In this article, you will learn
- what gamut expansion is and what role it plays in the profile calculation,
- how different values affect saturation and color accuracy,
- how gamut expansion is configured.
1. Introduction
Gamut expansion expands the color space represented in the characterization profile by shifting color values toward more saturated color positions at the edge of the color space. The reason for this is that the profile data interpolated and smoothed from the measurement data may represent the actual printable color space as smaller in certain areas than what can be physically achieved. This can be caused, among other things, by measurement tolerances as well as the smoothing and interpolation of the measurement values from the test chart.
For example, a saturated Magenta patch may have a lower chroma in the calculated characterization profile than the printing system can actually produce. Gamut expansion shifts the color value in a targeted way beyond the profile boundary derived from the measurement data, toward higher saturation.
2. Functioning
Gamut expansion directly affects the calculation of the characterization profile. It does not change the measurement data itself, but rather the outer boundary of the color space derived from it.
Gamut expansion is set using a slider ranging from 0% to 100% (default value: 0%). At 0%, no additional expansion beyond the profile boundary derived from the measurement data is applied. As the value increases, the outer boundary of the color space is gradually shifted outward in the saturated areas, while the neutral area around the gray axis remains largely unaffected.
Figure 1: Effect of Gamut Expansion on the color space (schematic)
The graphic shows the reference gamut derived from the measurement data, as well as the expanded gamut at a gamut expansion of 50%. The shift is strongest in the saturated areas near the primary colors, while it remains small in the neutral center.
2.1. Effect of the Values
The configured percentage value determines how far the boundary of the color space is shifted outward and therefore directly affects the saturation and color accuracy of the profile. The following three example values illustrate this relationship:
- Gamut expansion 0% – no additional expansion beyond the profile boundary derived from the measurement data is applied. As a result, the profile remains as close as possible to the measured colorimetric values.
- Gamut expansion 50% – the color space is moderately expanded in the saturated areas near its boundary. The effect mainly affects strong hues near the primary colors, causing, for example, a saturated Magenta or Cyan to appear more vivid, without significantly changing the basic characteristics of the profile.
- Gamut expansion 100% – the color space is expanded to the maximum extend. In highly saturated areas, this can result in visible deviations from the measured values with color accuracy giving way to increased saturation and chromatic intensity.
Figure 2: Magenta area at Different Gamut Expansion Values (schematic)
The graphic illustrates the increasing saturation of the Magenta color at gamut expansion levels of 0%, 50%, and 100%. Please note that a high level of gamut expansion reduces the colorimetric agreement between the profile and the measurement data. Use high values if a more vivid, more saturated color reproduction is desired and exact colorimetric reproduction is not the priority.
3. Use in a Profiling Project
You can find the Gamut Expansion parameter [1] in a profiling project under the Gamut Adjustment tab of the Create Characterization Profile step.
Figure 3: The options available under the Gamut Adjustment tab of the Create Characterization Profile step
The parameter determines the extent to which the boundary of the color space is shifted beyond the boundary derived from the measurement data. The value can be set between 0% and 100%. A higher value causes the saturated areas of the profile to be expanded further beyond the color space determined from the measurement data.
Expanding the saturated areas at the edge of the color space results in more vivid and saturated color reproduction. At the same time, the colorimetric agreement between the calculated profile and the underlying measurement data decreases as the extent of the expansion increases.
The following recommendations apply to the use of the parameter:
- Gamut expansion 0% (default value) – at 0%, no additional expansion beyond the profile boundary derived from the measurement data is applied. Use this value when the highest possible colorimetric accuracy is the primary objective, for example for proofing or contract proofs.
- Gamut expansion 50% – a moderate value primarily expands highly saturated colors near the primary colors without significantly changing the basic characteristics of the profile. Use this value when somewhat more vivid color reproduction is desired while maintaining good colorimetric agreement with the measurement data.
- Gamut expansion 100% – at maximum expansion, the color space is expanded to the greatest extend in the saturated areas. Use this value when the most vivid and saturated color reproduction possible is the primary objective and lower colorimetric accuracy can be accepted.
Enhancing the Effect
You can enhance the effect of gamut expansion by additionally keeping the primary colors Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow.
To do this, activate the respective primary colors Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow in the area above the dialog. This means, for example, that a Magenta with a Yellow cast does not need to be artificially mixed with Cyan to achieve the desired color position for Magenta. The same applies to a Cyan with a Yellow cast, which would otherwise require additional Magenta to be mixed in to better match the color position of Cyan. Both cases typically occur in digital printing.
Article Update: $PRODUCT_NAME_WORKFLOW 2.3.0 – 09/2026