In this article, you will learn
- how to create a linearization profile for additional colors or additional fluids,
- which setting options are available depending on the selected mode, and
- how the Measure mode differs from the Manual mode from the user's perspective.
1. Introduction
A dedicated linearization profile can be created within the profiling project for each additional color or additional fluid – for example, White, Neon Pink or Neon Yellow. The corresponding step is performed as a separate sub-step before Linearization, provided that the printer in use has the respective additional ink assigned to it. Creating the linearization profile is always the final sub-step in this process.
The objective is to calculate a profile based on the measured data or empirical values that corrects the tone value increase of the respective additional color or additional fluid. The profile is then saved within the profiling project and, for additional fluids, used for the subsequent steps of the profiling project.
The dialog for creating the linearization profile always has the same structure, regardless of the color selected.
2. Setting Options
The linearization curve of an additional color can be determined in two different ways:
- Manual – the linearization curve is based on empirical values.
- Measure – the linearization curve is based on measuring a measurement template chart.
Which of the two options is applied is controlled by the mode, which is set via the drop-down menu [1] in the overview for the respective additional color or additional fluid.
Mode Can Only Be Changed If No Linearization Profile Exists
Please note that the mode can only be changed via the drop-down menu as long as no linearization profile has yet been created for the respective additional color. Once a linearization profile exists, it must first be deleted before the mode can be switched.
Figure 1: The Linearization overview for an Additional Fluid
2.1. "Manual" Mode
The Manual mode is suitable when no measurement data can be generated for the respective color, or when a quick linearization based on empirical values is sufficient. In this mode, the linearization curve is not calculated from measurement data but is instead defined directly in the dialog. In Manual mode, the dialog is divided into two areas:
- Slider – if this option is selected, the user can adjust the shape of the linearization curve using a slider or by entering values. The 50% value and the maximum output value can be edited.
- Edit Curves – if this option is selected, the linearization curve for the selected color can be defined by directly editing the curve points.
"Slider" Option
When the Slider option [2] is enabled, the following options are available in the dialog:
- Value [3] – specifies by how many percentage points the 50% point of the curve for the respective channel is shifted downward. The value can be adjusted using the slider or by entering it directly.
- Max [4] – sets the maximum output value for the respective channel. The default value is 100%. Note that this setting is applied to all subsequent steps. If you enter 90% as the maximum output value, the 100% output value for the respective channel is reduced to 90%. In the subsequent steps, 100% will still be displayed, but the actual output value will be limited to 90%.
Figure 2: The Create Linearization Profile for Additional Color dialog in Manual mode
"Edit Curves" Option
When the Edit Curves option [5] is enabled, the linearization curve of the color channel can be defined by directly editing the curve points. This mode is intended for experienced users who require more precise control over the shape of the curve.
The following options are available in the dialog:
- Curve Points [6] – click a point in the curve preview to select it, and drag the point to the desired position. The following additional options are available in the curve view:
- Add Curve Point – clicking the desired position on the curve adds a further curve point.
- Delete Curve Point – double-clicking an existing curve point deletes it again. Alternatively, a selected point can also be deleted by clicking the Delete selected Point button [8].
- Values of the selected point [7] – once a curve point has been selected, its input and output values are displayed as percentages. The values can also be entered numerically.
Figure 3: The Create Linearization Profile for Additional Color dialog in Manual mode with the Edit Curves option enabled
2.2. "Measure" Mode
In Measure mode, the linearization profile is calculated based on the previously measured data, providing a more accurate linearization than Manual mode. This requires that a measurement template chart has already been printed and measured for the respective additional color. In this mode, the Create Linearization Profile for Additional Fluid dialog is divided into two areas:
- Calculated Curves – displays the curves determined from the measurement data in graphical form.
- Settings Area – this area provides the settings used to create the linearization profile.
Figure 4: The Create Linearization Profile for Additional Fluid dialog in Measure mode
The following settings are available in the Calculated Curves area of the Create Linearization Profile for Additional Fluid dialog:
- Show or hide color channel [10] – clicking the checkbox for the color channel shows or hides it in the curve preview.
- Display uncorrected measurement [9] – enable this option to display the uncorrected measurement curve in addition to the calculated curve in the curve preview. This allows the raw measurement data to be compared with the result after correction.
- Curve Preview [11] – this diagram displays the calculated linearization curve of the color channel. Any changes are also reflected in this diagram.
"Ink Cut" Tab
The Ink Cut determines the input value from which the output of the additional color is limited, ensuring that no more ink is applied in the upper tone value range than the substrate and the printing process can reliably absorb. An ink cut set too high can cause effects such as mottling, extended drying times, or adhesion issues where the additional color lifts from the substrate. Conversely, an ink cut set too low can unnecessarily reduce the opacity or effectiveness of the additional color.
The following settings are available in the Ink Cut tab:
- Limit at [12] – sets the percentage value at which the respective additional color is limited. By default, this value is set to 100%, meaning no limitation is applied.
- Calculate Ink Cut [14] – clicking this button calculates a suggested ink cut value based on the measurement data (Spot Color Tone Value, or SCTV).
- Reset to Defaults [13] – clicking this button resets the value of the Limit at option to the default setting of 100%.
Ink Cut for Additional Colors
Unlike the linearization of the process colors Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black or of additional colors included in color management, the Ink Cut tab for additional colors only provides the option to define the ink cut manually. This is because each additional color consists of a single ink, with no multiple color channels that need to be coordinated.
Figure 5: The Ink Cut tab of the Create Linearization Profile for Additional Fluid dialog
"Measurement Data Correction" Tab
Measurement series for an additional color can be affected by individual erroneous measurement patches or general measurement noise – for example, due to fluctuations in the printed image, contamination on the measurement template chart, or inaccuracies of the measurement device. If the linearization profile were calculated directly from such raw data, individual measurement errors could result in an irregular or erratic linearization curve in the final profile.
The following options are available in the Measurement Data Correction tab:
- Correct outliers [15] – enable this option to automatically detect and correct outliers in the measurement data during profile calculation. A maximum of two consecutive outliers can be corrected.
- Measurement Data Smoothness [16] – determines the degree to which the measurement data is smoothed before the profile is calculated. The following options are available:
- Without – the measurement data is used without smoothing.
- Low – a low degree of smoothing is applied (default setting).
- Medium – a medium degree of smoothing is applied.
- Strong – a strong degree of smoothing is applied.
- Reset to Defaults [17] – clicking this button resets the measurement data correction settings to their default values.
Figure 6: The Measurement Data Correction tab of the Create Linearization Profile for Additional Fluid dialog
Article Update: $PRODUCT_NAME_WORKFLOW 2.3.0 – 08/2026