Workflow for creating ICC Profiles

VUTEk Advisory Bulletin VAB-93 

Workflow for creating ICC Profiles 

Using the ColorBurst RIP (7.31) “ColorCatch” and the PC 

Creating an ICC Profile 

Linearization 

Note: It is important that 

the printer is set up 

properly to run the 

material you will be 

profiling. This includes the 

platen and post heat 

temperatures, carriage 

height, bi-directional and 

step settings, and that all 

jets are firing. 

Revision C 

February 2004 

An ICC Profile can help maximize the color and tonal reproduction of images 

RIPped with the ColorBurst Software and printed on a VUTEk Printer. It is 

advised that an Output ICC Profile be created for each combination of ink, 

number of colors used when printing (4, 6 or 8), media, and model of printer. 

To accomplish this, the ability of the media to hold ink and the density of the 

ink throughout the tonal scale must be defined. This is achieved through the 

Linearization process. Linearization will allow you to standardize your color 

output by equalizing the steps between specified ink densities. You can use the 

Linearization settings to create consistent output and match output from multiple 

printers of the same type (all using the same ink, media, and settings). 

There are three major phases to this process. 

• Linearize ColorBurst for the combination of Ink and Media. 

• Determine the amount of Ink the Media can hold. 

• Create a Profile using the ICC Profile creation software. 

The PC software provided with ColorBurst is ColorCatch. A Macintosh version 

of this software, ChromaCapture, is also provided with ColorBurst. Both 

versions Support the following Spectrophotometers: GretagMacbeth SpectroScan, 

GretagMacbeth Eye-One, and X-Rite DTP-41. 

To initiate the linearization process, perform the following: 

Step Action 

1 Load a Setup environment. 

When creating a Linearization file, you will need to print a file using 

“raw” ink data. 

a. On the main menu bar of ColorBurst, select Printer Setup�Select 

Printer Setup. 

VAB-93 Revision C 1 of 23

Figure 1. 

Setup (printer 

name).env 

Step Action 

b. In the c:\cbvutek_72\Profiling tools & Docs\Icc Profile Creations Setup 

Env folder, open the folder for your printer and select the setup file for 

your printer and the numbers of colors (4, 6, 8) named “Setup (printer 

name).env” (Figure 1 on page 2). 

Step Action 

This will set all the options necessary for Linearization. 

Note: The Printer Setup files, Setup.env, will turn OFF the following options: 

ICC Profile and Linearization functions, and set the Color Adjustment and Ink 

Balance menus to the defaults. 

2 Print the linearization target. 

a. Go to File/Open and choose the folder (C:\cbvutek_72\Profiling Tools 

& Docs\Linearization and Profiling Targets). Inside this folder, there 

are several different targets. 

b. Choose the Lin target file that corresponds to the type of 

spectrophotometer you will be using (Figure 2 on page 3 and Figure 3 

on page 3). 

Note: The scaling and rotation for the Target files must remain at 100%. 

These files are formatted for specific spectrophotometers. 

2 of 23 VAB-93 Revision C

Figure 2. 

Lin Chroma Cap 

CMYK XY.tif 

Figure 3. 

Lin Chroma Cap 

CMYK Strip.tif 

Step Action 

c. Click the START button in the file information box to print the target to 

a RTL file. 

The file will be printed with 100% of your CMYK primaries. By 

printing out at 100% ink, ColorBurst will be able to determine a 

printer's maximum ink density. The Linearization function is only 

concerned with the four solid inks, and not the light inks. 

Note: Be sure the printer temperature settings are correct for the material. 

3 Launch the data capture applications (VUTEk ColorCatch). 

a. Launch the VUTEk ColorCatch applications form the shortcut icon on 

the desktop. 


Figure 4. 

Path Selection 

Step Action 

b. Verify the default path where the data files will be saved and change it 

if necessary. 

Step Action 

To change the default path, select the Browse button next to the path 

location, in the Edit�Preferences menu (Figure 4). 

Note: The data file should be saved to the Output Profile folder for the printer 

type you are using in the ColorBurst installed folder. For example: 

C:\CBVutek_72\Profile\output\3360. 

c. Select New Job from the file menu or use the shortcut keys, CTRL-N. 

d. In the Create Job window, enter a name into the Job Name field 

(Figure 5 on page 5). 

This file will be saved into the default folder. 

e. Select the Device�Interface, and set the Mode to Reflective. 

Note: Always leave Illuminant at D50. Print Conditions fields are not used. 

f. Click OK. 

Note: After clicking OK, the job name becomes a sub-folder in the default 

folder. 

Note: Refer to “Trouble Shooting ColorCatch for PC Users” on page 20 for 

information on changing the default folder path or a Failed to Create Job 

error message. 

Note: X-Rite DTP-41 users go to step 4. GretagMacbeth SpectroScan users go 

to step 5. 


Figure 5. 

Create Job Window 

Step Action 

Figure 6. ColorCatch Operating Menu 

4 For the X-Rite DTP-41, load and measure the target. 

a. Select the Choose a Target pull down menu and in the “Target name” 

field, select ColorBurst Strip Lin for the DTP-41 (Figure 6). 

b. Click Connect, the software will auto-sense the Baud Rate and then 

initialize and calibrate the Spectrophotometer. In the lower left corner 

the text line will show the progress. 

Note: Refer to (“Trouble Shooting ColorCatch for PC Users” on page 20) if 

you are having problems connection to the device. 


Figure 7. 

Setting the 

Linearization Target 

Step Action 

c. Insert the Cyan strip on the printed target, into the DTP-41 up to the 

black line near the Number 1. Press the “Black” Button on the DTP-41 

to read the strip (Figure 7 on page 6). 

The strip should automatically be pulled in through the reader. You may 

need to give the strip a small push to start. The strip should travel 

straight through the device. If it is not moving straight, gently move the 

target strip in a straight line. 

d. Repeat step C for the Magenta, Yellow, and Black strips. 

e. When complete, a message box will appear indicating “Target Saved”. 

Click OK. 

The data file is saved to the Default Folder. 

Note: The “Position” or “Calibrate” button on the DTP-41 should not be 

needed. 

f. Skip to step 6. 

Step Action 

5 For the GretagMacbeth SpectroScan, load and measure the target. 

a. Select the Choose a Target pull down menu and in the “Target name” 

field, select ColorBurst Strip XY Lin (Figure 8 on page 7). 


Figure 8. ColorBurst XY Lin Selection 

Figure 9. 

Robot Configuration 

Menu 

Step Action 

b. Click Connect, the software will initialize a connection with the XY 

table, check the Baud Rate, and perform a Calibration. When finished it 

will display a message that Calibration Succeeded. Click Ok. 

c. Position the XY tables read head. 

• Place the printed Profile Target onto the SpectroScan XY Table. 

• Press the Pad Hold button on the table. 

• Select Position on the ColorCatch software. 

• The Robot Configuration Menu will appear(Figure 9 on page 7). 

Note: Do not change any settings in the Robot Configuration menu. 


Figure 10. XY Table 

Step Action 

Step Action 

• Using the “arrow” buttons on the XY table, position the 

cross hairs on the read head over the black cross hairs in 

the upper left corner of the target. 

• When the cross hair is in the position, press Enter on the 

XY table (Figure 10). 

• Repeat for the top right and bottom right corners. 

d. Select OK on the Robot Configuration Menu (Figure 9 on page 7). 

e. Select the Start button in the ColorCatch menu (Figure 6 on page 5). 

The SpectroScan will now start to read the target patch automatically. 

f. When complete, a message box appears stating Target Saved. Click 

OK. The data filed is saved to the Default Folder (i.e. CBVutek_72\lin 

folder. 

6 Load and Read the Lin file - Density Based Linearization. 

a. In the ColorBurst Software, select the Options�Linearization menu 


b. Select Allow Linearization. 

c. Select Find and locate the .lin file that was created in step 4 or 5. 

d. This will load in the Original DMax (densities) from the .lin file. 


Figure 11. 

Linearization Menu 

Figure 12. 

Linearization Options 

Dialog box 

Step Action 

e. Click Set Baseline Values and it will update your desired densities 


Step Action 

The Set Baseline Values button will reduce the original densities by 

5% and will display new values under the original values in the desired 

row. Lower density values allow the color controls to compensate for 

small changes that may occur in the actual day-to-day printed densities. 

f. Optional, to move the .lin file to the default ColorBurst Lin folder 

select Copy. 

g. Select OK. 

Note For information on Chroma Based Linearization see Addendum. 


Determine the Ink Limit 

Figure 13. 

Vutek Media Ink Limit 

Test Files 1-3.eps 

Step Action 

7 Save the Printer Setup File. 

a. On the main menu bar of ColorBurst, select Printer Setup�Save 

Printer Setup; locate the proper folder and name the file. Do Not pick 

the Select Printer Setup menu. 

You should name the Printer Setup file according to the machine type, 

material and number of colors being printed. 

(i.e. XYZ Material_3360_4C.env). 

b. Click Save. 

To determine the amount of ink the media can hold: 

Step Action 

1 Determine the proper ink load for the material. 

a. Open the “Vutek Media Ink Limit Test Files 1-3.eps” file located in the 

C:\cbvutek_72\testfiles folder (Figure 13). 

Step Action 

Note: Check the Temperature, Step Size and Bi-directional settings are correct 

for the material. 

b. Select Start to RIP the target into a single RTL file. 

c. Print them on the material to be profiled. 


Step Action 

Figure 14. Vutek Media Ink Limit Test File 1.eps 

Note: Check the Temperature, Step Size, and Bi-directional settings are correct 

for the material. 

2 On the Test File 1.eps image (Figure 14), look for the darkest patch that 

is uniformly dry, does not bleed out into the white, does not show any 

dry banding or ink puddles, and has a solid fill with no material 

showing through (pinholes). 

Step Action 

On some materials you can see a difference in the shine or Gloss of the 

ink between the dry and wet areas. 

Note: Look for the highest level of ink that does not show any bleeding of the 

black into the red or yellow areas. 

3 Select the Color Adjustments from the Options menu (Figure 15 on 

page 12). 


Figure 15. 

Color Adjustment 

Dialog Box 

Step Action 

To create a profile: 

Step Action 

The Color Adjustments Dialog box will open up to the “Adjustments 

tab”. 

a. In the Color Adjustments Dialog box, click on the Ink Limits tab. 

b. Click on the Enable Ink Limiting check box and enter the total ink 

limit established in Step 2, in the “Total ink limit %” field. 

All other features in this menu should be left at the defaults. 

c. Click OK. 

4 Re-save the Printer Setup File. 

a. On the main menu bar of ColorBurst, select Printer Setup�Save 

Printer Setup, and select the printer setup file that you named in step 7 

of the linearization procedure. Click Save. 

b. Click OK to overwrite the existing file. 


Building the ICC Profile 

Figure 16. 

Strip CMYK Profile 

To build the ICC profile, perform the following: 

Step Action 

1 Print the ICC Profile patch targets. 

a. Open, RIP, and Print the ICC Profile patch targets. 

• The Eye-One and the DTP 41 use the “Strip CMYK Profile Strip 

1.tif” file. There are 4 targets that must be printed and read (Page 1- 

4) (Figure 16). 

• The GretagMacbeth Spectroscan uses the “XY CMYK Profile Page 

1.tif” file. There are 2 targets that must be printed and read (Page 1 

and 2) (Figure 17 on page 14). 

Note: Do not scale the patches. They are formatted to be used with specific 

spectrophotometers. There will be several files to print since the ColorBurst 

Profiler uses readings from over 1248 patches to get the best reading of a 

printer, ink, and media combinations total gamut. 


Figure 17. 

XY CMYK Profile 

Step Action 

2 Read the printer targets. 

a. If the VUTEk ColorCatch application is still open, select the Target 

name for your device (i.e. for the DTP-41, “Strip CMYK Profile” or for 

the SpectroScan, “XY CMYK Profile”) (Figure 6 on page 5). 

b. If the ColorCatch is not open, launch ColorCatch and select File�Open 

Job. 

c. From the Select Job Dialog box, highlight the proper job and click OK. 

3 Select the type of target to be measured (Figure 6 on page 5). 

a. Click on the Target Name pull down menu and select (i.e. for the DTP- 

41, “Strip CMYK Profile” or for the SpectroScan, “XY CMYK 

Profile”) (Figure 6 on page 5). 

Note: For the X-Rite DTP-41 go to step 4. For the GretagMacbeth 

SpectroScan to step 5. 

4 For the X-Rite DTP-41, read in the Profile Target Patches. 

a. Insert strip (A) on target page 1 into the DTP-41 and press the button. 

b. Once the column is pulled through the device move on to the next 

column (B). Repeat steps a and b for all columns. 

c. Once a page is completed, the software will automatically move to the 

next target page. 

Note: Verify that the target is straight. You can adjust the target slightly as it 

moves through the DTP-41. If the target is not straight and/or you receive a 

bad reading(Figure 18 on page 15), re-read the column by selecting the 

column on the screen with the mouse and re-insert the column into the device. 


Figure 18. 

Device Error Dialog 

Box 

Step Action 

d. After completing all four pages, a message will appear “Target Saved”. 

Click OK. 

Note: PC ColorCatch will add the .cie extension to the job name (i.e. XYZ 

Material 4C.cie). Two files will be saved into the default path. The .cie file is 

used in the next step not the .cie.spectraldata file. 

e. Skip to Step 8. 

5 For the GretagMacbeth SpectroScan, read in the profile target patches: 

a. Place the printed copy of the XY CMYK Profile - Page 1.tif onto the 

SpectroScan XY table. 

b. Press the “Pad Hold” button on the XY Table. 

c. Press the “Position” button in the ColorCatch software. 

d. The Robot Configuration menu will appear. Do not change any settings 

in this menu. 

e. Using the “arrow” buttons on the XY table, position the cross hairs on 

the read head over the black cross hairs in the upper left corner of the 

target. 

f. When the cross hair is in position press the “Enter” button on the XY 

table. 

g. Repeat for the top right and bottom right corners. 

h. Once the cross hair has been positioned on three corners, select the OK 

button on the Robot Configuration menu. 

i. Select Start on the main ColorCatch menu. The GretagMacbeth 

Spectroscan XY table will now start to read the target. When finished 

with Page 1, you will be prompted to attach Page 2 (Figure 19 on 

page 16). Click OK and attach page 2 of the GretagMacbeth 

Spectroscan XY Table. 


Figure 19. 

Page Prompt Dialog 

Box 

Step Action 

j. When the second page is finished, a message will appear “Target 

Saved”. Click OK. 

Note: PC ColorCatch will add the .cie extension to the job name (i.e. XYZ 

Material 4C.cie). Two files will be saved into the default path. The .cie file is 

used in the next step not the .cie.spectraldata file. 

6 Create an ICC Profile using ColorBurst's Built-in ICC Profile software. 

a. In ColorBurst, go to Options�ICC Profile Options �Build Profile Tab 

menu. 

b. Click Find then go to the folder where PC ColorCatch saved the 

measurements. 

c. Select your measurement file (it will end in .cie). 

Note: ColorBurst will only recognize .cie files. 

Note: Most profiles can be built with the Default settings. It is recommended 

that the Ink Limit and Black Controls be set to the following: 

Total Ink - 300% (between 200% - 320% depending on the material) 

Total Black Ink - 100% 

Black Starting Point - 20% 

Black Intensity - 65%, 

Color GCR - 0% 

Neutral GCR - 0% 

Note: For later reference the “Profile Descriptor” data entry line can be filled 

in with the information entered in the ink limit values; 

i.e. 300 100 20 60 0 0. 

This information will appear under the profile name in the Output Profile 

menu and when the profile is used in some other application such as 

PhotoShop. 


Figure 20. 

ICC Profile Options 

Step Action 

Table 1. ICC Profile Options - Build Profile Settings Description 

Control Description 

d. Select Build Profile and your profile will be generated and saved into 

the Output Profile folder. 

You could also select the Prompt for Output File Name box and give it a 

different name or location. 

Note: For a complete description of what each setting does, please refer to 

Table 1. 

Total Ink Limit This setting will limit the total ink even further. It is probably the most 

frequently used feature in building profiles. If your patches come out a little 

wet choose a total ink limit of 300% for your first test. If it is still wet go to 

250%, if it is still wet after that go to 200%. Remember, this is ink limiting 

on top of all the other ink limiting you have done. It tends to be much less 

dramatic than other ink limiting methods. This is the most often used 

feature. 


Control Description 

Total Black Ink This setting will further limit your total black ink. If your prints are dark, 

you could use this feature to lighten them up a bit. It should be used 

sparingly. 

Black Starting Point This defines the starting point for where black ink should be used. Prior to 

the Black starting point, all Blacks are CMY builds. After the starting point, 

Black color Builds will be a combination of CMY and Black. 

Black Intensity This determines the rate at which black ink is added once the black starting 

point has been reached. For example: a black intensity of 30 is a very slow 

build for the black channel and a black of 70 is a much faster build. The 

default is set at 60 so if a deeper black is desired a setting of 90 or 100 is 

recommended. 

Neutral GCR Takes control of the NEUTRAL AXIS/GRAYS only. Over-rides the black 

starting point. The Higher the neutral GCR, the more quickly Black will be 

added and CMY will be removed. This should be used very sparingly as 

prints tend to speckle when you use it. 

Color GCR Has the same function as Neutral GCR, but will add Black and remove 

CMY in colors other than neutral. This should be used very sparingly as 

prints tend to speckle when you use it. 

Step Action 

7 Load the ICC Profile. 

a. Load the ICC Profile into ColorBurst by going to the Options\ICC 

Profiles menu and select the General tab. 

b. Select Enable ICC profile color management. 

c. Select the Output Profiles tab and turn on the CMYK color Type by 

selecting the On/Off button. (Figure 21 on page 19). 

d. Select Find and locate the ICC Profile that was just created. Select OK. 


Figure 21. 

ICC Profile Options - 

Output Profiles 

Step Action 

8 Re-save the Printer Setup file. 

a. On the main menu bar of ColorBurst, select Printer Setup�Save Printer 

Setup and select the printer setup file that you named in step 7 of the 

linearization procedure. Click Save. 

b. Click OK to overwrite the existing Printer Setup File. 

The Profile is now complete and you should now be ready to print 

images on this material. 


Trouble Shooting ColorCatch for PC Users 

Changing the Default Path where Jobs are Saved 

Figure 22. 

Saving to a Local 

Drive 

Saving the Data to a Local Drive: 

Step Action 

1 From the Edit\Preferences menu, select Browse (Figure 22 on 

page 20). 

2 Select drive and folder location to save the data. 

3 Click OK. 

Saving Data to a Network Drive: 

Step Action 

1 Prior to setting the default path in ColorCatch the network drive must 

be mapped to a local drive letter on the PC where ColorCatch is 

installed (Figure 23 on page 21). 

2 Form the Desktop left click My Network Places. 

3 Click Map Network Drive. 

4 Select the drive and folder you want to use. 

5 Click Finish. 

6 Open ColorCatch, select the Browse button from the Edit�Preferences 

menu. 

7 Select the drive and folder you want to use. 

8 Click OK. 


Figure 23. Saving to a Network Drive 

Naming a Job 

A unique name must be entered each time you start a new job. 

To re-enter the job name: 

Communications Problems with the DTP-41 or Spectroscan 

No Device Found 

Step Action 

1 If you enter a name in the Name Job field that already exists in the 

default folder, ColorCatch will prompt that it “Failed to create Job”. 

2. Click OK and enter a new name. 

To Select the Device: 

Step Action 

1. Launch ColorCatch. 

2. From the menu bar, select Edit�Preferences�Device (Figure 24 on 

page 22). 

3. From the Interface pull down menu select the correct COM port. 


Figure 24. 

Device Menu 


Addendum: Using the Chroma based Linearization 

The Chroma Based Linearization can help to open the shadow detail and allow 

for a greater amount of ink to be used. 

The “Use chroma based linearization” checkbox is available when a LIN file 

that contains both ink density and L*a*b data is loaded. The PC ColorCatch 

software creates LIN files with both ink density and L*a*b data. 

When this box is checked, the L*a*b data in the LIN file is used to perform 

chroma based linearization; the ink density data in the LIN file will be ignored. 

When this box is not selected, the ink density data will be used for linearization 

and any L*a*b data is ignored. If the a LIN file containing L*a*b data has not 

been loaded, this checkbox will be greyed out and linearization will be based 

on ink density. 

The Chroma Based Linearization can help to open the shadow detail and allow 

for a greater amount of ink to be used. 

(Chroma values will typically be in the range of 60-80 for CMK and 85-110 for 

Y, and will vary based on the ink set). 

Note: PressVu UV Customers 

Chroma Based Linearization should not use the PressVu UV.

Workflow for creating ICC Profiles

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?