Creating Your First Media Calibration

Before You Start

Smart Media Manager uses Smart Print Controller to send the Calibration patches to the output device.
As a result Smart Print Controller must be installed and working to the required output device.

X-rite or MYIRO Scanners are required to scan prints to make accurate Smart Media Definitions.

Smart Print Controller must be running on the same PC as Smart Media Manager.

To get best results this process requires a reliable and stable print system, any variation in the quality of imaging between prints will results in poor results.

Connecting Smart Media Manager to Smart Print Controller

1. Smart Print Controller must be set to enable external control.
   For details how to do this, see the Smart Print Controller Status Area

If Smart Media Manager and Smart Print Controller are on different PCs, the Smart Print Controller Waiting Folder must be network share.
Also, the Waiting Queue Folder setting in SPC (Engineer Pane → Folders → Waiting Queue Folder) should be set to a UNC path (e.g. \\MyPcName\Waiting)

Conducting a Calibration

Before starting, ensure that SPC is in a state to print to the output device, with External Control Enabled

PrintFlat is for advanced operation, the PrintFlat pane is not used in the standard process described below.

• Click File->Open From Controller in Smart Media Manager
  This will import the current media from Smart Print Controller.
  1. Change the Media Name field to be the name of the media you will be creating. 
  2. Under File->Preferences... ensure the Scanning device is set to the correct scanner.
• Visit following panes:

Drop Level Mixing

This stage displays and allows editing of the drop transitions.  These can be left at default settings.

Characterization

1. Pinning Target
   
   1. Click Print Target, wait for printing to finish
      Click Next
   2. Review each print, for the 'best quality' print for each colorant enter the percentage in the dialog.
      Click Next
2. Dot Gain
   
   1. Click Print Target, wait for printing to finish
      Click Next
   2. Click Import Measurements.
      Click Next
3. Print Ink Limit Target
   1. Click Print Target, wait for printing to finish
      Click Next
   2. Click Import Measurements.
      Click Next
4. Print Reference State Target
   1. Click Print Target, wait for printing to finish
      Click Next
   2. Click Import Measurements.

Characterization is complete

Total Area Coverage

• Click Print Target and select 'TAC Test Chart.pdf'
• From the dropdown 'Total Area Coverage', select the best.

ICC Profiling

1. Print Profile Chart
   1. Click Print Profile Charts.  Select your profile chart.
   2. Click Read Profile Charts.  Select you reference file.
   3. The ColorAnt Measure tool will open:
      1. Select your measurement device in the 'Selection' dropdown.
      2. Click Connect
      3. Start the measurement according the your device.
      4. When the measurement completes click 'Transfer and Exit'
   4. In 'Template Configuration', select Option 4.
   5. Click Generate ICC to create the ICC profile.

RIP Settings

Review the RIP Settings.

Typically:

• Override color management in PDF should on enabled.
• The input profiles should be assigned a profile.

Calibration Complete

Use the File->Save options to export to the media to disk and/or Smart Print Controller.

To import a disk-based media into Smart Print Controller

1. Disable External Control
2. In Engineer → Media, click the + and navigate to the newly created media
3. This will now be available to be selected in the Setup →  Media page