1. Target Practice Makes Perfect A Guide for Color Management in Digitization Labs
Good Afternoon, My name is Derek Rankins. I am the Digitization Lab Manager at the Harry Ransom Center. My presentation today outlines the challenges I faced and solutions I found while redeveloping HRC’s digitization workflows.
I created this presentation bearing in mind that I wanted it to be used as a resource and guide so It will be posted online after this conference, but I can also it to anyone if needed.

2. Why is color management important?
So the question is, why is color management important?
Its because we want to produce a faithful and accurate representation of the object being digitized.

3. Here we have a digitized image of a Carte de Visite and the question is how do you identify what a faithful representation is, or better yet, how do you train a student worker to identify this?

4. Color Incorrect Color Correct
Here is a comparison of the image showing the incorrect color on the left and the faithful representation on the right.
Without seeing the difference sometimes it is difficult to identify and student workers tend to trust what the scanner gives them.
Color Incorrect
Color Correct

5. How do you manage color?
So. How do you manage color?

6. Reflective Materials: Transparent Materials:
Color Space and File Format:
Archival scans require 24 bit, Adobe RGB 1998, and Uncompressed TIFF
Web use derivatives require SRGB and JPEG at desired size
Printed Materials:
400ppi for all materials larger than 3” x 5”
800ppi for all materials smaller than 3” x 5”
Photographic Prints:
600ppi for all materials larger than 3” x 5”
1200ppi for all materials smaller than 3” x 5”
Books:
400ppi for all books when open larger than 3” x 5”
800ppi for all books when open smaller than 3” x 5”
Transparent Materials:
Color Space and File Format:
Archival scans require 24, bit Adobe RGB 1998, and Uncompressed TIFF
For B&W Film use 8 bit Grayscale and Uncompressed TIFF
Web use derivatives require SRGB and JPEG at desired size
35mm Film ppi
120mm Film ppi
4”x5” Film ppi
5”x7” Film - 900ppi
8”x10” Film - 600ppi
First things first. Identify your standards.
Here we have our basic guidelines for scanning our materials.

7. Epson 11000XL Flatbed Scanner I2S Digibook Quartz Planetary Scanner
Identify your equipment.
Here we have the 3 most common types of scanners I see being used. They are the Epson 11000XL, Digibook planetary scanners, and Digital Transitions reprographic systems.
Our lab currently has two Digibooks and multiple Epson’s.
Epson 11000XL Flatbed Scanner
I2S Digibook Quartz Planetary Scanner
Digital Transitions Reprographic System

8. Set your environment to your equipment.
On the left we have a reprographic style system that requires low light.
On the right we have a lab with Epson 11000XL’s that does not require low light.
The challenge sometimes lies with having both in one room.
Know your system and adjust your environment accordingly.

9. Set your equipment to your environment.
Once you have set your environment. Do not change the lighting. Consistency is key for standardizing your system.
Adjust your computers to the same settings.
I go through and set up all the computers together. Beginning with the most important things such as monitor settings, but also cleaning up the computer programs, shortcuts, and programs pinned to the taskbar so that each computer is set up exactly the same.

10. X-Rite Color Munki Display
Calibrate your monitors.
I recommend the X-Rite I-1 Display Pro or the X-Rite Color Munki Display.
If you cant afford calibration try to get all the same monitors and standardize the settings as mentioned before in the previous slide.
X-Rite I-1 Display Pro
X-Rite Color Munki Display

11. Calibrate your scanners.
Calibrate your scanners. The older Digibooks are calibrated by using an X-Rite Color Target, but the Newer ones have automatic calibration. The Digital Transitions Reprographic systems have preset profiles and allow custom profiles as well. These systems when purchased provide hands on training form the company.
Most of our production at the Harry Ransom Center is done on Epson 11000XL’s. Calibrating them can be done through the Silverfast software. We use the standard Epson Scan software. I am still trying to find a way to profile our Epsons and still use the Epson Scan software however I haven't found that solution yet.

12. Set your scanner settings.
Once everything is calibrated you want to set your scanner settings for the correct output and save these settings as templates or user profiles for ease of use.

13. Speed Priority and Trimming off Adjustments all unchecked
Here we have the Epson Scan interface which is the same for the V600, V700, V750,V800, V850 as well as the 10000XL and the 11000XL.
On the far left I have the Image Type and Target Size sections expanded so you can see that Speed Priority is unchecked and Trimming is Off.
The next one to the right I expanded the Adjustments section so you can see that all adjustments are unchecked.
The next two I included to show my naming system at the top and to show that even though my materials change I do not adjust anything. I want my scans no matter what the material to have no adjustments made to them in the scanning software.
Speed Priority and Trimming off
Adjustments all unchecked
Archival Color Neg
Archival B&W Neg

14. File Save Settings Configuration
Check the file save settings and make sure you are saving Tiffs.
The byte order is set to your computer type whether it is Windows or Mac.
There is no compression
Embed ICC Profile is ON.
Next go to configuration and under the Color tab you should have Color Sync selected.
The Source as Epson Standard.
The target as Adobe RGB.
File Save Settings
Configuration

15. Main Panel Default Settings Correct Settings
The last thing to change is on the main panel. Select Histogram Adjustment. It is circled in red on the first image.
The default settings are adjusted slightly. The correct settings is to remove these adjustments.
Once you have made these changes save them as a user profile on the main panel under the name section.
Main Panel
Default Settings
Correct Settings

16. Standardize all settings.
In repetition I would like to repeat and re-emphasize and encourage you to standardize all settings if possible.
Set up your hardware and software with templates, user settings, and profiles so that no matter who uses the equipment the settings will stay the same.

17. Kodak Gray Scale and Color Control Patches
ColorGauge Pico Target
Targets.
Last but not least. Use Targets. Here we have a variety of common color charts and targets.
After months of conversations and searching the web we settled on the bottom right AIC PhD Target which is extremely tiny. We had to remove a small pin on the target and then attached them to our Epson Scanners so that we never have to move them.
Understanding that not all institutions can afford the technology for color management, a target can allow for color correction to take place after digitization instead of before.
That being said color management in the workflow is best practices and prevents a lot of tedious work in post production.
X-Rite Color Checker – Color Rendition Chart
Golden Thread Object Level Target
X-Rite Color Checker – Passport
AIC PhD Target

18. Digitization Standards:
FADGI:
NARA:
ALA:
IFLA:
DLF:
SAA:
LOC:
The remaining slides in my presentation are the resources for my information.
Here we have resources for digitization standards.

19. Scanners: Flatbed Reflective Scanners
Epson 11000XL:
Plustek A300:
Flatbed Film Scanners
Epson V850:
Hasselblad Flextight X1:
Planetary and Reprographic Systems
Digibook:
Digital Transitions:
Zeutschel:
Duplex Scanners
Fujitsu FI-6670:
Fujitsu FI-6110:
Resources for different types of scanners.

20. Monitor Calibration: Basic Systems Advanced Systems
X-Rite I1 Display Pro :
X-Rite ColorMunki Display:
Spyder5 Pro:
Advanced Systems
X-Rite I1 Display Pro Bundle :
X-Rite ColorMunki Display Bundle:
Spyder5 Pro Bundle:
Resources for monitor calibration.

21. Scanner Calibration:
X-Rite:
Silverfast:
RP Imaging:
Vue Scan:
Purdue:
Lens Craft:
ScanDig:
About.com:
Resources for scanner calibration.

22. Color Charts and Targets:
AIC PHD Targets:
Image Science and Associates:
X-Rite Color Checker Classic Card:
X-Rite Color Checker Passport Photo:
Kodak Color Separation Guide and Gray Scale:
Lasersoft/Silverfast IT8 Target:
Resources for Color charts and targets.

23. Imaging Software:
Adobe Photoshop CC:
Adobe Acrobat:
Image Magick:
GIMP:
ACDSEE:
Scan Tailor:
Bulk Rename Utility:
Metamorphose:
Carbon Copy Cloner:
And resources for various Imaging Software.

24. Thank You
Thank You