Controlling the Colour Variables in your Workflow - Lighting

We often get asked about how to control colour in the workflow.

Everyone’s workflow is different - digital photo print output, digital production print, wide format display and signage print, commercial offset print, packaging and label flexo print, are just a few of the different workflows we encounter and support in our working day.

Whatever your workflow, in order to maintain predictable, consistent colour quality in print does require that you follow some basic rules. This will help you remove and/or reduce the variables within acceptable tolerances.

One of the easiest things to fix is to have controlled and standardised lighting for viewing and assessing your photo prints, proofs or printed results. Colour management is based on D50 lighting, for measurement and for viewing/lighting conditions.

This is not just someones idea - it is an international standard - ISO 3664:2009. This does require investment in a ‘viewing system’ but it is money well spent.

A viewing system that meets ISO 3664 will remove the ambiguity when visually assessing and analysing printed results.

If you are comparing your ‘prints’ to the same image on your monitor (in PhotoShop or Acrobat for example) you will require a calibrated monitor and a standardised viewing system.

This will confirm your soft proof (image on the monitor) is accurate to the print. 

Attention should be given to the type and quality of the monitor, how the monitor is calibrated, monitor surrounds (wall colour, etc), using a monitor hood and the ambient lighting. Softproofing is worthy of a complete article and can be a lengthy discussion, so we will cover that in another story or blog.

ISO 3664 does provide guidelines for ambient light - i.e. up to around 500 lux, but still with D50. D50 is not just about 5000K tubes or bulbs. The colour temperature is just part of it. It is the spectral quality of the lighting that is important.

D50 ambient lighting is entirely possible by way of LED lighting, tubes and bulbs. If your ambient lighting in your work place is varied with windows, halogen down lights, office warm white ‘fluros’, brightly coloured walls and furnishings around the monitor(s) you will need to eliminate or change some these.

For example D50 ‘fluro’ tubes are available to fit standard size ceiling fluro fixtures. D50 LED tubes are also now available and provide greater longevity and massive savings in running costs.

What are the basic recommendations?

• Use D50 lighting for assessing colour in printed results
• Take control of your ambient lighting and surrounds
• Use a good quality monitor* - calibrate the monitor and use a monitor hood

*with monitors we always say you only get what you pay for!

Want to learn more? 

Contact us at info@colourgraphicservices.com for colour management training and complete colour management solutions.