Special Reviews: Status of Graphic Arts Standards Activities -In Focus on ISO/TC130 Activities-

Summary of Standardization Activities for Prepress Color Data Exchange

Abstract

The definition activities for color data exchange which have been performed in ISO/TC 130/WG2 are described. This Working Group is charged with the responsibility of developing the color caliblation tools, color definitions, reference set of encoded data and data format definitions necessary to facilitate color data exchange within the graphic arts electronic prepress application area. Two standards have been completed. The first defines targets for input scanner calibration with transparency and reflection photographic products. The second standard provides a reference data set for CMYK to printed-color characterization. Works is still continuing on the development of a scanner caliblation target for use with negative films and on the development of default definitions for three-component color data exchange in CGATS/SC7 (Data Exchange) & SC8 (Color Data Definition). Joint activities with JWG2, 3 and 4 in JNC (Japan National Committee) for ISO/TC130 as well as activities with the CGATS (Committee for Graphic Arts Technologies Standards) and the industry SWOP™ committee in USA are performing to provide default relationships between CMYK input data and measured XYZ tristimulus values of results printed at or near the nominal aim. These data will provide a common reference for applications which provide CMYK output. Additional work is also underway to provide data for other common well defined printing conditions. A set of reference images (SCID: Standard Color Image Data) are being developed by IPTS (Image Processing Technology Standards) SWG1 as the international standard in conjunction with JWG2 in JNC and ISO/TC130/WG2. These image data will be available in electronic form and will provide a common set of visual reference material for evaluation of data transfer, data compression, proofing and output devices. As for the media independent data format, the standardization works of TIFF/IT (Tag Image File Format for Image Technology) and JPEG Application Profile in which the compressed data format with JPEG algorithm is proposed have been continued in ISO/TC130/WG2. Current status of these activities is explained in Chapter 4.