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GRACoL2006_Coated1v2 profile – Need to reduce total ink coverage to 280%

Forum|Forum|11 months ago
March 19, 2025
3 replies
1583 views

Hello,

I’m using a printer who has requested I use the GRACoL2006_Coated1v2 profile https://www.color.org/registry/GRACoL2006_Coated1v2.xalter but have also requested that I keep the total ink coverage below 280%.

I am using Photoshop. If I batch run the GRACoL2006_Coated1v2 profile on all the images what would be the best way to then reduce the ink coverage without altering the other settings? I have 244 images to adjust.

I can see that I can use a Custom CMYK setting to change the total ink coverage but I’m concerned that this will alter the other settings? In that case should I use curves instead?

Thank you in advance.

macOS

Correct answer Stephen Marsh

You can start here, which should get you to ~298% total ink for a Perceptual rendering and 286% for Relative Colorimetric rendering intent:

https://www.colormanagement.org/en/gracolprofile.html

Then, if really needed, a batch action using selective colour for Blacks, with -3 (negative) relative for each of the C, M, Y without adjusting K would get you there from the 286% start point, if you were going from the 298% then higher values would be needed. A luminosity mask or blend if sliders could also be added to limit this to the darker regions, or to blend in a copy of one profile conversion into the standard profile conversion. There are many options.

Stephen Marsh

Correct answer

Community Expert

You can start here, which should get you to ~298% total ink for a Perceptual rendering and 286% for Relative Colorimetric rendering intent:

https://www.colormanagement.org/en/gracolprofile.html

Then, if really needed, a batch action using selective colour for Blacks, with -3 (negative) relative for each of the C, M, Y without adjusting K would get you there from the 286% start point, if you were going from the 298% then higher values would be needed. A luminosity mask or blend if sliders could also be added to limit this to the darker regions, or to blend in a copy of one profile conversion into the standard profile conversion. There are many options.

C

ClairdJAuthor

Participating Frequently

Thanks so much for your help. I've used that profile and didn't adjust it any more. It has now gone to print. 🙂

NB, colourmanagement

Community Expert

@ClairdJ did you send the files off with a straight CMYK conversion, then? None of Stephen's clever tweaks to cut the max inklimit / TAC?

It would be good to know how it goes in print if you did that.

In an ideal world the printer would put high inklimit files through color server but it seems this one doesn’t from your original comments.

neil barstow colourmanagement - adobe forum volunteer,

colourmanagement consultant & co-author of 'getting colour right'

See my free articles on colourmanagement online

Stephen Marsh

Community Expert

@ClairdJ

Custom CMYK predates ICC profiles and although updated in v5 to create ICC profiles, it isn't based on GRACoL or other modern print specifications and can't be used to directly modify an ICC profile such as one of the GRACoL variants.

There are a few different ways to handle this, I'll post more on this later when I'm in front of a proper keyboard rather than the phone.

C

ClairdJAuthor

Participating Frequently

Thank you.

NB, colourmanagement

Community Expert

@ClairdJ It would perhaps be worth having someone who has the software to do it edit the GRACoL2006_Coated1v2 profile to lower the TAC (inklimit). Perhaps the printer you plan to use has an edited version, or can provide you with a process they use and trust to achieve what they have requested ?

Its worth mentioning that RGB to CMYK isn't a simple push button process in the case of high gamut images, in case that’s what you are processing. Sometimes pre-comnversion optimisation can be more successful that a straight conversion. e.g. if RGB blues shift towards magenta in CMYK sometimes happens.

Viewing the image files on a calibrated screen, post-conversion, is something I'd definitely recommend.

I hope this helps

neil barstow colourmanagement - adobe forum volunteer,

colourmanagement consultant & co-author of 'getting colour right'

See my free articles on colourmanagement online

Help others by clicking "Correct Answer" if the question is answered.

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C

ClairdJAuthor

Participating Frequently

Thank you. Unfortunatley, the printer hasn't been able to offer an edited version.

Stephen Marsh

Community Expert

Thank you. Unfortunatley, the printer hasn't been able to offer an edited version.

By @ClairdJ

That sounds right. They ask you to convert to a profile that nominally delivers 320% (your link) or 340% (Adobe profile) and then ask you to limit this to 280% without providing any practical help! Sadly, this is pretty standard for the industry. As the service provider, they should either provide the correct ink limited profile, provide detailed instructions, or use an internal workflow with a device link profile to convert the standard incoming data to their required 280%, but that is wishful thinking.

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