Comparative Analysis of Color Simulation between Offset Printing and Inkjet Printing

Abstract

This paper presents an analysis of the color output capability and accuracy of an inkjet printer, specifically the Epson L1800, used for simulating offset printing. The colorimetric values of the printer's cyan, magenta, yellow, and black primaries were found to be different from those used in offset printing, and attempts to adjust the maximal output ink level and tone curve were not able to fully eliminate the differences. As a result, the Epson printer's color gamut did not completely meet the requirements of offset printing, particularly in terms of high-chroma colors. However, the printer calibration process improved the printer's capacity and overall color output accuracy within the offset color gamut, with significant color differences only occurring for colors outside the printer's gamut. This study provides insights into the challenges and limitations of using an inkjet printer for simulating offset printing and highlights the importance of printer calibration for achieving accurate color reproduction in this context. Further research may focus on developing more advanced calibration methods or exploring alternative printer technologies to improve the accuracy of offset printing simulation using inkjet printers.