Profiles
Lab Day
Lab Day is set aside for measured test prints, spectro reads, and side by side comparisons before anyone touches a live run. It suits South African large-format teams using FastJET, Stormjet, or Skywalker machines where media choice, ink set, and environment can shift colour quickly.
Controlled reads before production
Lab Day focuses on controlled profile testing, reading and comparison before settings are taken onto live production. It is for South African print teams who want cleaner colour decisions on large-format work.
Start with one media, one resolution, and one ink limit so the comparison means something. In Gauteng, dust and dry air can change static and dot spread, while Durban humidity can shift drying and density on the same file. A proper Lab Day keeps those variables written down with the target settings, not guessed later from memory.
Record the printer state before the first chart is printed. That means nozzle check, head height, heater values, pass mode, and the exact cartridge set in the machine. When a profile is reviewed weeks later, those notes explain why a chart read cleanly or why a second round was needed.
What gets documented on Lab Day
The output is not just an ICC file. Lab Day should leave you with chart readings, the chosen print mode, media identification, and the limits that held together under repeat testing. For production teams, that record matters when the same vinyl or banner stock lands from a different batch.
Use Lab Day to compare a new profile against earlier settings from Profiles, a matching machine note from Presses, and reference patches from Swatches. Before sending details through the contact form, note the printer model, RIP, media and pass count.
- Single-media tests with fixed settings
- Nozzle checks logged before chart printing
- Cartridge notes tied to machine state
SA variables worth recording
Johannesburg winter dryness, Cape Town weather swings, and Durban moisture all affect how test charts behave on large-format media. Add power interruptions, overnight temperature change, and stock from different suppliers, and the same nominal setup may not read the same on two days. Lab Day works best when those conditions are captured next to the profile name.
Coastal shops may need closer attention to drying, curing, and re-read consistency after the first chart set. Inland sites often see more dust around sensors, capping, and media handling, which can show up as weak channels or uneven patches. These are not side issues during profiling because they change the validity of the measurements.
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Notes to bring into testing
List the media brand, width, coating type, RIP settings, and any failed result from the previous attempt. Include whether the aim is replacement matching, cleaner neutrals, reduced ink load, or a safer production mode for daily work.
Keep the printed charts, spectro readings, and final settings together while the machine state is still fresh. When a buyer or operator queries the result later, that file shows what was measured, which version was approved, and what should be repeated on the next test day.
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