Method for preparation of a color proof from a set of color separation films, masks or the like

The method of pre-press color proofing a set of color separation components from which color printing plates are to be made for color printing of a multi-color image on a paper or like printing base with a given set of printer's inks or the like, said method comprising:

• (a) preparing samples of the given inks or the like on the printing base or equivalent thereof;
• (b) determining the primary color component makeup of each sample in relation to a given illuminant source and, from a color reference data base based on such illuminant source, determining a group of color filters and associated color filter exposure times appropriate to substantially reproduce each sample color on a selected color sensitive photographic paper when the paper is exposed to the illuminant source through such filters for such exposure times;
• (c) successively overlaying each color separation component, mask or the like on the undeveloped photographic paper and exposing the undeveloped photographic paper to the light source in sequence through each color separation component and its associated group of color filters for the determined respective filter exposure times to substantially reproduce each separation color image in the associated sample color on the photographic paper when developed,
• and
• (d) developing the exposed photographic paper to provide a pre-press color proof.

A method of pre-press color proofing a set of color separation components, masks, or the like from which printing plates are to be made for color printing of a multi-color image on a paper or like printing base with a given set of printer's inks or the like, said method comprising:

• (a) preparing samples of the given inks or the like on the printing base of equivalent thereof;
• (b) illuminating the prepared samples with a given light source and determining the proportion of three primary colors of red, green and blue which constitute each sample color by comparing each said sample color to a data base comprising a plurality of colors constituted of said primary colors under illumination by a like light source whereby to select from said data base reference colors most similar to the sample colors and thereby identify groups of one or more color filter elements usable to reproduce each such reference color;
• (c) determining the exposure times for each color filter element of each group of color filters required substantially to reproduce the color of each sample color on color sensitive photographic material when developed;
• (d) exposing undeveloped color sensitive photographic material through each color filter element of each group and through each respective color separation component for a period corresponding to the exposure time thus determined;
• and
• (e) developing the exposed color sensitive photographic material thereby substantially to reproduce the multi-color image thereon.

A method for pre-press color proofing of a colored image using color photographic material, a light source, a set of color filter elements, and a set of color separation films, said method comprising:

• (a) illuminating at least one sample of a selected printing ink with a light source and determining the proportion of three primary colors of red, green and blue which constitute said printing ink by comparing each said sample to a data base comprising a plurality of colors constituted of said primary colors obtained by illuminating said primary colors with a light source whereby to select from said data base a reference color most similar to the sample color and thereby identify a group of one or more color filter elements used to prepare said reference color;
• (b) determining the exposure time of each color filter element required substantially to reproduce the sample color on said color photographic material when developed;
• (c) exposing undeveloped color photographic material through the color filter elements and each respective color separation film of said set of color separation films using said illuminant source for a period corresponding to the exposure time determined for each respective color filter element and color separation film;
• and
• (d) developing the exposed color photographic material thereby substantially to reproduce the colored image thereon.