Before we try to analyze the variables involved, we
need to put some boundaries on the problem. Let’s
assume we are starting with a set of CMYK digital
data that have been prepared using CGATS TR 001
as a reference. (For those not familiar with TR 001,
it is a characterization data set that provides the relationship
between CMYK data and the colors that are
measured on a sheet printed or proofed in accordance
with the SWOP aims—a digital definition of
SWOP.) The goal is to proof the images represented
by this data and also print the same data on press
and compare the results to each other and to the
reference data set. To provide the necessary colorimetric
data, we need to print a measurement target
at the same time we print the image data that is
used for visual comparison.