GENERAL: This document details the calibration process for the color imagePRESS Series. DETAILS: All end users want optimal copy / print quality when using their color imagePRESS Series machine. In order to achieve optimal quality, there are steps that every end user should follow on a regular basis. These steps include: Engine Refresh Shading Correction Auto Adjust Gradation Fiery calibration If these steps are not followed, print quality and consistency cannot be guaranteed. It is up to the end user to execute these steps whenever they deem print / copy quality has degraded. Performing these steps either daily or prior to a large print / copy job is advisable. It is strongly suggested that at the end of every service call, the technician also executes these steps to ensure customer satisfaction. BEST PRACTICES: Confirm the latest release of firmware is loaded on the imagePRESS device. If a print server is in use, calibrate the engine first and then the server second. Paper with at least 98 Brightness is recommended when calibrating engines and Fiery controllers. If you are having any obvious copy quality issues such as dark lines, void lines, streaks, spots, etc. you must have these resolved prior to performing the calibration steps in this document otherwise a poor calibration will be the result. PROCEDURE: Optimal image quality may be achieved provided the following steps are followed. The order of steps should be: 1. Engine Refresh 2. Shading Correction 3. Auto Adjust Gradation 4. Fiery Calibration If these steps are not followed in the correct order, copy / print quality may be compromised. Ensure that your customer follows the correct order of steps listed above.

Step 1 Engine Refresh The Purpose of the engine refresh is to remove any temporary defects or faults that were a result of paper dust, debris, oxidation and just simple wear and tear

1. Walk up to the imagePRESS control panel. 2. Press the Additional Functions Key 3. Press the

Adjustment/ Cleaning Button 4. Scroll down

three pages and press the Wire Cleaning button.

The two top causes of Wire contamination are oxidation from the constant On/Off of the charge wire and paper dust. If you use a paper

that gives off a fair amount of dust you may want to perform this more frequently. 5. Press the Start

button and wait until the process completes.

This may take several minutes. 6. Next begin the

Roller Cleaning, by pressing the button.

The Rollers will degrade overtime and often a cleaning can neutralize defects before replacement is required. 7. Press the Start

button and wait several minutes for completion.

Congratulations, you are done with the Engine Refresh Portion of imagePRESS Color Management!

Step 2 - Shading Correction with a Print Server (Fiery) using a Spectrophotometer.

Shading Correction can be executed in one of three ways: Densitometer Correction Visual Correction Print Server Correction The best results are achieved using the Print Server and a Spectrophotometer to complete this Shading Correction step and is therefore the only method discussed here.

The purpose of Shading Correction is to ensure consistency through the machines imaging system.

In order to stabilize the engine before performing Shading Correction, please print or copy fifty (50) color duplexed sheets with images of medium or heavy density.

Note: The steps below are shown using a spectrophotometer and Command Workstation 5.3.

1. Plug in the Spectrophotometer to be

used for the calibration on the computer running CWS. If required, follow the prompts to allow the driver for the Spectrophotometer to be installed.

2. Launch CWS v5.3.x on a PC or

MAC computer and log into the print server and click the Calibrate button above the Printing queue.

3. Click the Calibrate button above

the Printing queue. 4. Click the Shading Correction Tab

in the Calibrator window 5. then select the type of

Spectrophotometer to be used under 1. Select Measurement Method. Automated spectrophotometers are not supported here.

6. Follow the steps detailed under 2.

Generate Measurement Page to get a shading calibration sheet. Note: These steps are performed at the copier.

7. Press the Additional Functions

button. 8. Press the Adjustment/Cleaning

button. 9. Scroll down two pages and press

the Shading Correction button.

10. Select Print Server correction for

best results. The print server uses a spectrophotometer which is more accurate than both a densitometer and the human eye. The human eye has a particularly difficult time in the yellow band.

11. Press Print to produce the sample

for measurement. 12. Once the sheet is printed, click the

Measure button in 3. Get Measurements.

13. A screen will appear that instructs

you to put the Spectrophotometer in the calibration cradle. It is very important that you verify that the spectrophotometer is resting completely in its cradle. If it is lifted or unseated all subsequent measurements may be incorrect. After doing so, click OK.

14. The calibration scanning dialog will

appear and walk you through scanning each color strip that was printed out in step b. above. Scan each strip as instructed.

15. Whether using the Calibration Tray

in the case of the Spectrophotometer or using the Spectrophotometer alone, make sure not to lift the Spectrophotometer while scanning in the strips. Also make sure to put sheets of paper beneath your test strip paper or use a smooth solid white base such as the calibration tray or an i1iO base. Make sure the Spectrophotometer is on a smooth flat surface while scanning and will not lift or snag on any debris or ledges.

16. View the Shading Correction

Graph. If the graph has large spikes in it reprint and rescan the test chart. If the large spikes remain call your Service technician. If the graph looks even or slightly elevated to one side then click apply to allow the machine to correct itself

17. Walk back to the Engine and select

Store and Finish, this will apply the corrections the Print Server made to the Engine.

Congratulations you have completed the Shading Correction portion of imagePRESS Color Management!

Step 3 - Auto Adjust Gradation

The color imagePRESS series is equipped with advanced sensors that register the density of patches on Paper as it passes through the machine. This process of detect and correct on actual paper is one of the many features that makes the imagePRESS series one of the more stable color production printers in the industry. Much like the roller and wire refresh the lasers need to be recalibrated as well. The Auto Adjust Gradation Function will adjust laser strength to maintain consistent densities across all colors and screening patterns. For this adjustment only use 11x17 or A3 smooth uncoated paper with a minimum brightness of 98. The engine will intelligently translate the results of the adjustment across all other paper types. Full Adjust vs. Quick Adjust: Full Adjust will Print out 5 sheets of paper. These sheets will show the machine its uncalibrated D-Max and gradation steps on paper. It will also build an environmental table that reflects the effects of humidity, temperature, wear on drum bias and laser power. After this the machine lays down patches on its Image Transfer Belt (ITB) and uses its new environmental table to give greater accuracy to the correction table generated by the results of the ITB patch readings. Quick Adjust lays down and measures patches on the IBT (the last step of the Full Adjust). Both density and gradation checks are done across three screen patterns. A correction table is created based on the measurements read. This process occurs every 400 images automatically or if the fixing temperature is less than 100 degrees Celsius.

1. After exiting the Shading

Correction screen press the Auto Gradation Adjustment button.

2. Select Full Adjust. 3. Select the tray that contains

your predefined media

4. Press the Start Button, this

may take several minutes to complete. When done discard the sheets that have emerged from the printer.

Congratulations you have completed the Auto Adjust Gradation portion of imagePRESS Color Management.

Step 4: Calibrating the Fiery imagePRESS Contoller

Note: Automated x-rite i1iO tables are not currently supported for Fiery calibration, the spectrophotometer will need to be dismounted and plugged directly into the calibrating computer.

1. Plug in the spectrophotometer

into the computer that has Command Workstation installed and that you will be using to perform the calibration.

2. Launch CWS and log into the

Fiery to be calibrated

3. Click the Calibrate button in the Job Center of Command Workstation to launch the calibrator.

4. Under 1.Select Measurement Method, choose the correct model of spectrophotometer to be used.

5. Set the Media Setting to

Default. For this Media set use Hammermill 28lb. If Hammermill is not one of your stocked papers use a 98+ Brightness uncoated smooth sheet.

6. Click the Print button under 3.Generate Measurement Page to print out the measurement page for the calibration.

7. In the Print Options dialogue

box select the type of chart you plan to use. Randomized Patches will help compensate for physical defects and wear and tear on the engine. Selecting more patches will also ensure the machine will receive more accurate data. If you have 11x17 or A3 media and thus can do 34 patches instead of 21 it is recommended. Select the tray your media is in, if the incorrect media is drawn machine performance and consistency could be greatly diminished. Print more than one sheet and review them for defects. Select the most consistent sheet and discard the rest.

8. Click the Measure button

under 4.Get Measurements and on the Measurement Options dialog, specify the type of calibration page and paper size to be used. This should match the options chosen in step 7 in this sequence.

9. Click the Measure button

and follow the Information dialog as it instructs to put the spectrophotometer in the calibration cradle, make sure the device is fully settled in the cradle then click OK.

10. Follow the instructions on the

dialog to scan each color strip. If an error appears, either slow down or speed up the scanning and be sure to keep the Spectrophotometer flat. Please pay special attention to the pressing and release of the button on the spectrophotometer after each

strip.

11. After successfully scanning the strips, a dialog appears notifying that measurement was successful. Click OK,

12. Under 6. View Measurements

select from the drop down menu, Measurements vs. Target. Click View.

13. Verify that your Measured curves roughly match the Target curves. If your D-Max values are more than .15 below the Target values you may have a service issue. If your D-Max values are at or higher than the target values press Done and return to the previous menu. If your D-Max values are significantly higher such as these in the example you may have used the incorrect paper. Although these numbers appear good using the correct stock is important as these values are used in advanced equations for other thick or coated stocks and incorrect data may lead to poor print results and consistency.

14. next click the Apply button.

If this step is missed the calibration will not be applied!

Congratulations you have completed the Auto Adjust Gradation portion of imagePRESS Color Management.