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Lexmark XM1145

Lexmark XM1145

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The manual color correction setting or RGB replacement and general-use guidelines

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Manual color correction (RGB color replacement)

Manual RGB color replacement provides additional color conversion tables besides those available in “Auto” Color Correction mode. This function swaps one RGB recipe from the application and replaces it with a custom RGB recipe.

Use when...

Do not use when...

  • Print media's reflective or physical properties affect color consistency.
  • Company logos or insignias must have a consistent appearance.
  • Your application supports RGB.
  • The full color spectrum displayed on a high-end monitor, as well as key technology differences between printers and monitors, may prevent exact color replication.
  • The use of s-RGB versus Adobe RGB versus CMYK and other color spaces.
  • Lighting conditions affect the appearance of the printed document.
  • The software program does not specify colors with RGB or CMYK combinations.
  • The software program or the computer operating system controls the adjustment of colors.
  • The color conversion tables applied to each object when Color Correction is set to "Auto" generate preferred colors for a majority of your documents.

An example using "Display True Black" with "Microsoft Word"

This procedure comprises three primary steps:

  1. Determine the source document's RGB values

  2. Enter source RGB values to determine the RGB color map from printed Color Samples

  3. Set desired RGB mappings

Suggestions before you begin

Check the following items before you resort to manual color correction.

Step

Action

Additional Information

1

For most Lexmark color laser printers, these factory-optimized values offer the best performance.

  • Print Mode = Color
  • Color Correction = Auto
  • Toner Darkness = 4
  • Color Saver = Off
  • RGB Brightness = 0
  • RGB Contrast = 0
  • RGB Saturation = 0
  • Color Balance Cyan = 0
  • Color Balance Magenta = 0
  • Color Balance Yellow = 0
  • Color Balance Black = 0

Revert back to these optimized settings and then try printing again.

Click here to view image.

2

Print the Print Quality Pages to look for abnormal color variation. Note: Do not print the Color Samples for this purpose.

If you detect noticeable problems with print quality, stop here and contactLexmark Technical Support for further diagnosis.

3

Verify the PS driver version and consider updating to the latest driver version.

How to Determine the Version of Your Installed Printer Driver if you are unsure how to check driver versions (Microsoft Windows and Macintosh only).

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Step 1: Determine the source document's RGB values (Microsoft Word Example)

If this color correction is needed throughout an organization, the device can be set to these same parameters from the display or the EWS.

Step

Action

1

Open the document.

2

Highlight the text.

3

Right-click on the highlighted text to open the text color palette, or you can click on the Text Color/ Fill Color icons in the header on the “Home” tab.

4

Click on More Colors.

5

Under the custom tab, take note of the RGB values.

See image here.

Step 2: Enter the source RGB values to determine the RGB color map from the printed Color Samples

This procedure will determine your replacement (OUT) values.

Step

Action

1

Utilize the application RGB values just captured from the application to print the variant color swatches.

To do this, open the printer's EWS and the navigate to Settings > Print Settings > Quality Menu >Color Samples > Detailed Options.

2

Select Display – True Black, and enter the RGB values obtained in Step 1-5 above.

NOTE:Display True Black turns the function on by element type: Graphic, Text, and Image. However, this setting is not recommended for Images unless there is a specific logo .jpg in the document that also requires color correction.

See sample image here.

3

Enter an increment value to establish your preferred color gradient levels on the individual swatches.

For example, a lower number will show more subtle deviations in color, whereas a higher number will show more pronounced color deviation between swatches.

4

Click Print.

5

Find the swatch that most closely matches the color displayed on your monitor and take note of these RGB values.

See image here.

183 (R), 160(G) and 203 (B)

Step 3: Set desired RGB mappings

Step

Action

1

Now that you have identified the best match on the color sample page, you are ready to the create the mappings on the device. Open Settings > Print Settings > Quality Menu > RGB Replacement

2

Enter the IN and OUT values.

Again, application RGB values (IN): 178,161,199

Swatch RGB values (OUT): 183,160,203

Click here to view RGB Replacement settings in EWS.

3

Click Submit and you will see Submitting Selection.

Windows activation

Step

Action

1

Select File and then Print.

2

Click on Properties.

Note: You can access Printing Preferences more than one way.

3

Click on the Print Quality tab.

Note: Quality tab (UPD users)

4

Click on More ColorOptions.

Note: Edit Color Correction for UPD users.

5

Click on Color Correction.

6

Change the Color Correction setting to Manual. At this point, the RGB options and CMYK options will be enabled for you to select the color conversion tables.

7

Under RGB Options, select Display True Black for Text and Graphics. This allows these options to be mapped to the same color conversion table.

Note:Images would only be selected if there's a specific .jpg logo or inserted image in the document that requires this color conversion.

Click OK several times after you have made your selections.

8

Click Print. If the printer output has not improved, repeat these steps and try additional color conversion tables.

Universal Print Driver illustration

Macintosh activation

This information provides instruction on how to change specific RGB or CMYK color conversion tables within the MacIntosh driver.

Step

Action

1

Click the double-arrows next to the word "Layout", and then select "Printer Features" from the drop-down menu.

2

Change Feature Sets to Manual Color. The RGBOptions and CMYK Options will be enabled for you to select the color conversion tables.

3

For this test, we would recommend that all of the RGB options (Images, Text, and Graphics) be mapped to the same color conversion table.

4

Click Print.

5

If the color output has not improved, repeat these steps, and try All of the possible color conversion tables.

EWS activation

Step

Action

1

Open the printer's EWS.

Note:  http://10.10.10.10, where 10.10.10.10 is the IP address of your printer.

2

Navigate to Settings > Print Settings > Quality Menu.

3

Next to Color Correction, change the default Auto setting to Manual.

4

Click on Manual Color. Select Display True Black for RGB Text, Graphics and Image as necessary.

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Adobe™ RGB and Adobe™ color printing recommendations

If color is not printing accurately with Adobe products or files, you can try any of the following (in no specific order):

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Additional "Color Correction" information

How does the printer know what color to print?

The print file is sent to the printer and contains...

And when received, the printer's "Auto" setting...

But, if the "Auto" setting fails...

Information describing type and color “space” for each object...

  • Processes how the type and color space is specified (RGB or CMYK) for each object...
  • Determines which color conversion table to use for each object...
  • Translates the color into appropriate amounts of CMYK needed to produce the desired color...

The driver "Color Correction" setting can provide the ability to select desired mapping of color conversion tables.

Important! More than one color conversion table can apply to a single document; e.g., one color conversion table for text and another for photographic images.

Which driver emulation is best for color?

The PostScript driver typically delivers optimal color output.

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Last resort

This should only be considered if the PostScript driver's Manual "Color Correction" options do not resolve the issue.

  1. Choose the color conversion table that was the best.

  2. Print theprinter's Color Samples for that color conversion table.

  3. Locate the color that you are trying to print.

  4. Follow the table below for suggestions.

If...

Then...

And...

The color is in the Color Samples...

Modify the color being specified in your software application to achieve the desired output...

You can also reference the User Guide and look for the topic, "How can I match a particular color (such as a corporate logo)?"

The color is not seen in the Color Samples...

It is likely that the color cannot be reproduced by the printer...

If you would like to receive verification that the printer cannot reproduce this color, you do have the option of escalating this issue with Lexmark Technical Support.

Requirements for an escalation are:

  • Printer Menus Settings page (Before and after test with print job)
  • Print Quality pages
  • Software nameand version
  • Printer Driver Type and Version
  • Operating System
  • Soft Copy of the file
  • Print to File (.prn file)
  • Hard Copy of Print Out

Still need help?

Please contact Lexmark if you need additional assistance. NOTE: When calling for support, make sure you have your printer machine type or model type and serial number (SN).

Please call from near the computer and printer in case the technician on the phone asks you to perform a task involving one or both of these devices.

LEGACY ID: HO3702

Audience: Lexmark and Support Partners only

Additional information

LEGACY ID: HO3702
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