You are on page 1of 24

4.

How to nd the best CIE L*a* b* values

Only ve print sheets


With this test form you easily
print ve sheets containing
ten variations of cyan, magenta,
black and blue. Five variations
of yellow and a lot of red and
green.

Within the variations you nd


the CIE L*a*b* values that give
the lowest Delta E (E) and
Delta H (H). At the same time
you have the density values to
use in the production.

The printing process should


not take more than one hour
and therefore this test form is
excellent for testing new papers
or printing inks.

The test form is also excellent


for education. In step by step
you see how it works.

A test form to nd the best CIE L*a*b* values and densities to use in the production.

1
4. How to nd the best CIE L*a* b* values

The point
The point of this test sheet is
Low High
to print graduations in density.
density Cyan range density

Within the variations you nd


the range of CIE L*a*b* values
that t the ISO standard.
Magenta range

Yellow range

Black range

The point is to nd the range of densities inside the ISO standard.

2
4. How to nd the best CIE L*a* b* values

Two of a kind
You can achieve the same
Low High
E value with two different
density Cyan range density
densities. E does not tell if
the color is light or dark compa-
red to the target. It only says
E 5 Best match E 5
that there is a difference!
E 1.5
The ISO standard does not use
density values. The standard
only refers to the CIE L*a*b*
values, but in practice you can
use the density for the daily
work. You just have to know
the density values that give
the best range in E.

To achieve E under 5 you


have a wide range for each sing-
le printing ink: cyan, magenta,
yellow and black.

The range is reduced because


the ISO standard says that the
primary colors should be less
than E 2.5 in 2/3 of the sheets
printed!

Simple illustration of the same E with low and high density of cyan.

3
4. How to nd the best CIE L*a* b* values

The secondary colors


In the secondary colors it gets
Low High
even more difficult! The combi-
density Cyan range density
nation of cyan and magenta to
create blue (c+m) also reduces
the range.

Magenta range And you also have the combi-


nations of green (c+y) and red
(m+y) to take care of!

Blue (c+m) range Luckily the ISO standard is only


informative on the secondary
colors.

In practical production you


often have to compromise, and
remember that the primary
colors are the most important
according to the ISO standard.
Practical printing range
for cyan and magenta

In practice the range is getting smaller in cyan and magenta when you also
want good results in the secondary blue color.
4
4. How to nd the best CIE L*a* b* values

Push and pull


Sometimes you cannot get all
Low High
the secondary colors under
density Cyan range density
E 5 when you go for the best
match in the primary colors.
If the combination of paper
and printing ink does not t
Magenta range the ISO standard it might be
impossible.

The best match of CIE L*a*b*


Yellow range values in the primary colors
are not neccessarily the values
you should go for in the pro-
duction!
Red (m+y) range
Perhaps you should push and
pull a bit to get better results
in the secondary colors of
Green (c+y) range course still having E and H
within the ISO standard in
the primary colors.

Blue (c+m) range Finally it is up to you to decide


whether you want to go for the
absolutely best match values
in the primary colors or you
want to push and pull to help
the secondary colors.

The sample shows that the practical range in yellow and magenta is very small
when you also want to have good values in red.
5
4. How to nd the best CIE L*a* b* values

One sheet two formats


Get the test forms on
www.cmykguide.com under
downloads.

13. CMYK GUIDE


- Delta test form 1020x720.pdf
Zone width 32.5 mm

14. CMYK GUIDE


- Delta test form 720x520.pdf
Zone width 30 mm

Zone

You can adjust the width of


the forms to t the zones of
the printing press.

The design of the test forms


makes sure that each zone
uses all four printing inks,
with an area of 40% of the
sheet.
This test form looks a bit complicated, and needs an instruction.
Please read the following pages and you will get the idea!
6
4. How to nd the best CIE L*a* b* values

E Red R E Green G E Blue B E CMY

E Cyan C E Magenta M E Yellow Y E Black K

Density Density Density Density

www.cmykguide.com Illuminant: D50 Observer: 2 Geometry: 45/0 or 0/45 Filter: No

These eight patches are the


colors you need to measure
to nd the best values.

The primary colors:


Cyan C
Magenta M
Yellow Y
Black K

The secondary colors:


Red R = M+Y
Green G = C+Y
Blue B = C+M

The overprint C+M+Y is for


the technical staff.

These color charts are the colors that you need. The rest of the sheet on page 6
is only for the printing process to make sure that a certain amount of printing
ink is being used.
7
4. How to nd the best CIE L*a* b* values

Graduation of density
To nd the best CIE L*a*b*
values and the range of low and
high density, you simply print
the test form with a graduation
of density.

It is very important that the


graduation is created in the
printing process, not a simula-
tion in prepress.

This image is a simulation. If you concentrate on the black part you see low density
on the left-hand side of the sheet.
8
4. How to nd the best CIE L*a* b* values

Very low density Low density Midpoint density High density Very high density

Black graduation
of density

Density:
Very low -6% to -10%
Low -3% to -5%
Midpoint
High +3% to +5%
Very high +6% to +10%

Simulation of the black printing form from low to high density.

9
4. How to nd the best CIE L*a* b* values

Very low density Low density Midpoint density High density Very high density

Cyan graduation
of density

Density:
Very low -6% to -10%
Low -3% to -5%
Midpoint
High +3% to +5%
Very high +6% to +10%

Simulation of the cyan printing form.

10
4. How to nd the best CIE L*a* b* values

Very high density High density Midpoint density Low density Very low density

Magenta graduation
of density

Density:
Very low -6% to -10%
Low -3% to -5%
Midpoint
High +3% to +5%
Very high +6% to +10%

Simulation of the magenta printing form. Note that the density now is
low on the right-hand side opposite cyan!
11
4. How to nd the best CIE L*a* b* values

Same density all over the sheet

Yellow graduation
of density in rounds
The yellow form requires the
same density all over the sheet,
and has to be printed in ve
rounds.

Density in rounds:
1. Very low -6% to -10%
2. Low -3% to -5%
3. Midpoint
4. High +3% to +5%
5. Very high +6% to +10%

Simulation of the yellow printing form. Note that yellow has the same density
all over the sheet.
12
4. How to nd the best CIE L*a* b* values

Cyan, magenta and blue


The two colors cyan and
magenta in opposite gradua-
tion give you ten variations
of cyan, ten variations of
magenta and ten variations
of blue.

If you see the printing form without black and yellow you have the two colors
cyan and magenta in opposite graduation.
13
4. How to nd the best CIE L*a* b* values

Five rounds of yellow


On the form with the two
colors cyan and magenta you
print the yellow form which
also creates red and green.

It is the rounds that create


the three dimensional color
space. You cannot only print
one sheet and get all the color
variations.

You get a lot of variations of


red and green and only ve of
yellow!

In fact you get 50 variations of


red and green, but in practice
you do not have to measure all
the red and green variations!

If you want more than ve


variations of yellow, you simp-
ly print more rounds with
smaller steps in density.

On the cyan and magenta part (page 13) you print ve different densities
of yellow. The simulation here shows low density in yellow.
14
4. How to nd the best CIE L*a* b* values

Less numbers of yellow


Experience tells that you can
often start with the midpoint
in yellow and from there print
the rounds in higher and
higher densities.

In practical production you


normally do not need low and
very low densities in yellow.
Often you need higher densi-
ties higher than the best
match in yellow! (To achieve
better results in red and
green).

For education it is advisable


to print the full scale to learn
how it works.

When you print the test, the


best result is given when the
printing process is done in a
steady ow without stopping
the printing press.

This requires that the rounds


of yellow are built up manually
from low to high during the
printing process.

High density in yellow.

15
The densities of cyan, magenta, black
4. How to nd the best CIE L*a* b* values and blue (c+ m) are the same and
therefore you can have an average
to get ne measuring results!

Ten variations of cyan,


magenta, black, blue and
1. ve in yellow.
First you have to measure all
the primary color patches to
nd the best match and the
range.

2. Then you measure blue (c+m)


on the charts with the best
match in cyan and magenta.

Note: This test form creates ten


variations of blue (c+m) and the
3. density combinations of cyan
and magenta might not be opti-
mal. If you want more variations,
you have to print the test form
again. See more on page 20-21.
4.

5.

The density of yellow is the


same on each round and you
can have an average of ten
measurings.
Cut out the ve stripes of color charts and mark them just to have
an overview.
16
4. How to nd the best CIE L*a* b* values

50 variations of red
and green
1. The total numbers of red and
green are 2 x 50 variations, and
when you start measuring the
charts with the best values in
the primary colors, you only
have to measure a few.
2.
If red and green are not satisfac-
tory (on the charts with the best
match in the primary colors)
you can nd better values on
other charts being aware that
3. you are now leaving the best
match in the primary colors
and that you still have to be
within the ISO standard!

4. When you have the combina-


tions that t the best, you mea-
sure the density of the primary
colors. Now you know what to
go for in the production.

5. See more in 5. CMYK GUIDE


Best CIE Lab values Case.pdf
on www.cmykguide.com under
downloads a case study of
how it works.

When measuring you quickly nd the colors that do not t, and you will
end up with a few only.
17
4. How to nd the best CIE L*a* b* values

The ve rounds of yellow


1. The densities of cyan, magenta
and black are the same on all
ve sheets only yellow goes
from very low to very high in
Round 1. Very low density in yellow.
the ve rounds.

2.

Round 2. Low density in yellow.

3.

Round 3. Midpoint density in yellow.

4.

Round 4. High density in yellow.

5.

Round 5. Very high density in yellow.

Simple illustration of the ve rounds of yellow.

18
4. How to nd the best CIE L*a* b* values

Second test
1. When you print the test form
again, you have very ne mid-
points to reduce the number
of rounds or to print smaller
Round 1. Little low density in yellow.
variations in low and high
density.
2.

Round 2. New midpoint density in yellow.

3.

Round 3. Little high density in yellow.

19
4. How to nd the best CIE L*a* b* values

Second test
1. An alternative is to print cyan
and magenta in gradients on
half of the sheet.
Round 1. Little low density in yellow.
On the left-hand side of the
sheet the density of cyan is
2. the same. On the right-hand
side the cyan goes from mid-
point to high density.
Round 2. New midpoint density in yellow.
On the right-hand side of the
sheet the density of magenta
3. is the same. On the left-hand
side the magenta goes from
midpoint to high density.
Round 3. Little high density in yellow.
The point is to nd the best
combination of cyan and
magenta to create blue.

Cyan midpoint density Cyan from midpoint to little high density


on this part of the sheet on this part of the sheet

Magenta from midpoint to little high density Magenta midpoint density


on this part of the sheet on this part of the sheet

20
4. How to nd the best CIE L*a* b* values

Change the colors


1. of rounds
When you print the test form
again you have a ne midpoint
and you can change the gradi-
Round 1. Very low density in cyan.
ents of the colors and print
cyan in ve rounds.
2.
Then you get 50 variations
of blue and green, ten varia-
tions of red and only ve of
Round 2. Low density in cyan.
cyan!

3. If magenta is printed in ve
rounds you get 50 variations
of red and blue, ten variations
Round 3. Midpoint density in cyan. of green and ve of magenta!

With a little experience you


4.
can create very delicate varia-
tions.

Round 4. High density in cyan.

5.

Round 5. Very high density in cyan.

If you already know that the range of cyan is narrow, you do not have to print
a lot of variations outside the range.
21
4. How to nd the best CIE L*a* b* values

Cyan sample 1
This sample of cyan shows
Low High
that with this specic printing
density density
ink on this specic paper
it is impossible to fulll the
ISO standard. Best match is
E 3.45, and it should be less
than E 2.5!

When you look at the way


the L* a* b* values act from
low to high density, you nd
L* 58.62 57.69 56.45 55.12 54.13 54.25 53.68 53.10 52.12 51.89 that the a* values change
a* -33.27 -33.48 -33.82 -33.67 -33.70 -33.79 -33.99 -33.54 -33.21 -33.24 very little. It is more or less
b* -47.73 -48.58 -49.62 -49.02 -50.53 -51.20 -51.49 -51.51 -51.13 -51.32 -33,50. This tells that this
specic cyan printing ink is
E 5.67 4.65 3.52 3.47 3.45 3.51 3.61 4.23 4.89 5.05 not green enough!

See more on page 4 in the


2. CMYK GUIDE Delta E
and Delta H How it works
on www.cmykguide.com under
downloads.

Target is L* 55, a* -37 and b* -50.

22
4. How to nd the best CIE L*a* b* values

Cyan sample 2
This sample of cyan shows
Low High
that this printing ink is excel-
density density
lent for the ISO standard.

L* 58.78 58.24 57.27 56.53 55.89 55.59 54.98 54.45 53.94 53.28
a* -36.28 -36.49 -36.66 -36.76 -36.77 -36.84 -36.83 -36.76 -36.62 -36.60
b* -47.69 -48.27 -49.02 -49.63 -50.21 -50.40 -50.93 -51.32 -51.71 -51.48

E 4.49 3.71 2.50 1.59 0.94 0.73 0.95 1.45 2.05 2.30

Target is L* 55, a* -37 and b* -50.

23
4. How to nd the best CIE L*a* b* values

Seven samples
of printing inks
Low High
The samples show the range
density density
of E values from low to high
density printed with seven
different printing inks.

1.14 1.16 1.21 1.26 1.31 1.35 1.37 1.41 1.45 1.47 The test is printed by one prin-
Ink 1 5.53 4.84 4.28 3.69 3.53 3.75 3.91 4.50 5.05 5.44 ter, on the same paper and
printing press. Only the prin-
1.19 1.23 1.29 1.28 1.31 1.35 1.42 1.44 1.46 1.48 ting inks are different from
Ink 2 4.52 3.51 2.60 2.67 2.29 2.32 2.72 3.16 3.49 3.67 seven manufacturers.

1.18 1.22 1.24 1.22 1.27 1.34 1.33 1.36 1.42 1.47 Ink 5 and 7 are excellent for
Ink 3 6.68 4.20 3.95 4.15 3.89 4.24 4.25 4.54 5.34 6.27 the ISO standard. Ink 2 is also
ne.
1.13 1.19 1.22 1.23 1.27 1.31 1.32 1.35 1.39 1.45
Ink 4 5.50 4.64 4.37 4.42 3.98 4.06 4.19 4.74 5.48 6.43 Ink 1, 3, 4, and 6 are not satis-
factory for the ISO standard.
1.17 1.23 1.25 1.27 1.35 1.33 1.35 1.39 1.44 1.48
Ink 5 4.21 3.00 2.91 2.21 1.79 1.72 1.85 2.33 3.24 3.92 The samples clearly show that
it is very important to use
1.16 1.18 1.19 1.22 1.26 1.28 1.31 1.38 1.45 1.52 printing inks, that can handle
Ink 6 5.11 4.68 5.09 4.20 3.17 2.96 2.72 3.10 4.10 5.16 the ISO standard.

1.20 1.23 1.29 1.33 1.37 1.39 1.43 1.45 1.46 1.48
Ink 7 4.49 3.71 2.50 1.59 0.94 0.73 0.95 1.45 2.05 2.30

Numbers in cyan are the density. Black numbers are the E values.

24

You might also like