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GPX solved case

Color variability in brochure printing: causes and solutions

We received a print run of brochures and in some copies the images have a reddish cast while in others they are correct. The PDF sent is always the same. I would like to understand if the problem could be in the file or in the printing

By Cristiano Zappacosta — Senior Graphic Production Consultant

The problem

We received a print run of brochures and in some copies the images have a reddish cast while in others they are correct. The PDF sent is always the same. I would like to understand if the problem could be in the file or in the printing

Cause and analysis

The problem could lie in the management of the color profile during printing, if the printer has not applied consistent calibration or ICC profile to all copies of the print run

The PDF file could contain an embedded color profile, but if the printer does not respect it or overwrites it with a different profile for individual copies or batches, the observed variability can still stem from printing

A possible cause is an error in the management of color separation (CMYK) or in the ink transfer curve during one or more print cycles, especially if the printer uses inkjet or laser technologies without stable color compensation

Solution proposed by GPX

A possible cause is the missing or inconsistent calibration of the printer's color profile across the print run batches

Limitations of this analysis

This analysis is generated with the support of Artificial Intelligence: always verify its correctness and applicability before using it. The reliability level of this analysis is "Medium", not the highest possible.

Checks before proceeding

  • Contact the printer and ask them to verify: (1) whether they applied a specific ICC profile during printing; (2) when their printer was last calibrated; (3) whether the defective copies come from a specific batch or are scattered throughout the print run. In the meantime, you can send a copy of the defective brochure to compare it visually with a correct one, so you can document the exact type of color cast

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