Ricoh InfoPrint Pro C900AFP InfoPrint Manager - Page 246

Because color images must contain data about each layer of color, the file might contain three to four times more information than a grayscale file and over 24 times more information than a black and white file. In addition, ICC profiles are embedded in some file types (such as TIFF images). While ICC profiles by themselves might not be very large, they do increase the size of an image. If you only have one image repeated throughout a print job, and if you construct your job so the image is downloaded only once, the embedded profile is of little concern. However, if you use a variety of different images, each with an embedded profile, or if you construct your print job so that each image is downloaded every time it appears, the embedded profiles can add unnecessary volume to the print job. If you plan to use a wide variety of color images, create or save them with the same color space so they all use the same ICC profile. You can also install color images in a resource library so they can be reused. Grayscale printing concepts With grayscale printing you can reproduce color images as high-quality black and white images by using many shades of gray to represent subtle variations in color and light. Printing solutions that produce high-quality grayscale output use color printing concepts with a black and white printer that supports them to achieve that effect. Moving to grayscale printing might be a first step in a migration to full color printing. You can start to create color print jobs and print them on an existing printer until you are ready to invest in color printers. In addition, you can use a grayscale printer as a backup system for a full color printer. Some color concepts are much less important in grayscale printing than they are in color printing: v The gamut of a black and white printer is much smaller than that of a color printer; essentially all the colors in an image must be adjusted. v The rendering intent you choose has little effect on the appearance of the image because the colors are already being changed significantly. v Page registration is less important. Because the printer only uses one color, you do not have to line up the color planes to create the correct color. v Paper characteristics have minimal effect on grayscale output; one output profile is usually adequate for all types of paper. Other color concepts are more essential to grayscale printing. Color spaces and ICC profiles The color space of a black and white printer is much smaller than that of a color printer. Even so, printers that can print grayscale images have output ICC profiles, just like color printers. The ICC profiles for black and white printers map colors from the profile connection space (PCS) to shades of gray. Otherwise, the color conversion process is the same. The print job should specify the appropriate input profile; if there is no input ICC profile, the printer uses a reasonable default. The printer has its own default ICC profile installed and available; it should be adequate for nearly all print jobs. 228 InfoPrint Manager for Windows: Procedures