TKO Graphix Brandwire

Digital Print Color Calibration, or “Man, do the flames on my truck look pink in the daylight?”

∞ posted 1 year ago in Color Management Fleet Graphics Vehicle Graphics Vehicle Wraps Color Profiles Color Calibration

by Randy Clark

Our production manager at TKO Graphix, Tom McClelland, shared a story with me about a customer who was unable to match the existing rear panel of his vehicle wrap on his monster truck. The panel of the truck had been damaged in an accident (what a surprise) and needed replacing. However, when the truck’s owner went back to the graphics company, who had manufactured the original decal, they could not match the color even though the decal was less than a year old, not significantly faded, and was a standard color.

The question is, “How could this happen?” The company’s printing equipment had not been color-calibrated, and therefore not monitored. Without controlling these processes, colors are inconsistent. The color may be a standard spot color, but if the equipment is not calibrated and monitored daily, the color could vary significantly. Color profiling allows the graphics manufacturer to match a previous print product, like the monster truck. Color calibration requires all equipment to be part of a color-managed workflow. Usually, the control is a Pantone Matching System (PMS). Scanning a control color into the software allows uniformity on all equipment and between equipment. In other words, it will not matter which piece of equipment is used, regardless of inks, materials, or when it is printed. Color profiling also allows colors to match whether it is a vinyl decal, poster, sign or banner. Monitoring color daily and throughout the day will ensure consistency.

Okay, Do You REALLY Want To Know More About Color Calibration? If So, Read On…
Delta1-E(dE) is a single number that represents the distance between two colors. The human eye can detect color differences of one dE. However, it is not that simple because Light, Chroma and Hue (LCH) affect color perception. Blues are perceived differently than reds, reds are seen differently than yellows, and people do not see colors the same. Why doesn’t the color on the computer screen always look like the printed version? Monitors use RBG (red, green, blue) pixels, while most printers use CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black). Plus, the type of material, texture and brightness will also influence perception.

In Conclusion
Before investing in graphics, do your homework. Here are some questions to ask your graphic provider.
1. What color management policies and procedures does the graphics provider use?
2. How does the provider ensure consistency between equipment, materials, applications, and date of production?
3. How often is the calibration monitored?
4. What is the company’s delta–E tolerance policy?
5. What are the provider’s approval policies in regards to color?