Print Final Test Image
The next step is to print a final test image using your newly created profile. You can also do this step within RIP-Queue or Preflight. This step allows you to review your final profile on a known image and specific color management options applied. By using a known image you are creating a baseline for your target which helps set expectations for future profiles.
You can create your own test file with specific types of images you print most often. A test image should contain the following elements: CMYK, RGB, and B&W images, gradients, Pantone colors, color wheels, text at various font sizes, Process K and 4 color K, and any other images or elements you find useful.
- Use the drop down list to select from the pre-loaded files or click > other to browse and load a custom test file.
- Click > Print Test Image to display the Print Image window.
- Modify the Page size, orientation, label, scale original and color management options as desired
- Enable the "Use Color Table" for referencing the Pantone library if you are evaluation spot colors.
- Click > Print.
Tech Note: The color management default in Media Manager is set to "All ICC Profiles On" which works well for most images. This dialog controls the input profiles and rendering intents used in the color conversion along with the output profile properties. This pre-set defines the current Adobe color settings and input profile selections:
- CMYK: US Web Coated (SWOP) v2.icc
- RGB: sRGB_IEC61955_21.icm
The pre-loaded files are designed to be evaluated using the "Default" input profiles and rendering intents. "ONYX Quality Test" is a great test image because it includes all of the image types and elements listed above. "Photo Quality Test RGB" and "Wine and Cheese" are both RGB images which you can choose to evaluate with other color management options.
To change the color management options for evaluation ONYX Quality Test, please do the following:
Use the "All ICC Profiles On" drop-down list to select "Custom Settings".
The ICC Profile Setup window opens.
On the Profiles tab, use the drop-down list to select the desired input profile, or choose <Browse...> to load. The profiles in this list are located in the ONYX root directory in the "Profiles" folder by color space. If you copy/paste other files into these folders they will display within the list for future use.
On the Rendering Intents tab verify that the settings are Image: Perceptual and Vector: Saturation.
Click > OK to accept.
Click > Print Image.
This is your target output. You may wish to try different build options after reviewing the test print.
- Click > Back to the previous window that displays the print/read swatch buttons and the Name: ICC Profile Table.
- Click > Read Swatch > Options to access the ICC Build options dialog.
- Edit your selections. This will rewrite the "ICC Profile Table" with the updated build.
You can also create a new ICC file by entering in a new name for example:ICC Profile Table _ 2 before changing your opions. This will produce a separate file in the library. The last file created is set as the "Default". If you have created several R&D test files you can set the desired "Default" using the right-click options within View Media Library.
If you created a test print before the ICC step you can compare the two prints and analyze the final output.
Review the following tips for Analyzing the Final Output.
See Understanding Print Quality.
