Glossary for ColorProof – GMG Support

3DAP

(Digital Data Delivery for Australian Publications, 3DAP) Proofing standard for the magazine publishing industry in Australia, initiated by an industry group committee. GMG ColorProof also provides 3DAP profiles for color management approved by the 3DAP Committee for various printers and media.

Absolute Colorimetric

ICC rendering intent. In-gamut colors are maintained at the expense of out-of-gamut colors, which are clipped, resulting in a loss of contrast and information. This method is generally preferred when colors should not be visibly changed, for example, for corporate identity colors such as are used for logos. In contrast to the rendering intent relative colorimetric, absolute colorimetric preserves the white point, which can cause problems when printing on tinted paper.

Aliasing

Aliasing is an undesired effect which can occur when vector graphics are rasterized or images downsampled. Instead of the original image you get an alias image. Aliasing is most noticeable in the color transitions at the edges of image elements, which may appear jagged or like stair steps.

Anti-aliasing

Method for reducing aliasing effects which smoothes the image edges when rasterizing vector graphics or text elements. Different quality levels or filters may be applied. The higher the quality, the stronger the smoothing effect, but the stronger is also the impact on the colors, for example, darkening of edges and small elements such as text.

AutoCali Wizard

Wizard in ColorProof for automatic printer calibration. Supported by printers with integrated measuring device. (See also "CaliWizard")

Auto-calibration

Automatic calibration of printers with integrated measuring device via AutoCali Wizard.

Bidirectional Communication

Connection mode between application and printer, supported by many (but not all) printers. In contrast to a printer connection via a Windows spooler, a bidirectional communication allows the application to send requests directly to and get responses from a printer. A bidirectional communication supports advanced features such as checking ink levels and printer status from within the application.

Bidirectional Printing

In uni-directional printing, the print head is moved over the medium in the same direction during each pass. In bi-directional printing, the print head is alternately moved in both directions. Uni-directional printing is slower, but results in a higher print quality, because a compensation for the horizontal drift of the ink droplets is not required.

Box Filter

Unweighted area averaging. Filter settings for anti-aliasing or pixel interpolation. Color intensity of a pixel is proportional to area of overlap of pixel with original graphics element. Filter choice depends on image properties and target resolution / down-scaling factor. The box filter may give more aliasing effects, but a less blurry result.

Calibration Control Strip

A control strip for 8c printers to perodically check the calibration state of the printer without having to print the whole calibration chart or to start the calibration wizard.

Calibration Set

Calibration sets are one of the key presets in ColorProof, FlexoProof and DotProof to make consistent proofing easier. Based on a certain printer-medium combination, a calibration set features all calibration files for different measuring devices, defining the print mode, ink set and quality criteria.

CaliWizard

Wizard in ColorProof guiding you through the printer calibration process step by step. The printer is calibrated by printing test charts and measuring the printed test charts with an external spectrophotometer in an iteration cycle.

CMM

(Color Management Module, CMM) Technology underlying the ICC color management. Transforms input colors to output colors based on ICC profiles.

CMYK Colors

In CMYK printing processes, colors are separated into CMYK process colors. CMYK or process color printing is usually contrasted with spot color printing, in which certain spot color inks are used to produce the desired colors. Some printing presses can print with both four-color process inks and additional spot color inks.

Color Gamut

Subset of colors that can be accurately represented in a given color space or by a certain output device, for example, a printer. The term gamut is often used when referring to the mapping of two color spaces (gamut mapping). If colors are out-of-gamut, they cannot be adequately represented by the target output device.

Color Management

Color management is the controlled conversion of colors between the original gamut and the tar-get gamut. The device-dependent MX technology used in GMG products provides optimized results for a broad range of high-quality printers and media.

Color Space

Range of colors defined by the input or output device, for example, a screen, or a printer. In mathematical color models, a certain color is represented as a coordinate in a three-dimensional (e. g. RGB) or four-dimensional (e. g. CMYK) color space.

Continuous Forms Printing

Printing process used by business forms presses for the production of business forms, for example, newsletters. A continuous roll of paper is fed through the printing press. Pages are separated and cut to size after they have been printed. ColorProof also provides proof profiles for continuous forms printing according to Fogra standards for various printers and media.

Contone

(continuous tone, CT) A printing technique that produces photographic-like output resolution. Contone printers achieve so many levels of shades that the difference between one shade and the next is imperceptible to the human eye.

Contone Image

Pixel based (contone) images such as TIFF or JPEG, without text or vector graphics elements. A contone image has a fixed resolution, generally defined in dots per inch (dpi).

Control Strip

Strip with defined color patches printed together with the job for quality assurance. Color values are measured with a spectral photometer and compared to reference or target values.

Conversion CT

Normalizing images from multiple sources by applying an ICC based color management. All images will be converted to a common color space, defined by the Output Intent ICC profile linked to the proof standard. Separate color management settings can be defined for contone (CT) and linework (LW) objects.

Conversion CT/LW

Normalizing images and PDF objects from multiple sources by applying an ICC based color management.

All objects will be converted to a common color space, defined by the Output Intent ICC profile from the proof standard. Separate color management settings can be defined for contone (CT) and linework (LW) objects.

Conversion LW

Normalizing PDF objects from multiple sources by applying an ICC based color management. All objects will be converted to a common color space, defined by the Output Intent ICC profile from the proof standard. Separate color management settings can be defined for contone (CT) and linework (LW) objects.

CTF

(Computer to Film, CTF) Imaging technology used in lithographic printing. An image file is output to a photographic film which is then used to expose a printing plate. Opposite to Computer to Plate (CTP), where an image file is output directly to a printing plate.

CTP

(Computer to Plate, CTP) Imaging technology used in modern printing processes. An image file is output directly to a printing plate. Opposite to Computer to Film (CTF), where an image file is output to a photographic film which is then used to expose a printing plate.

Custom Calibration

Using a custom MX printer calibration file or ICC color profile instead of using predefined (factory default) calibration sets.

Custom Calibration Set

A calibration set customized or created by the user, i. e. not installed together with the program.

Custom Medium

A print medium customized or created by the user or downloaded from a printer, i. e. not installed together with the program.

Custom Profile

Using a custom color profile (MX or ICC) instead of using predefined (factory default) proof standards.

Custom Proof Standard

A proof standard customized or created by the user, i. e. not installed together with the program.

Custom Spot Color

A spot color customized or created by the user, i. e. not installed together with the program.

Descreen

Converts 1-bit images back to contone. Screen parameters such as screen frequency, screen angle, and dot shape are used for "restoring" the "original" pixels by applying a descreening filter. For example, a descreening can be used to generate a monitor preview of the printed image or for contone proofing.

DeviceCMYK

Device-dependent color space, specified for PDF 1.0. Color space of the output device that is used to reproduce an image. For example, the color space of a monitor (in case of DeviceRGB) or a printer (in case of DeviceCMYK). This default color space is applied to PDF or PS objects without an embedded target color space ICC profile.

DeviceGRAY

DeviceLink

A DeviceLink profile is designed for color transformations from a defined input color space to a defined output color space. A DeviceLink profile links the color spaces of two distinctive devices. The input color space is defined by the gamut of the input device, for example, a camera. The output color space is defined by the gamut of the output device, that is, a specific printer or press and print medium. MX profiles are DeviceLink profiles. DeviceLink color transformations generally provide a higher quality and have the advantage that information on the black channel is maintained during the transformation. In contrast, ICC profiles use a device-independent intermediate color space, usually Lab, to link two device-dependent color spaces.

DeviceN

Device-dependent color space, specified for PDF 1.3. A DeviceN color space can comprise up to eight separations. It is used mainly for spot colors, but can also include process color separations.

DeviceRGB

Device-dependent color space, specified for PDF 1.0. Color space of the output device that is used to reproduce an image. For example, the color space of a monitor (in case of DeviceRGB) or GMG a printer (in case of DeviceCMYK). This default color space is applied to PDF or PS objects without an embedded ICC profile (which would define the target color space).

ECI

(ECI European Color Initiative) The ECI was founded in June 1996 on the initiative of the publishing houses Bauer, Burda, Gruner+Jahr, and Springer in Hamburg. It is a group of experts with the objective to standardize color management, proofing, and printing. The ECI publishes reference printing conditions and standards for quality control used in the printing process.

File System Watcher

Behind-the-scenes utility monitoring all files in the file system (used by manual or workflow jobs) to trigger job status changes. You can configure the scan interval in milliseconds, the default value being 500 ms and the minimum value 200 ms.

FOGRA

(FOGRA Graphic Technology Research Association) Association of representatives of the printing industry and suppliers, with the objective to promote print engineering and its technologies in the fields of research, development, and application. The FOGRA publishes reference printing conditions and standards for quality control used in the printing process such as media wedges.

Frame

The space an image occupies in a print job. According to the job settings, this space is not defined by the image size alone, but also by the extended paper tint area, image control strip, and image label. The frame border is indicated by a blue rectangle in the preview area of the Manual Job Manager.

GMG Driver

After processing the input image (separation, rip, color management), the data finally needs to be converted into data the printer can "understand" or interpret. The color information needs to match the ink colors in the printer. This is generally done by printer drivers developed by GMG (GMG Driver). For some printers, you can alternatively use printer drivers based on the technology of the printer manufacturers.

GMG Workflow

GMG provides a perfect solution for all color management applications in commercial printing. The GMG workflow covers the entire production process, starting from normalization of incoming data, separations optimized for a target printing condition, digital proofing, and standardization of printing processes.

GRACoL

(General Requirements for Applications in Commercial Offset Lithography, GRACoL) Printing standard initiated by the GRACoL Committee. GMG ColorProof also provides proof profiles approved by the GRACoL Committee for various printers and media.

Grammage

Thickness of the print medium, usually measured in micrometers. As a rule of thumb, you can use the grammage of the medium in micrometers (μm) or [Grammage / 1000] mm. For example, GMG ProofPaper semimatte 250 has a caliper of about 250 μm.

Gray Balance

Gray balancing means to reproduce a neutral gray color by printing specific ratios of Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow. Gray colors, midtones, and skin tones are easily affected by color casts. The gamut mapping algorithms utilized in PhotoProof profiles generate separations with a highly consistent gray balance.

HexaChrome

HexaChrome is a registered trademark of Pantone, Inc. and uses six colors for printing. In addition to four special process colors, HexaChrome adds orange and green inks to expand the color gamut. It is also often referred to as CMYKOG printing.

Highlights

Color tone giving the visual impression of a high lightness of the corresponding color channel. See also Midtone and Shadows.

Hotfolder

A file folder assigned to one or multiple color management workflows. Image files copied into the specified hotfolder are automatically filtered by the connected workflows. The first workflow (from top to bottom) that accepts the input image according to the File Filter settings processes the image and creates a print job.

Image

In the context of ColorProof, image refers to any kind of graphics (contone image or ripped PDF) that can be printed in a job. Each page of a multi-page file will be handled as a single image. An image can also be combined from multi-file images such as 1-bit TIFFs.

Image Label

Label line printed together with an image. For each image in a job, an individual image label can be defined. It can include information specific for an image such as the image name or format, and information on color such as the proof standard name. An image label is considered to be part of the image frame, which is important for nesting.

Image Metadata

Information about a file which can be stored in the same file. Image metadata can include the color depth, the image resolution, the date of creation, information on the author, and other data, such as an embedded ICC profile.

Initial Calibration

The initial calibration file is the starting point for calibrating a new printer-medium combination. Containing average color values, it significantly reduces the number of iterations otherwise required. Every calibration set links to an initial calibration file (MX3, MXC, or MX4) when you calibrate a printer-medium combination for the first time. For reasons of process safety, the link to this file is then broken with the next calibration, using an updated system copy of the printer calibration file for all following calibrations. The link to the initial calibration file can be easily restored if you reset the calibration.

ISO

(International Organization for Standardization, ISO) The ISO defines world-wide industrial and commercial standards, for example, for printing processes.

ISO 12647-7

The ISO 12647-7 standard specifies requirements for systems that are used to produce hard-copy digital proof prints intended to simulate a printing condition defined by a set of characterization data.

Job

Processing one or multiple files together in GMG software products. Jobs can be generated manually by loading a file into the software or in an automated fashion by moving files into a hotfolder.

Job Label

Label line printed at the end of a job. It can include information specific for a job such as the job creation time or the printer calibration. If you want to include information on individual images in a job, you can use image labels.

Lab

(CIELab, Lab) CIE (Commission Internationale d'Eclairage) 1976 (L*, a*, b*) Three-dimensional color space that is considered to be perceptually linear. A change of a certain amount in a color value produces a change of about the same visual importance to the human eye. CIELab describes colors as perceived by a human observer (or measured by a photometer). The L* value closely matches human perception of lightness, a* describes the magenta and green axis, and b* the blue and yellow axis. The gamut of the CIELab color space is much larger than the color space of most input and output devices, including the human eye. The CIELab color space has been created to serve as a device-independent reference standard. It is therefore often used as a profile connection space (PCS) in color management.

Lineworks

(lineworks, LW) Vector graphics and text elements.

Load Balancing

Distributing jobs to idle printers across multiple workflows for making the most out of your printers capacity. The printer pool on which an image might be printed is defined in the workflow processing the image.

(lineworks, LW) Vector graphics and text elements.

Media Size

Width and height of a print medium, basically paper size. For paper rolls, only the width is defined.

Medium

Printers and printing machines print on different media or printing substrates, generally different paper types, but also, for example, flexible foils for flexographic applications.

Metadata

Midtone

Color tone giving the visual impression of a middle lightness of the corresponding color channel. See also Highlights and Shadows.

Missing Dots

The term missing dots is referring to non-printing raster dots in gravure printing. This typical characteristic in gravure printing is caused by a non-ideal ink transfer from the gravure cells onto the printing medium due to an unsufficient take up of the ink by the medium and/or or by a cell clogging.

The amount of missing dots depends on the type of printing machine and medium used. It is more pronounced when an uneven or low-quality medium is used, which can be the case, for example, for specific applications in the packaging industry. The Missing Dots feature in ColorProof simulates this behavior. Missing Dots parameters are defined individually for each CMYK color channel when creating an MX4 profile in ProfileEditor.

Multicolor File

Image file that includes a separate channel for each color, including spot color channels.

Multicolor Printing

In multi color printing, spot colors are used additional to or instead of standard CMYK process colors, resulting in a larger (or different) gamut of the printing machine.

MX Technology

DeviceLink color management technology developed by GMG. Device-dependent alternative to an ICC based color management. MX DeviceLink profiles achieve the highest color management quality and can maintain color separations, thus preserving the black channel of the source profile.

Profile types are MX3, MX4, and MX5.

MXC

The printer calibration file format MXC has been developed for CMYRGB and CMYKOG printers using GMG Driver to efficiently control the additional colors.

Nesting

To minimize paper usage, the printable area of a job is filled with images from multiple workflows. Images are aligned, rotated, or scaled to fit. Nesting rules are defined in nesting templates.

Out-of-gamut

Out-of-gamut colors cannot be adequately represented by the target output device, i. e. they are out of the gamut of the output device.

Output Intent ICC

Device-dependent ICC profile describing the color space of the specific printing condition that is simulated in a proof, for example, ISO Coated v2. Defined in each proof standard, the Output Intent ICC profile (combined with the Printer ICC Profile) can be used for an ICC based color management.

Paper Tint Area

In ColorProof, the paper tint is simulated according to the printing condition. You can extend the paper tint area around an image. An extended paper tint area is considered to be part of the image frame, which is important for nesting.

Parent Paper

Some printers, such as the HP Z printer series, feature the Parent Paper concept, providing an easy means to avoid overinking and to optimize the print result for an unknown new print medium.When creating a new print medium, you need to select a (best matching) Parent Paper from the list.

Pass

Inkjet printers print images in multiple passes, that is, the print head passes over a page several times. In each pass, only part of the ink required for representing a specific color is applied to the paper area (swath) that the print head covers. This way, the paper can be dried in-between the passes and a higher resolution can be achieved by adding an offset to the passes. In uni-directional printing, the printhead is moved over the paper in the same direction during each pass. In bi-directional printing, the printhead is alternately moved in both directions.

Pattern Recognition

In ColorProof, regular expressions can be used to define pattern recognitions so that the software automatically recognizes, merges, and prints any kind of multi-file image such as 1-bit TIFFs.

PCS

(Profile Connection Space, PCS) Device-independent reference color space that is used as an interface between different input and output devices. ICC Color management is based on a transformation to the PCS (generally Lab color space) first and then to the color space of the target device; colors are calculated based on the profile for the respective input or output device. A relationship between two devices is defined by the relationships of the two devices to the PCS. This way, a direct relationship between the two devices does not need to be known or defined. The higher variability often comes at the price of quality loss.

Perceptual

ICC Rendering intent. The complete color range is compressed, i. e. redistributed, to match the target color space. Central colors are remapped more precisely, i. e. changed less, than colors at the edges of the gamut. This method is generally preferred, because color information is not lost and contrast loss is minimized.

Pixel Image

Pixel based (contone) images such as TIFF or JPEG, without text or vector graphics elements. A contone image has a fixed resolution, generally defined in dots per inch (dpi).

PostScript Printer Description

(PostScript Printer Description, PPD) File describing fonts, paper sizes, resolution, and other capabilities that are standard for a particular Postscript printer. It is recommended to use only PPD files provided by GMG together with GMG products. RIP problems such as replaced fonts can be caused by the use of wrong PPD files.

PPD

(PostScript Printer Description, PPD) File that describes the fonts, paper sizes, resolution, and other capabilities that are standard for a particular Postscript printer. It is recommended to use only PPD files provided by GMG together with GMG products. RIP problems such as replaced fonts can be caused by the use of wrong PPD files.

Pre-lin

(pre-linearization, pre-lin) Part of the printer calibration process for multicolor inkjet proofers. The input–output behavior of non-CMYK inks such as RGB or OG is analyzed and standardized. To achieve this, a Pre-Lin test chart is printed and measured in an iteration cycle. The pre-linearization data is saved in an MXC calibration file.

Pre-linearization

Primary Colors

In the printing industry, the primary colors typically refer to the four inks Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black. Any color tone can be reproduced by combining the primary colors or by printing screens of primary colors on top of each other. See also CMYK colors.

Print Mode

Depending on the printer type, the print mode defines the printer driver, the color mode and number of inks used, the print resolution, and other print parameters. Only specific print modes are available for each printer–medium combination. A print mode is defined in a Calibration Set.

Print Queue

Jobs assigned to a printer from the printer pool are added to the so-called print queue of that printer. The print queue displays the processing status of a job. You can easily identify a job in a print queue by clicking it with the mouse. The corresponding job will be automatically selected in the Jobs view.

Print Spooler

Print jobs are sent from an application to the Windows print spooler assigned to a specific printer. The spooler queues the files in a buffer. The printer then processes the queued files at its own rate. In ColorProof, a spooler connection to a printer is defined in the Printer Configuration dialog box. Windows print spoolers can be used for sending files from custom applications directly to ColorProof for processing. For this purpose, a spooler can be defined in the Hotfolder dialog box.

Printer Driver

After processing the input image (separation, RIP, color management), the data finally needs to be converted into data the printer can "understand" or interpret. The color information needs to match the ink colors in the printer. This is generally done by the printer drivers which the application installs and uses for all printers.

Printer Family

Printers with a comparable gamut and printing behavior. For all printers within a printer family (together with the same print medium), the same MX proof profiles can be used. For example, the Epson Stylus Pro x880 series comprises the printers Epson Stylus Pro 4880, 7880, and 9880, but not 11880, because the 11880 printer shows a different printing behavior.

Printer ICC

Device-dependent ICC profile describing the color space of a specific printer−medium combination. Defined in each calibration set, the Printer ICC Profile (combined with the Output Intent ICC profile) can be used for an ICC based color management.

Printer−medium Combination

A DeviceLink MX4 proof profile always defines the color management settings for a specific printer−medium combination, including printing parameters such as print mode, resolution, and used inks. MX5 proof profiles used for screened images are specifically designed for a screening resolution, dot shape, screen ruling, screen angles, and compensation curve.

Printing Substrate

Printers and printing machines print on different media or printing substrates, generally different paper types, but also, for example, flexible foils for flexographic applications.

Process Colors

Proof Profile

Proof profiles are used simulate the result of the printing press on a specific medium for proofing purposes. MX4 Proof profiles are used for contone proofs in ColorProof. MX5 Proof profiles are used for raster proofs in GMG DotProof/FlexoProof.

Proof Standard

Proof Standards are one of the key presets in ColorProof, FlexoProof and DotProof to make consistent proofing easier. Based on a certain printer-medium combination, a Proof Standard holds all information required for the color management of a certain printer–medium combination and print standard, including the proof profile, print mode and ink set.

PSR

(Process Standard Rotogravure, PSR) The Reference Color Space Gravure standard for publication gravure printing, as initiated by the European Color Initiative (ECI). GMG ColorProof also provides proof profiles for PSR approved by ECI for various printers and media.

Regular Expression

(Regular expression, regex) Regular expressions provide a flexible means for matching text strings, such as particular characters or patterns of characters. In ColorProof, regular expressions can be used to define pattern recognitions so that the software automatically recognizes, merges, and prints any kind of multi-file image such as 1-bit TIFFs.

Relative Colorimetric

ICC Rendering intent. In-gamut colors are preserved on the expense of out-of-gamut colors, which are clipped, resulting in a loss of contrast and information. This method is generally preferred when colors should not be visibly changed, for example, for corporate identity colors such as are used for logos. In contrast to absolute colorimetric rendering intent, relative colorimetric aligns the white point to the target color space, leading to a color compensation when printing on tinted paper.

Remote Proofing

Sending an image to a remote location via internet, where it is printed on a digital proofer. In ColorProof, DotProof, and FlexoProof, you can export jobs, send them to the remote location via FTP, and import and print jobs fully automatically at the remote location.

RemoteCali Wizard

An add-on program for ColorProof, allowing you to calibrate a printer from a remote location, i. e. from a computer on which ColorProof is not installed. This is useful, for example, in a configuration where ColorProof is installed on a server and the external measuring device is connected to a remote computer.

Repeat Pixel

Same resampling algorithm as "Nearest Neighbor". Selects the value of the nearest point and does not consider the values of other neighboring points. A fast but less precise method that replicates the pixels in an image. This method is for use with images containing edges that are not anti-aliased. It preserves hard edges and produces a smaller file. It can produce jagged effects, which become apparent when you distort or scale an image or perform multiple manipulations on an image.

RIP

(Raster Image Processor, RIP) File transformation into a contone or 1-bit image format that can be read by an output device (e. g. a printer or an imagesetter). For example, transforming vector graphics into rasters. Generally, a color transformation is also required to match the color space of the output device.

Rip Once Output Many

Concept of only having to rip the original data once, and then being able to output the ripped image to any number of devices. The concept ensures the highest possible match between proofs and final print. DotProof and FlexoProof allow you to print color-accurate halftone proofs from 1-bit TIFFs on an inkjet proofer.

RIP Queue

Jobs assigned to a printer from the printer pool are added to the so-called print queue of that printer. Images that need to be ripped before printing such as PDF or PS files, will be displayed in the RIP queue during the RIP process. The RIP queue displays the processing status of a job. You can easily identify a job in a RIP queue by clicking it with the mouse. The corresponding job will be automatically selected in the Jobs view.

ROOM

Saturation

ICC Rendering intent. The complete color range is compressed, i. e. redistributed, to match the target color space. Attempts to maintain fully saturated colors, that is, transforms saturated colors in the original color space to saturated colors in the target color space. Usually used for computer graphics with distinct saturated colors. Generally not used for photographs, as colors may appear unrealistic and extreme.

Separation

Image transformation from the color space of the input file into the color space of the target output device. In GMG software, the term "separation" refers only to image transformations from RGB into CMYK, regardless whether the output file contains all color channels or whether the color channels are converted into separate files. Other transformations are referred to as "reseparation", "CMYK conversion", and "RGB conversion". In ProfileEditor, the term "separation" also refers to the black generation method.

Shadows

Color tone giving the visual impression of a low lightness of the corresponding color channel. See also Midtone and Highlights.

Spot Color

In contrast to CMYK or process colors, a specific colored ink is used in spot color printing to produce a certain color. Spot colors extend the gamut of a printing machine. In multi-color printing, spot colors are used in addition to or instead of CMYK process colors.

Spot Color Gradation

Spot color gradation profiles are created in sfg file format in SpotColor Editor. As spot colors are generally not subject to the MX4/MX5 color conversion, spot color gradation profiles can be assigned to a spot color in the spot color database or to a job in the general job settings. Since adding fulcrums to a spot color in SpotColor Editor is not sufficient to simulate the dot gain behavior in DotProof and FlexoProof, a gradation can be used to define the dot gain behavior of spot colors. In ContoneProof mode, a spot color gradation is a simple but effective alternative to defining several fulcrums for each spot color. The latter is more accurate, takes differences in the dot gain for individual color channels into account, but also requires a press proof and measurement for each spot color. With a spot color gradation, it is possible to perform a global correction for multiple spot colors showing a similar behavior.

Supersampling

Interpolation method for anti-aliasing and resampling. Images are ripped/rasterized at a much higher internal resolution. The image is then downsampled to the final output resolution. The extra pixels gained by the supersampling are used for a smooth rendering of edges. The higher the quality level, the higher is the supersampling resolution.

SWOP

(Specifications Web Offset Publications, SWOP) Printing standard for web offset printing in the United States initiated by an industry group committee, updated now by IDEAlliance Inc. GMG ColorProof also provides proof profiles approved by the SWOP committee for various printers and media.

TIFF/IT CT/LW

Media-independent multi-file image format based on TIFF. It defines image file formats for encoding contone images (CT), lineworks (LW), high-resolution contone images (HC), monochrome contone images (MP), binary picture images (BP), binary lineworks (BL), screened data (SD), and images of composite final pages (FP). The FP file defines the separate image layers (of types CT, LW, etc.) to be combined to create the final printed image.

Triangle Filter

Weighted area averaging. Filter settings for anti-aliasing or pixel interpolation. Samples at the filter center are given a weight of one, and the weights decrease linearly to zero at the filter extents. Filter choice depends on the image and resolution/down-scaling. The triangle filter may give more blurry results, but less aliasing effects than the box filter.

Unidirectional Printing

In uni-directional printing, the print head is moved over the medium in the same direction during each pass. In bi-directional printing, the print head is alternately moved in both directions. Unidirectional printing is slower, but results in a higher print quality, because a compensation for the horizontal drift of the ink droplets is not required.

Unsharp Mask

(unsharp mask, USM) Widely used standard sharpening method offering a higher degree of control than the automatic 3D Sharpness. USM sharpens an image by increasing contrast along edges. USM detects edges by locating pixels that differ from surrounding pixels by the specified threshold. It then increases the contrast of neighboring pixels by the specified amount. Lighter pixels will get lighter and darker pixels will get darker.

White Gap

Visible white gaps (without ink) in a printed image that can result if plates are not exactly aligned (are out of registration) in the printing machine. A method to avoid white gaps is Overprinting.

White Point

Color value of a white object viewed under a standard illuminant through a standard observer angle. The white point depends on the printer gamut and the print medium.

Wildcards

Wildcards are used to search for text strings, such as particular characters or patterns of characters. A wildcard character may be substituted for any of a defined subset of characters. In FlowConnect, you can use filters to process only specific files. For example, if you use "*.xml" as a filter, only files with the file extension ".xml" will be processed.

Workflow

For automated printing of input files. All image processing parameters such as color management settings, printer pool and media are predefined in one ore multiple workflows connected to a hotfolder. Image files detected by a hotfolder are automatically filtered by the connected workflows. The first workflow (from top to bottom) that accepts the input image according to the File Filter settings processes the image and creates a print job.

XML

(XML, Extensible Markup Language) A new standard developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). XML is not a fixed set of elements like HTML, but rather a meta-language (a language for describing languages). XML enables authors to define their own tags.

XSL

(Extensible Stylesheet Language, XSL) XSL is a stylesheet language for XML documents, defining the layout, styles, colors, etc. of how the XML document will look like in the application in which it is displayed.

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