In this article, you will learn
- what a characterization is,
- how to create a characterization profile, and
- what steps are required to do so.
1. Introduction
After linearization, a printing system reproduces tint values proportionally and reproducibly. This reproduction does not yet describe how individual color channels actually appear on the substrate when combined. Each combination of printer, print configuration, color configuration, and substrate produces its own unique color gamut.
The goal of characterization is to fully capture and describe this color behavior of the printing system. To achieve this, a measurement template chart is printed and measured to cover the entire color space of the printing system. Based on the measurement data, the substrate ICC profile and the corresponding DeviceLink profiles are calculated. These profiles describe the color gamut for the selected combination of printer, print configuration, color configuration, and substrate.
Pre-Linearization, Linearization, G7 Linearization, and Total Area Coverage Limit
Characterization is the final step in the profiling project, following Pre-Linearization (optional), Linearization (optional), G7 Linearization (optional), and Total Area Coverage Limit. All settings configured in the preceding steps affect the subsequent steps.
2. Characterization in the Profiling Project
Characterization is the final step of a profiling project in the $PRODUCT_NAME_WORKFLOW application. It builds on the results of the preceding steps – in particular linearization and, if enabled, G7 linearization and total area coverage limit. When you enter this step, the corresponding characterization chart is automatically generated in the background.
The result of characterization is a color policy, that can subsequently be used for color space transformation of the print data. Within the characterization step, you can create multiple variations. Each variation generates its own color policy based on the same measurement data, with individual separation settings. This allows you to accommodate different output targets – such as different separation methods or gamut settings – without having to reprint and remeasure the measurement template chart again.
3. Creating a Characterization
The characterization is divided into four steps, which ultimately result in a characterization profile and, therefore, a color policy:
- Printing the Measurement Template Chart – the measurement template chart is printed on the reference printer defined in the profiling project. The chart size is automatically derived from the aperture size defined in the profiling project.
- Measuring the Measurement Template Chart – Setting Options – the printed chart is measured page by page using a measurement device. The pages do not necessarily have to be measured in the original order, provided that the correct page number is selected before each measurement.
- Analyzing the Measurement Data – after measurement, the measurement data is available for visual evaluation.
- Creating a Characterization Profile – Setting Options – in the final substep, the parameters for profile calculation are defined and the characterization profile is calculated.
3.1. Prerequisites
To perform a characterization, the following prerequisites must be met:
- A new profiling project has been created.
- Pre-linearization has been completed, provided that this step was enabled when the project was created.
- Linearization and G7 linearization have been completed, provided that these steps were enabled when the project was created.
- The Total Area Coverage Limit has been completed.
Standard Mode versus Expert Mode in the User Interface
The Expert Mode function [3] is available in the user interface for each step. The user interface changes depending on whether Expert Mode is enabled or not.
In each step, you can receive detailed guidance by following the instructions in the status bar [2]. To access additional setting options or return to a previous step, Expert Mode must be enabled. In both cases, all substeps are covered.
3.2. Step-by-Step Guide
To create a characterization, proceed as follows:
- Open the relevant profiling project and switch to the Characterization step [1].
- The status bar [2] displays the current status.
- The first substep of the characterization is to print the measurement template chart. Click the Print command [4].
Figure 1: The Characterization step in Expert Mode
- This opens the Print Measurement Template Chart – Characterization dialog.
- Enter all required parameters in the dialog and then click the Send to Printer [Printer Name] command.
Detailed Description of Printing the Measurement Template Chart
A detailed description of all options available in the Print Measurement Template Chart dialog can be found in the article Printing the Measurement Template Chart.
Figure 2: The Print Measurement Template Chart – Characterization dialog in Standard Mode
- This navigates you back to the characterization overview. The next step is to measure the measurement template chart.
- Once the desired measurement template chart has been printed, you can start the measurement. To do so, click the Measure command [5].
Figure 3: The Characterization step in Expert Mode
- This opens the Measure dialog. In this dialog, click the Measure Page 1 command [6]. The corresponding information is then sent to the respective measurement device, allowing the measurement process to begin.
- Once all measurement template charts have been measured, this step is complete. If the chart consists of multiple pages, the next page is automatically displayed after the first page has been measured. Repeat the measurement process for each subsequent page.
Detailed Description of Measuring the Measuring Template Chart
A detailed description of all options available in this dialog can be found in the Measuring the Measurement Template Chart –Setting Options article.
Figure 4: The Measure dialog in the Characterization step before the measurement begins
- This navigates you back to the characterization overview. If Expert Mode [3] (Figure 1) is enabled, the measurement results can be analyzed. A detailed description of all analysis options available in this dialog can be found in the Analyzing the Measurement Data article.
- The next and final step is to create the characterization profile. To do this, click the Create Characterization Profile button [7].
Figure 5: The Characterization step in Expert Mode
- This opens the Create Characterization Profile dialog.
- In the General tab, enter a name for the color policy. Then click Create Characterization Profile to complete this step.
Figure 6: The Create Characterization Profile dialog in the General tab
3.3. Variations
After the characterization profile has been created, the resulting color policy is displayed as a variation in the Variations section [8]. For each variation, the list displays the color policy name, the creator, the creation date and time, and the current status. Multiple variations can be created, with each variation generating its own color policy. This allows different separation settings to be created based on the same measurement data without having to print and measure the measurement template chart again.
Please note that an existing variation cannot be edited. To use the settings of an existing variation as a starting point, the corresponding variation must be duplicated.
Figure 7: The Variations section with two created variations in the Create Characterization Profile dialog
Article Update: $PRODUCT_NAME_WORKFLOW 2.2.0 – 08/2026