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How to simulate opaque inks on metallic substrates

Roland Schibel
  • Updated

In GMG OpenColor, you need to set up a project that defines the printing condition, along with a corresponding proofing condition. For detailed instructions on creating projects and spot color libraries, please refer to the linked topics.

1. Set the opacity simulation 

This section focuses solely on the steps required to simulate opacity on metallic substrates.

  1. Under Tools & Actions > Finalize, click the proofing condition of your proof printer to open it.
  2. In the Proofing Condition, select For Opaque Ink Simulation from the White Undercoat list.
    Screenshot 2026-04-24 at 11.14.33.png

  3. Optionally, you can adjust the default opacity for all inks using Opacity Level (all inks).
    A value of 0% means that no white is included in the color profile, while 100% applies the maximum amount of white automatically. You can further refine the opacity settings for each individual color as described in the next section (create a profile).

  4. Define the Metallic Gloss Level. 
    If the substrate you want to simulate is really shiny, set it to 100%. If the substrate has a more matte appearance, you can lower the value accordingly.

2. Create a profile

  1. The next step is to define the metallic effect individually for each color and calculate the proof profile you will use for printing in GMG ColorProof. On the Tools & Actions panel, under Finalize, click the Calculate Profile for... button.
  2. Deselect all colors except the ones used in the document you want to print. Select White if the document contains a dedicated white channel. 
  3. For each color, set the metallic effect and confirm by clicking OK. 
    In our example, the opacity for the dark orange is set to 30%, red to 70% and dark green to 30%:
  4. Under Finalize, add a check mark to the check box next to the profile to activate the profile.
  5. On the Tools & Actions panel, under Finalize, click the Publish for... button to make the profile available in GMG ColorProof.

4. Print a first proof 

  1. In GMG ColorProof, click Database and add an OpenColor Proof Standard for your proof printer. 
  2. In the New OpenColor Proof Standard dialog box, select the OpenColor project you defined in the previous steps and save the proof standard.
  3. Create a proof job in the Manual Job Manager, and select the OpenColor proof standard under Image > Color Management > Proof Standard. 
    If an ink name in the GMG OpenColor project matches the channel name in the document, the color will be automatically mapped. Otherwise, you will need to manually map an undefined color on the Channels tabbed page.

5. Iterate the profile (if necessary) and print the proof again

Once you have a profile, you can change the settings easily without recalculation in GMG OpenColor.

  1. Under Finalize, click the Edit button on the right side of the profile.
    Screenshot 2026-04-24 at 13.50.38.png
  2. Click the Adjust Opacity tabbed page.
  3. Adjust the values and click the Save button.
    The updated profile will be sent to GMG ColorProof automatically and the new profile will be used for the next proof job using the same proof standard.

 

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