Creating Your First Media Calibration

Before You Start

Smart Media Manager uses Smart Print Controller to send calibration patches to the output device. Smart Print Controller must be installed and configured to print to the required output.

An X-Rite or MYIRO scanner is required to scan printed targets and create accurate Smart Media Definitions.

NOTE: For best results, this process requires a reliable and stable print system. Variation between prints can reduce calibration quality.

Connecting Smart Media Manager to Smart Print Controller

Smart Print Controller must have External Control enabled. For details, see the Smart Print Controller Status Area documentation.

NOTE: If Smart Media Manager and Smart Print Controller are on different PCs, the SPC Waiting Queue folder must be a network share. The SPC Waiting Queue Folder setting, in Engineer > Folders, should use a UNC path such as \\MyPcName\Waiting.

Conducting a Calibration

Before starting, make sure SPC can print to the output device and that External Control is enabled.

NOTE: PrintFlat is for advanced operation. The PrintFlat pane is not used in the standard process described below.

In Smart Media Manager, select File > Open From Controller to import the current media from Smart Print Controller.
1. Change Media Name to the name of the media you are creating.
2. Under File > Preferences..., make sure the scanning device is set to the correct scanner.
Work through the following panes:

Mix Drop Levels

This stage displays the drop transitions and allows them to be edited. In most cases, the default settings can be left unchanged.

Ink Limit
1. Click Print Target and wait for printing to finish.
2. Click Measure Ink Limit Target.
  1. Select the measurement device and click Connect.
  2. Start the measurement process using your device.
  3. When measurement is complete, click Transfer and Exit to continue.
3. Alternatively, click Import Measurements.
4. Review each print. For the best-quality print for each colorant, enter the ink limit percentage in the view.
Drop Levels
1. Click Print Target and wait for printing to finish.
2. Click Measure Drop Levels Target.
  1. Select the measurement device and click Connect.
  2. Start the measurement process using your device.
  3. When measurement is complete, click Transfer and Exit to continue.
Drop transitions
1. These are normally set to 1%, but if there are significant bumps around a transition point, adjusting this value can help smooth the linearization curve.
Pinning
1. Click Print Target and wait for printing to finish.
2. Review each print. For the best-quality print, check that the ink is drying correctly. If one color is not drying properly, profiling later in the process may be compromised.
  
  You can also check for excessive ink by reviewing the text output:
  - Negative text filling in may indicate too much ink.
  - Positive text appearing overly bold or losing detail is another warning sign.
  If required, adjust the Ink Limit percentage for each colorant.

Linearize

Before Linearization
1. Click Print Target and wait for printing to finish.
2. Click Measure Linearization Target.
  1. Select the measurement device and click Connect.
  2. Start the measurement process using your device.
  3. When measurement is complete, click Transfer and Exit to continue.
3. Click Generate Linearization.
After Linearization
1. Click Check Target to print the target again with the generated linearization, then wait for printing to finish.
2. Click Measure Linearization Target.
  Select the measurement device and click Connect.
  Double-click the top-left patch to start scanning.
  Save and exit Measure Tool.

Linearization is complete.

RIP Setup

Review the RIP Setup.

Typically:

Override color management in PDF should be enabled.
The input profiles should be specified.

Total Ink Limit

From the Total Ink Limit dropdown, select the best result.
Click Print Target and wait for printing to finish.

ICC Profile

Print Profile Chart
1. Click Print Profile Charts, then select a standard or custom profile chart. For best accuracy, especially with extended gamut, use charts with 2,000-3,000 patches.
2. Click Read Profile Charts and select your reference file.
3. ColorAnt Measure Tool opens:
  1. Select your measurement device in the Selection dropdown.
  2. Click Connect.
  3. Start the measurement process using your device.
  4. When measurement is complete, click Transfer and Exit to continue.
4. Select Option 4 from Smart Media Manager's Template Configuration list.
5. Click Generate ICC to create the ICC profile.

Calibration Complete

Use the File > Save options to save the media to disk and/or Smart Print Controller.

To import a disk-based media into Smart Print Controller:

Disable External Control.
In Engineer > Media, click + and navigate to the newly created media file.
The media is then available in the Setup > Media pane.