Color match across 2 different machines...

[Caffeine]

Question for those who run multiple machines...

I know that the color output of two different machines (ESPECIALLY if they are different models with different controllers) can vary quite a bit, even if they're both calibrated.

But would you expect there to be much of a difference between a DocuColor 252 (bustled Fiery) and a WorkCentre 7775 (WITH the optional EFI Fiery)?

Although different models, they are at least mechanically the same, and use the same toner, so if I add the Fiery to my 7775 machines, and keep it calibrated with the ES-1000 spectrophotometer just like I do for my 252, would the output be similar enough to split large jobs up between the two with reasonably decent matching?

(I currently use my 7775s mostly as B&W machines, because they are fast and look great, and my 252s for color.)

Thanks for any input you may have!

[nicko6113]

Re: Color match across 2 different machines...

theoretically they should look the same. but there is always slight variations from device to device.

[Caffeine]

Re: Color match across 2 different machines...

theoretically they should look the same. but there is always slight variations from device to device.

That's what I was thinking. Thanks for the info.

Since they would both be Fiery driven, and are hardware & toner identical, do you think the variation would be the typical machine-to-machine variation, or worse than that since they have two different Fiery's on them (both System 8, though...) and are technically different machines (one a DocuColor, one a WorkCentre).

Thanks again!

[nicko6113]

Re: Color match across 2 different machines...

i would guess it does not matter if its a different fiery. the calibration is supposed to make them all the same. so long as the print settings are also identical.

[Caffeine]

Re: Color match across 2 different machines...

i would guess it does not matter if its a different fiery. the calibration is supposed to make them all the same. so long as the print settings are also identical.

Thanks!

[Phil B.]

Re: Color match across 2 different machines...

Question for those who run multiple machines...

I know that the color output of two different machines (ESPECIALLY if they are different models with different controllers) can vary quite a bit, even if they're both calibrated.

But would you expect there to be much of a difference between a DocuColor 252 (bustled Fiery) and a WorkCentre 7775 (WITH the optional EFI Fiery)?

Although different models, they are at least mechanically the same, and use the same toner, so if I add the Fiery to my 7775 machines, and keep it calibrated with the ES-1000 spectrophotometer just like I do for my 252, would the output be similar enough to split large jobs up between the two with reasonably decent matching?

(I currently use my 7775s mostly as B&W machines, because they are fast and look great, and my 252s for color.)

Thanks for any input you may have!

It might not be spot on... one is a business color and the other is a production model

[Caffeine]

Re: Color match across 2 different machines...

It might not be spot on... one is a business color and the other is a production model

Right, but in my scenario they'd both using a Fiery, and they are mechanically the same machine.

I would never expect a DocuColor 252 (with Fiery) and a WorkCentre 7775 (using the built-in Xerox controller) to be even close to each other. I can do that test right now, I have both models, and it is a TERRIBLE match... haha

The Xerox controller, vs. a Fiery, is the only thing that makes the 7775 a "business color" machine, though. Those two models are identical hardware otherwise.

My curiosity was, if you bypass the "business color" Xerox controller and put a Fiery on the 7775, how decent of a match it'd be to a 252 with Fiery.

Based on this discussion, I think I'm going to go ahead and pick up a 7775 Fiery and try it out. I'll post my results.

My HOPE is that the difference between 252 (with Fiery) and 7775 (with Fiery) is no worse than two 252's.

It'd just give my 7775 a bit more usable life. I currently only use it for B&W, which it does well, but I wouldn't mind using it for color overflow, if the match is acceptable enough.

[exCSER]

Re: Color match across 2 different machines...

Another thing to consider would be the age of some of the hardware and developer. Although they can theoretically maintain the same quality thru drum and developer life, to expect different machines to always give identical output isn't reasonable if they run different volumes. You may get lucky, but there are a lot of variables besides the front end and calibration. Just my 2 cents.

[Caffeine]

Re: Color match across 2 different machines...

Another thing to consider would be the age of some of the hardware and developer. Although they can theoretically maintain the same quality thru drum and developer life, to expect different machines to always give identical output isn't reasonable if they run different volumes. You may get lucky, but there are a lot of variables besides the front end and calibration. Just my 2 cents.

Appreciate it, thanks!

Yeah, that's the kind of real world difference I would "expect" from even two identical machines. My main curiosity was whether if, being different models, they would have MORE difference than that, or if their behavior would be more similar to two same-model machines since they do share all the same mechanics and toner, and are both being run by a Fiery.

For example, I'd expect a fair amount of difference between Konica Minolta C6000 and a DC252, even if both run by Fiery, because their toners and everything are so different. Even if the colors are pretty comparable thanks to the Fiery, the more subjective "feel" of them would probably be pretty different I think.

Thanks again!

[xcopytech]

Re: Color match across 2 different machines...

7755 with fiery can have almost same print quality as dc242 with fiery.
First thing is that machine is adjusted. Then you have to calibrate fiery.
Also you can create special color profile and then your print from wc7755 and from dc242 will be same.

[exCSER]

Re: Color match across 2 different machines...

I'm working on the high speed Xerox B&W printers in an account that has a C6000 and a C452 both with Fierys and the color is vastly different between the two, so it will be interesting to see how this works out for you. Let us all know.

Good luck to you,

Don

[xcopytech]

Re: Color match across 2 different machines...

C452 is office machine.
C6000 is press quality machine.
Wc7755 and dc242 are almost identical.
So with proper adjustment you can have almost sane print quality at 7755 and 242

[Caffeine]

Re: Color match across 2 different machines...

I'm working on the high speed Xerox B&W printers in an account that has a C6000 and a C452 both with Fierys and the color is vastly different between the two, so it will be interesting to see how this works out for you. Let us all know.

Good luck to you,

Don

I'll post back what I find. Thanks!

I'm not too familiar with Konica Minolta (I just used that as an example... haha) but in that case, I'm pretty sure the c6000 and c452 are pretty different categories of machine... In my case (DC252 and WC7775) they are actually the same machine, same toner, same drums, same everything once you put a Fiery on it. They're just "branded" differently. (If you don't put a Fiery on the 7775, and use the default Xerox controller, it would be different output, though, because the RIPs don't match.)