Color Management
A properly calibrated monitor and printer profile are essential to the color correction process. It is your responsibility to ensure all images used in the design have been color corrected and that you soft proof with our printer profile for an approximate color rendition of the final printed product.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of printing press is used at AsukaBook?We use a digital on-demand printing process. AsukaBook products are printed on a HP Indigo digital 6-color press with electronic inks, halftone dot, and 175 dpi. Download the color profile that has been specially developed for the AsukaBook press.
What is the print quality of a digital on demand press?
Digital on-demand printing produces color and texture like an offset press. Our quality is similar to a high-quality coffee table photography book you would find at a large bookstore such as Barnes & Noble.
Do you have a printer profile available?
Yes. Click on the Soft Proofing tab above to download.
How and why should I use 'Perceptual' as the rendering intent when soft proofing my design?
To access 'Perceptual' in Photoshop go to File - Print with Preview - More Options - Color Management – Rendering Intent. Selecting 'Perceptual' will give you a "natural" view of how colors should look. This setting must be selected to obtain correct/desired color in your layouts.
How can I be sure that the color AsukaBook prints matches what I see on my monitor?
To ensure that the colors you see on your monitor will closely match your printed book it is essential to have a properly calibrated monitor, and to soft proof your images with the AsukaBook printer profile.
Does the color shift during production?
Color consistency and accuracy is our first priority. Our 6-color printing press is calibrated every 100 printed pages. This type of control is very rare in the printing industry. Slight shifts in color can occur from batch to batch, but it is very minimal. Keep in mind that we are printing with a CMYK color space, which requires a conversion process from your RGB files. Slight shifts may occur consequently, which is normal for any CMYK print process. Again, it is highly recommended to view your images and design with the AsukaBook printer profile and proper monitor calibration so you may adjust any possible color shifting before placing your order.
What about discoloration and color fading?
We use special inks that outlast the life of widely used press inks. A surface varnish coating or laminate is also applied, increasing durability and quality. Expect your book to last at least as long as any standard high-quality printed book.
