When and Why should you use the Advanced Grayscale method for creating target densities?

This is the recommended Media Model to use when building profiles in a non-ICC workflow.

If you want to create a media that controls ink usage, but you don't have the time or ability to create the ICC table, it is strongly recommended that you use the Advanced Grayscalemethod for creating target densities. The Advanced Grayscale method of creating target densities is for obtaining output that approximates SWOP press colors with an expectation that by obtaining neutral gray at 25%, 50%, and 75% the colored output will be correct as well.  This method is recommended when a customer chooses a non-ICC based workflow.  This method requires a colorimetric color sampling device.

It determines where gray is the most neutral in the density midpoint (default is 55%) and then sets the points along the tonal curve based on this determination. Therefore, the density of C, M, and Y at the midpoint of the tonal curve matches the density of K at the same point. The advantage to using the advanced grayscale media model is that it provides the most predictable color and balances gray along the curve. However, while gray may be balanced at the points along the curve, they do not necessarily increase in balanced increments to produce a smooth gradient. This media model adjusts the N-Factor values (used to calculate midtone densities) as well as the DMax (maximum density) for you, but you still have the option of modifying these options.

If you are not satisfied with the results using the Advanced Grayscale method, you may consider making adjustments to the media model target densities using the N-Factor and Scale Adjustment Tools.  Please note that such changes will require extensive "Tweak & Test" adjustments and test prints.  Without an ICC to provide color accuracy the only color control available outside of the Preflight Color Correction Tools is the adjustment of target densities.

This media model is much like driving an automobile with an automatic transmission on your trip. The "auto transmission" does most of the shifting for you, but you still have the option of changing gears if you so desire.

Using Advanced Grayscale

1. After reading in the regular calibration/linearization swatches, click > Next.
2. Select the Advanced Grayscale tab and click > Print Swatch. 
3. From the Print Swatch dialog click on Setup. 
4. Click the Black Setup tab. 

Here is where we tell the software how we want to determine the appropriate gray neutrality for our target densities.  Note that you can select a single gray midpoint target or multiple points at 25%, 50%, and 75%.  We recommend the selection of multi-point grayscale.  The default is to approximate the gray neutrality of a US Web, Coated SWOP media.  The settings for each channel are based on 25%, 50%, and 75% Cyan.  Only Magenta and Yellow can be modified.  If you prefer you can edit the settings for Magenta and Yellow, or select the button to balance the demand for all 3 colors. 

Remember, that since our inks are not the same as press inks the software will have to create enough swatches to obtain readings to give us a fair idea of how the 3 colors combine in various levels of gray neutrality.  Unless you have tried and found that the color ratios need to be changed, leave the settings as they are.

To build this media model using the additional "Grayscale" swatch:

1. Click > OK to exit the setup tab and then click > Print.
2. When the swatches have printed and had adequate "Real World" dry time, read them with a colorimetric or spectral color sampling device.
3. When the swatches are read, click > OK and then > Build.
4. Click > Next and then click Build Linearization.
5. When the graph of the Linearization is displayed make NO CHANGES to the settings.  Otherwise you invalidate all the work you have done to this point. 
6. Click  > Build to complete the creation of the Linearization.

Once you have determined the Media Model you are now ready for the next step - Ink Limits.

Back to Media Model. 

Back to Profiling Step By Step.