Sept.
 2004

In the first article of this soft proofing series (see Newspapers & Technology, June 2004), I explained that soft proofing is the process of using a computer monitor to make color and density decisions that will accurately (not perfectly) reflect what the image will look like when proofed or when printed on press.

I also explained what you need for successful soft proofing, such as a quality monitor and an accurate viewing booth. In our second installment (see Newspapers & Technology, July 2004), I explained the standards you’ll want to use to calibrate and profile your monitor combined with some tips regarding the best way to configure Adobe Photoshop.

This month, in the final part of this series, I will review some of the tools available for monitor calibration and profiling, along with some commercially available systems specifically designed to provide soft proofing capabilities.

Do-it-yourself soft proofing

In its simplest form, soft proofing can be successfully implemented using only a monitor, viewing booth and your application software along with two additional components: an app to calibrate and profile your monitor and a device to take the actual readings on the monitor. Let’s examine these two components individually.

First up is the hardware device, a fist-sized component that rests on the face of the monitor and reads the color of the individual patches that the calibration and profiling software displays.

These devices can be either colorimeters or spectrophotometers and either device can do a fine job providing you with accurate color. Although spectrophotometers are traditionally considered to be the more accurate of the two devices, some users have reported that they prefer the results that they have obtained using a colorimeter.

That’s good news if you are in the market for a device because colorimeters are less expensive than spectrophotometers.

If you already own a spectrophotometer that can be used for monitor calibration and profiling, rest assured that it will probably provide perfectly usable results.

Many choices

A sampling of devices suitable for use in calibrating and profiling monitors for soft proofing include the Spyder from ColorVision, the i1 from GretagMacbeth, the OptixXR from Monaco, and the Monitor Optimizer from X-Rite.  Any of these devices can be used for either CRT or LCD displays.

In addition to these products, three monitors - the LaCie Blue Eye, the Sony Artisan and the Eizo CG21 - are each available with its own device and software for calibration and profiling.

Editor’s note: For more information about these companies please see the August 2004 edition of Newspapers & Technology, which contains the 2004 Buyer’s Guide.

Software and hardware tools such as Optix from Monaco allow the user to calibrate and profile monitors to a given standard as well as verify the accuracy of the process.
Graphic: Chromaticity

After you have procured your device you will need software to drive it. Note that you are not necessarily limited to selecting software from the same manufacturer that produced your hardware device.  If you find an app with particular features you desire, check and see if it supports the device you want to use

You will find software available from many of the same manufacturers listed above.

One important feature you will want from your software is validation. Although all of the software packages can do a good job of calibrating and profiling, software with a validation component also gauges the quality of your monitor. There is no sense in working with a monitor that doesn’t have the ability to provide you with the accuracy you want.

Helping hand

If you don’t feel like assembling a soft proofing system on your own, there are numerous vendors offering assembled solutions.

Often you will find that these solutions are add-on modules used to extend soft proofing capabilities to other workflow products you might use.

Products in this category include, but are certainly not limited to, Creo Inc.’s Synapse InSite and Prepare software; Harland Simon’s Prima RIPset and Screen Proofing software; Harris & Baseview’s Baseview Internet Technology Services soft-proofing module; and ProImage Ltd.’s ProImage Proof Server.

Many of these products offer an additional feature set that goes beyond the capability of soft proofing: collaboration capabilities.

Collaboration tools allow clients, content, and service providers to not only remotely view the images, graphics and page layouts accurately, but also to electronically annotate, comment and approve the content. This capability greatly extends the value of the soft proofing process and can enhance both the flexibility and profitability of your publication.

And now for your clients

Once you experience the benefits of deploying soft proofing in your internal workflow, you may want to extend the benefits to your customers.

Although you can educate your clients in how to calibrate and profile their own monitors, how to set up their application software and how to correctly work with images, you may want to consider an alternative approach.

This would use what might be more appropriately classified as collaboration software.  Be aware, however, that some of the packages touted as soft proofing solutions let users only approve content and not color, density and contrast accuracy.

One app that does dovetail with both soft proofing and collaboration is Remote Director, from Integrated Color Solutions.

Rather than dub the app a soft proofing program, ICS prefers to describe its software as a contract monitor proofing tool.

Remote Director allows multiple reviewers in dispersed locations to view, collaborate and comment on color and content, and then to build a complete digital record of the job from start to finish, including final legal sign-off.

Gaining traction

ICS is gaining traction in the newspaper industry. The Washington Post, for example, just finished installing the software for use in producing its Sunday magazine.

Still, said John Sweeney, ICS’ vice president of sales and marketing, customers are still a bit wary of soft proofing’s benefits.

“Trust is the main issue,” he said, adding that the main stumbling block is cultural and not technical. That lack of trust is fueled in part “by a lack of awareness of not only the quality possibilities but also the cost savings.” 

Keep in mind the fact that cost savings are not limited to the savings in ink, paper, proofing equipment overhead and the likes but extend to that great intangible: time.

“We have seen clients take a full day-and-a-half off of a five-day production cycle,” Sweeney said about the technology. “Having an additional 36 hours to close the editorial content and sell ad space can be a huge benefit to a publication.”

Thorough understanding key

Soft proofing accuracy relies on a good quality monitor, accurately calibrated and profiled, an ICC profile that accurately reflects the characteristics of your output device, proper settings in programs such as Adobe Photoshop and QuarkXPress, and a thorough understanding of the process.

The quality and accuracy of all of the above items need to be evaluated and selected based upon the level of accuracy you demand from your soft proofing system.

The time you spend to determine your precise needs and analyze your options to incorporate soft proofing capabilities into your workflow will reward you handsomely in time and cost savings, increased flexibility in scheduling and improved confidence in your printing capabilities.

John Nate is a color specialist for Chromaticity Inc., an integrator of color technologies for the newspaper and other industries. He can be reached at 616.361.7773 or via e-mail at jnate@chromaticity.com.