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.

To get best results this process requires a reliable and stable print system. Any variation in the quality of imaging between prints will result 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 Queue folder must be a 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, and External Control has been enabled.

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

1. 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.
2. Visit following panes:

Mix Drop Levels

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

1. Ink Limit
   1. Click Print Target and wait for printing to finish.
   2. Click Measure Ink Limit Target.
      1. Select the device being used to measure and click connect. 
      2. Start the measurement process according using your device.
      3. Once complete, a 'Transfer and Exit' button will appear. Click this to continue.
   3. Alternatively, click Import Measurements.
   4. Review each print, and for the 'best quality' print for each colorant enter the Ink Limit percentage in the view.
2. Drop Levels
   1. Click Print Target and wait for printing to finish.
   2. Click Measure Drop Levels Target. 
      1. Select the device being used to measure and click connect. 
      2. Start the measurement process according using your device.
      3. Once complete, a 'Transfer and Exit' button will appear. Click this to continue.
3. Drop transitions
   1. Normally, these are set at 1%, but if there are significant bumps around the transition point, adjusting this value could help make the linearisation curve smoother.
4.  Pinning
   1. Click Print Target and wait for printing to finish.
   2. Review each print, and for the 'best quality' print check that the ink is drying correctly. If it is not drying properly for a single colour, profiling later in the process could be compromised.

      You can also check for excessive ink by reviewing the text output:

      • Negative text filling in may indicate too much ink.

      • Positive text appearing overly bold or losing detail is another warning sign.

      If required, adjust the Ink Limit percentage for each colourant accordingly.

Linearize

1. Before Linearization
   1. Click Print Target and wait for printing to finish.
   2. Click Measure Linearization Target.
      1. Select the device being used to measure and click connect. 
      2. Start the measurement process according using your device.
      3. Once complete, a 'Transfer and Exit' button will appear. Click this to continue.
   3. Click Generate Linearization.
2. After Linearization
   1. Click Check Target to print the target again with the generated linearization and wait for printing to finish.
   2. Click Measure Linearization Target.
      Select the device being used to measure and click connect.
      Double click the top left patch to start scanning.
      Save and exit Measure Tool.

Linearization is complete

RIP Setup

Review the RIP Setup.

Typically:

• 'Override color management in PDF' should be enabled.
• The input profiles should be specified.

Total Ink Limit

• From the dropdown 'Total Ink Limit', select the best.
• Click Print Target and wait for printing to finish.

ICC Profile

1. Print Profile Chart
   1. Click Print Profile Charts, Select a standard or custom profile chart (created in tools like ColorAnt). For best accuracy — especially with extended gamut — use charts with 2,000–3,000 patches.
   2. Click Read Profile Charts.  Select your 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 process according using your device.
      4. Once complete, a 'Transfer and Exit' button will appear. Click this to continue.
   4. Select 'Option 4' from within Smart Media Manager's 'Template Configuration' list.
   5. Click Generate ICC to create the ICC 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 file.
3. This will now be available to be selected in the Setup →  Media pane.