Conversion templates

A conversion template is a resource that defines if and how RGB, CMYK, Gray, spot color and L*a*b* objects from your document will be converted. You can create different conversion templates for different requirements, and when creating a new job, you can choose which one to use for processing. You can either create conversion templates manually or have them created automatically by GMG SmartProfiler. In combination with GMG OpenColor, dynamic conversion unlock dynamically calculated profiles and spot color databases.

The arrows display the processing lanes from the input color space on the left to the output color space on the right. As soon as you drag conversion processors onto the lanes, they will change to reflect your modifications ( → / ↑ / ↓ ). The position of each processor on the lane determines the conversion sequence: the further left a processor is placed, the earlier its conversion will be performed, while the further right a processor is placed, the later its conversion will be performed. Arrange the processors strategically to achieve optimum conversion results.

Conversion types

Processor	Description
	With this universal processor, RGB, CMYK, Gray, spot color and L*a*b* objects can be calculated dynamically on the fly. See: Dynamic conversions.
	For static conversion of RGB and process colors using the pre-calculated MX4 profiles delivered with ColorServer or profiles that were created with InkOptimizer and/or GMG SmartProfiler Lab (Legacy). GMG SmartProfiler Spectral uses MXN instead.
	Only used if process colors should be converted statically using old MX3 calibration profiles that were created with GMG ProfileEditor and/or GMG SmartProfiler Lab (Legacy). GMG SmartProfiler Spectral uses MXN profiles instead.
	For static conversion of RGB, process colors, and L*a*b using ICC profiles from external sources, for example profiles provided by FOGRA. Please note that ICC profiles are less precise than spectral MX profiles and may therefore lead to different color results.
	For static conversion of RGB and process colors using MXN profiles from GMG OpenColor projects. MXN profiles use spectral data and can be used for multicolor workflows.
	For static conversion of spot colors to process colors, using the CMYK values from the input file or from available spot color sets (db3). You can also apply channel mapping rules to both conversion options. Alternatively, you can choose to leave spot colors unconverted and use only channel mapping rules, which can speed up processing time for PDFs containing purely technical channels
	To adjust spot color halftone values for your printing condition’s dot gain, you can select a gradation file for the conversion. Please note that a gradation will apply to all spot colors, so this option is only beneficial if all spot colors show a similar dot gain behavior.

How to prevent double conversions

The order of processors in a conversion template is essential for accurate, efficient color conversion. An incorrect processor sequence can cause unnecessary double conversions, increase processing time, introduce color shifts, or reduce the effectiveness of ink-saving optimization. Use the following guidelines when arranging conversion processors.

Convert Process Colors Before Optimizing Them

In the example below, the first process color conversion converts all process colors to the printer’s output color space. The second process color conversion applies an InkOptimizer profile to optimize the converted process colors by reducing the CMY ratio and saving ink.

Applying the InkOptimizer profile before converting process colors to the printer’s output color space would not be effective. The subsequent color conversion could overwrite or reduce the ink-saving optimization achieved in the first step.

Place the RGB Processor Between the Process Color Processors

Position the RGB processor between the two process color processors. This ensures that RGB colors are converted to the printer’s output color space before they are optimized with the InkOptimizer profile.

If RGB is converted first, the resulting process colors are converted again by the first process color conversion, even though they have already been converted to the printer’s output color space. This unnecessary double conversion increases processing time and may affect color accuracy.

If RGB is converted last, the resulting process colors are not optimized because the InkOptimizer profile has already been applied. As a result, the ink-saving benefits of the optimization are not applied to RGB content.