Lamar Graphics has incorporated the U.S. Web Coated SWOP v2 color profile into our workflow. We can now process any job set up in LamarFujiPictro or SWOP. This change in workflow should eliminate the vast majority of color issues from outside sources. Color management is a confusing subject to most of our customers. Taking our custom profile out of the mix simplifies the process greatly.

We will still be able to process LamarFujiPictro files. Our routing software looks at embedded profiles to determine how to proceed. If no profile is embedded, SWOP will be automatically assigned and then converted for printing. LamarFujiPictro files will continue to be processed as they are currently.

Specific advantages and changes are listed below.

How this effects you...

US Web Coated SWOP Workflow

You have the opportunity to completely change over to a SWOP workflow. If you are NOT a color management expert, you can now switch over to SWOP align with over 90% of the printing industry. This conversion should eliminate the possibility of color miss-matches when dealing with customer supplied files. SWOP is currently the default CMYK color profile in all major brands of graphic software. So if your clients don't know anything about color profiles or color management, they are working in SWOP. Ya! No more conversion problems, the playing field is level! 

Advantages:
1. Color conversion problems with agency art will virtually disappear.
2. You can now use the Pantone color libraries in Photoshop or Illustrator.
3. Color management is no longer a significant part of the design process. 
4. Realigns workflow to the majority of the printing industry.

Disadvantages:
1. Slightly reduced color gamut. (Similar to other grand format printers.)
2. Will require you to replace or convert any saved templates.

Lamar Fuji Pictro Workflow

If you are a color management expert and want to stay with the LamarFujiPictro workflow for your own art, you will now be responsible for EMBEDDING THE LAMARFUJIPICTRO PROFILE in any artwork you submit to Lamar Graphics. Our routing software recognizes embedded profiles and will process all files accordingly. Any "untagged" (CMYK files without an embedded profile) will be process as if it were a SWOP file.

Advantages:
1. A greater range of color and saturation.

Disadvantages:
1. Requires expert understanding of Color Management.
2. You are responsible for jobs printing wrong due to untagged images.
(All untagged files will be presumed to be SWOP documents.)

If you have any questions concering Lamar Graphics color managed workflows, please contact Prepress Director, Gregory Smith (gtsmith@lamar.com).