Calibrating, Printing and Proofing by the G7™ Method

Calibrating, Printing and Proofing by the G7 Method Version 6, August 2006
Appendix A: Production Press Control
NOTE: This process assumes all separations, plates and proofs have been made in an ICC workflow
based on standard Characterization Data and G7 calibration.
The G7 press control method is similar to conventional press control, with CMYK solid-ink readings (in
CIELab or equivalent densities) as a starting point, followed by mid-tone readings to monitor tone
shape. The difference is that traditional TVI readings are replaced with absolute ND (or Lab) 'HR'
readings, and traditional Print Contrast calculations are replaced with absolute ND (or Lab) 'SC'
readings. This approach monitors gray balance and lightness more reliably than TVI readings, and with
less chance of mid-tone density or gray balance variations, however because gray balance is typically
less stable than TVI values, be prepared for wider deviations throughout the run.
Note also that this method of press control is quite new, with no well-established history of acceptable
tolerances. Be prepared to experiment over time to establish the optimum tolerances for your
equipment, conditions and expectations (see Appendix G).
A.1 Run press up to nominal ink levels
Begin by running the press to specified ink colorimetric values (see Appendix H) or SIDs. Remember
that CIELab values take priority over density values. Once make-ready is complete, RELATIVE
densitometry (based on reading a good sheet with your densitometer) remains a valid and efficient
basis for run-time press control, and the same density goals can be used to make-ready future runs – at
least for that specific paper/ ink/ densitometer combination.
A.2 Adjust gray balance, HR_cmy and SC_cmy
Adjust solid ink densities or other press variables within permitted tolerances till the HR_cmy patch (50c,
40m, 40y) is as close as possible to the a* and b* gray balance aim values, and ND or L* aim value.
Also check that the CMY SC patch (75c, 66m, 66y) is as close as possible to the SC_cmy aim value.
Some compromise will usually be necessary due to normal press variations, but try and share any error
evenly between HR and SC patches.
A.3 Adjust HR_k and SC_k
Adjust black solid ink density or other press variables till the K HR patch (50k) is as close as possible to
the nominal HR_k aim. Also check that the SC_k patch (75c, 66m, 66y) is as close as possible to the
nominal SC_k aim value. Some compromise will usually be necessary due to normal press variations,
but try and split any error evenly between HR and SC patches.
A.4 Nominal HR, SC and HC aim values
The chart below shows nominal aim values for HR, SC and HC for paper with a 95 L* value. These
values assume the new G7 50k < 50,40,40cmy convention introduced in February 2006.
Gray Minus Paper (ND) With Paper (ND) With Paper (L*)
Patch CMY K CMY K CMY K
25% (HC) 0.25 0.22 0.31 0.28 75.7 77.7
50% (HR) 0.54 0.50 0.59 0.55 57.5 59.9
75% (SC) 0.90 0.90 0.96 0.96 39.5 39.7
Nominal gray patch aim densities and L* values for GRACoL #1 grade (ISO Type 1 & 2) paper
NOTE: If you prefer the 2005 G7 specification with same NPDC for K and CMY, use the CMY aim
values for black, and/or the CMY graphs in A.5, but remember this is not acceptable in official GRACoL
7 or SWOP implementations, and will darken the black plate slightly more than ‘normal’.
38 Copyright © International Digital Enterprise Alliance, Inc. [IDEAlliance] (2006). All Rights Reserved.