Profiles
Soft Proof
Soft proof for large-format work starts with a screen that is not pushing blue too hard and a profile that matches the media in the printer. On FastJET, Stormjet, and Skywalker units, the on-screen preview is only useful when the RIP settings, ink set, and viewing light are checked against an actual printed sheet.
Screen-to-print check points
Soft proof only helps if the screen view relates sensibly to the print that comes off the machine. ColourRight uses soft proofing alongside ICC profiles, media behaviour and operator checks for large-format work in South Africa.
Matte vinyl, coated paper, and PVC banner stock do not reflect light the same way, so the screen cannot be judged in isolation. Inland sites around Johannesburg often need stricter monitor brightness control, while Durban humidity can shift how a fresh print appears in the first minutes after output. ColourRight uses those conditions when discussing ICC use, media behaviour, and what the operator should compare by eye.
A soft proof note is most useful when it sits next to the printer with the exact media name, pass mode, and resolution used for the sample. Teams can then compare a reprint to the same reference after cleaning, ink change, or a power interruption, instead of guessing from memory or a phone picture.
What to compare on screen
Look first at neutral greys, skin tones, and heavy brand colours that usually trigger complaints on site. A workable routine is one monitor view, one printed target, and one set of RIP settings kept together, because changing all three at once hides the real source of the shift.
Before expanding to other materials, check the matching ICC entry, the machine note, and any recent swatch result. Use the contact form with the printer model and media if the screen view keeps disagreeing with output from a FastJET, Stormjet, or Skywalker setup.
SA viewing conditions that matter
A print approved in an office can look different under mall lighting, workshop fluorescents, or direct afternoon sun during installation. Jobs moving through Crown Mines, Bellville, or Durban depots benefit from a viewing note that states where the colour decision was made, especially for blues, dark solids, and backlit work.
Coastal moisture can soften the first impression of density until the print settles, while Highveld dust makes regular screen and platen cleaning more important before judging colour. Load-shedding also affects consistency because a resumed run may not match the sheet used for the original soft proof unless the same RIP preset is reloaded and checked.
Operated by Astros Marketing (Pty) Ltd from 2 Makro Place, Sunnyrock 1401.
Soft proof notes to record
Record the monitor setting, viewing light, media code, and RIP preset used for the comparison. Mention any failed test, blocked nozzle, or recent cartridge change, because those details explain differences that an ICC profile alone cannot fix.
Keep the approved print sample with the calibration record and job paperwork while the settings are still fresh. When a client asks why the banner, decal, or poster looks different, that reference set gives a clearer answer than a screenshot on its own.
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