[Openicc] GoSoC 2011: CPD and target printing

[Alastair M. Robinson]

Hi,

On 09/05/11 12:35, Jan-Peter Homann wrote:

> http://www.freedesktop.org/wiki/OpenIcc/ColorMangedPrintingPath
>
> It would be nice to get some comments on this proposal.

Unfortunately I lack the time to "get my teeth into this" at the moment, 
but I'll make a few comments in passing if I may.

Firstly, Print Spool File generation, you list QT printing API, but not 
GTK / Cairo.  Those two will account for the vast majority of "casual" 
printed documents.  PDFs coming directly from applications will, I 
expect, be largely from high-end apps such as Scribus.  Apps with less 
demanding printing needs that implement their own print path will, I 
imagine, continue to print in PostScript for some time to come.

PDFtoRaster modules:
Both Ghostscript and Poppler have working colour management now, for 
varying values of working.  CUPS has the CUPSICCProfile mechanism, which 
again works today.  Is the consensus that this mechanism isn't flexible 
enough for our needs, or should we design towards it?

Section 3 - linking of ICC profiles and raster driver settings.
One point I've made several times already, but which I'll re-iterate here:
Don't assume a one-to-one mapping between a particular instance of 
driver settings and an ICC profile.  There are two situations I use on a 
daily basis where one set of printer settings maps to many profiles:

Firstly, inkjet printing on multiple brands of photo paper.  I have 
several different types of paper that all work well with identical 
printer settings, but which require individual profiles to keep the grey 
balance right.

Secondly, using a high-end workgroup laser printer with CMYK profiles. 
If I'm printing a flyer or postcard that requires the best possible 
contrast and deepest blacks, then I'll use a high TAC and lenient 
black-generation.  If on the other hand the job's going to be folded, 
I'll use a much more aggressive black-generation to keep the toner 
coverage low and reduce the chance of toner flaking off the fold. 
Identical print settings, very different profiles.

All the best
--
Alastair M. Robinson