Case Studies
Tsutomu Kojima - Printing Director
Printing director Tsutomu Kojima, one of EIZO's ColorEdge Ambassadors, has long been using ColorEdge for his work. We talked to Mr. Kojima about what he sees as important when creating works and his experience using ColorEdge.
© Kenji Miura
© Kenji Miura
© Kenji Miura
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The works shown above are excerpts from "Miura Hiroshima", a photo book by Hiroshi Miura, for which Tsutomu Kojima served as the printing director. The book is published by Shogakukan. "Miura Hiroshima" is an ongoing photographic project that began in 2014, reflecting on the photographer's hometown of Hiroshima. While capturing the present reality of the city with a history tied to its impact from the atomic bomb, the photographs also portray the everyday lives of its people with vitality and, at times, a pop sensibility, offering an honest and human perspective on life in Hiroshima today. In 2025, marking 80 years since the atomic bombing, "Miura Hiroshima" was published as a photo book featuring 108 carefully selected images from the vast archive accumulated over the past 11 years. Photography exhibitions were held at multiple venues in Hiroshima and Tokyo. Mr. Kojima was also involved in producing the exhibition prints.
For more details on "Miura Hiroshima", please visit Shogakukan's official website:
Exhibition venues:
Gallery AL (KiKi Inc.) |
What do you see as important when creating works?
I make prints for various fields, specifically illustrations, photographs, and cultural properties. What I emphasize is different in each. For example, when it comes to photographic works, I want to stick as closely as possible to the photographer’s intent when giving shape to the photograph as a printed work. Specifically, this is about how to determine the course of action from paper selection to retouching. There are some people who have a clear picture of what they want from the start, but there are also some who probe into the expression while taking into account how I feel about and interpret the photograph as a printing director. As two professionals, we square off with each other about the expression. I try to maintain a relationship as equal partners, because I have a heavy responsibility with respect to the finished work. The final product is printed on paper, but the monitor has to be up to par as the gateway to capturing the feeling. I believe that’s where communication begins.
Color Proofing for the Photo Book "Miura Hiroshima"
What has been your experience with ColorEdge CG2700X and CS2740?
Currently, I have the CG2700X and CS2740 connected to a 27‑inch iMac 5K via USB Type‑C, using a three‑monitor setup with all monitors at 27 inches. Since using full 4K resolution makes menus and other UI elements too small, I work at an enlarged setting of 3200 x 1800 (200%).
Because my primary focus is on print, I calibrate both monitors to D50 for printing. When producing images for web or other digital media, I switch the CS2740 to sRGB. For HDR content, I mainly use the CG2700X. ColorNavigator 7 can stay open in the macOS menu bar as a "status menu", making it easy to switch settings.
I mainly work in Adobe Photoshop, keeping all the tool panels on the iMac display, while having the CG2700X show only the image data. The CS2740 displays Adobe Bridge to help streamline the workflow.
In terms of usability, I feel practically no stress. For print production, ideally I want the monitor to have a level of clarity that feels close to what you get with paper, and viewing from about 70 to 80 cm away, the pixel density of 27‑inch 4K (164 ppi) feels completely natural. That’s exactly why I’m particular about 27‑inch 4K. Since both monitors are non‑glare, there's very little shine or reflection, allowing me to focus without distraction.
The CG2700X has a built‑in sensor, so calibration is fully automated, but with the CS2740 I need to attach a sensor each time, which takes a bit more effort. However, the CS2740 has a USB port on the side, so connecting is easy. The only thing I need to be careful about is avoiding touching the LCD surface to prevent scratches.
Tell us about what other peripheral devices you use.
An essential peripheral for me is my pen tablet. I use the Wacom Intuos Pro Large 2017. The size matches perfectly with a 27‑inch monitor, and it’s extremely comfortable to use. I map the operation area to the CG2700X only, mainly for delicate brush work.
For printing, I use the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO‑1100 and the PIXUS XK510. The PRO‑1100 is my main machine for color proofing print works, and I sometimes bring it on location for cultural heritage projects. The XK510 is used for scanning documents, printing reference photos, and other office tasks.
As a side note, for office tasks I connect a FlexScan EV4340X to my Windows PC. The 42.5‑inch 4K screen makes it easy to display lots of information at once. I also use it for digital signage simulations and checking presentation slides.
How did you come to use ColorEdge and why do you still use it?
I believe my first encounter with ColorEdge was around 2004 with the CG21. Before that, I used CRT monitors. My earliest exposure to EIZO was when it went by its former name of NANAO - a friend in my music circle owned a NANAO FlexScan CRT. At work, I think we were using the EIZO FlexScan T9XX series, but the exceptional quality of the CG21 made a strong impression. I still remember it vividly. Although its been more than 20 years, whenever I see a new ColorEdge model, those early impressions come back to me.
As for why I have continued using ColorEdge for so long, perhaps it’s simply because ColorEdge has always been there for me. Joking aside, color management is fundamental to my work, and ColorEdge is the only monitor that consistently delivers results exactly as intended. Beyond the hardware quality itself, ColorNavigator also plays a huge role. It allows me to manually fine‑tune color matching when needed and supports a wide range of workflows flexibly and reliably. It truly is a one‑of‑a‑kind monitor.
Do you have a message for those who aspire to become printing directors?
A printing director serves as a bridge between creators and the printing field. It is creative work, but you yourself are not the creator. There are times when interacting with various creators makes you feel as if you're one of them, but it’s important to stay grounded and humbly dedicate yourself to meeting creators’ needs to the fullest.
Deployed Products
ColorEdge CG2700X
ColorEdge CS2740
FlexScan EV4340X
Tsutomu Kojima is a member of EIZO’s ColorEdge Ambassador Program, which showcases professional photographers, designers, filmmakers, and other creatives who are committed to inspiring and educating artists around the world of all levels.
ColorEdge Ambassador Program Website
