If we proceed from the fact that a color proof should not just be a beautiful, bright, high-gloss picture, but should imitate the real offset printing process as much as possible, then we must admit that currently only a direct digital color proof can claim to be a contract proof.

A modern digital color proof is not just a print on a printer of one design or another. To produce it, you need a whole complex, including a printing device, measuring equipment, serious software and, most importantly, highly qualified specialists.

The most open and accessible today are color proofing complexes for obtaining a halftone proof, based on multicolor inkjet printers, as well as software, including a special RIP and profiler, and, of course, instruments for measuring color - spectrophotometers. Reduced droplet size, increased resolution, improved wide-gamut inks and color management capabilities have significantly improved the quality of images produced by Epson's most popular proofing printers.

But still, more often today the emphasis is placed not on special color proofing hardware, but on software. And here the undisputed leaders are solutions from CGS, GMG and ColorGate.

The main advantage of digital color proofing is that it does not require the production of photoforms, it is much faster to manufacture and cheaper than analog, and the price is comparable to the output of the photoforms themselves. Due to the wide color gamut, it has the ability to simulate almost any offset printing process with different inks and on any materials emulated using profiles. In addition, a digital color proof has another important advantage - all settings can be changed in it, so the modeling process is limited only by the user’s imagination. If necessary, it is even possible to imitate proof prints of analogue systems.

When linearizing the proof printing complex, it is possible to configure both the classic offset printing process and the simulation of pantone printing or a multi-channel raster image. The latter is achieved by obtaining the widest color gamut, in particular, by maximizing ink supply with appropriate RIP adaptation.

The latest generation color proofing complexes make it possible to obtain an average color difference E of less than 1.5. In addition to the colorimetric test, the visual test also gives very good results. This suggests that today it is possible to almost perfectly imitate offset printing using digital inkjet printing. That is, a test card printed on an offset machine can be reproduced almost flawlessly on a digital print.

Unfortunately, even more advanced digital color proofing is not able to take into account all the specifics of offset printing. One of these insurmountable difficulties today is the influence of the plot on the density of ink in different places of the printed sheet. It should be noted that in classical offset printing there is mutual influence of the color rendering of various image points over the area of ​​the printed sheet on each other. Almost any of the printing machines produced using traditional offset technology are not able to provide the same printing conditions over the entire print area. It also cannot maintain the linearity of tone transmission in the event of a sudden change in ink supply when reproducing ink fields of different sizes. Currently, there are not even any standards for possible color differences at the beginning and end of the printed sheet.

An important feature of any modern color proof is the need for its reproducible certification. Even if high-quality consumables, software and hardware are used, color deviations may occur due to many reasons. Moreover, even an initially accurate sample may fade due to improper storage or over time. To solve the problem, FOGRA (and not only) has developed special scales, accompanied by tables of the maximum permissible deviations of each element from the nominal value. This scale is a mandatory element of the color proof. Measuring the scale using a spectrophotometer (manually or automatically with a special program) allows you to clearly distinguish between a color proof and just a color print. Obviously, this can resolve and prevent many conflict situations.

So, the possibilities of digital proofing are extensive. Thanks to this, today, obtaining an accurate and objectively controlled color proof is available to almost any printing house. But it should be remembered that the color proof is not tasked with displaying every raster dot - it must correctly reproduce the overall visual and color perception of the printed print.

A color proof is a technological operation that allows you to visually evaluate the future results of a printed color image. The presence of a color proof is necessary for the color separation operator in order to correct the image before starting printing. It is also necessary for the printer, who must achieve the compliance of the print run according to the wishes of the customers. A color proof will help you check the most difficult areas of the layout, track moiré, the overlap of colored elements on top of each other, as well as masking defects.

Creating a color proof

Making a color proof after color correction and the scanning process will help to prevent errors in the preparatory stages of printing. Color proofing of already laid out strips is also no less common, and it is done on professional printing equipment or on a simple printer. Another type of color proof is made on printed forms or photo forms. This is a very accurate and also the most expensive color proof. The development of computer technology affects the loss of relevance of analog samples. In any case, a color proof is only an imitation of offset printing, and the degree of its predictability is determined by information about the format of the printing process, as well as taking into account these parameters when producing a color proof.

Modern color proofs are divided into two groups: digital and analog. Analogue color proofs include prints made on proof printing machines, and digital proofs include color proofs of all types, the production of which does not involve physical media.

Analog devices

Proof printing machines appeared half a century ago and are still used today, especially when it comes to complex runs. These days, such machines are rarely used, although they are the only way to check print quality. Color proofing from photoforms is an alternative to proof printing machines.

The operation of analog devices for printing houses is almost the same, but customers, as a rule, trust them much more than digital devices.

Digital devices

In 1998, domestic manufacturers first began to practice digital color proofing. They needed high-quality printing, but they tried to get it in a short time, with the least amount of money spent.

Digital proofing solutions are classified according to several criteria. One of these criteria is the type of test being carried out, and this is either a full test, or a compositional or trigger test. The sample can be preliminary, evaluation or contract - these properties of the sample are influenced by the level of implementation and the stage of printing. Screening and the technological level of printing divide samples into halftone and raster. During a raster proof, all elements of the image are reproduced, and the raster processor outputs the finished image for printing. Information about the raster structure is lost when it comes to a halftone sample.

The technological process for creating an image on a proof printing device directly affects the resolution of the sample. Halftone printing is usually created on inkjet devices, whose advantage is the low cost of printers and good printing speed, as well as rough printing on plain paper. Inkjet technology also has its drawbacks: paint spattering, blurred images, the constant danger of nozzle clogging, and the need to maintain uninterrupted power.

Spot proof

A raster test provides complete information about the color and structural structure of image elements. This solution is quite expensive, and, despite the fact that inkjet and laser printers, as well as plotters for color proofing, have begun to apply for raster proofs, in these cases there is no need to talk about high-precision reproduction.

You should also not forget about soft (screen) color proofing, which is used only if you have a calibrated high-definition monitor. Monitor calibration is a simple procedure, and if the design center has several computers, then it can be done independently using special instruments. Also, soft proofing is a good help for an experienced designer, helping to save on expensive materials for professional machines.

Printing without photo plates gave rise to the idea of ​​​​creating the latest proofing systems - approval. The design of these machines is similar to high precision laser exposure devices. The result of these devices is the transfer of an image that is almost identical to the expected offset print.

Color proofs with imitation raster are undoubtedly superior to others, since their result does not require photographic forms, but at the same time corresponds to an analog proof. The ease of color management on them is not inferior to other types of digital forms.

What goals do you set for yourself?

Sometimes it is difficult to understand the printing equipment market due to the availability of a large number of products. When organizing work correctly at the initial stage, it is preferable to have a complex of color proofing systems. You should start with analog devices and end with very expensive digital solutions that cost more than thousands of dollars. Be sure to get a calibrated monitor, a laser printer to control strip output, and a color proof solution for the final result. In the future, you can eliminate the use of unnecessary systems. But at the initial stage it is very important to control all stages of the process, which is the key to success.

You can go in different ways - create a whole system of color proofs on a regular printer, purchase numerous equipment, profile the machines and monitor them tirelessly. But you can go the other way, that is, with the least resistance. We are talking about installing a ready-made solution from smart suppliers, which will cost several thousand dollars, but you will not need to constantly monitor the processes. Suppliers will control the work themselves and be responsible for the correct results of color proofs.

Currently, there is high competition among printing companies, therefore, if the goal of your enterprise is to reach a new level, it is impossible to do without a color proof. It will help attract new clients and continue to interest old ones, but this requires the help of a professional designer. Our designers have extensive experience in adjusting and transferring the correct color to paper. They will help you choose a color so that it looks the same on paper as it does in your project.

Color proof– this is a hard copy of the image, which gives an idea of ​​​​the color of the printed print. There are several ways to get proofing. The most common:

• digital proof(manufactured on calibrated inkjet printers, see Fig. 1);
• offset proofing, color proof obtained on a proof printing press;
• analog color proof made, for example, using Kodak Polichrome Graphics technology MatchPrint(Fig. 2).

To date, in the printing industry analog color proofs And offset color proofs almost completely squeezed out of the market digital color proofs, because digital proof shows good color rendition, and its cost is significantly lower than competitors.

From the point of view of regulatory documentation color proof This:

on-press proof print: An impression made on [ offset printing] machine (production or test printing) for the purpose of illustrating the results of the color separation process, provided that the results of color reproduction (color rendition) that will be obtained during printing of the circulation are accurately simulated.

prepress proof ( color proof) (off-press proof print): A print produced by a method other than an [offset] press, for the purpose of illustrating the results of the color separation process and providing an accurate simulation of the results that will be obtained when printing an edition.

Why do we need a color proof in printing production?

The answer lies in the term itself, consisting of two words: color or color rendition and sample (trial, test). In other words, color proof- This is a prediction of color rendering on a printed print.
However, a number of assumptions (conventions) should be taken into account. In other words, color proof is not a complete copy of the printed copy, but only imitates some of its parameters. Or more specifically, more significant parameters are taken into account and less significant ones are ignored.

Let us briefly consider the advantages and disadvantages of manufacturing various types proofing in printing production, without taking into account their cost.

Offset proofing

[+] Offset proofing is closest to the color rendition of a printed copy when the settings of the proofing and printing machines are similar (especially if both are GRACoL machines). Allows you to use the same printed materials (including designer papers), as well as use pantones, as in the production of the circulation. Moreover, it is possible to receive color proofs from production printing forms. On received color proofs you can test other types of finishes used in printing production. For example, embossing, cutting, varnishing, film pressing, etc. Offset color proofs can be contractual.
[–] The disadvantages arise from the advantages of the proof printing machine. In many ways quality color rendering on a proof printing press depends on the skills of the proofer.

Read more about GRACoL machines in the article “Color rendition and end-to-end calibration.”

Analog proofing

[+] Analog proofing manufactured using a set of color-separated films. Partially imitates (does not emulate dot gain, etc.) a printing raster and can predict the appearance of moire on print.
[–] However, it does not emulate the color and properties of paper. There are only matte and glossy analogue color proofs. In addition, the base has a very high degree of gloss, which also distorts color rendition. Color rendition depends on the operator’s skills, although to a lesser extent than in production offset proofing. Analog proofing does not have properties contractuality.

Digital proof

[+] Digital proofs easy to calibrate. When withdrawing proofing It is possible to use different profiles that imitate various types of papers. The built-in measuring device (spectrophotometer) allows you to control the quality of color rendering in real time. Digital proof May be contractual.
[–] Does not reflect the nature of offset printing at all, does not emulate a raster dot, allows you to evaluate only color rendition in CMYK. Does not convey pantone colors (approximate only). To view the Pantone® or other Spot-color color rendition, it is necessary to do coloring.

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Regulatory framework used in making color proofs

International standards impose a number of strict restrictions on manufacturing proofing allowing you to get the correct color rendition. In other words, organizations that produce color proofs must adhere to these standards. The GRACoL machine standards also apply to color proof. We can talk about GRACoL-proofing. GRACoL proofs can be contractual.
This article will discuss the regulatory framework for manufacturing proofing, as well as the practice of its use in the manufacture digital proofs in printing production.

To normalize information exchange, ISO 12647-1 establishes a comprehensive set of parameters, the values ​​of which should, as a minimum, be specified when pre-press work is ordered, the result of which is a digital file or a set of color separated photographic plates, accompanied by color proof. ISO 12647-1 deals only with definitions, general requirements, reporting regulations and measurement methods.

All measurements are made with special devices, colorimeters or spectrophotometers, according to an approved method.

It should be noted that some systems color proofs reproduce images without using rasterization*. In this case, the proof print does not predict defects such as moire, which can be caused by the interaction of the periodic structures of the image and the screen used in production printing.

* It refers to digital proofing, analog And offset color proofing do not have such a disadvantage.

Since the proof print is of fundamental importance in coordinating the pre-press process between the customer and the printer, it is important that:
– the test print was made under conditions that simulated the parameters of the intended print as accurately as possible;
– production offset printing was carried out under conditions that ensured the print approximated to the visual characteristics of the approved color proofs.

[Publication GOST R ISO 12647-1-2009]

Print information must be provided in CMYK or three-part color formats. In all cases, digital files or sets of color separated photo plates intended for offset printing must be accompanied by color proof, which simulates the expected printing conditions and complies with 4.3. This compliance must be confirmed by measurement of the appropriate reference scale or reference element printed on the color proof along with the plot.

[Publication GOST R 54766 – 2011 (ISO 12647-2:2004)]

Rice. 3. Scale.

The presence of control scales is necessary on all types proofing. There were situations when the Customer cut off and threw away control scales for aesthetic reasons. Unfortunately for him, this color proof loses the properties of contractuality and flows into the category of color samples.
IN digital proofs quality control is carried out through determining the color characteristics of the control fields of one of the Ugra/FOGRA MediaWedge scales (Fig. 3).

Contract proofing

An important concept in the printing industry is the concept contract color proof. Color proof counts contractual, if the following conditions are met in relation to it:

• deviation ΔE CMYK base colors less than 5, and ΔHue does not exceed 2.5;
• deviation ΔE of the printed substrate is less than 3;
• average deviation ΔE of other fields, including fields gray balance, no more than 3, and the maximum does not exceed 6;
• average deviation ΔHue fields gray balance no more than 1.5;
• average deviation ΔE of fields located outside color scales, does not exceed 4;
• maximum deviation of tonal values ​​of raster fields CMYK base colors does not exceed 3%.

Color proofs, which do not meet the parameters of the above conditions, cannot be considered contractual, and are not approved by the Contractor as a color standard on printing production.
Color proofs, produced in the printing house are automatically recognized contractual.
Application color proofs, which is not contractual, as well as samples and color guidelines in printing production is possible only with the direct presence of the Customer’s representative at the printing (adjustment) and his approval of the signature sheet. Otherwise, printing is carried out according to the current internal Densitometric printing indicators in accordance with the requirements of the latest edition of ISO 12647-2:2007.

It is important to note that the expiration date digital proofing does not exceed one month if properly stored. Otherwise, color rendition may be significantly distorted.

Metamerism of color proof

Behind the mathematical characteristics color proofs do not forget about its main purpose - to show color rendition print run before printing begins. However, due to the peculiarities of manufacturing technology digital proofs Correct color perception can only be achieved if a number of conditions described by the international standard ISO 3664-2:2000 are met. This includes the concept of normalized light, as well as viewing and comparison conditions color proofs and printed imprint. This is described in detail in the article “Color rendition or color in printing production". The fact is that color proofs inherent effect metamerism. The essence of metamerism is that under normal lighting color proof may be identical in color to the printed print, but under artificial lighting (for example, in an office), the colors may differ significantly. The effect of metamerism is especially characteristic analog And digital color proofs. Offset color proofs are not subject to this effect, because manufacturing technology offset proofing Fully compatible with the offset printing process.

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Proof dualism

Proof dualism is an intuition arising from an understanding of printing production and the role color proofs in him. How does the dualism of color proofing manifest itself? On the one side color proof predicts color rendition edition print, and on the other hand, it sets the color rendition of the edition. Its second function follows from the fact that color proof is color standard in printing production. In the absence of color proofs It is impossible to obtain an identical color using densitometric printing standards. In other words, if you print an edition according to densitometric printing standards, and then output contract color proof and compare it with production prints, the color rendition will be significantly different.

How to use a contract proof as a color reference?

To do this, the subscription sheet must correspond color proof both in visual color rendering and in coordinate values ​​in the CIE L*a*b color space for solids printed with process inks in accordance with ISO 12647-2:2007 (see Table 1).

1) Measurement conditions according to ISO 13655 (exceptions: white substrate), D50, viewing angle 2°, 0/45 or 45/0, no filter.
2) Calculation of the light difference ΔE is carried out according to the formula Delta E CIE 1976.

Color proof- an image that serves as a sample for reproducing color when replicating printed material. It is one of the important tools for ensuring the quality of color reproduction in printing, along with densitometric and colorimetric control.

More broadly color proof You can call any image that the print customer considers a color sample: a print on a printer or an original photograph, even a sample of a product for a catalogue, however, the printer will rarely be able to “get into” the proposed image if the realities of the printing process were not taken into account when preparing it: the paper used and paint, features of the printing press and pre-press preparation.

In a narrow sense color proof- a specially prepared image obtained using specialized color proofing equipment. This can be a proofing press, an analog proof, a digital proof, or a screen proof. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages, but in most cases today it is recognized as optimal digital color proof.

Proof printing machine

A proofing press is theoretically the best way to obtain a control image for subsequent printing. It uses real printing plates, real paper and paint. You can control the appearance of moire, as the raster structure of the image is reproduced. However, this method may not take into account the operating characteristics of various printing machines, temperature and humidity in the printing house. In addition, this is the most expensive method and is only justified for publications with very large circulations.

Screen proof

In this case, the image sample is the “picture” on the computer monitor screen. This can be an ordinary professional calibrated monitor or a specialized commercial system for screen proofing. The main advantage is efficiency and low price for each use. The disadvantage is that psychologically the image on the print (in reflected light) and the self-luminous image on the monitor are perceived differently by a person. To use such systems, the printer must have special skills.

Analog proofing

Analog color proofing Performed using special (and very expensive) equipment. The starting materials are color separated films. In this case, CMYK colors are applied one by one to a special carrier. This method also allows you to identify problems with moire, as it reproduces the raster structure. However, it cannot be used to make a color proof on production paper; the dyes will also differ from those used by the printing house. An analog color proof, as a rule, cannot take into account all the nuances of color reproduction on real printing equipment.

Digital proof

It is produced using printing devices, both specially manufactured for this purpose as part of color proofing complexes, and using high-quality inkjet printers. Even commercial color proofing systems are produced based on devices such as the Epson Stylus Pro series printers. The main advantage of such systems is their relatively low price, although they do not provide the print quality necessary to reproduce a raster dot. Making a digital color proof involves building a profile of the printing process and a profile of the printing device for making a color proof. To calculate profiles, special software is used (for example, GretagMacbeth or X-Rite), which analyzes a data set of colorimetric measurements of test prints created by spectrophotometers (the most common spectrophotometers from the same companies). Digital proofing is the most flexible tool, as it can take into account any printing features of a particular printing production. The main conditions for its use in this case are high repeatability of the result on the printing press and consistency of the result over time.

The main objective of the reproduction process is to obtain a high-quality image that provides the best reproduction of the original and its information content, taking into account the capabilities of the technological process. How to control this process, at what stages should possible errors be assessed, taken into account and corrected? There are many methods and techniques, but most often in modern printing production a color imitation of the future printed impression, or color proof, is used.

Today, the term “color proof” refers to both the technological process itself and the devices intended for this, as well as the resulting color image. A color proof can be digital, analog, soft, hard, contract, etc., which, however, does not clarify the essence of the issue. Color proofing devices were created to imitate a future printed print at the lowest possible cost. It would be wrong to assume that all color proofing devices reproduce color equally and give a complete picture of the quality of future products. Using color proofs you can only get an approximate idea of ​​the printed image, and nothing more. However, color proofing is often considered as a separate device, which is either trusted 100%, or used as a certain attribute of modern printing production, without really understanding the essence of the processes taking place.

Naturally, even two prints made one after the other will have differences, but what about the results obtained using different types of color proofing devices! All devices that reproduce color do so differently, and each device can only reproduce a specific set of colors, called gamut, gamut, or locus. With the advent of computer technology, the question of color management and manipulation of color gamuts arose. For this purpose, they began to use the color management system CMS (Color Management System), which allows you to coordinate the color gamuts of different devices recorded in ICC profiles.

A distinction should be made between creating a device color profile and calibrating it. In practice, the concept of “calibration” refers to internal tests built into the device by the manufacturer. Using calibration, the device is brought into operating modes, that is, the input signal is brought into line with the output signal. For example, the measured relative areas of raster dots on photoforms must coincide with their nominal values, otherwise it is necessary to make adjustments to the raster processor settings.

A color proofing device basically refers to any device that can produce a color image. Therefore, in many cases it is very difficult to draw the line between professional proofing devices and ordinary office equipment installed in the office.

There are currently four types of color proofs: screen proofing, digital proofing, analog proofing, and proofing. This list begins with the simplest and cheapest color proof, and ends with the most technologically complex and expensive, but allowing one to obtain results that are closest to production prints. Each type of proofing device has its own advantages and disadvantages. How to choose the right solution for production? In our opinion, there is only one answer: only through testing.

Color proofing in a real technological process has two main goals:

• internal control of color image preparation;
• presenting the result of the work to the customer before printing.

The place of color proofing as a technological operation in the prepress process is ambiguous. It can be turned on after scanning and color correction, made from the finally laid out strips (but before the output of photo forms), directly from photo forms, and a test print can also be made from ready-made printing forms (Fig. 1). When using digital printing machines that operate using Computer to Print technology, color proofing loses its original meaning and can be done directly in the machine. Let's take a closer look at the above types of color proofs.

Screen proof

As the name suggests, the operator evaluates the image received on the monitor screen. The correctness of the color correction performed will depend on how correctly the monitor reproduces colors and shades. Correct reproduction of colors on a monitor is more difficult the lower the class of the monitor. In the worst case, even a correctly constructed device profile will not help.

In addition, color synthesis on a screen is fundamentally different from color synthesis in printing devices. In the first case, this is additive synthesis (that is, the monitor forms all colors and their shades by adding three main components - red, green and blue); in the second - subtractive synthesis (based on the subtraction of certain wavelengths from light incident on a colored object).

When working with high demands on the quality of color reproduction (multicolor printing, including special colors, etc.), monitors of a higher class should be used than when working with single-color or two-color products. At the same time, you should not skimp on purchasing equipment for building ICC device profiles.

Digital proof

The basis of a digital color proof is a digital printing device that operates on one or another principle of image formation. Digital proofing usually includes electrophotographic, color, inkjet, sublimation and solid-ink printers (Fig. 2). Imitation of a print will be most accurate for those devices that use dyes (ink and toners) and printing substrates that, in their spectral and physical characteristics, are close to those used in the printing process.

All digital color proofs are connected to computer stations and receive information in digital form. In this case, the quality of the printed imitation will also depend on the device profiles used (monitor, proofing device and printing press). In the absence of profiling devices, digital proofing will reproduce the printing device's interpretation of the colors specified in the application program, without taking into account color gamuts.

Let's look at the main technologies for obtaining digital color proofs.

Inkjet printing

The operating principle of the devices is based on the formation of tiny droplets of liquid dye using heating or the piezoelectric effect and transferring them to a medium - paper or film. For color printing, such devices can use a set of 3 or 4 inks (in some models up to 6 and 8). Inkjet printer inks are made on a water or water-alcohol base, so prints printed in this way have low moisture resistance.

The working resolution of such printers ranges from 300 to 1440 dpi. Characteristic disadvantages of inkjet printing are the strong dependence of image quality on the properties of the paper used and the difficulty of simulating the raster structure. These printers can, of course, be used to obtain a color proof, but very often the results are far from the printed copy. However, there are large format inkjet printers, such as Scitex's Iris SmartJet, which provide a good approximation of the printed output.

Sublimation printing

Printers using the sublimation (or heat-sublimation) method of image formation produce prints with smooth color transitions, reminiscent of photographic ones, as a result of which such printing devices are installed in modern darkrooms. With this printing method, instead of directly applying ink or paint to paper, lavsan films are used with dye that evaporates when the elements of the print head are heated. The paints used must be transparent, since after evaporation and contact with the special coating of the paper, they penetrate into it and are partially mixed there.

Results of experimental studies:

1. Measuring the relative area of ​​the halftone dot for CMYK colors showed that the AGFA proof has the least gradation distortion in highlights, the Imation proof in midtones, and the DuPont proof in shadows (Fig. 11).
2. Gray balance, which is controlled by the element of triple overlay of yellow, magenta and cyan inks, should visually appear gray - similar to the corresponding element printed on the scale in black ink. According to the measurement results, the most accurate assessment of the gray balance was shown by the AGFA PressMatch Dry and DuPont Cromalin Studio Sprint color proofs.
3. Lab color coordinate measurements indicate that the closest value of the brightness component L to the electronic original is provided by the Cromalin Studio Sprint proof; by color coordinate a, the closest value to the electronic original was shown by the MatchPrint color proof, and by coordinate b - by the Cromalin Studio Sprint color proof. During the measurements, the most plot-important areas of the images were selected: skin, light and shadow.
4. The results of measuring color deviation (DE) of color proofs from the electronic original are presented graphically in Fig. 12 and in table. 3. For all plot-important areas of the test images, the Cromalin Studio Sprint color proof showed the lowest color deviation value - the reproduction is closest to the digital original.
5. Based on the measurements of the Lab color coordinates of the solids on the control scale and their binary overlays, the color gamuts of analog color proofs were constructed. From Fig. 13 it can be seen that the MatchPrint proof has the largest color gamut, and therefore the largest number of reproducible color shades.
6. A visual assessment of the font compositions showed that all color proofs reproduce them almost identically, without significant distortion.

The conducted studies in no way claim to be a complete assessment of the capabilities of analog color proofs - such a study requires extensive testing and, accordingly, a much larger number of measurements. With this testing, we tried to show that there is no ideal solution in principle and that, whenever possible, you should always conduct your own experiments, the results of which should be as close as possible to specific production conditions.