ISO/IEC TR 29186:2012

Overview

ISO/IEC TR 29186:2012 - Information technology - Office equipment - Test method of colour gamut mapping algorithm for office colour softcopy and hardcopy - is a technical report that supplements CIE 156:2004. It provides a practical, standardized test method for evaluating colour gamut mapping algorithms used in office colour reproduction systems. The report defines the test charts, image-processing workflow, media, viewing conditions, measurements, colour spaces and experimental methods needed when office-equipment requirements differ from or are not covered by CIE 156:2004. It targets both colour softcopy (monitors such as CRT and LCD) and colour hardcopy (non‑impact printers like inkjet and electrophotography).

Key Topics and Requirements

• Test charts and assets: Defines standardized test images and charts to exercise gamut mapping algorithms for office workflows.
• Test chart image-processing workflow: Specifies steps for preparing, rendering and processing charts to ensure consistent evaluation.
• Media and viewing conditions: Describes physical media and viewing setups appropriate for office softcopy and hardcopy assessments.
• Measurements and experimental methods: Lays out measurement practices and experiment designs needed to quantify gamut mapping behavior.
• Colour spaces and representation: Specifies colour-space considerations relevant to office displays and printers where they differ from CIE 156:2004.
• Supplement to CIE 156:2004: Explicitly intended for cases not covered by, or different from, the CIE 156 recommendations.

(ISO/IEC TR 29186:2012 is distributed with PDF and test-chart assets; users are encouraged to print the document in colour for correct interpretation.)

Applications and Who Uses It

ISO/IEC TR 29186:2012 is valuable for professionals and organizations involved in colour management and office imaging:

• Printer and display manufacturers validating gamut mapping in firmware and drivers.
• Colour management engineers and software developers implementing gamut mapping algorithms or ICC profile workflows.
• Conformance and test laboratories performing reproducible tests on office equipment.
• Quality assurance and procurement teams comparing colour reproduction across devices.
• Standards bodies and researchers studying practical gamut mapping behavior in office environments.

Using this test method helps ensure predictable colour reproduction between monitors and printers, improves cross‑device consistency, and supports objective evaluation of gamut mapping strategies.

Related Standards

• CIE 156:2004 (primary reference and baseline for gamut mapping testing)
• Other colour management and colourimetry standards and ICC profile practices (for broader context and implementation)

Keywords: ISO/IEC TR 29186:2012, colour gamut mapping, gamut mapping algorithm, office equipment, softcopy, hardcopy, colour management, test method, CIE 156:2004, test charts, viewing conditions.