About Focoltone ICCS
1. What is Color OK!?
Color OK! is Focoltone's trademark for accurate and
consistent color output from a print device. As long
as image data is produced on a machine certified Color
OK!, one can be sure it will be a quality printout regardless
of location, environmental or mechanical factors. Establishing
a consistent and accurate color production standard
is part of the Color OK! culture Focoltone intends.
Top>>
2. What does Focoltone Intelligent
Color Calibration System (ICCS) do?
Focoltone ICCS, a plug-in to Adobe Photoshop, calibrates
your high-end digital color printers and copiers to
produce colors that match CMYK process color standards
as prescribed by the Focoltone Color System.
Focoltone ICCS is a color standardization and calibration
tool. It uses advanced Artificial Intelligence to conduct
a negative color comparison and verify the ICC profile
of your printer. It ensures color consistency and accuracy
by color verification based on the patented Focoltone
Calibration Chart that is derived from the international
Focoltone Color System.
It turns your digital color printer or copier into a
Color OK! printer. Ready for the most demanding digital
color print jobs. Top>>
3. What is an ICC profile and what
does it do?
The International Color Consortium (ICC) has published
a standard defining the structure of ICC profiles to
aid in print color management.
Most high-end digital color printers and copiers carry
an ICC profile particular to each machine and its printing
conditions. This ICC profile helps to ensure that the
printer achieves accurate color output. Top>>
4. Since my printer already has
an ICC profile, why do I still need Focoltone ICCS to
calibrate my printer?
Although your printer already has an ICC profile, there
is currently a lack of verification to ensure that your
printer's ICC profile is correct for achieving accurate
color output. The ICC profile is a printer's color characteristics,
which is inherently affected by multiple environmental
factors, changing the accuracy of the CMYK color output.
The ICC profile provided by the manufacturer with your
printer will just adjust your printer to the standard
or "zero"
the printer. As a rule, in ICC profiles, if you print
one sheet of CMYK patches, the machine's ICC profile
has to be calibrated again using trial and error before
printing another sheet. This does not guarantee that
the color output of a color reproduction system will
achieve accurate color.
That is the flaw of ICC, in that it states the problem
but offers no solutions. It will require an expert technician
to adjust and fine tune the printer.
Focoltone ICCS operates as a verifier for your printer's
ICC profile and adjusts it for accurate print output
in an easy fuss-free manner. Top>>
5. Is Focoltone ICCS compliant to
the International Color Consortium's standards?
Focoltone ICCS is fully compliant to ICC standards and
acts as an "ICC profile verification". Top>>
6. How can you benefit from Focoltone
ICCS?
You can get realistic color print-outs based on the
Calibration Chart printed using offset CMYK standards,
meaning your digital color mock-ups and proofs will
finally be a reliable color indication of your actual
offset prints.
A typical printer is bundled with a factory
default color-curve for color reference.
The color-curve, influenced by different environmental
factors, will change each color characteristics and
become inaccurate. The color difference also applies
to machines of the same model, in which copy-top copies
and digital outputs can vary even with the same original
input. This difference is even greater when you compare
between different printer models. With Focoltone ICCS,
the printer is calibrated for consistency and bridges
the difference between most printer makes and models.
Top>>
7. What other benefits are there?
a) Focoltone ICCS ensures that the different color printers
you use are calibrated and verified to the same Focoltone
color standards. Focoltone ICCS is an independent system
that will ensure accurate colors on printers equipped
it, irregardless of make or model.
b) Focoltone ICCS saves you the time and effort of adjusting
ICC
profiles manually through trial and error.
c) Focoltone ICCS saves costs if you need to call upon
a skilled technician to adjust the ICC profile. Top>>
8. What is "Negative Color
Comparison"?
While it is a fact that the human eye cannot measure
colors accurately, it can compare between colors. Two
individuals looking at a single color will see it differently,
and these two individuals looking at two different colors
will still see each of them differently. But - they
will see the difference between the two colors with
about the same degree of accuracy. What is important
here is that individuals experience identical levels
of difference when looking at colors.
No matter what kind of measurement technology is used,
the results should be consistent with visual assessment.
Because the human eye is the final judge of color. Negative
color comparison takes advantage of the human
eye's appreciation of color and merges this appreciation
with precise color data values. Using negative color
comparison, Focoltone ICCS detects the color differences
between a printer's color output against a target color
level provided by the Focoltone Calibration Chart. As
the Calibration Chart provides a standard for the printer
to adhere to, Focoltone ICCS adjusts the printer's color
output to match the standard. Top>>
9. What's the difference between
Focoltone ICCS and other color management tools?
Focoltone ICCS measure CMYK
via numeric value and visual reference, not through
the usual density or spectro reading of RGB in CIELab
terms of other color management tools. As
Focoltone ICCS is able to measure color in numeric values,
we can define the contamination and variance levels
and adjust accordingly. The system also has a color
verification step that uses the Focoltone
Calibration Chart as a target reference. Top>>
10. Are you looking for partners?
Yes, we are still looking for partners and early adopters
to further integrate this groundbreaking technology
for their own equipment or products. Top>>
11. Are there any published materials
on this technology?
Yes, please download the white
paper below.
Technical
White Paper - Part 1
12. Can a Focoltone ICCS-calibrated
printer produce matching Pantone colors?
No, unless you can match Pantone colors to printable
CMYK colors. Focoltone ICCS is designed to enable printers
to approach offset press quality. It therefore functions
within the CMYK color space that such presses typically
use. If a Pantone color falls within that color space,
a Focoltone ICCS-calibrated printer could produce a
pleasing color match. There are a few things to consider
though. If the Pantone color is outside the CMYK color
gamut, Focoltone ICCS can only calibrate your printer
to achieve the closest possible CMYK result. It would
also be dependent on whether your printer is Pantone-certified;
Pantone-certified printers would naturally produce better
results. Top>>
13. Can Focoltone ICCS work on
6-color or even 8-color printers?
Yes, provided the printers are using a RIP (Level 2
and above) or PostScript software to drive them. Top>>
14. I have an inkjet printer that
has a RGB driver. Can Focoltone ICCS be used for it?
Unless you are using a RIP or PostScript software, you
will be unable to apply the results from Focoltone ICCS
on it. Top>>
15. Do I need to calibrate my scanner
before performing Focoltone ICCS calibration on my printer?
Focoltone ICCS will still produce good results using
an uncalibrated scanner due to its usage of Negative
Color Comparison technology. Usually you do not have
to calibrate it unless it is not working properly. However,
as the scanner forms a critical component of the Focoltone
ICCS calibration process, it is recommended that you
calibrate it. Top>>
16. Process CMYK colors appear
different on different offset printing systems. How
can I calibrate my digital printer to match the colors
on my offset press?
Focoltone ICCS does not calibrate your digital printer
to match exact colors on your offset printing press.
What it does is to calibrate your digital printer to
produce colors close to generic offset CMYK standards.
Top>>
17. Does Focoltone ICCS calibrate
my scanner?
No, it does not. You will have to ensure your scanner
is calibrated and in good working condition to work
with the system. Top>>
18. What type of scanner should
I use?
Any scanner that meets these minimum requirements will
suffice: 24-bit color, 300dpi scan capability. Top>>
19. Does my scanner affect the
calibration results? Does a better scanner yield better
results?
A better scan will naturally yield better results as
the Calibration Chart colors will be more accurately
picked out. However, one should avoid too 'deep' a scan
as this might pick up moirés and compromise the results.
Top>>
20. The scanned input is RGB. How
can you calibrate RGB values to CMYK for the printer?
While the image becomes translated to RGB color values
during the scan, what is important here is that the
actual colors are CMYK-based. The ICCS program 'knows'
the CMYK values for each color patch it analyzes and
will produce an ICC profile designed to bring your printer's
performance on par with, or as close to, the target
reference as possible. Top>>
21. How can I use Focoltone ICCS
to achieve Color OK! on several different printers?
To get your color consistent across different printing
devices i.e. Color OK!, you will need to run Focoltone
ICCS on each of the systems to get individual ICC profiles.
The ICC profiles are all derived using the Calibration
Chart as a target color reference and will thus ensure
matching color output on each device, thereby making
each machine Color OK!. Top>>
Using Focoltone ICCS
1. What are the minimum specifications
and requirements for Focoltone ICCS 2.1?
System Requirements
Macintosh Computer
• Power PC Processor
• Mac OS software versions 9.x onwards
• 350MB available RAM
• 200MB available hard-disk space
• 24-bit display monitor, at least VGA (640 x 480)
or above
• Double-speed CD-ROM drive
• Adobe Photoshop 6 or above
Windows Computer
• Pentium III or above Processor
• Microsoft Windows 2000 / XP
• 256MB available RAM
• 200MB available hard-disk space
• 24-bit display monitor, at least VGA (640 x 480)
or above
• Double-speed CD-ROM drive
• Adobe Photoshop 6 or above
Printer Requirements
• A high-end digital color output machine, preferably
ICC profile enabled, with CMYK output of a good density.
Scanner Requirements
• Minimum 24-bit
• 300dpi scan capability
Top>>
2. How often should I calibrate
my digital printer with Focoltone ICCS 2.1?
As often as you like! Ideally, you should calibrate
your digital printer twice a day. Once in the morning
and once in the afternoon - this ensures accurate and
consistent color output. If you do not calibrate that
frequently, your digital printer should be calibrated
before you intend to produce a color-critical print.
Top>>
3. What do I need to operate Focoltone
ICCS 2.1?
A compatible digital device (printer or print-enabled
color copier), scanner, Adobe Photoshop, and a computer
with sufficient memory and processing speed. Top>>
4. Can the Focoltone ICCS 2.1 plug-in
be installed to other software e.g. Macromedia Freehand
or Adobe Illustrator?
No. Currently, Focoltone ICCS 2.1 only functions as
an Adobe Photoshop Plug-in. Top>>
5. Can the results of the Focoltone
ICCS calibration be applied to other software applications
e.g. Adobe Pagemaker for their printouts? How do I apply
the results?
Yes. Focoltone ICCS works on Photoshop to generate an
ICC profile, which can then be applied directly to your
assigned printer via Microsoft Windows CMM or Mac ColorSync
at OS level, or via applications such Adobe Pagemaker
in their print module. Top>>
6. Can the English version of Focoltone
ICCS work on localized operating systems e.g. Japanese
Macintosh OS?
Yes, it can. However, it would be better to use the
Focoltone ICCS Japanese version. Top>>
7. Is it possible to revert to the
calibration results of a previously created cycle? How
do I do that?
If you have not applied the results, you cannot revert
to a previous calibration as no data was generated.
If you did click Apply, the generated ICC profile and/or
color output curve will be in the DATA directory and
you can retrieve the file from there. The file name
will be what you specified earlier in 'ICCS Options'.
However, that file is automatically updated to the latest
results when you click Apply.
You cannot revert to a previously applied result if
you click Apply again. Top>>
8. What is the point of entering
an input ICC profile under ICCS Options?
This input ICC profile serves as a source profile for
color adjustment. Top>>
9. What is the Transfer Function
Curve and its purpose?
The transfer function curve enables you to compensate
for dot gain. Top>>
10. What can I do with the new
ATF profile generated by Focoltone ICCS?
You can only use it inside Adobe Photoshop application.
Top>>
11. What type of printers can Focoltone
ICCS be used on?
Focoltone ICCS can be used on all higher-end digital
color output machines. These machines should be ICC
profile enabled and have CMYK output of a good density.
Top>>
12. To what standard or reference
do I adjust the print color densities when the Focoltone
ICCS program prompts me to adjust it?
Focoltone ICCS uses Focoltone Color System colors as
its color reference standard. Your print color output
density should be set to maximum for best results. Top>>
13. How do I adjust the print color
densities on the printer?
Your print color density can be adjusted either manually
or through your printer software. Please check your
printer manual for how to do this. Top>>
14. Can Focoltone ICCS be used
on printers without ICC profiles?
Yes. While Focoltone ICCS is recommended for use on
printers with ICC profiles, the use of Focoltone ICCS
is not restricted only to those printers. For older
non-ICC profile compatible printers, you can still calibrate
your printer using the Transfer Curves provided through
Adobe Transfer Function. Top>>
15. Can Focoltone ICCS work even
if my scanner is inaccurate?
Yes. Top>>
16. Does the new ICC profile "zero"
the hardware to print accurate CMYK?
Yes. Top>>
17. What is a Test Sheet?
A Test Sheet is a print sheet with 109 color patches
of Focoltone Color System on it. It shows the profile
characteristics of the designated printer via its color
output. User can place it together with Focoltone Calibration
Chart (target) for visual color comparison. Top>>
18. Does the type of paper used
for printing the Test Sheet affect the calibration?
Yes. Your Test Sheet should be on the same paper type
you intend to use. Colors might appear different if
you print on a different paper type after the calibration.
If you use many different paper types, it is recommended
that you perform Focoltone ICCS calibrations for each
type and apply the ICC profile and/or color output curve
relevant to the paper type before you print. Top>>
19. What type of paper should I
use to print the Test Sheet?
You should print the Test Sheet on a paper type you:
a. intend to use for your actual print, and
b. conforms to your printer's paper type capabilities.
Top>>
20. What are the recommended types
of paper I should use to print the Test Sheet?
The type of paper recommended to print the Test Sheet
depends on the printer or copier. It is recommended
that the paper used should fit the model of the printer.
Check with the printer's technical support or printer
user guide for instructions on recommended paper type.
Top>>
21. Does the paper used for printing
the Test Sheet affect the calibration results?
Yes. It depends on the printer or copier that the Test
Sheet is printed from. Top>>
22. Why can't I print a test sheet
even though I have clicked on the first button?
It could be due to the following few reasons:
a. You do not have administrative right so you cannot
access the certain configuration files.
b. You have not specified the input ICC profile for
your calibration cycle. Top>>
23. What do you mean by Composite
Sheet?
When the printed Test Sheet is placed below the Calibration
Chart, and the color patches on the test sheet are side-by-side
along the color patches on the Calibration Chart, we
call it a Composite Sheet. To see an example of Composite
Sheet, click
here. Top>>
24. Focoltone Calibration Chart
is A4 size. But we don't use A4 paper in US. Can we
use letter size paper instead?
Yes, you can use letter size paper. Please take note
of the followings:
a. Print Test Sheet - Test Sheet is printed out without
any distortion. To adjust the print area, you can uncheck
the "Center Image" box in Print with Preview
dialog. Then you can drag the print image in the image
preview box until all four red crosses are seen.
b. Scan Composite Sheet - Color patches of the Test
Sheet are properly aligned with Focoltone Calibration
Chart. Please make sure the four corners cross and the
arrow on the upper left of calibration chart are within
the scanning area. Top>>
25. After calibrating my printer
output to match the Focoltone Calibration Chart, I printed
out my final artwork on usual wood-free paper. However,
my final offset output is not on wood-free paper. So,
do I still calibrate my printer using wood-free paper?
To calibrate your printer according to paper type, you
will have to print your test sheet on the paper you
intend to use. Top>>
26. Under what lighting should
I compare the Test Sheet with the Calibration Chart?
The comparison can be done in any lighting environment.
There is no requirement for lighting conditions. Top>>
27. How many calibration cycles
do I have to carry out to get the best results out of
my printer?
One to three calibration cycles should normally be sufficient
to get optimum results from your printer. The cycle
number is reflected in the Cycle field on the ICCS control
panel. Top>>
28. Why is there no color improvement
after cycles of color calibration?
a. The printer is in its optimum and good working condition.
Therefore no calibration needed.
b. The new profile has not been uploaded to the RIP.
c. The printer does not have a CMYK driver.
d. The printer does not support ICC profile.
e. Capability of the scanner to pick up the color difference.
Top>>
29. Why is the color on the test
sheet look so different when I print it in Adobe Photoshop
but without Focoltone ICCS program?
You probably have forgotten to set the working ICC profile
of Photoshop to the same as the input ICC profile. When
these two profiles are not the same, the printed color
will appear to be not as pure. You need to set the working
ICC profile at Photoshop's color setting before you
start the ICCS calibration process. Top>>
30. I am satisfied with the Test
Sheet's print result. What's next?
You may click Apply to generate the newly derived ICC
Profile and transfer function curve. Top>>
31. Where is the new profile that
generated by Focoltone ICCS?
The new ICCS-derived profile can be found in DATA folder
under ICCS installed directory. Focoltone ICCS has created
a shortcut to the system's profile directory (e.g. WINNT\system32\spool\drivers\color
in Windows or System:Library:ColorSync:Profiles: in
Macintosh). You can easily apply the derived profile,
which named after setting name, to RIP, system or application-level.
Top>>
32. What can I do with the new
ICC profile generated by Focoltone ICCS?
You may use the profile as the output profile either
on application, system or RIP level. Top>>
33. Where to apply an ICC profile?
Application, operating system or RIP level? If you have
a RIP, the best way to apply the profile is to use it
on the RIP level. In general, RIP color control setting
will override all the system's and application's. It
controls all the color output from the printer. However,
you are advised to turn off all the color management
in both system and application level.
In the event you do not have a RIP, applying profile
on the system level would be the second best option.
However, do bear in mind that there could be system
color setting differences in a print environment. Why?
Given the scenario, Person A calibrated Printer X and
Profile P is the calibration output. Person A shares
Printer X with his colleagues. Person B is one of them.
Say now A and B both want to print a job Y on Printer
X. Person A set Profile P as the system working CMYK
profile while Person B not. Thus the two printouts are
different! In addition, sometimes profile setting has
little effect on system's color management.
If your printer does not support ICC profile, applying
profile via application level is another possible way
of using ICC profile. Having said so, please note that
there will be different print effects while printing
the same job from different applications. Reasons being
different color engines (ACE, Kodak etc) are used in
different applications. So the ways on how the engines
convert color information from source space to destination
space are different.
In general, RIP color control setting will supersede
system's whilst system's will supersede application's.
Top>>
34. How to get or upload a profile
to the RIP?
Normally each RIP comes with a color tool. For EFI Fiery
RIP, a ColorWise Pro Tool is used to handle the output
setting, profile modifying and profile management. You
can download and upload the ICC profile using Profile
Manager. Top>>
Focoltone ICCS Installation, Registration and Setup
1. I don't have Adobe Photoshop
in my computer. Can I still install Focoltone ICCS?
No, you cannot. The installer will stop you from installing
Focoltone ICCS. Please install Adobe Photoshop before
installing it. Top>>
2. If I have more than one version
of Adobe Photoshop installed in my computer, can Focoltone
ICCS operate on all of them? If it could, what I need
to do to make it work?
Focoltone ICCS works for all Photoshop application for
version 6 or later. Only one copy of ICCS is to be installed
in one Operating System. However, if you want to run
ICCS in all the Photoshop you have, you can simply copy
the 'Shortcut to IccsMain.8li' file from the plug-in
folder to another plug-in folder under other versions
of Photoshop. Please note that there will be minor user
interface and function difference across the Photoshop
applications. Top>>
3. I have both OS X and OS 9 (Classic
mode) on my Macintosh. Can I use one installed Focoltone
ICCS on both operating systems?
No. In a Macintosh OS X machine that supports multiple
Startup Disk, Focoltone ICCS only works on the system
that you choose to install. E.g. Focoltone ICCS can
be installed on OS X but will not work on OS 9 or vice
versa. Top>>
4. I have both OS X and OS 9 (Classic
mode) on my Macintosh. Can I install Focoltone ICCS
seperately on both operating system?
It depends on whether your operating systems are on
different partition of the disk. If you were having
these operating systems on different partition of the
hard disk, you can install more than once on different
partition/operating system. But if you were having both
operating systems on the same partition, you can only
install once on one of the operating system.
Top>>
5. What is an Installation Code?
Installation Code is a code to unlock Focoltone ICCS
installer. It is different for both Windows and Macintosh.
It is also required during product registration. Top>>
6. Can I use Macintosh's Installation
Code on Windows installation or vice versa?
No. Top>>
7. The installation hangs before
it completes. What should I do?
The problem could be due to the errors arising from
either the installer or the system. Please restart your
computer and reinstall again. Uninstall first if necessary.
Top>>
8. I am working on a computer without
administrative privilege. Why can't I install or use
Focoltone ICCS?
Focoltone ICCS requires user who has administrative
privilege i.e. administrator for software installation.
However, administrator can grant others the access right
to use Focoltone ICCS. Top>>
9. After I installed Focoltone ICCS,
how do I launch the ICCS?
Focoltone ICCS acts as a plug-in of Adobe Photoshop.
You can only launch it from Adobe Photoshop. After launching
Photoshop, simply click on File menu, choose Automate,
you will see Focoltone ICCS from the list. Please refer
to User Guide for more details. Top>>
10. Why can't I see the Focoltone
ICCS plug-in in Photoshop after the installation?
It could be due to incomplete installation. Please reinstall
the program. Top>>
11. Can I use Focoltone ICCS first
and register online later?
No. You won't be able to use Focoltone ICCS without
a Registration Key. Please register first at http://www.focoltone.com/register.html.
Top>>
12. What is Registration Key?
A Registration Key is used to activate Focoltone ICCS
in Adobe Photoshop. You will get it via email upon successful
online registration at Focoltone website. You can register
at http://www.focoltone.com/register.html.
Top>>
13. Before I launch Focoltone ICCS
for the very first time, do I need to do any setup in
Photoshop?
Yes. To ensure Focoltone ICCS operate correctly in Photoshop,
you must complete the following procedures:
1) Perform a test print from designated printer using
a PostScript driver.
2) Perform a test scan at 300dpi resolution, A4 or letter
size from Adobe Photoshop. (File> Import >{your
designated scanner})
3) Set Adobe Photoshop's working profile to the same
as input ICC profile. Switch off all the options in
Color Management Policy.
For more details, please refer to Quick Start Guide.
Top>>
14. Some of the information I entered
into ICCS Options didn't get printed out on the Test
Sheet. Why is it so?
You have probably entered the characters of other languages
or special characters into ICCS Options. Only the characters
found on standard keyboard will be printed out on Test
Sheet. Top>>
15. What is an Input Profile? Where
can I locate it?
Input profile is the printer's default or system's ICC
profile that you will be using for color calibration.
You can find it from printer driver installation CD
or system's color management folder (e.g. WINNT\system32\spool\drivers\color
in Windows or System:Library:ColorSync:Profiles: in
Macintosh) Top>>
16. I don't have a printer's default
ICC profile for my printer. What can I use to replace
it?
You can use the default RIP output profile or default
set of profiles, provided by Photoshop, such as U.S.
Sheetfed Uncoated v2. But a printer profile is still
recommended for the calibration. Top>>
17. Can I continue with ICCS calibration
cycle without any input profile?
No. An input ICC profile is necessary for the calibration
process to generate an output ICC profile and output
curve. Top>>
18. What is Serial Number? Where
can I locate it?
Each Focoltone Calibration Chart has a unique number,
which is called the Serial Number. You can locate it
on the upper left of the calibration chart. It is also
required during Focoltone ICCS Product Registration.
Top>>
19. What do I need to enter in
the Setting field under ICCS Options?
Essentially, Setting is the name given to the output
profile for current calibration process. Normally it
consists of printer name, paper type, date, time and
etc. More details can be found in the User Guide. Please
note that the ICCS-derived ICC profile and transfer
function curve will be named after what you have entered
in Setting. It is recommended to create a different
setting name each time you start a new calibration process.
Top>>
20. What is the difference between
Manual mode and Auto mode?
In Manual mode, you can bypass certain process during
the calibration cycle i.e. 'Scan Composite Sheet'. User
can choose to scan in the composite sheet using other
scanner that can't be found in the scanner list under
File>import menu. But it is recommended only for
expert users. Top>>
The Focoltone Calibration Chart
1. How accurate is the Focoltone
Calibration Chart?
It is printed on offset process color printing presses.
Every piece passes through a stringent quality check.
Only 30% of printed charts meet our final criteria for
actual usage. Therefore, you can be assured that Focoltone
ICCS matches your digital color printer or copier to
offset color printing standards. Top>>
2. How do you measure the colors
on the Test Sheet to translate them into numeric values
on the graph?
When the Test Sheet is scanned together with the Focoltone
Calibration Chart, the colors on the Chart are defined
as zero. The program is smart enough to pick up differences
on the colors on the Test Sheet and convert these into
numeric values for graphical display. The scanner detects
the contamination on the Test Sheet as compared to the
Chart and passes along the information to the program
that highlights these contaminants on the screen. Top>>
3. On what basis are the colors on
the Calibration Chart selected?
The chart carries CMYK single, solid, mid-tone, shadow
and grey colors. Although most other color management
tools measure using single colors and solid colors,
these are not the most common colors used in printing.
The bulk of problems come from printing mid-tone colors
when one or more of the four process colors do not show
the correct values. These colors are specially selected
to cover a wide spectrum of commonly printed single,
solid and mid-tone colors for greater accuracy in normal
printing. Top>>
4. How do I protect the Focoltone
Calibration Chart?
To maintain accurate colors, always store the Calibration
Chart in its protective casing and avoid unnecessary
exposure to light. Top>>
5. When do I change the Focoltone
Calibration Chart?
The colors on the Calibration Chart are subject to fading
and discoloration due to their constant exposure to
scanner light during calibration. Your Focoltone Calibration
Chart should be changed once the colors look faded or
'washed out'.
The recommended replacement frequency is every six months.
The actual replacement frequency varies, depending on
usage.
Click here
to buy a new Focoltone Calibration Chart. Top>>
6. What type of material is the
Calibration Chart printed on?
250gsm matt art card. Top>>
7. Why is the Calibration Chart
printed on this paper? The colors on the Calibration
Chart only appear as they should on matt art card. But
the colors appear differently on other types of paper
that I am printing on.
The paper type (250gsm matt art card) was selected as
it provides the best mix of rigidity and surface non-reflectivity
necessary for its purpose as a scanner-analyzed color
reference. CMYK colors should appear according to their
values irrespective of the paper type used. Since the
Calibration Chart provides a target reference, Focoltone
ICCS can adjust the printer's CMYK output, through an
ICC profile, to achieve the closest possible color match
on the intended paper type. Top>>
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