ArgyllCMS Profiles and Black Point Compensation: A Comprehensive Analysis

ArgyllCMS printer profiles, while renowned for their accuracy, have been noted to exhibit a peculiar trait – the use of composite black when Black Point Compensation (BPC) is enabled. This phenomenon, particularly evident on pigment printers such as the Epson SC-P800, can significantly affect the output quality, leading to subdued blacks and compromised contrast in printed images.

Understanding the Issue

When BPC is enabled in ArgyllCMS profiles, the black areas appear lighter and less intense compared to when BPC is disabled. This discrepancy becomes especially apparent on pigment printers, where deep blacks are crucial for achieving high-quality prints. Unlike other profiling software like Colormunki, where BPC does not influence black levels, ArgyllCMS profiles may produce unsatisfactory results in terms of black reproduction.

Exploring Solutions

One potential solution lies in leveraging the capabilities of Gamutvision software, which offers a "Black and White density response" display mode. Within Gamutvision, users can toggle the Black Point Compensation setting on or off for each display window, along with selecting various rendering intents. While Gamutvision lacks the ability to display the actual black point value (a feature available in ColorThink by Chromix), it provides valuable insights into the relationship between input and output luminance.

Addressing Inkset and Linearization

The discrepancy in black reproduction may also be attributed to the printer's inkset, particularly in non-linearized printer-ink-paper combinations. Given the challenges associated with linearizing printers and the prevalence of non-standard inks in the industry, this issue becomes more pronounced.

One workaround involves modifying the .ti3 file associated with the printer profile. By neutralizing the measured black patches – retaining the luminance (L) value while setting the chromaticity (a and b) values to zero – users can mitigate the elevated black levels observed in ArgyllCMS profiles. Additionally, manual adjustments such as a "fade-to-neutral" correction may be necessary in cases where the deviation from ideal black values is significant.

While ArgyllCMS profiles are esteemed for their accuracy and precision, the issue of composite black when using Black Point Compensation warrants attention. By utilizing tools like Gamutvision and adopting manual adjustments to the profile files, users can address the discrepancy in black reproduction and enhance the overall quality of their prints.

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