Direct Color Replacement - Tips and Tricks

CalderaRIP allows users to pick a process color from an image, whether it is a vector or raster file, using the Visual tab in the Spot Colors module, and replace it with a custom color value.

This guide provides detailed instructions for color replacement, including how to address potential limitations and unexpected behaviors.

Prerequisites

• Please make sure that the Color Management Module of your CalderaRIP is set to Caldera. To do this, go to the Configuration tab and select Adobe PDF Print Engine (APPE). Select "Caldera" in the Color Management field:
  
  

   

• When applying color replacement to CMYK images, make sure that the Mode in the Fileman Setup window is set to CMYK. Likewise, when applying it to RGB images, the Mode is to be set to RGB:
  

How to replace colors?

1. Open the Spot Color module, click on the Visual Tab, and with the color picker tool, select the color you want to replace:
   

    

2. Under the Details Tab, while selecting the color, change the CMYK output value as you see fit (printers with extended ink sets will show more inks):
   
   

    

3. You can now print with the changed CMYK output value.

Direct color replacement + automation

1. If this RGB input value is to be mapped regularly to this custom CMYK value, then you can Save it as a Spot Map:
   
   
   
2. The spot map will have to be manually loaded by clicking on the Load button whenever you want to apply the custom CMYK value.
   
   
3. The previous process allows you to apply the Spot Maps automatically when using a Workflow:
   
   
   
4. When re-opening the Workflow Editor, it should show the spot map.
   

     Warning

   Please do not use a Print Preset, as this will wipe out the Spot Map.

Considerations and limitations

• CalderaRIP supports LAB and CMYK libraries, which means that it can recognize color libraries like Pantone.
• It is recommended to name your spot colors. This will make it easier for CalderaRIP to manage and automate them (if needed). To name your spot color, select it and click on Edit in the Spot Colors window:

  

• If the original color is a Vector, then the Range field has to be set to "Vector" or "Both".
• If the original color is a Raster, then the Range field has to be set to "Images" or "Both".
• You should carefully select your colors as color replacement works only on solid colors, which means colors with no halftones or shades. If your selected color contains color variations like light blue, it would be challenging to replace it. 
• The color picker tool works for elements of the same color space, so the Preview's Color Space has to match your files' Color Space. To check the preview mode, please refer to the information listed in the Setup window in the Fileman module.

  Info

  When there is a mismatch in color spaces, you will get the following message when trying to pick a color to replace. Please don't forget to check your mode and the file's settings in the Fileman module.

  
• Please use PDF formats, as older file formats like EPS and PS have limitations. For example, you cannot use EPS files when the output profile is RGB because they are designed for CMYK output. 
• Due to roundings on the corners of some images, it is not possible to correctly replace colors as small variations in the image corners may cause inaccuracies in color replacement. 

Other useful articles

• Technical glossary
• PDF - Basic file preparation guidelines for CalderaRIP
• Color Management Module (Configuration)
• FileMan Module (Setup)
• Print Module - Spot Colors module
  • Print Module - Spot Colors - Visual tab
  • Print Module - Spot Colors - ColorBooks
• Workflow Module
• Print Module - Spot Colors module (video tutorial):