A study of the subjective differences between soft-copy and hard-copy proofing

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5-1-1988

A study of the subjective differences between

soft-copy and hard-soft-copy proofing

Sandra Fuhs

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Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester, New York

CER~CATEOFAPPROVAL

MASTER'S THESIS

This is to certify that the Master's Thesis of

Sandra Fuhs

with a major in Printing Technology has been approved by the Thesis Committee as satisfactory for the thesis requirement for the Master of Science degree at the convocation of

May 1988

Thesis committee: _ _ _ _ _ ----=J'-"o=s:.=e~p"'-'h=--.:N--=-o=g~a Thesis Advisor

Joseph Noga

SOFT-COPYAND HARD-COPYPROOFING

by

SandraL. Fuhs

A thesis submitted in partial fulfillmentof the requirements

forthe degreeofMasterofScience inthe

Schoolof_Printing Managementand Sciences in the

College ofGraphic Arts and _Photographyofthe

Rochester Institute of_Technology

May 1988

Between Soft-copy and Hard-copy Proofing

I, Sandra Fuhs, hereby grant permission to the Wallace Memorial Library, of Roch-ester Institute of Technology, to reproduce my thesis in whole or in part. Any repro-duction will not be for commericial use or profit.

Sandra Fuhs

Witness

TableofFigures ii

Abstract 1

Chapter I. Introduction 1

Chapter H LiteratureReview_{/Hard-Copy Proofing} 3

Digital_{Hard-Copy Proofing} 7

Soft-Copy Proofing 9

Displays 12

Measurement 20

Footnotes forChapterII 25

ChapterHI. StatementoftheProblem 26

Hypothesis 29

ChapterIV. Methodology/Introduction 30

Procedure 33

Equipmentand Supplies 36

FootnotesforChapter rv 38

Chapter V. DataAnalysis 39

ChapterVI. DiscussionofResults 54

Chapter VII. _SummaryandConclusions 64

Chapter Vm. Recommendationsfor Future Research 68

ChapterIX. General Reference 70

AppendixA Figures 73

Footnotes forAppendixA 77

AppendixB Invitation 78

AppendixC Presentation 79

Appendix D _Survey 81

Appendix E Monitortestpatterns 90

Figure 1 AppendixA

Figure 2 AppendixA

Figure 3 Appendix A

Figure4 Appendix A

Figure 5 AppendixA

Figure 6 , 41

Figure7 41

Figure 8 42

Figure 9 42

Figure 10 43

Figure 11 43

Figure12 44

Figure 13 44

Figure 14 45

Figure 15 45

Figure 16 46

Figure 17 46

Figure19 47

Figure 20 48

Figure21 48

Figure22 49

Figure 23 49

Figure24 50

Figure 25 50

Figure 26 51

Figure27 51

Figure 28 52

Figure 29 52

Figure30 53

Figure 31 53

Test pattern 1 AppendixE

Test pattern 2 Appendix E

Thewidespread use ofCathode_RayTubes (CTRs)as _{soft-copy proofing} devices in

electronic _imaging situations has raised serious questions as to their relevance, the

appropriate _viewing conditions and the_{necessary design,} color and tone character

istics ofthe color monitors. Proofs are used at_many differentstages in theprint

production process. Each stage has different requirements in terms of color _accep

tance, detail, sharpness, composition and portability. At each level ofthe approval

cycle various _measuring devices are used to _qualify acceptability.

This thesis deals with_every-dayuseand problems of_soft-copyproofing. Anelec

tronic test pattern was displayed on a color monitor while the same testpattern in

hard-copy proofform was displayed under_industry standard5000degree Kelvin

lighting. _{Fifty printing industry} users ofthese_{proofingmethods, comprising}art

directors, buyers, quality assurance representatives and electronic pagination _users,

evaluated the two proofs _using the mostcommon method ofmeasurement visual

assessment and completed a written questionnaire. This _survey covered color and

hue variations, detail,sharpness, design,size and _{portability descrepancies} as _they

related to a _soft-copyproof used as a design comprehensive,initial color _approval,

ceptablefor all thevariables listed above when used as designcomp, initial color

and/or intermediateproofbut rejectedit inall cases when used as thefinal proof.

Theresults of this _study will enable monitor _{manufacturers,} electronic pagination

suppliers and users tobetter understand how soft-copy and_{hard-copy proofing}

differ,what the weaknesses are of_each, and which areas are most objectionable. _By

having industry experts weigh the_key differences and similaritiesbetween the new

and theold _proofing methods and _byjudging the shortcomings and theconstraints

of_each, the _soft-copymanufacturers willbe able tobetter rank priorities in improv

ing this_developing science,and thusbettermeet theneeds ofthepeople _they are

INTRODUCTION

Proofinghas always posed problems to the Graphic Arts industry. Since the_incep

tion of_printing, pressproofs have reigned as the ultimate in precision and accu

racy. In the 1950s,however, the _industrybegan _searching fornew ways to achieve high_quality without the high costs and time_consuming makereadys associated

with thepress proof. The Graphic Arts consumable manufacturers thus developed

and introduced various new methods of_proofingthatwe_classify as off-press

proofs, with DuPonfs Cromalin and 3M's Matchprint_being the most _widely ac

cepted. In thelast fewyears there has been a newtrend.Sinceeven thenew

off-press _proofing methods are expensive and time_consumingparts of theprepress

process, some manufacturers are _striving to replace them with _{electronically} gener

ated _soft-copyproofs. Ifs faster thana press or off-press proofbut the_industryhas

yet to standardize the process and toeliminate a number of variables in its quality.

Soft-copy proofinguses amonitor, colored or _{monochrome, to}represent _type,

graphics, pictures and otherimages. Since thecreation of theCRT, thesedisplay

units have increased in popularityand are now anecessityin many businesses and

screen as acatalog. Theseusesofthis electronic mediumare simplistic compared

with the color match and precisionrequired forevaluation _by art_directors, color buyers, _quality assurance representatives andothers involved with the _printing

industry.

The artdirector'sjob is toevaluate,but everyjudgement depends on_{surroundings,}

past experiences andeven the art director's mood on a given day. This _subjectivity has always led to variationsinthe _qualityofthe finalproduct. This is truefor both

hard-copy and _soft-copy proofing.

This _studyused a_groupof50_{printing industry}consultants,_comprisingart direc

tors, buyers, quality assurance representatives and graphic _artists, to evaluate

soft-copy proofing. It compared the _soft-copy to the_hard-copyin termsof_color,size, detail, portability and composition. The principle variable was the humaneye and

its reaction when itcompared an actual _hard-copy proof to an electronic creation.

Byhaving industry experts weigh the_key differences and similaritiesbetween the

new and the old_byjudging the shortcomings and the constraintsof_{each, the}

soft-copy manufacturers willbe able tobetterrank prioritiesin _improvingthis _develop

LITERATURE REVIEW

FIARD-COPY PROOFING

Before _committing to theexpense of mass _production, a client must proof_every

piece of printed material. Proofs are_necessary tocheck that all components are cropped, scaled and stripped into correct _position, colors are separatedas specified andin register, correct margins and trims areindicated and overall composition is as the designerenvisioned.

Proofing methods _{vary according}to _{different printing} processes, size, quality, cost and time required for the_{manufacturing} of theproof. _Proofing foroffsetlithogra

phyuses a number oftechniques thatcanbe grouped into the _followingcategories: press proofs, off-press_proofs, digital_hard-copy and _soft-copy proofs.

Press proofs are _by farregarded as themost accurate methodof_hard-copyproof ing. In production pressproofs, thespecifiedpaper, inks,press andproduction conditions areused tocreate progressives and proofs.This methodis_{very costly} and time consuming.

Proofpress_proofingis thenextbestsubstituteforpress proofs. Thismethod uses

tions thatforcesome toinsiston productionpressproofs.

Though thereare morethantwodozenoff-press color_{proofingsystems, they}canbe divided intotwobasiccategories.Onerecords each color on a sheet of clearfilm

with all sheets_beingplacedone overthe _{other, in}registeron a_backing sheet.This technique is called an _overlay proof. Theother involves _transferringprocess color

pigments or_toners,one at a _time, toabasesheet.The _followingisabrief_descrip tionof some ofthemost popular prepress systems.

Cromalin (Dupont) uses _dry toners thatcanbecustom blended to match most

printinginks. Aphotopolymer film is laminated to abasesheet on which a positive or_{negative, depending}on the system _used,isattached and exposed_using an ultra

violet light source. The laminated film is _{then removed,} leavinga receptive surface for the appropriate color toner to beapplied_using eitherDuponfs ATM(Auto

matic_ToningMachine) or ahand-rubbed process. Thisprocedure is repeatedforall four separations.

Cromachek _(Dupont) uses a _dryoverlay method producedfromfilm negatives.

Using these negatives, highintensity ultravioletlight and a vacuum _frame, the four

separations canbe exposed at one time. The laminated films are then stripped apart

saving the top layer and then_placing them inregister on a carrier sheet.

Matchprint II (3M) uses a _{proprietary laminate} system, much like the Cromalin. It

adheres toSWOP standards and offers the_ability tomatch 'special' _{colors and}

tized _{emulsions and colored}with actualinkpigments. This processis availablein

positiveor negative emulsions.

Gevaproofs _{(Agfa-Gevaert)} start with negative separations and use Gevaproofs

dimensionallystable polyesterfilmbase materialtoproduce single-sheet simulated

paper proofs.Thefilm iscoatedwith a white opaque layeronboth sidesto give the

appearance of paper. Lightsensitive colored emulsions areexposed, then trans

ferred to the _{primary base}sheet. Development takesplace inan ethyl _alcohol/

waterbath and an activator bath. Pigments areidentical to those in_printinginks

and are supplied as separate sheetsinsix colors.

Paps andNaps (Enco _PrintingProducts) are abbreviations for positive and nega

tive, respectively, _{acting proofing}systems. These systems_overlay colored _sheets,

availablein theprocess colors. The polyester film with a presensitized colored

emulsionisexposed emulsion toemulsionandhas a_one-step Azoplate_developing

process.

KC-AnalogColorProof(Coulter System Corp.) process produces a colored proof

using the actualprinting paperwith toners or _proofing inks thatmatch _printing

colors. This system is _totallyautomated and can use continuous toneor halftone

positives.

Signature Color_ProofingSystem(Eastman Kodak Co.)isbased on liquidelectro

across the surface. Whereverthe photoconductive film is exposed to _light, the

charge migrates _{away from} the surface. At the _toning stage, charged _marking

particles within the liquid _toning inkare attracted to the _opposing electrical charge

in theimagearea. The_marking particlesare semi-fused to thePC film. This film is

imaged _during four passes through theKodak Signature_toning console. A_cyan,

magenta,yellow orblackseparation film is registered withthe same piece of photo

conductive film foreach pass. After this is completed, the composite image is trans

ferred the appropriate paper stock.

The_precedingexamples are all_proven,accepted _{hard-copyproofing}methods. Such

alarge_varietyof usesforcolor proofs places a wide range ofdemandson color

proofingsystems.The idealsystem wouldbeonethatsatisfiestheneeds of allthe

uses;but it_maybe toomuch for_{some, too}slowfor_others,andtooexpensivefor

many. Thisis thereason_whythereare so_manycolor_proofingsystems and_why

With theadventofelectronicCADand graphic arts prepress_systems,thereisa

growingneed fora_{fast,inexpensive,high-quality}device tomanipulate thedigital

informationand producean _analogrepresentationofthefinalrequirementbefore

committingtoexpensive consumables and equipment._Currentlyno_proofing

methodexiststhatcanboastallthreeoftheserequirements.

Becauseof_electronic,computer-aided color separationtechniques andtheneed fora

quick,inexpensiveproofingmethod,various new substitutes are_givingtheconven

tional offpress_proofingmethodscompetition.

CromagraphCPR403ColorProofRecorder(Hell) isameans of_producingacon

tinuous tonecolorprooffrom digital data in theHell Chromacomcolor page

makeup systeminsize_up to 21 X 29inchesoncolor photographic paperinless than 20minutes. Theproofisafacsimileofthe_soft-copyproof on theChromacom'scolor

monitor_{incorporating} thecharacteristics of_{the process, plate,} ink,and press.

MagnaproofSystem (Crosfield)produces_hard-copycolor proofs fromdigitized

computer generatedimages_usingan exposure methodbasedon color sparation

principles. Ituses a modifiedLogE/DunnVersaColorCamera asits maincompo

nent. Theoutput ofthecamera canfitafull A4_{size, 11 X 14 inches.}Inuse_imagery

from theStudio860systemistransferred totheMagnaproofand the exposurese

allowthe deginermaximum_flexibilitywiththelayouts and colorchanges with

hard-copyproofsfor_{customer review and} approval.

Polaroid DigitalColorProofSystem (Polaroid)isstill underdevelopmentbut_test/

Betaunitsareavailable.Ituses aMacDonaldDettwilerColorFIRE 240FilmRe

cordertoconvertthedata fromadigital_imaging systemintoa recordableimage

ontoPolaroid Industrial Instant Color Filmwhich accepts andrecordsthecolor

proofimage. Thesystemis_beingmodified toaccommodate aformatsize thanifs

present8X10 inchessheetoutput and abuilt-incolortransform tocompensatefor

pigments inthe_inks,paper_{characteristics,}scanner_sensitivity, dyesin_film,dot_gain,

trappingvariations, film and recorder variability.The Poloriod Instant ColorPaper

system wasdevelopedso thatituses a roll oflightsensitive_material,a roll of posi

tiveprint material and a_trayofpods_containingthedevelopment reagent put

througha_speciallymade processor.

KC-DigitalPrepress System (CoulterSystems) isstill underdevelopmentand con

sists ofinputscanners thatsend colorimetericdata for theoriginalindigital_form,

data_processing terminals thatperformtheusual_functionsof color_correction,image

enhancement, magnification, sizing, cropping,rotation andpositioningand an

outputlaserprinter. The laserprinter canbeused_{independently}oftheprepress

systemtoprocessdigital data fromscanners and other page_makeupsystems to

While_{soft-copy proofinghas been commercially}available sincethemid-1970s,it has

achieved_onlya smallmarket sharebecauseofcustomers'

andprinters'

continued perceived needfor hardcopy._{CurrentlyCrosfield,Dainippon, Eikonix, HCM,} PagePlanner/Hazeltine, ScitexandTOPPANoffer monitors with detail and color

adjustmentstosimulate thefour-colorprocess.Common televisionand video moni tors also provide_soft-copyproofs.

Useof soft_proofingequipment requires a_sufficientlyinterpretive_abilitytovisualize

theprinted appearanceoftheimagerepresented onthecolor monitor. This_abilityis

not_extensivelyused_today,given thatremote_viewingstations are used _chieflyfor controllingpagelayoutat printbuyerssuch as ad agencies.

Thevendorslisted above offer similar solutionsto the_proofingproblem. Eachinte

grates ahigh-resolutioncolor_{monitor,usually}512by512or1024_by 1024screen pixels across anddown,withtheir_proprietarydigital image database. Controlof gunalignment,contrast andbrightnessare_usuallyoperator accessible. Someoffer the_ability tomatch color output and_purity tovariousink and paper combinations.

PreSponse (Scitex)isa post-scan _{viewing device. It}consists of a color_CRT,function

boxandinterfaceto theScitexnetwork of online magnetic storage.After animage is

scanned it isdisplayed onthemonitor.Itcanbemanipulatedand color corrected.

Scanview 600_(Crosfield)issimilartotheScitexPreSponse.

It is anoffline_setupdevicewithcolormonitorfor previewing colorbefore_exposing

filmonthescanner. A_keydifferencebetweenthis unit andtheothers is thatscanner

functionscanbeprogrammedonthe Scanviewthen _directlydownloadedto the

scanner,_freeingupthe scannerforinputandoutput operations.

Scanskop (Hell) issimilar to theScitexPreSponse. Itis a modular peripheraldevice

intended foruse withtheChromacomsystem color scanners. Ittooprovides the

operator with a _previewingcolor monitorforthepurpose of_reviewinga scan asit

occursor after completion ofthescanning.

Designmaster8000 (Eikonix)isa_turnkeysystem and can notbe broken down into

stand alone components such as a_softproofingstation. The system provides multi

userand_{multi-tasking}capabilities.Colorimetericfunctionscanbeperformed_byone

operator while another can perform such tasks asinput_scanning,outputrecording,

tape archival,limited_strippingandimagemanipulations.

Scanalyzer 2001 (PagePlanner/Hazeltine)hasa console with ahighresolution moni

tor thatisclaimed toreproducethecolorgamut ofmost_printinginksand aninter

facetomost scannerstoprovidethe scanner operator a_reasonablyaccuratepreview

ofthescanned image before committingtofilm. Afastscan(30 seconds)ismadeand

isviewed on theCRT. Ifthisscanis not_satisfactory the_setting arechangedonthe

scannerandtheoperationisrepeated until correct.Oncecorrecttheactual scanis

CP525-MKH ColorProofer _(TOPPAN) consists offourunits: videocameraforinput

tingseparations; digitalimage_processingconsoleformanipulation and correction of

images;video_displaymonitorfor_displayingthecolorproof;and_{viewing booth for}

viewingtheoriginal _tranparencyor reflective art. Theoveralloperationissimilarto

DISPLAYS

High_{resolution raster graphics andimage}

processinghave created a_growing de

mandforvideo monitors capableof_{displayinghigh}resolutionimages. Someesti

matesclaim that thedemand forsuchdisplayswillbeashighasfivemillion units

per year_by1990.

Cathode_RayTubes,more_commonlyknownas_CRTs, are usedin_TVs,video_games,

aircraft_displays,computer _terminals,medical_displays,largescreen_displays,

graphic as well as graphic arts_displays,and a wide range ofblackand white appli

cations,_includingtypesetting. Forthese uses, three typesofCRTdisplays are com

mon:_raster, vectoranddirectviewstorage tubes.Indirectviewstorage_tubes,the

CRT is coated with a phosphorthatmaintains alightedconditionforan extended

period of timewhenexcited_byan electronbeam.

The directview storagetubehas theadvantage of speed: itreacts quickly. _However,

ithaslowilluminance,lackscolorcapabilitiesand hasno selective erase.

In thevectordisplay, theCRTphosphorremainsilluminated fora shortperiodof

time,onlywhen theelectrons are_strikingthescreen.

Mostcolorapplications use rastertechnology. Insteadof_tracingtheinformation

vector_byvector, theelectrongun travelsafixed_{path,movinghorizontally}fromone

edge ofthescreen to the other,onelineat a time.Today'selectronicprepress color

systems all use thismethod tojudgedesign,color,imageassemblyandimagequal

Manyvariables mustbeaddressedbefore theCRT is_readyforuse._Accuracyand

precision are essentialfor_stabilityand repeatability. Properinterfacesbetweenthe

image_{memory, displayprocessor,video refresh controller and}

displayinghardware

arecritical.Someofthevariables thatmustbeconsidered arethese:horizontaland

vertical scan_frequency,horizontal andvertical_{blankingduration,}pixel_resolutions,

interlacedversus_{non-interlaced, convergence,flicker,} and spot size.

Thebasicconceptofhow digitalinformation isdisplayedon a monitor isshownin

Figure 1 (SeeAppendix A).

The_memoryinwhichanimage is storedon a pixel_bypixelbasisisthecritical part

of_anyraster graphics system.This_memoryisaccessed_bythe_displayprocessor,also

called the_displaygenerator,graphics processor orimagecreation system. Itgener

ates and manipulates graphicdataor performsimage_processingfunctions. Itcan

readfromand writeto theimagememories. Thesememories are also accessed_by

thevideo refresh_controller,whichreadsthe contents oftheimage_memoryinthe

properformatand with thecorrect_timingtofeedthevideo output.

For theviewedimagetobestable, thevideo refresh _controller,alsoknownasdis

playcontroller orframe buffercontroller,must_supplythedatathatwillberouted to

themonitor_accordingtostrict_timingrequirements. Italso generates addressesfor

theimagememories and controls suchfunctionsaspan,scroll and_window,which

involvemanipulationoftheseaddresses.

Thevideo outputhardwareconvertsdatavaluestointensitylevelsorto colors and

The image_{memory, (alsocalledframe buffermemory,}

displaymemory,addressable

resolutionorbit_map)holds an_arrayofvalues thatrepresents theimage. Thesize of

the array,most often 512 X 512or1024X_1024,is theresolution of_{the memory,}with eachelementofthe_arraybeingone pictureelement,or pixel.Thisresolution should

notbeconfused with_{displayableresolution,}which willbe discussedlater.

A_{memory arrayholding}onebitper pixel contains onebitplane.Aframebuffer

memory may havemultiplebits ofstorageper_{pixel, allowing}multiplebitplanes. Thetermimageplaneis_commonlyusedinimage_processingtomean a set of eight bitplanes,or oneimagelayerwith eightbitsper pixel.Thenumber ofbits assigned

toeach pixel is knownasthe pixeldepthor color resolution oftheimagememory. A full-colorsystemhas24bitplanes: eightbits eachfor _{the red,}green andblue dis plays.

Thoughan entire system's architecture and _{compatibility}is_{veryimportant,} the

monitor,whichis theend resultfor_manyusers,isoftenoverlooked_bysystem

integrators.Themonitoris in factconsidered_bymanyusers tobethemostcrucial component. Elementsthatmustbejudged_bybotharethese: _resolution,dot_pitch,

brightness,phosphorpersistence, convergence,monitor size andtheoveralleffects

ontheuser.

Confusionarises when monitors are compared onthebasis of resolution.Manufac turersoften quote addressableresolutionbecause it is_{easily determined from}the amount offramebuffermemoryavailableto thedisplay. Ontheother_hand, the

dis-playable resolutionis thenumberoflines and pixelsthatmake_upadisplayed im

age, thatis,thenumberofpoints thatthecomputer terminaliscapable of_addressing

toadisplay. Thisisoften _dependenton_{manyvariables,}such as manner inwhichthe

phosphors are separatedinacolordisplay._Todaythephosphors canbeseparated

laterally usingashadow_mask,longitudinalvoltage penetration orthreeseparate

tubessuperimposed_byprojectionor optical_mixingonto a single screen or view

station.

Theshadowmaskmethod,whichemploysan electronbeam foreach phosphor

color,andthe three-tube arrangementallowsthecolorstobe_{simultaneously}excited.

This maskisplacedbefore thetriadphosphor red-green-bluedotpattern onthe

screen.Itis pierced withholesthatensurethat thecorrect electronbeams hitthe

appropriate phosphor dot. Itcan changethespot_{size, the}smallest_dothitting the

phosphor and also thedotpitch,whichis thedotspacing.Takethe example of a7

inch diagonal CRT with0.005inchspot size. Since thereare200 0.005inch intervals

in1 inch, the7inchtubeisthusrated at1400lines. Notetheorientation ofthe_lines;

theymustbeperpendicular to thediagonaloftheface. Sincethespot size grows asit

is deflectedtoward the corners, thespotsizeinthe corners_maygrow to0.007inchor

143 linesperinchwhich,ifextended acrossthe 7inch_monitor,equals_onlythe

equivalent of1000 lines inthecorners. Anothernotetoconsideris that the7inch

dimension_maybetheoutside measure oftheglass_envelope,nottheuseful screen

Thestate-of-the-artinCRTresolutionisabout4000discerniblelinesperpicture

heightin color.This isrecordedfromtheCRT_face,not observed withthe human

eye,andis achieved_by

peakingall theCRTand optical systemdesignareas.Even

thisinformation_{is misleading,however,because}no monitor can maintainthese

optimumconditions.

Today'stypicalresolutions are512_{by512, 60-Hz,}noninterlaced and1024_{by 1024,}

30-Hz, interlaced. Theadditional_information,which willbediscussed _later,is

necessary foratruecomparison.

Thepatternthat theelectronbeam intheCRTsweeps out as itscans ordraws the

imageineachframeisa series ofhorizontal lines_movingfromthe _topto thebottom

of animageand from lefttoright on eachlineasinFigure2(SeeAppendix A).

Thispatterniscalled araster,and eachline drawn iscalled a scanline. Therefresh

rate of a_displaydefines thenumberof complete_images,or_frames,thatcanbe

drawnonthescreeninasecond andismeasuredinframesper second.The duration

of each _frame,orthe frame time, isthe reciprocaloftherefresh rate.

Somefiniteamount oftime isrequired fortheelectronbeam toreturnto theleftside

ofthescreenfromtheright and to the _topofthescreenfromthebottomas theimage

is displayed. The returning beamretraces,and thetimethis takesiscalled thehori

zontal orverticalretrace _time,duringwhichthebeam is turnedoff and no new data

is displayed. Thevideosignalissaid tobe blanked and the timesare_alternately

called the horizontal andvertical blanking intervals.Whennot_blanked,thesignalis

In the_{early days}of_television,theinterlaced monitorwasdeveloped. Thistypeof

displayscannedall oftheodd_lines, thenall theevenlines. Thetwo _fields,even and

odd,arerequired tomakeaframe. Inanoninterlaced_display,alllines aredrawn in

orderfromthe_toptobottom. Acommon specificationforthis typeof_displayis

60-Hz,noninterlaced,_meaningthat theentireimage is drawnon thescreen60times

eachsecond from_top tobottom. A 30-Hzrefreshrate almost_universallyimplies

interlacedformat. In this type of_display,an_{image, particularly}horizontal_lines,

appear toflashon and_off,orflicker.Flickerisnot a problem with60-Hzrefresh

displays.

Brightness isanother probleminthehighresolution color monitor. Aswasstated

before,theshadow maskisessentialin_guiding theappropriate gunto thecorrect

color phosphordot. In_performingthis _{function,however,}itintercepts 70 to80

percent ofthebeam current,with a_{corresponding}reductioninbrightness. Thiscan

beoffset tosome extent_byahigheranodevoltage,butthereis still_nearlya

three-to-onereductioninlightoutput.

Anotherparameter _affectingthebrightnessand resolution of color tubesis thevideo

driverequirement. Thevideodrive is theamplitudeofthevideo signalapplied to

thecathode ofthe tube tomodulatethebeamcurrent. In1000linenoninterlaced

systems,reasonable contrastlevelcanbegenerated on a colortubeby havingatleast

35V for acceptablelightoutput. Currently,fewif_any1000line noninterlacedcolor

monitors deliver thevideoperformancerequiredby thedrivingsystem.

Conver-gencehappenswhen _{the red,green andblue linesareoverlayedandforma white}

line.With_{misconvergence, instead of}

seeinga_focusedwhite_line,the viewer sees a

blurred linewith acolor _fringe,or even threeseparatecoloredlines. It is_generally

accepted thatmisconvergenceshouldnotexceed_0.3mm,about athirdofthe spot

width.This problemis_typicallygreateratthescreen extremities thanatthecenter

becauseofinaccuracies inthe deflectionsystem.For this reason,some manufacturers

specifya greaterresolutionatthecenterthanattheedges.

Astigmatism,whichisthe ellipticaldistortionand enlargement ofthebeam_spot,

also occurs attheedgesof adisplay. This_defocusingofthespot sizeiscaused_by

manyofthesameinaccuracies thatcause misconvergence.Poor gun alignmentinthe

tube, poor electronoptics and a non-uniformdeflectionfield thatrequires excessive

pincushion correctionare common causes.

Themethod usedto correct theconvergenceproblemsdependson thegun configu

ration.The trendis forcheaperin-linered,blueand green guns toreplacetheolder

delta format. Thein-line _technologyallows theuse of self-convergence.The delta

guns requiredynamicconvergence_circuitry thatissubjecttoits own variation and

driftwith_time, temperatureandpositioninrespectto theearth's magneticfield.In

manyof_{the new,}higherresolutioncolor_displays,convergenceisimprovedthrough

dynamiccontrol orauto-convergence.In this typeof_system,another_element,such

as aphotomultiplieror special_memorydevice,is inserted to aidthe operatorin

Another issue_facing thesoftproofistheergonomicconsideration._Manystudies

havebeen doneontheshort- _{andlong-termeffectsofCRTson users.InaMt. Sinai}

study,clerical workerswereobserved for_frequencyof_temporarycomplaints.The

workers_usingtheCRTshad _{significantly}more complaintsthandid thosewho did

nothaveaccess to them. (SeeFigure_3,Appendix_A)

Another_temporaryeffecton_health,termed the "McColloughEffect"_by theNew

England TournalofMedicine*has beenfound inworkers exposedtoCRTs.After

lookingat a greenCRTfor several_minutes,peoplebegintosee pinkletterswhen

theylookatletterson ablackand whitescreen.On a amber-tinted_screen,blackand

whiteletters begintolook blue-green.While the "McColloughEffect" is_apparently

MEASUREMENT

Measurementoflightand colorhas alwaysbeena problem intheGraphic Arts industry. _{Standardizationhas beenslowin}

comingand_measuringdevices have

tolerancesnot acceptable to this application. Areview ofdifferentcolor_measuring

deviceswas made andthoughsophisticated devicesexisttomeasure_wavelengths,

spot_{sizes, reflectance,brightness,etc,thehumaneye and nervous system are still} the finaldeterminantsof_{acceptability}of color.

Color_{measuring devices}canbe groupedinto fourtypes: _{spectrophotometers,}color imeters, densitometersand thehumaneye.Theeyeis _{fundamentally}a

radiation-sensitivesystemthatisresponsive towavelengthsfromabout380to760 nm.Radia tioninthisrangeis _genericallyknown aslight, and coloris defined hereas that

characteristic oflight_bywhichan observer_{maydistinguish differences between}two structure-freefieldsof view ofthe same size and_shape, such as_maybecaused_by

differences in thespectral composition of theradiation energy.This is termed_psy

chophysical colorand isspecified_bythe tristimulousvalues oftheradient_energy

entering theeye.

Color_measuringdevicesmust evaluate samples inasimilar manner. These devices

mustilluminateandhavesensors withthesame spectral-responsecharacteristicsof theobserver.

Spectrophotometersdonot_directlymeasure color: _theymeasure thephysical attrib

inFigure4(See_{Appendix A)}this_informationcanbeobtained through tristimulus

integration. Thespectral powerofthesource_{S( ),}thereflectanceoftheobjectp(),

and the responseoftheobserver x(_),y(),z( )are allneeded toproducethe_resulting

tristimulusvalues.

Thecolorimeter respondsin amannerclosertothatofthehuman visual system.It

achievesthesame numerical expressionforcolor as thatobtained_by tristimulus

integrationofspectrophotmetric_data,but itdoes this_byperformingan_analog

integration_opticallywithintheinstrument. This isaccomplished_{by having}asource

thatconforms to thespectral-powerdistributionof thesource_beingusedtoview the

sample and response thatsimulates thatofthestandardobserver. Thesample modu

lates theradiationbetweenthesource and thedetectorand the_resultingresponseis

an expression ofthe color characteristics ofthesample.

A third_{measuring device}is thedensitometer. It isnot classified as a standard color

measuring instrumentbecauseitsresponsedoesnotrelateto thatofthestandard

observer.Itdoes havered,green andblue_{response,however,}so under certain

circumstances itcan give an approximate color measurement.Since it iscapable of

detectingchangesincoloror colordifferences(regardlessofhow _theymaybeper

ceived _byahumanobserver),itisveryusefulinstrument for the_qualitycontrol of

colorandcolorprocesses.

Theoldest means of colormeasurement,thehumaneye,istheforth_measuring

device. Although colorisreferredtoaslightof a certain_wavelength, wavelengths

are notcolored.Colorresultsfromtheinteractionoflightwiththehumannervous

Thefirstsensorinthehumannervous systemistheeye. Imagesareformedonthe

lightsensitive surfaceof_{the eye, the retina,through thecombinedaction of several}

sets ofmusclesthataim theeyesanddeterminetheshape ofthelens. These two

processes, knownas convergenceandaccomodationoccur as afunctionof thecolors

theviewerattempts tosee. _Becausethehumaneye's _lens,like_anylens,isnot color

corrected, wavelengths_producingdifferentcolorsensationsarefocusedatdifferent

distances behind the lens.Thismeansthat theeyemust refocustoseedissimilar

wavelengths.

Inthe effectknownas _{chromostereopsis,}pure colorslocatedatthesamedistance

from theeye appear tobeatdifferent distancesbecauseofthelens' lackof color

correction.Formost_people,reds appear closer andbluesmore distant._Fortunately,

therange of colorsthatcanbeseeninfocus _{simultaneously depends}ofthe_purityof

thecolors. _Verypure colors require more_refocusingthanlesspure_ones,whileshort

wavelengths,such as pure_blue,focusinfrontoftheretina and will always appear

unfocused.

Differences incolorsensitivitiesbetween individualscanbeattributedto_many

things. The lens doesnottransmitallwavelengthsequally.Itabsorbs almosttwiceas

muchinthebluewavelengthsasit doesin thered and yellow regions andthe_pig

mentinthecentral part oftheretinatransmitsyellow while_{asborbing blues.}Asa

person_{ages, the}lensyellowsand filtersout additional short wavelengthswhilethe

fluids thatsupporttheeyeshavea similarreductionin _{transmission, making}color

Thehumanretina consistsof a_denselypacked_groupof_lightreceptors called rods

and cones. Rodsare_primarilyusedinlow lightapplications such asnight-vision,

whilecones providetheinitialelementinthesensation of colorthrough thehigher

level lightsensitive chemicals called photopigments.Thereare three typesof

pho-topigments,_differingintheirrelative_sensitivitytowavelength.Oneofthe types can

be found in_everycone. Acoloris signified _bythe combination of allthree types.

Researchhas shown that the threeare not_equallydistributed. Averagepercentages

are asfollows:64percent575nm_peakingpigment(knownas _{red), 32}percent535

nm_peaking pigment(known asgreen) and about2percent520nm_peakingpigment

(knownasblue). Therods andcones are also not_evenlydistributed.Thecenter of

theretina,where wesee_detail, is_denselypacked with cones and hasno rods.The

proportion of rods tocones changes_quicklyas youget closerto theouter edge ofthe

retina where you have fieldof vision. In theouter extremes oftheretina thereare

onlyrods, _causingthe eyetodetectall shapes as unclear and colorless.

Anotherimportantattribute of visual photoreceptors isthat_theyadjustto theoverall

lightlevel. Perceivedbrightnessof an objectdependson theadaptive state ofthe

eye.This increased

"warm-up"

periodimproves colordiscrimination.

Thevisual system ismost sensitive to thecenter of_{the spectrum; sensitivity}de

creases toward theextremes._Thus,it follows thatbluesandreds mustbeof greater

intensitythangreens andyellows tobeperceived equally. Figure 5maps thecolor

zones of a typicalretina. (SeeAppendixA)

Beyond theretinais theopticnerve,which connectsto thephotoreceptors.

channelindicatesbrightness. Fromtheopticnerve, thechannelsignals continueon

to the cortexofthebrain. Herespecializedcells encode theinformationinaformat

FOOTNOTESFOR CHAPTERH

Kenneth BoydandRobert_Gilford, "HighResolutionMonitor Design," Elec

tronicImaging. March _1984,p.51.

K. Boyd andR_Gilford,"High ResolutionMonitor Design,"

ElectronicImaging,

March _1984, p.51.

MathewM. _Zuckerman, "Innovative_DisplayTechnology,"

ComputerGraphics*

April _1984,p. 11.

Franc_Grum,gen. _ed.,Optical Radiation_{Measurements,}5 Vols. (NewYork:

Academic_{Press, 1980),}Vol. 2: Color_Measurement, "ModernColor_MeasuringIn

struments,"

byM. _Pearson, p.338.

Gerald M. Murch,"PhysiologicalPrinciplesforthe Effective UseofColor,"

ComputerGraphics,November _1984,p.51.

ibid., p.50.

CHAPTERm

STATEMENTOF TFIE PROBLEM

As with theproduction of colorseparations and in the control and_monitoring of

thepress, color_proofinghas turned toward the use of electronics. _Soft-copy and

digital_hard-copycolor _proofing isregarded as thewave of thefuture for its speed,

consistency and potential cost effectiveness.

As commercial printing's color workload has _increased, sohas the need for faster

turnaround times and a less expensive_way of _{achieving 'appropriate} quality'

proofs. Thisis _why the cheaper, fasteroff-press systems havebecomemarket lead

ers incolor proofing. Since_{the mid-1970s,} momentumhas been with the

single-sheetand_overlayoff-press _proofing systems butthis isexpected to switch to digital

proofing. Fulfillmentofthis task depends on twofactors: greater acceptance of

soft-copy proofingby trade shops, printers, advertising agencies, advertisers and pub

lishers; and the _abilityof the digital _proofingsystems tomatch some of the critical

tolerances ofthe traditional off-press _proofing systems. _Currently there are major

Thebenefits arethese:

Increase electronic color scanner _productivity

Increase electronic color pagination systems effectiveness

*

Reduce needfor rescanning

*

Complement _hard-copy proofs

*

Reduce overall _proofing costs

*

Immediate feedback on corrections

*

Transmission to remote site saves timeand _money

The disadvantages are:

*

Lack the feel and substance of_hard-copyproofs

*

Cannot be_physicallysigned for internal or customer approval

and the legal implications

*

Relativelynew _technology mental block to accept new method

over_older, proven methods

*

Mobility/portability limitations

* _Monitor

resolutions are inadequate to display fine detail atfull

image settings

*

Color matching and _stability

* _Finished

productsize versus thelimitedCRT displayarea

* _{Control and the}

ability to simulate _ink/substrate combinations

Most _{electronic color paginations systems come with atleastone}

soft-copyproofing

station whether it is the pagination terminal or an add-on to the input _scanning

workstation. The

ability touse oneofthesemonitors tojudge_design,composition,

color, size,etc, could mean incredible cost savings. _{Byeliminating}intermediate

proofs,film and_proofing consumables couldbereducedthreefold or more.The

turnaround times for complicated color matches or _retouchingsessions could also

be cut drastically.

Soft-copy proofing isheretoday. Though it is stillin its _infancy,manyagencies,

trade shops and commercial printers are_{using soft-copy} proofs toeliminate some

ofthecost and botherof other off-press _proofingmethods. _Byisolatingwhich

problemsare mostobjectionable,soft-copy proofsuppliers willbe able tobetter

understand _industry priorities and _develop products that serve the_printingindus

HYPOTHESIS

If _{soft-copy proofing is} to replace off-press _{hard-copy proofing} then _{acceptability} of

a design _{comprehensive,} initial color,intermediate and/or final _soft-copyproof as

compared to conventional off-press methods mustbe shownin the _following areas:

1. Color acceptance

2. Detail & sharpness

3. Layout & design

4. Size acceptance

CHAPTERIV

METHODOLOGY

INTRODUCTION

The ideaofthe _soft-copyproofis a sound one. _{Unfortunately,}problems with color

variations, size mismatches, poor sharpness (lack of resolution or_detail), overall

design discrepancies and _{portability have}stifled its growth and prevented its

dominance in the Graphic Arts marketplace.

Electronic _imaging manufacturers and their monitor and _display processor suppli

ers need guidancein_determiningand _addressingthe most severeobjections to their

hard-copy proof alternative.

No _{densitometer,} colorimeter or spectrophotometercan _effectively measure or

predict the subjectiveevaluationof an art director, color buyeror _quality control

representative. The final approval for a soft- _or

hard-copy proof is _ultimately that

of the customer and/or art director. Ifall CIE _{calculations,} densities and compari

soncurves match, thehuman eye maystill disagree becauseofconditions and

study included 50 Graphics Arts decision makers who were asked toevaluate

differences between a conventional color proof and an electronic proof generated

on a colorCRT.

For thepurposes ofthis _thesis, theareas evaluated aredefined andjudged asfol

lows:

Color acceptance was judged _by comparison. A standard/control with

multiple colored patches and _stepscales was established and the soft and

hard-copy proofs were evaluated as towhether each subject matches or

deviates ina direction suggested on a checkofflist.

Detailand resolution werejudged_bycomparison. Ahigh resolutionimage

wasexamined,areas ofunacceptable_qualitywerenoted andcompared.

Layoutand designwere compared_byansweringa series of questions ori

ented toward a layout's components and attributes.

Size acceptance was determined by _comparing theoriginal artwork, the

hard-copyand_soft-copy proofs. Acheckofflist polling the vieweronvari

ations was the tool used todocument observations.

Portabilitywasjudgedby comparingthe proofingresults and _fillingout a

checkoff list. Standardization of all variables was anecessity for the success

All related factors, _{including environment, calibration,} presentation and evalu

ation, remained constant throughout the experiment.

Theparticipants were told that the objective ofthis _study was toevaluateand rank

PROCEDURE

Initially, a letter

inviting 200 GraphicArts _industrydecision-makers to a demon

stration of electronic color prepress imagepreparation was sent out. Aone out of

four acceptance ratio was optimisticbut countedon. The _time, place and _descrip

tionof the experiment and demonstration wereincluded. As incentive to partici

pate,a_copyofthefinalresults was offeredtoeach participant, _(seeAppendix_A)

Theexperiment was set_upasfollows:

The room _lighting was to remain constant throughout all experiments. There was

nolightbehind theobserver as this could cause glare on themonitor.

The_lighting around theprinted subject was the accepted ANSI PH 2.32standard of

5000 K(ANSI, 1972), with a neutral background. Thefirst of two_hard-copyproofs

wascentered inside the _viewingbox.

The monitor was calibrated inthe following manner:

*

Turnedon and allowed a30 minutewarmup.

*

A grid of_evenly spaced horizontal and vertical lines spaced a

quarter of aninch apart was displayed. Convergence was ad

justed if_any misalignment was detected.

*

A whiteblank wasdisplayed onthe monitor. Brightnessand

contrast were set to theirstandard positions. The monitor was

then checked for_purity andhot spots and adjustmentswere made

The deGaussbuttonwas pressedbeforeeach viewing. Thisre

freshed the phosphors ofthemonitor.

A standard "Scitexmatch"

was loaded. This is a color_look-up

table that corrects for differences between monitor and phosphor

standards and inkon paper standards. This was created prior to

the experiment_{bycomparing ninety} color patches to their _sup

posed monitor equivalents. If therewas a _difference, the evaluator

addedor subtracted _cyan,magenta or yellow from the patch

displayedon themonitor. When all patches had been_evaluated,

corrected and _stored, the_look-up table was complete andloaded

into thememory. After thishadbeen_done,all_{imagerydisplayed}

on this monitor was adjusted tosimulate theparametersofthe

off-press _proofing system that created the original patches.

The first _digitallystored imagewas then displayedinthe center of the monitor with

a neutral surround. (AppendixE)

The observer was seatedfivefeet_awayfromthe subjects,withtheirshoulders per

pendicular toa straightlinebetween themonitorand the _viewingbox.

Astandard_dialogwas read to theobserver_{coveringpurpose,} directions andtime

constraints.

Theobserver thenfilledouttheballotwhile seatedinfrontofthesubjects. The

soft-copyand_hard-copyproofs changed_accordingtowhich variables were_being

Oncethe_surveywas filledout, thenext observer was seated and theprocedure was

repeated.

When 50evaluators had been polled and thedata_collected,statisticalbreakdownof

all theinformationwasdone. Thefinal results were compared and evaluatedto

EQUIPMENT ANDSUPPLIES

A Scitex Imagerconsolewith a512_by380,60_Hz,noninterlacedmonitor

Off-press_proofing systemwith all_necessarymaterials and equipment

5000 Kelvin_{viewing box}

Invitation topresentation

Presentation,including:

*

script

*

pencils

ballot

*

adigital testpattern_measuring512_by380pixels with eight

3/4inch horizontal_step scales_varyingeach_stepbyfive %

dot_startingat 100% and_endingwith_0%, thescales _display

thefollowing:

-cyan,magentaand yellowoverprints

- black_alone

-cyanalone

-magentaalone

-yellow alone

-magentaand yellow overprints

-cyan and yellow overprints

Chair

Measuringtape

an additional_strip at thebottomwas 1 1/4inchtalland wasfilled

with_{eight square patches}

comprisingwhite, solid_black,solid

cyan,solid_magenta, solid_yellow,overprintsof solid magenta and

solid_{yellow,overprints}ofsolidcyanand solidyellowand over

printsof_{solid magenta and solid}cyan (Appendix_E)

adigitaltestpattern_measuring512_by380pixels with eight

images collaged (Appendix E)

hard-copyoff-pressproofs ofthe twoelectronicimages described

FOOTNOTESFOR CHAPTER IV

ANSI _1972, "American NationalStandard_ViewingConditions for theAppraisal

ofColor_QualityandColor_Uniformityin theGraphicArts,"

ANSIPH3.32,

CHAPTERV

DATAANALYSIS

Allparticipants weresurveyedunder similar_{conditions,including}light booth

temperature, _surrounding illumination and monitor calibration. The standard

dialog wasread _explaining the projectand what was expected of them. Each was

given a_copyofthe_surveyandcompleted itwithinthe30minutetimelimit. Graphs

showing thepartiapanfs response werethencreated and plotted.

The_followingis thebreakdownofhow thepeoplethatwerepolled responded. The

horizontal axis in the graphs and charts represents the number of responses

re-cieved for that particular question in the survey.

Genderbreakdown

26

-Males surveyed H

-Femalessurveyed

Age breakdown

1Q

-20 to24 years 15 - 25 to29

years

_8

-30 to34 years 11

-35 to39 years

A

-40 to44years -5

Length oftimeemployed in theGraphic Arts _Industry

12 - 1 to5

years ₁₅

-6 to 10 years

U - 10 to 15

years 12- _over 15 _years

Color blindness breakdown

25

-tested withno difficiencies ₁₅

-nottested

Number of participants thathad seen a demonstrationof an Electronic Color Image

Manipulation system?

2- had _{seen a} demo 14 - had

not seen a demo

Number that_presently use _{soft-copy proofing}

15- _{use some sort}

regularly 55

- do

StepScale#1: 3-ColorOverprint Acceptable Toored Too blue Toogreen Tooyellow Toomagenta Toocyan Toodark Too light Tooclean Too muddy Tooflat Too contrasty Tooweakinhighlights Tooweakinmidtones

Tooweakinshadows

ToosaturatedInhighlights Toosaturatedinmidtones Toosaturatedinshadows

10 20 30 40 50

Figure 6

Step Scale#2: Black _Only

Acceptable Toored Too blue Toogreen Tooyellow Toomagenta Toocyan Too dark Toolight Tooclean Too muddy Tooflat Too contrasty Tooweakinhighlights Tooweakinmidtones

Tooweakinshadows

Toosaturatedin highlights Toosaturatedinmidtones

ToosaturatedInshadows

sssa

-I

n

10 20 30 40 50

Step Scale#3: Cyan _Only Acceptable Toored Too blue Toogreen Tooyellow Toomagenta Toocyan Too dark Too light Tooclean Toomuddy Tooflat Toocontrasty

Tooweakin highlights Tooweakinmidtones

Tooweakinshadows Toosaturatedin highlights

Toosaturatedinmidtones

Toosaturatedinshadows

10 20 30 40 50

Figure8

Step Scale#4: Magenta_Only

Acceptable Toored Too blue Toogreen Tooyellow Toomagenta Toocyan Toodark Toolight Tooclean Toomuddy Too flat Too contrasty Tooweakin highlights

TooweakInmidtones

Tooweakinshadows

Toosaturatedin highlights

Toosaturatedinmidtones

Toosaturatedinshadows

o 10

Figure9

Step Scale#5: Yellow_Only Acceptable Toored Too blue Toogreen Tooyellow Toomagenta Toocyan Too dark Toolight Tooclean Too muddy Too flat Too_contrasty

Tooweakin highlights Tooweakinmidtones

Tooweakinshadows

Toosaturatedinhighlights

Toosaturatedinmidtones Toosaturatedinshadows

3*5

10 20 30 40 50

Figure 10

StepScale#6: Overprintsof MagentaandYellow

Acceptable Toored Too blue Toogreen Tooyellow Toomagenta Toocyan Toodark Toolight Tooclean Toomuddy Too flat Toocontrasty

Tooweakinhighlights

Tooweakinmidtones

Tooweakinshadows

Toosaturatedinhighlights

Toosaturatedinmidtones

Toosaturatedinshadows

10 20 30 40 50

StepScale#7: OverprintsofCyan andYellow Acceptable Toored Too blue Toogreen Tooyellow Toomagenta Toocyan Too dark Too light Tooclean Toomuddy Tooflat Toocontrasty

Tooweakinhighlights Tooweakinmidtones

Tooweakinshadows

ToosaturatedIn highlights Toosaturatedinmidtones

Toosaturatedinshadows

10 20 30 40 50

Figure 12

StepScale#8: OverprintsofCyan andMagenta

Acceptable Todred Tooblue Toogreen Tooyellow Toomagenta Toocyan Toodark Toolight Tooclean Toomuddy Too flat Too contrasty Tooweakinhighlights Tooweakinmidtones

TooweakInshadows

Toosaturatedin highlights

Toosaturatedinmidtones

Toosaturatedinshadows

10 20

Figure13

White Patch Acceptable Toored Too blue Toogreen Tooyellow Toomagenta Toocyan Toodark Toolight Tooclean Too_muddy Tooflat Too contrasty Figure 14 Black Patch Acceptable Toored | | | Tooblue Toogreen

Tooyellow _|

Toomagenta

Toocyan

Too dark

Toolight msmmd

Tooclean

Too muddy 1

Too flat pm

Too contrasty

10 20 30 40 50

Cyan Patch Acceptable Toored Tooblue Toogreen Tooyellow Toomagenta Toocyan Too dark Too light Tooclean Too muddy Tooflat Too contrasty HUDBH

10 20 30 40 50

Acceptable

Toored

Too blue _|

Toogreen Tooyellow Toomagenta Toocyan Too dark Toolight Tooclean Too muddy Too flat Too contrasty Figure 16 Magenta Patch

\mmmm

10 20 30 40 50

Yellow Patch Acceptable Toored Too blue Toogreen Tooyellow Toomagenta Toocyan Too dark Toolight Tooclean Too muddy Tooflat Too contrasty

10 20 30 40 50

Figure 18 Red Patch Acceptable Toored Tooblue Toogreen

Tooyellow _BBB

Toomagenta _|

Toocyan

Too dark

Too light _pBiMMB

Tooclean

Too_muddy

Tooflat _MB

Too contrasty 1

10 20

Figure 19

Green Patch Acceptable Toored Too blue Toogreen Tooyellow Toomagenta

Toocyan _|

Toodark Too light Tooclean Toomuddy Too flat Toocontrasty 89 i

10 20 30 40 50

Acceptable Toored Tooblue Toogreen Tooyellow Toomagenta Toocyan Too dark Too light Tooclean Too muddy Too flat Too contrasty Figure 20 Blue Patch

r

10 20 30 40 50

Ifyou were_judgingthe_soft-copyproofforCOLOR_ONLY, howwouldyouratethe

soft-copy proofif it savedyou45minutes and one hundred dollars?

As designcomprehensive _,

As initialcolor approval

Asanintermediateproof

Asafinalproof

0 10 20 30

I I Better D No difference

Figure 22

When _viewing thefull picture for detail/sharpness:

Detail and Sharpness: Full Picture

Acceptable

Too_blurry

Toobroken up

Too flatorcontrasty

Needs detail inhighlights

Needs detail inmidtones

Needs detail inshadows

Needssharpnessin highlights

Needssharpnessinmidtones

Needssharpnessinshadows

40 50

When viewing the enlarged _earringsection fordetail/sharpness:

Detailand _Sharpness: Enlarged_Earring Section

Acceptable

Too_blurry

Too_{broken up}

Too flator_contrasty

Needs detail inhighlights

Needsdetail inmidtones

Needsdetailinshadows

Needssharpnessin highlights

Needssharpnessinmidtones

Needssharpnessinshadows

10 20

Figure24

30

Ifyou were_judgingthe_soft-copyproofforDETAIL&SHARPNESSONLY,how

would you rate the_soft-copyproofifitsaved you 45minutes and onehundred

Detail and SharpnessOnly

dollars?

As designcomprehensive

As initialcolorapproval

Asanintermediateproof

Asafinalproof

? Better D No difference

Layoutand _{Design Evaluation}

Too_busy

Too_confusing

Notenough pastels

Notenough saturated colors

Cropstoo tight

No_continuity

Noemphasis/focus

Nocomment

0 10 20 30

? Soft-copy H Hard-copy

Figure 26

40 50

Ifyou were _judgingthe_soft-copyprooffor LAYOUT& DESIGN_ONLY, howwould

you rate the_soft-copyproofif itsaved you45minutes and onehundred dollars?

As designcomprehensive

As initialcolor approval

Asanintermediateproof

Asafinalproof

Ifthefinal size of the _hard-copy proof was a30_by40 inchposter (400% larger than

thecurrent_{hard-copyproof),}howwouldyou rate your use ofthe _soft-copyproofif

itsaved you twohours and onehundredand_fifty dollars?

As designcomprehensive

Asinitialcolor approval

Asanintermediateproof

Asafinalproof

20 30

LJ No difference

40 50

1 Unacceptable D Better

Figure 28

If thefinal size of yourhard-copyproofwas a4by6inchpostcard, howwould you

rate your use ofthe soft-copyproofif it savedyou 45minutes and60dollars?

As designcomprehensive _j

As initialcolorapproval

Asanintermediateproof

Asafinalproof

o 10 20

Figure 29

Where the participants evaluate proofs.

Customer'soffice

Separator's shop

Printer'splant

Proofingarea

Scannerarea ^iWMrWS&isWi

Qualitycontrolarea

Viewingbooth

Restaurant

10 20 30 40 50

Figure30

Whois involved with theapproval of the proofs.

People in _Proofing Cycle

Photographer

Art director

Designer

Client

Salesrepresentative

Scanneroperator

Separator's QC

Printer'sQC

Customerservice

Separator'sproductionmanager

CHAPTERVI

DISCUSSION OF RESULTS

Profile of_Survey Respondents

Ina two-week _{period,fifty industry}decision-makersresponded to this _soft-copy

proofingsurvey. Thoughthe _samplingsize was small and _mainlyfromNew_Eng

land,thesample population was an excellent cross-section ofthedesignand_printing

industry.Itconsisted ofart_{directors,quality}control_{representatives,}color separa

tionand_printingsalesmen,advertising agencyowners,color separation production

staff andbuyersof color separations.

Thegender, ages,lengthof employmentintheGraphic_Arts,color_{difficiencies,} and

exposuretocolor electronic prepress arelisted in Chapter V Data Analysis. The

average participant was a29-year-old male with nine years experienceinthe

GraphicArtsindustry. _{The majority} of_{those surveyed,72%,} hadseen ademonstra

tionof colorelectronicimagemanipulationequipmentand30% _currentlyuse some

DiscussionofColor_{Acceptability}

Ingeneral, thefeedback forthecolor_{acceptability}portion ofthe _surveywas positive

(see figures6- 23). The

major objections centeredaroundthe _soft-copyproof_being

too_light,flator weakoverall. Thisproblem might_{possibly be} corrected_bymanipu

latingthemonitor'sbrightnessandcontrast settings.This typeof change would

require are-calibrationoftheScitex 'monitormatch'.Theyellow_step scale was the

mostacceptableat56% whilethe_black-onlywas theleastat4%. The_{black-onlystep}

scale wasdistortedin themidtonesand threequarter tones_bya_look-uptable. This

was required sothat these areasinthe colored overprintsdidnot appear saturated

or pluggedin. The_onlytime thiswould affectthe_{soft-copy proofing}evaluation

wouldbewhile_viewingthe blackprogressive_byitself. Allother overprints made_by

theconvergence ofthe_red, green andbluemonitor gunsare_veryclose to their

hard-copyequivalents.

Ironically,thesolidblackpatch wasthemost acceptable at76% whilethecyan patch

was theleastat8%. Theoverallsquare patch evaluation showed _verylittle color or

huevariation. Themajor objection seemed tobewiththepatch _appearingtobetoo

lightorflat. Thisobservationisconsistent with the_step scale results.

Whenasked_directlyhowtheviewerperceivedtheuses of thesoft-copyproofin

termsof colorevaluation_only,knowing thatitwould savethem40minutesanda

Better No difference Unacceptable

As designcomprehensive _{70% 28% 2%}

As firstcolor approval 38% 28% 34%

As anintermediateproof 40% 34% 26%

As thefinalproof 4% 18% 78%

The_majoritypreferred the_soft-copyproofforadesigncomprehensive and feltthat

either couldbeusedforcolorandintermediateproofsbut thought that thefinal

proof still hadtobe hard-copy.Sincecolor match ofproducts andoriginals isex

tremely important, thefinalproofisthelegal documentthatissigned_by the client,

separatorandprinter.Itis theprinter'sjob toreproducetheproof'scolor on the

printed sheet.Ifthisisnot_{possible, then the}cost of press _makereadyand_any

printed sheets mustbepaid_bythe_partythatdidnot_correctlyreproducethecolor. If

the separator's proof was madefrom_faultyfilmsorthe_proofingprocessfluctuated

fromthe standard, this costmustbeabsorbed_bythis company.Iftheplate_creation,

press,inkor substrate causeddrasticcolor variancesthen theprinter or client_may

haveto takeon thesecosts._{Responsibility}and/orfaultisnot_easilyestablished so a

hard-copyproof_{may be}the_onlymethod of_showing theseparator'sinnocence.

Since themonitor and _imagerythatarethe _soft-copyproof can_{easily be}modified to

displaywhatevereffecttheoperator would liketoshow,there appearstobea

seriousreluctanceto_fullyacceptthe_soft-copyproof_onlyuntil therearesafeguards