Frequently Asked Questions

1. When doing a color match with our HP Latex CMYK printers and Caldera RIP, should I export my Color Match PDF in LAB or CMYK?

Answer: If using the Caldera RIP’s LUT function, print the PDF through Caldera with NO color management. This bypasses Caldera’s color management so it renders to the printer like in the profiling condition of the workflow. This I the same condition since the LUT bypasses the workflow in the RIP.

2. How do I use CMYK values from a PDF exported in ChromaChecker Capture for color matching in Caldera?

Answer: When you export a PDF from ChromaChecker Capture with CMYK values, you can use those values in another file through the spot color menu in Caldera. Ensure the color is NAMED as a SPOT in the PDF. The workflow in Caldera looks for the spot color name (e.g., PMS201) and adjusts the CMYK values accordingly. Review the Second Tuesday seminar for more details.

3. Why does the color look different when I print a Capture PDF compared to inserting CMYK values from the PDF into another file?

Answer: It seems the Spot LUT is not being used. The LUT ensures the color is rendered correctly for the given print condition. Make sure the name is called out as a SPOT layer in the PDF and the LUT uses that same name. Otherwise, it uses the workflow in the RIP rather than the LUT.

4. Why does the PDF not print the specific CMYK values shown?

Answer: If the PDF shows specific CMYK values but they are not printed accurately, it could indicate that the color management process is not correctly aligning with the LUT or spot color settings. Ensure proper LUT and color naming conventions are followed to achieve accurate results.

5. Should I always use the specific device ICC when exporting with a LUT, or can I use GRACoL Color Space?

Answer: A Spot LUT is typically a text file with the name and device value, and there is no mechanism to identify with an ICC Profile. Each LUT is compatible with one print condition identified by an ICC Profile. If all your printers are aligned with GRACoL and you don't mind sacrificing any additional gamut your printer has, you can use GRACoL as the target. However, this may result in a higher delta E, sacrificing accuracy for ease of use. For more details, refer to the Second Tuesday seminar.

6. Do I need to reconfigure my LUTs every time I profile the printer if I use ICC based on the device?

Answer: Yes, you need to reconfigure your LUTs with every new profile. However, with the new Color Match Scan feature, you can match all your colors in one LUT in a few minutes, significantly reducing the time required.

7. Are all LUTs device ICC specific if we cannot use GRACoL? Does this mean separate processes for each printer?

Answer: Yes, if you cannot use GRACoL, each LUT will be device ICC specific. This means you will need to configure LUTs separately for each printer. While a generic GRACoL color space configuration is less accurate, it may be sufficient for your needs. The decision depends on customer expectations and the level of color accuracy required. If higher accuracy is necessary, it should be reflected in your service offerings and pricing.