Supported File Formats

This section describes the file formats and image types that are supported when using the Color Sample Matching function.
Color Sample Matching supports document data that fulfills the following conditions simultaneously:
  • PDF files using CMYK color spaces. PDF files containing special colors, RGB, grayscale, or DeviceN are not supported.
  • PDF files with one of the following versions:
    • PDF1.3 (Acrobat 4.x) to PDF1.6 (Acrobat 7.x)
    • PDF1.7 Adobe Extension Level 3 (Acrobat 9.x)
    • PDF1.7 Adobe Extension Level 8 (Acrobat X)
    • PDF/X-1a
    • PDF/X-3
    • PDF/X-4
  • PDF files with embedded fonts

Color Sample Matching might fail in the following cases even if the preceding conditions are fulfilled:

  • An image is entirely filled in a solid color and comprises no gradation or edge.Image filled in a solid color
  • An image comprises a design of line symmetry or rotation symmetry.Image comprising a design of line symmetry or rotation symmetry
  • The same image is imposed repeatedly.
  • The page comprises many characters and line drawings.
  • The page comprises an extreme color scheme, such as mainly containing colors of a specific color family.
  • The page is covered entirely by a fine pattern.
  • The sample size is too small.
  • The color gamut covered by the target printer is too small.
  • There is a difference between the number of inks used for printing the hard copy sample and the number of inks used for printing the reference sample. For example, the hard copy sample is printed using a printer with 4-color inks and the reference sample is printed on a printer with 7-color inks.
  • There is a color difference between the paper used for printing the hard copy sample and the paper loaded in the target printer used for the reference sample.

When using a color chart for Color Sample Matching, the area outside the color patches that comprises the color chart is also subject to the effect of color matching.

Parent topic: Workflow Overview