articles/Software/gmgcolourproof-page2
by Mike McNamee Published 01/02/2010
In a nutshell then, the GMG RIP proved capable of delivering Fogracertifiable proofing quality with less than two hours of setting up. The accuracy is quite breath-taking, especially considering it is from a completely standard Epson 4800. We had expected to be making all manner of fancy linearisation moves before we even got started. We assume that the linearisation is carried out during the wizard-driven calibration process using a sub-set of the swatches.
Like other RIPs the interface is difficult to get your head around as there is a deal of sophistication available. As normally sold, GMG expect that you will buy into a turnkey 'solution' which includes all the things that you need to get underway. The usual RIP facilities such as nesting, watched folders and load-balancing are available.
ABOVE: The Hoecker Plot is a Mac-based analysis tool for measuring a number of types of control strips in proofing. The screen grab above shows the interface and although a numerical report is also created (and may be printed to a label to be affixed to the proof print - see right) there is also quite a lot of visual representation. When all of the chart is 'in the green' things are fine, red appears if measurements slip outside specification.
ABOVE and BELOW: We also cross-checked our analysis using BabelColor. This confirmed the excellent results.
Who needs GMG RIP?
A social photographer, creating wall prints to sell to clients is unlikely to benefit from a solution such as ColorProof, here a pleasing print is more important than an accurate one. For the commercial photographer or a GP photographer with an occasional need to send images to press then the possibilities are significant. The ability to stick a label on a proof with the relevant statistical data should terminate any arguments with a printer at an early stage; they would have some difficulty arguing against proofs of this quality and because the proof is targeted at an international standard of data they would have difficulty in claiming that they were being asked to reproduce 'impossible colours', an excuse we have heard on a number of occasions!
On the following page we add a little to the data already discussed. There is more that we wish to do with the GMG RIP but ran out of time for this issue. We hope to explore the qualities of an RGB work flow with a view to use in high-accuracy giclee printing. Watch this space!
There are 0 days to get ready for The Society of Photographers Convention and Trade Show at The Novotel London West, Hammersmith ...
which starts on Thursday 1st January 1970