatively large, it may cause the software for creating the characteristic description file to not work properly. The normal scan resolution is set to 300 dpi, the resulting image file is manageable, and it can also be accepted by most software packages that make feature description files. Some other experience is to clean the scanning platform, remove fingerprints and smudges on the table, arrange the position of the swatch (horizontal and vertical), and pay attention to including the registration mark on the swatch. Save the scanned file as an uncompressed image file.

reference document

Before making the device's characteristic description file, you need a file--reference file. The reference file is provided by the manufacturer of the test swatch. The reference file contains the standard LAB / XYZ value of each color block provided by the manufacturer. The reference file is a simple text file that can be opened by any word processing software , Such as Microsoft Word or Notepad. Note that the data of the HutchColor swatch is measured separately, while the data of the IT8 swatch is measured in batches. Some manufacturers include reference files in the production feature description file software provided, while others provide downloads of reference files on the website, such as ftp.kodak.com/gastds/Q60DATA

Software for creating characterization files

After you have prepared the scanned swatch file and reference file, you can start to create a characterization file. Start the software package for making the characteristic description file, and then rely on the operation guide provided by the software to determine the position of the scanned swatch image and reference file. After the position is determined, the software will automatically generate the characteristic description file of the scanner.

The generated feature description files are saved in a certain location in the system software, which is automatically completed by the software. Only when the feature description files are saved in the correct location, application software (such as Photoshop or Indesign) can find and use these files. Each operating system reserves a designated location for the feature description file. In the Mac OS X operating system, there are several places to store the feature description file, one of which is Library / ColorSync / Profiles. This completes the feature description file, which can be used when scanning images.

Scanner characterization quality

After the feature description file is made, it needs to be inspected before it can be applied. The inspection should be based on subjective (visual) and objective perspectives. At this time, we do not have to worry about whether the scanner itself is good or bad. We do not need to know whether the scanner is worth $ 100 or $ 1,000. What we need to detect is whether the feature description file can completely "map" the scanner's behavior. It is normal for a low-grade scanner to have a high-quality characteristic description file, that is to say, although the quality of the scanner itself is poor, if it has a high-quality characteristic description file, it can be accurately expressed For every behavior of the device, such a characterization file is a very useful file for color management.

Many manufacturers have tracked feedback on the generated characteristic files, expressed as â–³ E. â–³ E may indicate the color tolerance of each color patch, or it may be the color difference of all color patches on the entire color palette. If the average or maximum â–³ E is relatively high, it is recommended to re-check the process of making the characterization file and make it again. The average color difference of the scanner characterization file should be less than 5 â–³ E, preferably between 1-2 â–³ E. If there is a large error, carefully check the entire production process. Usually there are many reasons for the low quality, the scanner or test swatches are not clean, the swatches are placed in an inappropriate position (not correct), or it may be due to incorrect reference files, etc. There may also be a problem with the software that makes the feature description file, or the device itself is not working properly and is not suitable for making the feature description file.

in conclusion

Image scanning is the starting point of the printing workflow, the quality of this process is directly related to the quality of the entire workflow. It is a very simple thing to make a characteristic description file of a scanner. Many softwares that make a characteristic description file can produce high-quality scanner characteristic description files. Some users will use the steps described above to create their own device characterization files. If you do not have this ability, you can consider using the inherent feature description file provided by the equipment supplier. If the above two methods do not work, then choose a characteristic file to apply at will. At this time, it is possible to choose the characteristic description file of the display, a characteristic description file of a color space (such as sRGB) or the characteristic of Photoshop working space Description file. In the color management workflow, each image must be marked, that is to say, each image must have a characteristic description file, so if you cannot obtain a suitable input characteristic description file for your device, then you should also try Way to get one, this is a very critical color management step.

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