Accurate Color Reproduction with the Online Tool Scan2ICC

For accurate color reproduction of scanned images, Image Access has developed an online tool for creating individual ICC profiles; Scan2ICC. ICC profiling ensures a high color quality from scan to printout in a color managed process. The user can be certain that the scanned image and the print of the image both present the same color.

Scanner operators know the phenomenon: the colors in the original document and the scanned image or the printout often show small deviations in the color fidelity. The reason for the deviations may be ambient light characteristics or temperature fluctuation of the device. Other reasons are device specific color spaces of the scanner or printer (CMYK or RGB). The color reproduction is no more accurate, color casts or colorimetric shifts occur. But in some sectors, like reprography or catalogue compiling, an accurate color output is critical. In this case, color management utilizing ICC profiles for all involved input and output devices is indispensable. Many users then, procure complicated and extensive third party software. The online tool Scan2ICC is a simple and cost efficient opportunity to install and implement an individual ICC profile in only few steps.

The operator scans a special IT8 scanner calibration target. The target contains a range of reference colors. The scanner captures these colors. A special program analyzes the measured color value and calculates the ICC profile. This profile will be saved for all subsequent scans and ensures accurate color reproduction results. Color variations caused by external factors are compensated for. The operator can create a new ICC profile as often as necessary (for example, when ambient characteristics have changed) simply by rescanning the IT8 target and saving the recalculated profile to the scanner.

To ensure accurate color reproduction throughout the process chain from the input medium (scanner) to the output medium (printer); all implemented devices should be profiled. Within the post-processing procedure, the scanner’s ICC profile can be processed by any image enhancement application. This color management also allows the adjustment of different color spaces of the scanner (RGB) and the printer (CMYK). The result is the reproduction of the document with colors optimized to match the original document.

Image Access is a leading manufacturer of scanning technologies for professional applications. With several patented developments, the company has become an established technological leader in the market and has grown to more than 60 employees; primarily located in Wuppertal, the company‘s headquarters.

Jeanna Patzschke
Image Access GmbH
Hatzfelder Straße 161-163
42281 Wuppertal
Telefon: +49 (0)202 27058-0
patzschke@imageaccess.de

This release was published on openPR.