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alex_sector · #1 (**permalink**) 09-01-2005, 07:33 PM

i hope someone can shed some light on this issue,

we have a monthly newsletter that we print and on this occassion, the latest issue seems to have come out much darker than the previous month's print run. the files are made and printed in InDesign 2. initially, we thought it might have been because the latest edition was opened and printed in InDesign CS. after using the same program to out put the film of the old edition, it turned out different to the previous set of the same file.

sorry if this is confusing.

I'll try to illustrate it:

[File 1] -> InDesign 2 -> ECRM-RIP ->Film = correct colours
[FIle 2]-> InDesign CS ->ECRM-RIP->Film = wrong colours

...test...
[File 1 & 2] -> InDesign 2 ->ECRM-RIP->Film = both wrong colours

...test to see if it happens to another program...
[Freehand 10 File 1] ->ECRM-RIP->Film = correct compared to old film

currently i'm using the g4 running the same InDesign version but on os9 instead of osx but would this have any bearings on why the film would be darker this time around, than before? any help or insights would be greatly appreciated

DCurry · #2 (**permalink**) 09-02-2005, 05:27 AM

The first thing I would look at would be the Color Management settings between the 2 versions. If they are not identical, there could be color differences.

I have Color Management turned off in InD, except when I am outputting files for one particular customer who understands it and we are on the same page as far as what we are both expecting.

alex_sector · #3 (**permalink**) 09-02-2005, 05:43 AM

thanks for replying back, i thought i'd never get help

from my recollection the two times i used indesign to output the film didn't have colour management turned on. but i will have a look next time im in the office again.

failing that, should there be any other areas where a change like that could occur?

DCurry · #4 (**permalink**) 09-02-2005, 07:58 AM

Just a guess, but maybe the 2 versions are using different PMS libraries, and creating slightly different builds based on newer recipes (if the customer is defining colors by Pantone swatches.)

Other than that, I'm stumped! Your test ([File 1 & 2] -> InDesign 2 ->ECRM-RIP->Film = both wrong colours) is puzzling, because they both came out wrong using the older version of ID, which produced correct film earlier.

David · #5 (**permalink**) 09-02-2005, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alex_sector

[File 1] -> InDesign 2 -> ECRM-RIP ->Film = correct colours
[FIle 2]-> InDesign CS ->ECRM-RIP->Film = wrong colours

...test...
[File 1 & 2] -> InDesign 2 ->ECRM-RIP->Film = both wrong colours

How did you get the CS file to open in ID2?

There are differences in the two ID's (ID2 & IDCS) color management and look up tables, even ID CS2 is different than ID CS.

Since the one file that was good and now it's coming out bad too, I would look at the film train and not the output software.
Have you made any changes to your processors or anything that would make a color shift?
Chemistry fresh or depleted?
Processor need some PM?
Film setter still linear?
Have you output any cal strips to verify your densities and screens?

curious,
David

alex_sector · #6 (**permalink**) 09-02-2005, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by david_maberry

How did you get the CS file to open in ID2?

it was initially an ID2 file, so i could open it in either. the last imposed file was printed from CS.

Quote:

Since the one file that was good and now it's coming out bad too, I would look at the film train and not the output software.
Have you made any changes to your processors or anything that would make a color shift?
Chemistry fresh or depleted?
Processor need some PM?
Film setter still linear?
Have you output any cal strips to verify your densities and screens?

well, we haven't touched the film processor at all recently, in terms of changing anything in the process. the chemical system hasn't been modified in anyway and we still use the same fixer and developer brands we've been using for a long time.

imagesetter hasn't been adjusted as far as i know, but i can't verify that because, due to the lack of a proper recording system :/ i have a calib strip made in feb 05, but my manager strongly believes that it wasn't recalibrated after that, and he hasn't kept a dock of when the technician came last time. and add to that, he refuses to invest in a densitometre. so that last strip is the only record so far that i have atm.

we only suspected it might have been indesign after testing a freehand 10 file, which was basically identical compared to the old film.