In this article, you will learn
- what a Color Correction is and
- what options for Color Corrections are available in the Workflow.
1. Introduction
Users may sometimes need to perform a Color Correction to adjust contrast or make slight color modifications. Such corrections are applied in terms of saturation, color angle, or tonal value and are used for output on the printer. Color Corrections can be applied either directly to the Print Item or during the rendering of the Production Job on the printer.
2. Apply Color Corrections to Print Items
To apply Color Corrections to Print Items, use the following Fixups in your Workflow:
- CMYK Color Correction – apply a freely definable correction curve to CMYK colors.
- Redye CMYK Objects – change existing CMYK color values.
- Convert Grayscale into CMYK – convert objects that are in grayscale to the black channel of CMYK.
- Convert to Grayscale – convert the selected object types to grayscale.
- Increase Tonal Values in Midtones – lighten the Print Item based on a freely definable correction curve.
- Reduce Tonal Values in Midtones – darken the Print Item based on a freely definable correction curve.
CMYK Items Only?
A Color Correction applied to a Print Item via a Fixup will only affect CMYK items. Spot Colors and RGB items can be included in the conversion if they are first converted to CMYK. This option is offered explicitly in some Fixups.
To apply a Color Correction to a specific Spot Color, use either the Dialog Define and Edit Spot Colors or the Fixup Rename, Convert or Remove Spot Colors. Please note, however, that any changes to a Spot Color definition are not applied directly to the Print Item, but take effect only during rendering.
3. Apply Color Corrections when Rendering
Color Corrections have to be available as DeviceLink Color Correction Profiles for Rendering and therefore must be created before the render call. The following options are available in the Workflow to apply a Color Correction based on DeviceLink profiles during rendering:
- Image-based Color Corrections – a Color Correction can be performed on a reference image in an external image editing program and then uploaded back into the Workflow. The Color Correction, stored in a DeviceLink profile, can be selected in the Output Template under the DeviceN Color Correction area and applied to the Production Job.
- Curve-based Color Corrections – the Color Correction can be saved and applied by defining values based on a correction curve for a specific Printer or Print Configuration. The Color Correction saved in a DeviceLink profile, can be selected in the DeviceN Color Correction area in the Output Template and applied to the Production Job. The DeviceN Color Correction drop-down menu offers a selection of the supplied Color Corrections.
- Color Correction in the Production Job – the Color Correction can be specified by entering percentage values for the 50% and 100% tonal value of the respective CMYK channels. This Color Correction, stored in a DeviceLink profile, is applied after any selected Color Corrections in the Output Template.
Color Spaces included in Color Correction
Generally, only CMYK objects are affected by the Correction when Rendering, depending on the selected option of the Color Correction. RGB, grayscale, and LAB objects are converted to CMYK during rendering, which is why these Color Spaces are also included in the Color Correction process.
Only Spot Colors can be prevented from being fixed or included in the Fixup, depending on the selected Fixup. However, any modifications to Spot Color definitions are always applied during rendering, regardless of the selected Fixup.
DeviceLink Color Correction Profiles
Since the Workflow supports open standards, DeviceLink profiles created through Image-based or Curve-based Color Corrections can be downloaded and used in Photoshop or any another application that supports DeviceLink profiles.
Article update: Workflow 1.19.0 – 03/2025