ISO 16760:2014

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 16760
First edition
2014-12-15
Graphic technology — Prepress data
exchange — Preparation and
visualization of RGB images to be used in
RGB-based graphics arts workflows
Technologie graphique — Échange de données pré-impression —
Préparation et visualisation d'images RGB à utiliser dans les flux de
travail des arts graphiques basés sur le RGB

Reference number
©
ISO 2014
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©  ISO 2014
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any
means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission.
Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
Case postale 56  CH-1211 Geneva 20
Tel. + 41 22 749 01 11
Fax + 41 22 749 09 47
E-mail copyright@iso.org
Web www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO 2014 – All rights reserved

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INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 16760
First edition
2014-12-15
Graphic technology — Prepress
data exchange — Preparation and
visualization of RGB images to be used
in RGB-based graphics arts workflows
Technologie graphique — Échange de données pré-impression —
Préparation et visualisation d’images RGB à utiliser dans les flux de
travail des arts graphiques basés sur le RGB
Reference number
©
ISO 2014
© ISO 2014
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form
or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on the internet or an intranet, without prior
written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below or ISO’s member body in the country of
the requester.
ISO copyright office
Case postale 56 • CH-1211 Geneva 20
Tel. + 41 22 749 01 11
Fax + 41 22 749 09 47
E-mail copyright@iso.org
Web www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO 2014 – All rights reserved

Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 RGB workflow overview . 3
4.1 General . 3
4.2 RGB Reference Images . 3
4.2.1 Configuration of RGB workflow . 3
4.2.2 Setup and calibration . 4
4.2.3 Operation procedure . 4
4.2.4 Highlight and shadow point adjustment . 5
4.2.5 Additional data requirements . 5
4.3 Print-simulation workflow . 6
4.3.1 Basic functions of print-simulation workflow . 6
4.3.2 Ways to achieve basic functions . 7
5 File format requirements . 8
5.1 Data delivery . 8
5.2 File format extensions . 8
5.2.1 General. 8
5.2.2 Tiff file . 8
5.2.3 JPEG (JFIF and EXIF) . . 9
5.3 XMP data for approval status.10
6 RGB Reference Prints .11
6.1 Colour measurement and viewing .11
6.2 RGB Reference Print requirements .11
6.2.1 Print substrate colour . . .11
6.2.2 Margin information .12
6.2.3 Print stability .12
6.2.4 RGB digital control strip .12
6.3 Regular checks of RGB Reference Printer .12
6.3.1 Colour requirements .12
6.3.2 Determining aim values .13
6.3.3 Reproduction of vignettes .13
6.3.4 Uniformity test . .13
Annex A (informative) Relationship between highlight and neutral tone value .15
Annex B (normative) Viewing condition .17
Annex C (normative) RGB Reference Print colour test chart .18
Annex D (informative) Key RGB workflow concepts .23
Annex E (informative) Example aim values for common rendering options .29
Annex F (normative) Media relative measurements .30
Annex G (normative) JPEG extension (JPEG-XT) marker segment .32
Bibliography .35
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of any
patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or on
the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www.iso.org/patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation on the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions related to conformity
assessment, as well as information about ISO’s adherence to the WTO principles in the Technical Barriers
to Trade (TBT), see the following URL: Foreword — Supplementary information.
The committee responsible for this document is ISO/TC 130, Graphic technology.
iv © ISO 2014 – All rights reserved

Introduction
This International Standard provides guidelines for image preparation and print simulation in a graphic
arts print workflow using RGB images (RGB workflow).
Digital still camera (DSC) images have now largely replaced film in the prepress stage of graphic arts
printing and most images printed originate from digital cameras. Standard document exchange using
PDF/X-4 and PDF/X-5 formats supports the use of RGB content and provides a ‘late binding’ printing
solution where colour conversion is performed only when the document is printed. In this way, all of the
original image data can be retained and the conversion for print can be optimised based on the original
image content, key image attributes, and the available press colour gamut. These standard document
formats provide an ideal framework for RGB workflow.
The current best practice for image preparation is to view and adjust images on display. When RGB
images are adjusted, proofing mode is selected for a reference printing condition and a calibrated
monitor is used. In this way, users can see an accurate preview of the printed result. This workflow is
shown in Figure 1.
This document
was made to show
how RGB Workflow
should work.
Figure 1 — Current best practice RGB workflow
There are a number of limitations in this workflow:
— Although it is possible to set up a calibrated monitor and viewing environment defined by
Adobe RGB (1998) Colour Image Encoding or ISO/IEC 61966-2-1, it is not usually the case that
all stakeholders have a calibrated monitor and the same viewing conditions. In the proposed
RGB workflow, an RGB Reference Print can be shared easily among stakeholders.
— For inexperienced users, critical colour judgement on screen is harder than on print and so the
resulting colour might not be what the user desires. The proposed RGB workflow is described for
both experts and inexperienced users.
— The intended printing condition needs to be communicated to every stakeholder by independent
means and all users need to know how to set up a viewing environment appropriate to the printing
condition. In the proposed RGB workflow, the intended printing condition is included as metadata
with the image.
— The approval status of an image is not clearly shown. In the proposed RGB workflow, the approval
status is included as metadata with the image.
The proposed RGB workflow addresses these limitations as shown in Figure 2. In this RGB workflow,
candidate images are printed on an RGB Reference Printer that has been calibrated to produce an
accurate simulation of the intended printing condition. These printed images are checked in a controlled
print viewing environment and, if necessary, further adjustments are made until the intended print
result is achieved. When RGB image files are created and checked in this way, metadata that describes
the intended printing condition and the image approval status is added.
CaptureImage preparation Documentcreation and printing
Calibrated to simulate
intended printing
condition
Digital
printer
R’G’B’
Digitalcamera RGB
RGB Reference Image Document Conventional
scene capture Reference
Printcreation approved? creation press
and rendering Image
Digital
press
Add Output intent metadata
Add reference
Retouch
corresponding to
printer’sOutputIntent
intended print condition
Other
Figure 2 — RGB workflow from scene to printing via RGB image data
Careful preparation of RGB images holds the key to a successful RGB workflow. There are a number of
aspects to consider when preparing images for print, including the identification of image high
...