Soft proofing using liquid crystal displays

Abstract: Development of colour management systems, the level ofstandardisation, as well as the embedding of facilities forcolour management into computer operating systems and software,enables successful future interoperability of colour reproductionin the graphic arts industry. Yet colour reproduction from onemedium to another, still gives rise to inconsistencies.This thesis investigates colour management and controlprocesses in premedia and press process workflows in graphic artsproduction, including standards, instruments and procedures. Thegoal is to find methods for higher efficiency and control ofcolour print media production processes, aiming at increasingcolour consistency and process automation and of reducingoverheads. The focus is on the control of colour data by displaysin prepress processes producing low quality paper products. Inthis respect the greatest interest of this thesis is on technicaland visual characteristics of displays with respect tp thereproduction of colour, especially desktop Thin Film TransistorLiquid Crystal Displays (TFTLCD) compared to portable TFTLCDs andCathod Ray Tube (CRT) monitors.In order to reach the desired goal, this thesis is based on aliterature survey and empirical studies. The empirical studiesinclude both qualitative and quantitative methods, organised intothree parts:    Colour process management: Analysed case studies of theimplementation of colour management in entire graphic artsproduction workflow processes.    Display technology: LCD and CRT displays have been examinedthrough measurements to establish their fundamental strengthsand weaknesses in reproducing colours.    Comparison of reproduction: A perceptual experiment hasbeen conducted to determine the ability of the disparatecomponents included in a colour management system to co-operateand match reproduced colour, according to the perceivedpreference of observers.It was found that in most cases consistent colour fidelitydepends on the knowledge and experience of the actors involved inthe production process, including the utilisation of routines andequipment. Lack of these factors is not necessarily fatal for thefinal low quality paper colour product, but obstructs theautomation. In addition, increased digitalisation will increasethe importance of displays in such processes. The results showthat CRTs and desktop LCDs meet most of the demands of colourreproduction in various areas of low quality paper productionprocesses, e.g. newspaper production. However, some fundamentalaspects, such as low digital input values, viewing angles andcolour temperature, matters that concern characterisation andcalibration, still need to be developed. Concerning softproofing, the matching correspondence between hard and softcopies gives similar results for both CRT and LCDs forhigh-quality paper originals, if the luminance is decreased onthe LCD (to luminance levels of CRTs). Soft proofing of lowquality papers gives equally lower matching agreement for bothCRT and LCD, in this case when the luminance of the LCD is sethigher (e.g. about twice the levels luminance levels ofCRTs).Keywords:Displays, LCD, CRT, premedia, prepress, softproof, workflows, newspaper, colour management systems, colourcontrol, colour reproduction