Shadows lighter instead of darker

[bigbly]

I've been using Onyx profiler a good while now and there's an issue I haven't been able to solve yet, hopefully somebody with a bit more knowledge can shed some "light" on it.
As the thread subject states, shadows in certain images will print much lighter than they should, spoiling an otherwise perfect print. I've experimented rebuilding the profiles with different levels of black generation, start point of black and total ink limit but still have the problem.

[MarcoRoos]

(01-06-2010 02:29 PM)bigbly Wrote:  I've been using Onyx profiler a good while now and there's an issue I haven't been able to solve yet, hopefully somebody with a bit more knowledge can shed some "light" on it.
As the thread subject states, shadows in certain images will print much lighter than they should, spoiling an otherwise perfect print. I've experimented rebuilding the profiles with different levels of black generation, start point of black and total ink limit but still have the problem.

Hi Bigbly,

Sounds like your ink limit is set too low. Try using the advanced ink limiting and set your Black Ink Compensation.

[bigbly]

Thanks Marco I'll give that a go.
I didn't think ink limits actually had an effect when you used ICC profiles and the profile handled that.

[MarcoRoos]

(03-10-2010 03:42 AM)bigbly Wrote:  Thanks Marco I'll give that a go.
I didn't think ink limits actually had an effect when you used ICC profiles and the profile handled that.

Hi Bigbly,

It certainly has an effect. The ICC profile can only generate its black within the boundaries you set (ink restrictions and ink limits). If you limit too far, there is nothing left to handle and the dark colors you saw in your ink limit target are gone.

Ciao
Marco

[bigbly]

So I should use Advanced Ink Limiting and set the BIC?

Another "ink limit" question - in the print options for the ICC swatches there's a max ink limit box you can type in a figure up to 400. I've just been using the same number as in my Basic ink limit setting - usually 260 or so. What should this be set at if I use advanced limiting?

[MarcoRoos]

(03-17-2010 02:21 AM)bigbly Wrote:  So I should use Advanced Ink Limiting and set the BIC?

Another "ink limit" question - in the print options for the ICC swatches there's a max ink limit box you can type in a figure up to 400. I've just been using the same number as in my Basic ink limit setting - usually 260 or so. What should this be set at if I use advanced limiting?

That is where you make the error! ;-)

Never, I repeat: NEVER use the ink limit setting in the ICC build options after setting an ink limit in the previous step. Just take one of the profiles you've got issues with and rebuild it with a 400% ink limit. I bet your problems will be solved.

Regards,
Marco

[bigbly]

(03-17-2010 12:53 PM)MarcoRoos Wrote:  

(03-17-2010 02:21 AM)bigbly Wrote:  So I should use Advanced Ink Limiting and set the BIC?

Another "ink limit" question - in the print options for the ICC swatches there's a max ink limit box you can type in a figure up to 400. I've just been using the same number as in my Basic ink limit setting - usually 260 or so. What should this be set at if I use advanced limiting?

That is where you make the error! ;-)

Never, I repeat: NEVER use the ink limit setting in the ICC build options after setting an ink limit in the previous step. Just take one of the profiles you've got issues with and rebuild it with a 400% ink limit. I bet your problems will be solved.

Regards,
Marco

Aha. Thanks Marco I'll try this and report back.
So many ways to screw up and get an "almost" acceptable result aren't there?

[MarcoRoos]

(03-17-2010 12:59 PM)bigbly Wrote:  

(03-17-2010 12:53 PM)MarcoRoos Wrote:  

(03-17-2010 02:21 AM)bigbly Wrote:  So I should use Advanced Ink Limiting and set the BIC?

Another "ink limit" question - in the print options for the ICC swatches there's a max ink limit box you can type in a figure up to 400. I've just been using the same number as in my Basic ink limit setting - usually 260 or so. What should this be set at if I use advanced limiting?

That is where you make the error! ;-)

Never, I repeat: NEVER use the ink limit setting in the ICC build options after setting an ink limit in the previous step. Just take one of the profiles you've got issues with and rebuild it with a 400% ink limit. I bet your problems will be solved.

Regards,
Marco

Aha. Thanks Marco I'll try this and report back.
So many ways to screw up and get an "almost" acceptable result aren't there?

Absolutely ;-). It is almost like cooking....but don't try to taste the ink! ;-)

Take care and good luck!

[bigbly]

Alright. I rebuilt a couple of profiles using the same restrictions but advanced ink limiting with a bit of BIC and the problem seems solved.
I'm sure I'll always be learning ways to get better colour but this simple step has solved one piece of the riddle for me.
Thanks again Marco.

[MarcoRoos]

(03-25-2010 03:51 AM)bigbly Wrote:  Alright. I rebuilt a couple of profiles using the same restrictions but advanced ink limiting with a bit of BIC and the problem seems solved.
I'm sure I'll always be learning ways to get better colour but this simple step has solved one piece of the riddle for me.
Thanks again Marco.

You're welcome. Don't worry, profiling is like driving a car.....you get better and better at it over time.

Don't hesitate to post more questions in case you're stuck again!

Ciao!
Marco