An Introduction to The Optimal Method
The Optimal Method is a groundbreaking print calibration technique that uses tone curves to match an ICC profile.
Join Charles and William as they deliver an encore presentation from Fall Conference 2022 about The Optimal Method. They will explain how the technique works using flowcharts and animations, plus give a live demonstration.
Chuck and Bill will also explain and demonstrate how PressCal—a free, open-source software—is used in implementing The Optimal Method and its most important features for flexographic printers as well as how it supports FIRST.
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About Our Presenters
Charles Spontelli, Bowling Green State University
Charles has worked in some facet of the printing industry his entire career. He is a graduate of Rochester Institute of Technology, with a Master of Science from the School of Printing. He is an associate professor emeritus at Bowling Green State University. Charles taught courses in printing technology and color applications.
Charles and William Birkett have collaborated on color calibration for printing research since 2003. William and Charles created the Colorimetric Tone Value which is now Spot Color Tone Value (SCTV), an ISO standard. Their color calibration research has evolved to become “The Optimal Method” for making calibration curves. These curves direct a printing process to optimally match any ICC or proprietary color reference.
William Birkett, Doppelganger LLC
William has engineering degrees from the University of Michigan. After a short stint in the automotive business, he started a prepress company, Precision Color Inc, which prospered for many years. He and a colleague, Charles Spontelli, got involved with print standards in 2003. Together, they developed a press calibration technique based on measurements of near-neutral colors. Since 2005, William has worked as a print quality consultant.
At the TAGA annual meeting in 2018, William and Charles introduced an improved calibration technique known as The Optimal Method. Since then, they’ve developed an open-source software tool, PressCal, to implement this improved technique. William is glad for the opportunity to apply his math and engineering skills to help the printing industry.