Looking for a Color Management Book

[AdamZx3]

Hello,

I am looking to streamline the prepress dept. at a small sheetfed shop I recently started at. Color management is a big issue. Contract prints are always "pretty close" , softproofs are best guess at best, and the final output is hit or miss, with more than enough wasted plates.

My first goal was to get the pdf workflow going, but now i'm approaching color management and I am looking for some more resources.

I have currently made new targets for the Z2100 proofer, and calibrated the monitors (imac) with my personal Eye-One.

I would like to be able to make custom icc profiles for proofing using the gretagmcbeth spectrometer , (including white points for coated + uncoated) , learn what the ink gain curves are, how to read them, and how to create updated curves per press. When to use UGR/UCR etc....

The book I am looking at is "Real World Color Management (2nd Edition)" printed in 2004 (which isn't a huge concern considering the newest rip and workstation upgrade was in 03/04! ) Is there any others to get? or any online resources to checkout?

Related books owned:
Lab color, canyon conundrum
real world prepress essentials.
Proffesional photoshop by Dan Margulis


Any help, tips , are very appreciated!!

[Damo77]

I haven't read the others, but Real World Color Management is my bible. A very good investment.

[Cyril]

I'd suggest hiring a color consultant. worth the investment. i can make a recommendation or two.

[Mac-S]

Real world color management is the one you need. It has everything.

[NeilM]

I would recommend "Understanding Color Management" by Abhay Sharma, I have read the Real world color management as well, but if you are just starting out in color I found this is easier to digest, also Abhay is on the ICC and I have contacted him to ask some questions and he is always answered them.

[Molly@ipa.org]

Adam, if you want to expand your knowledge of color management, IPA has a new web-based course that's a comprehensive training on Color Management.

The goal of the program is to provide a consistent worldwide understanding of the best practices associated with color management implementation in a graphic communication production environment. The program also assures management teams, production personnel and color management practitioners are properly recognized for their expertise and knowledge of the color management arena.

You can email me at molly@ipa.org or visit Color Management Professional Program | IPA for more info. Good luck!

[jesse]

Adam, if you want to expand your knowledge of color management, IPA has a new web-based course that's a comprehensive training on Color Management.

The goal of the program is to provide a consistent worldwide understanding of the best practices associated with color management implementation in a graphic communication production environment. The program also assures management teams, production personnel and color management practitioners are properly recognized for their expertise and knowledge of the color management arena.

You can email me at molly@ipa.org or visit Color Management Professional Program | IPA for more info. Good luck!

I've taken and passed this course. I found it to be very worthwhile, and you can watch all the training modules for...well, a long time after you've completed the training and test. I'm not sure exactly how long. It's been about 3 months for me.

[jesse]

I would recommend "Understanding Color Management" by Abhay Sharma, I have read the Real world color management as well, but if you are just starting out in color I found this is easier to digest, also Abhay is on the ICC and I have contacted him to ask some questions and he is always answered them.

Ditto on this. Excellent book, easy to follow, and well written. This was my introduction to the world of color management.

[AdamZx3]

Thanks for the replies!

I will check out "Understanding Color Management" as well.

I am finishing up "Color Management Essential Training" by chris murphy, from lynda.com it is a great primer, yet detailed and leaves me wanting to get a deeper understanding of color management.

I will look into the IPA training as well, money is a bit tight now but it looks like it would be worth it, especially for the resume. For those who have taken this course, does it cover anything that Real world color management wouldn't go into?

[edwinb]

Neils site has a long list of books and he is a consultant
Books on Photoshop and Colour Management

Edwin