Creative Work
Encyclopedia of China Publishing House - Remote Proofing Realized for Consistent Color Accuracy
The Encyclopedia of China Publishing House (ECPH) is one of China's largest national publishers, with a core focus on encyclopedias, reference books, and a range of academic works. In April 2024, the company and Hebei Xinyu Hongcheng Printing Co., Ltd. established a remote proofing system in collaboration with Beijing Color Space Co., Ltd.
The “Drudgery” of Printing
Typically, only the cover of books requires printing in the four primary colors, while the text is sufficient with black. However, the majority of books published by Encyclopedia of China Publishing House are illustrated. The combination of graphics and text in their books makes them more visually appealing and easier for readers to understand. Additionally, many of their books are part of a series, which requires the colors of each edition to be consistent. This requirement presents a significant challenge for the printing industry. To guarantee quality, publishers requiring uniform color often send personnel to the printing facility to monitor the printing process. The printing foreman typically implements a 12-hour shift system to maintain production and quality standards, and it is the responsibility of the “printing trackers” to ensure that the color of images printed by different foremen is consistent. Monitoring the printing process is a time-consuming and challenging task. On occasion, the trackers are required to remain at the printing facility for several days, which is regarded as a “drudgery” in the publishing industry.
Print proofing is a critical module in the printing industry, and it is essential before the formal workflow. Some publishers have attempted to print sample pages directly in their offices, but the process is hindered by numerous variables, including the need for daily printer maintenance and the acquisition and utilization of diverse printing equipment. Traditionally, it is a proven fact that the effect of printing sample pages directly in the office does not yield optimal results.
Here Comes the ColorEdge
By chance, staff members of Encyclopedia of China Publishing House observed the EIZO ColorEdge color management monitors provided by Beijing Color Space Co., Ltd. in Xinyu Hongcheng Printing House, which are capable of soft proofing. The foreman was able to print and match colors with ease using the ColorEdge monitors, ensuring a consistent color scheme between the printed books and the images displayed. Following this experience, the Encyclopedia of China Publishing House made the decision to introduce EIZO ColorEdge monitors in order to confirm the colors of the final books with the printing companies.
Machine used by Hebei Xinyu Hongcheng Printing Co., Ltd. alongside an EIZO ColorEdge monitor (left)
“Remote proofing” is a process by which publishers can ascertain the final version of their printed books without having to visit the printing facility in person. In comparison to traditional proofing, remote proofing offers a more convenient and reliable solution. By using monitors as the proofing tool, the process simply involves monitor color management and the electronic files sent back by the printer. After effective communication between all parties, Encyclopedia of China Publishing House, Xinyu Hongcheng Printing House, and Beijing Color Space Co., Ltd. could confirm that the colors seen by the art editor in the publishing house were consistent with the colors being printed at the printery. This remote proofing technique offers significant time and cost savings for the publisher, eliminating the need to send personnel to the printing facility to track progress, and greatly improving overall work efficiency.
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Using ColorEdge monitors throughout the design and print workflow significantly reduces the time and costs associated with reprints and digital corrections due to inaccuracies between the images displayed on the screen. Publishing houses and printing companies can exercise effective color management practices by sharing a monitor profile. This ensures that comps and direct digital color proofs (DDCP) match the final print.
Additionally, EIZO's ColorNavigator Network color management software offers multi-monitor remote centralized calibration for publishers and cooperative printeries. It can be deployed in workplaces across multiple cities and locations, and even in collaboration with partners engaged on shared projects. Administrators can centrally set color modes, schedule self-calibration for monitors with built-in sensors, and register or adjust asset management settings, all of which can be performed remotely through the network. For large projects, this ensures that appropriate color standards are used at every step, saving hundreds of hours that would otherwise be spent on calibration and maintenance.
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After integrating EIZO into their workflow, the printing follow-up staff at Encyclopedia of China Publishing House now require only a room with large windows on both sides in the publishing house, in addition to a standard light source, and to set up the calibrated monitor according to the printing characteristics used by the printer, such as high white offset paper and coated paper. For other types of paper, the color profile can be switched using the dedicated software, ensuring that the colors of the printed books match those seen on the monitors. By utilizing ColorEdge monitors, the company is able to achieve consistent color across the entire process, ensuring a seamless transition from display to printing.
A Message from the Director
Mr. Ma, Director of Encyclopedia of China Publishing House, says: “The colors displayed on our EIZO ColorEdge monitor are consistent with the colors produced in printed materials. I’m impressed at how fast science and technology are developing these days. Previously, it was necessary to visit the printing facility on several occasions each week to monitor the printing process. So, it’s really great to be using EIZO now. The process is more streamlined because our art editor can use the ColorEdge monitor to select the optimal color, while other members of the publishing department can verify the accuracy of the color after receiving the sample books. Our publishing house has established cooperative relationships with dozens of printing companies, with more than 20 of them serving as close partners. Our next objective is to collaborate with these printing companies in implementing remote proofing to enhance our operational efficiency.”
Deployed Products
- ColorEdge CS2730（Successor Model: CS2731）
