Study of Inkjet Print Quality Using Colourinnetry and Principal Components Analysis

In the research, quality of prints made with inkjet printer Canon ImagePROGRAF W8400 using two different papers, matt coated and glossy photo paper, was determined. In addition, the impact of Wasatch softRIP settings draft and high on print quality was investigated. Software package Profile Maker 5.0.8 was employed for the creation of ICC colour profiles for both printing quality settings and both papers. For quality assessment of ICC profiles, a test chart with colour patches located within printer colour gamut was made by the open source program ArgylICIVIS. Test chart was printed with different colour profiles and then measured. Quality of prints was assessed by means of colour difference equation Delta E-ab* and multivariate statistical tool principal component analysis. The results have shown that the RIP settings have no influence on print quality when glossy photo paper was used as a substrate. Final prints made on matt coated paper are of acceptable quality, although they possess a slightly smaller colour gamut when compared to the prints made on glossy photo paper. This is a consequence of different paper structure, however matt paper can accept larger amount of ink than glossy but also gives less saturated prints.