Proofing data file generated by target printer facility

A method of printing an image, based upon an original image data file in a particular color space;

• said method comprising the steps of:
• a target-printer facility converting the original file to a different color space to form a proofing data file;
• provision of the proofing file to a proofing facility distinct from the target facility;
• the proofing facility applying the proofing file to produce a proof;
• and
• the target facility applying said proofing file to produce a final hardcopy of the image;
• whereby the said proofing file is applied to producing both the proof and the final hardcopy.

A method of printing an image, based upon an original image data file in a particular color space;

• said method comprising the steps of:
• a target-printer facility converting the original file to a different color space to form a proofing data file;
• the target facility applying the proofing data file or a substantial duplicate thereof to form a subdivided derivative of the proofing data file;
• provision of the subdivided derivative to a proofing facility distinct from the target facility;
• the proofing facility applying the subdivided derivative to produce a proof in subdivided portions;
• and
• the target facility applying said proofing file to produce a final hardcopy of the image;
• whereby the said proofing file is applied to producing both the proof and the final hardcopy.

A system for printing an image, based upon original image data, in a particular color space, supplied by image-generation personnel;

• said system comprising:
• a target printer facility, comprising a target printer, receiving such data from such personnel and converting such original data to a different color space to form proofing data;
• and
• distinct from the target facility, a proofing facility receiving the proofing data and applying the proofing data, together with a color characteristic profile of the target facility, to produce a proof;
• wherein said target facility also applies said proofing data to print a final hardcopy of the image;
• whereby a common proofing file is applied both to producing the proof and to printing the final hardcopy.

A target printer facility for printing a final hardcopy of an image based upon original image data, in a particular color space, supplied by image-generation personnel;

• and for cooperating with a proofing facility that is distinct from the target facility;
• said target printer facility comprising:
• a target printer that prints the final hardcopy of the image;
• a communication link for receiving such data from such personnel;
• one or more computer subsystems for converting such original data to a different color space to form proofing data;
• and
• a further communication link for transmitting the proofing data to such distinct proofing facility for use, together with a color characteristic profile of the target facility, in producing a proof.

A target printer facility for printing a final hardcopy of an image, based upon original image data, in a particular color space, supplied by image-generation personnel;

• and for cooperating with a proofing facility that is distinct from the target facility;
• said target printer facility comprising:
• a target printer that prints the final hardcopy of the image;
• a communication link for receiving such data from such personnel;
• one or more computer subsystems for converting such original data to a different color space to form proofing data;
• a further communication link for transmitting the proofing data to such proofing facility for use, together with a color characteristic profile of the target facility, in producing a proof;
• and
• wherein the target printer and computer subsystems comprise means for applying the proofing data to print the final hardcopy;
• whereby a common proofing file is applied both to producing the proof and to printing the final hardcopy.

A target printer facility for printing a final hardcopy of an image, based upon original image data, in a particular color space, supplied by image-generation personnel;

• and for cooperating with a proofing facility that is distinct from the target facility;
• said target printer facility comprising:
• a target printer that prints the final hardcopy of the image;
• a communication link for receiving such data from such personnel;
• one or more computer capabilities for converting such original data to target printer native color space to form proofing data;
• and
• a further communication link for transmitting the proofing data, together with a color characteristic profile of the target facility, to the distinct proofing facility for use in producing a proof.

A proofing facility for producing a proof of an image, based upon a proofing data file;

• and for cooperating with a target printer facility that is distinct from the proofing facility and that prints a final hardcopy of the image;
• said proofing facility comprising:
• a device for producing the proof;
• a communication link for receiving such proofing data file from such target facility;
• and
• one or more computer subsystems for using such proofing data, together with a color characteristic profile of such target facility, in controlling the proof-producing device to produce a proof.

A proofing facility for producing a proof of an image, based upon a proofing data file and a color characteristic profile of such target facility;

• and for cooperating with a target printer facility that is distinct from the proofing facility and that prints a final hardcopy of the image based upon said proofing data file;
• said proofing facility comprising:
• a device for producing the proof;
• a communication link for receiving, from such target facility, such proofing data file and such color characteristic profile;
• and
• one or more computer subsystems for using such proofing data and such color characteristic profile, together, in controlling the proof-producing device to produce a proof;
• whereby a common proofing file is applied both to producing the proof and to printing the final hardcopy.