VersaWorks 6 Instructions for Obtaining a Stable Output Color

This article contains instructions for Obtaining Stable Color Output in VersaWorks 6. Included are complete steps as well as exporting reference printer data to a different computer and checking the detailed settings of the reference/target printers.

Even with the same settings on the same models, the output colors will vary slightly from one printer to another. Also, the output colors will vary slightly even on the same printer if the data is output at different times. The causes of such issues are changes to printers over time; slight individual differences in items such as the printers, the ink, and the media; and temperature or humidity changes in the operating environment. By determining the reference colors and matching the output colors to the reference colors, you can obtain stable output colors by reducing color variations caused by factors such as changes over time and individual differences.
The steps involved for obtaining stable color are as follows:

Important Note:  In order to successfully use this procedure, the following conditions must be met:

• The same measurement instrument is used at all times.
• The measurement instrument is calibrated appropriately.
• The print settings such as the media, resolution, printing direction, printing quality, and color settings are the same for the printer that output the reference colors (hereinafter referred to as the "reference printer") and the color match target printer (hereinafter referred to as the "target printer").
• The "reference printer" and the "target printer" are the same printer or are the same model of printer and the ink types are the same.

Step 1: Saving the "Reference Printer Data"

Define the reference colors, print a color chart, and then use a measurement instrument to save the reference colors as the "reference printer data."

1. Click Edit - Printer Color Match Settings.

   The Printer Color Match Settings window appears.

2. Click the Print Chart tab.
3. Select Reference Printer Data for Printer Data Type.
4. Click Printing Condition Settings.
5. Click Print.

   The color chart is printed.

6. Click the Measure Chart tab.
7. Click Calibrate.

   The calibration of the measurement instrument starts.

8. Click Measure.

   Use a measurement instrument to measure the color chart.

9. When the measurement is finished, click Register.

   The Register Reference Printer Data window appears.

10. Enter the desired name in Register Reference Printer Data.

    The Register Reference Printer Data window closes.

    If you want to record the Media Name for Chart Printing , enter it.

11. Click OK.
12. Click OK in the Printer Color Match Settings window.

    The Printer Color Match Settings window closes.
     

    Step 2: Saving the "Target Printer Data"

    On the printer that you want to match colors with, create a color chart with the same settings as the reference color data, and then use a measurement instrument to save the target colors as the "target printer data.

13. Click Edit - Printer Color Match Settings.

    The Printer Color Match Settings window appears.

14. Click the Print Chart tab.
15. Select Target Printer Data for Printer Data Type.
16. Use Input Folder Selection to select the queue folder to use.
17. Click Printing Condition Settings.
18. Click Print.

    The color chart is printed.

19. Click the Measure Chart tab.
20. Click Calibrate.

    The calibration of the measurement instrument starts.

21. Click Measure.

    Use a measurement instrument to measure the color chart.

22. When the measurement is finished, click Register.

    The Register Target Printer Data window appears.

23. Enter the desired name in Target Printer Data Name.

    The Register Target Printer Data window closes.

    If you want to record the Media Name for Chart Printing , enter it.

24. Click OK.
25. Click OK in the Printer Color Match Settings window.

    The Printer Color Match Settings window closes.

     

    Step 3: Registering the "Reference Printer Data"

    Register the "reference printer data" so that it can be used as data for color matching. If the computer being used is the one on which the "reference printer data" was created, this operation is unnecessary. Proceed to "Step 4: Adjusting the Output Colors and Performing Printing."

26. Check that the "reference printer data" has been saved on the computer being used (or on a computer on the same LAN).

    If there is no "reference printer data," export "reference printer data" that has been created on another computer and save this data on the computer being used (or on a computer on the same LAN).

27. Click Edit - Printer Color Match Settings.

    The Printer Color Match Settings window appears.

28. Click the Reference Printer Data tab.
29. Click the folder icon  " "
30. Select the desired "reference printer data," and then click Open.
    The reference printer data is displayed in the Reference Printer Data List.

    To check the details of the reference printer data, select the desired data, and then click Review Details. You can check the detailed settings on the Details window that appears.

31. If there are multiple instances of reference printer data, repeat steps 4 and 5.
32. Click OK in the Printer Color Match Settings window.

     

    Step 4: Adjusting the Output Colors and Performing Printing

    Use "reference printer data" and "target printer data" to perform color matching and output data.

    Tip: Steps 1, 2, and 3 must have been performed correctly. Also check that:
    • The print settings such as the media, resolution, printing direction, printing quality, and color settings are the same for the "reference printer" and the "target printer."
    • The "reference printer" and the "target printer" are the same printer or are the same model of printer and the ink types are the same.
33. Click  for the queue folder that you want to use.

    

    The Queue Properties window appears.
34. Click 
35. Select the Perform Printer Color Matching check box under Printer Color Match Settings.

    If the "reference printer data" and "target printer data" are not registered, the Printer Color Match Settings setting area will be unusable and displayed in gray.

36. Click Color Settings under Reference Printer Data.

    The Reference Printer Data Settings window appears.

37. Select the desired data from the Reference Printer Data List, and then click OK.

    To check the details of the reference printer data, select the desired data, and then click Review Details. You can check the detailed settings on the Advanced window that appears.

38. Click Color Settings under Target Printer Data.

    The Target Printer Data Settings window appears.

39. Select the desired data from the Target Printer Data List, and then click OK.

    To check the details of the target printer data, select the desired data, and then click Review Details. You can check the detailed settings on the Details window that appears.

40. Click OK.

    The Queue Properties window closes.

41. Click 

 

Exporting the Reference Printer Data

Exporting "reference printer data" that has been created makes it possible to use this data on a different computer.

1. Click Edit - Printer Color Match Settings.
   The Printer Color Match Settings window appears.
2. Click the Reference Printer Data tab.
3. Select the desired Reference Printer Data, and then click .
4. Select the desired folder, and then click Save….

Checking the Detailed Settings of the Reference/Target Printer Data

Use this section to check the detailed settings of the reference printer data and target printer data.

The method for checking the detailed settings of the Reference Printer Data and the Target Printer Data Settings is the same. This section describes how to check the detailed settings of the Reference Printer Data.

1. In the Printer Color Match Settings window, select the Reference Printer Data.
2. Click Review Details.
   You can check the profile settings and the matching method. To match colors, the settings must be the same for the Reference Printer Data and the Target Printer Data Settings.

November 12, 2018