RAL CLASSIC COLOUR DATA 2.

What colour value does a specific RAL-colour have?

In this program the colour values of the classic RAL colours are indicated in HLC, Lab, RGB and CMYK.
Thus one can work in numerous programs with the RAL colours, regardless of whether a RGB-, CMYK- or
Lab entry is possible.

The achieved quality is specified (*** = good approximation, * = not as good approximation).

Lab and HLC-values

The colour values are to be used when the insertion is possible with the use of colour managment, in
other words when high quality profile files for the desired output setting are available as well as the Lab- or
HLC- entry in the user program.

The colour values of the CIELAB-models (Lab and HLC) are coordinates independant of technology, that
can clearly and exactly define a colour (on the other hand how the RGB colour values look depends on
the output device). The following parameters were used for measurement:

 Datacolor SF600, Firmware :V9.15

 Geometry:d/8°
 with UV inclusion
 Measurement type: Remission 400-700nm, Intervallbreite 10nm
 Date: 04-2006
 Norm light D65
 10° normal observer according to CIE 1964
 Gloss inclusion/ without gloss inclusion

The spectral data were transformed into Lab/HLC values according to CIE 1964: 10° observer, light type
D65.

These parameters are compatible with sRGB-standards. They can be used as the basis of software
supported colour conversions.

In the last years the CIELAB-colour model has gained entry in numerous software products. Programs in
which the input of Lab-colour values is possible are for example Adobe Photoshop, or the Corel graphic
package. Apple ColorSync integrates Lab-colours in the Macintosh operating system. The CIELAB
coordinates are converted into RGB- or CMYK-colour values for the output device via profile files (ICC-
Profile), which reproduces the idiosyncrasies of the respective output.

HLC-colour values are a simple conversion of the cartesian coordinates L, a and b in the polar coordinates
hue, lightness and chroma. The HLC colour values of the RAL DESIGN systems are conceivable as a
distorted double cone. HLC colour values are not to be confused with the HSB-model (Hue/ Saturation/
Brightness), common in computer programs that is also represented in a conical form but results out of a
linear conversion of the RGB-colour values.

RGB values (Trinitron)

The values represented here are based on a lithographic measurement (Crosfield Celsis drum scan) and,
if applicable, handmade corrections.

The following calibrated monitor-graphic card-system was used during the process:

 Monitor Miro DX 21Proofscreen

 True Color (24 Bit)
 Graphic card Matrox Mystique
 Software Adobe Photoshop
 Artificial light D65 (6500 °K); Daylight midafternoon cloudy sky

Note that this process was implemented in 1995. It resulted in a good colour conformity to Trinitron-
Systems of that times. Newer Trinitron-monitors were matched with the sRGB-standard, so that the sRGB-
variation is to be used here.

Standard-RGB-values (sRGB)

These colour values were established in 2002 from the CIELAB colour values during which a high quality
software solution was implemented.
sRGB was implemented as a standardized RGB in order to improve the varying RGB outputs on different
output devices. This variation is to be used normally with the output from printers, computers, etc. Hereby
the most sensible colour quality can be obtained on most output devices as the output is mostly optimized
for sRGB colour values.

The visual comparison revealed that, on most monitors, the results correspond well with the original colour
patterns. Especially the flourescent colours for which the colour intensity can not be reproduced by even
the best monitors (see ”Quality”) are an exception to this (for example flourescent light red, flourescent
orange).

For an optimal representation of the sRGB colours the following conditions apply:

Target gamma 2,2

Monitor white 6500 °K
Monitor phosphorus HDTV Standard (CCIR 709)

CMYK for artprint, natural paper, newsprint

During the processing of the CMYK-colour values for various print procedures it turns out that handwork
delivers better results than conversions via colour management programs. Therefore the CMYK-colour
values were matched by hand. The CMYK colour atlases of the Huber-group (artprint and newsprint) and
the process colour fans from FLINTSCHMIDT (natural paper) were applied.

The achieved accuracy of 5 or 10% initially seems relatively rough. However, keep in mind on that score,
that the print results in most colour areas are quite stable. It is much more sensitive to diversions from the
following parameters:

 Euroscale artprint on paper with a matt coated finish

 elliptical screen 54 lines/cm (=137 lpi)
 Screen angle 15/45/75/105°
 Dot gain in the 40% field: 18%

 Euroscale offset print on uncoated natural paper

 elliptical screen 48 lines/cm (=137 lpi)
 Screen angle 15/45/75/105°
  Euroscale offset print on newsprint
 elliptical screen 34 lines/cm (=137 lpi)
 Screen angle 15/45/75/105°

RAL CLASSIC Test pages (pdf)

Hereby the output quality of the colour values, in other words the conformity with the original colour tones,
can be tested. The file contains 194 RAL CLASSIC colours (no pearl colours) in the optimized colour value
for the respective output situation.

Tip: If you want an optimized ouput of the colours on a colour printer, initially test an output of the sRGB-
variations (first test page in the pdf). Numerous (especially newer) models were conformed to the sRGB
standard..

The Adobe Acrobat Reader opens with a double click, the variations are available on individual pages in
the pdf-document.

The RAL DIGITAL product

The "large" software RAL DIGITAL integrates c. 2000 RAL colours (RAL CLASSIC and RAL DESIGN)
directly into the most important colour design programs. The RAL colours were separately optimized for c.
80 known ouput devices and processes and processed for RAL-colour palettes for numerous programs
(Grafik, Layout, CAD).

The use of RAL-colour palettes is very easy: You are working with your design program (e.g. CorelDRAW!,
AutoCAD, ALLPLAN/ALLPLOT). You pull up the RAL-colour palette optimized for your device, and the
RAL-colours are available to you in the colour functions of the program.

RAL DIGITAL is implemented in all areas in which practical colour planning is being dealt with whether it is
for the artist, architect, or graphic designer. Original colour fans, supplemental programs and a detailed
handbook will support you with the colour design, consultation, and the calibration of your devices.
RAL DIGITAL is the basis of a colour planning which functions not only on the computer, but in practice as
well.

You can find further information in the index "RAL DIGITAL" and at http://www.ral-digital.de

Further remarks

Licenser

RAL Deutsches Institut für Gütesicherung und Kennzeichnung e.V.

Siegburger Straße 39, 53757 Sankt Augustin

Tel. 02241-1605-30, Fax 02241-1605-16

http://www.ral-colours.de, http://www.ral.de

Manufacturer and Licensee

dtp studio, Grünteweg 31, 26127 Oldenburg

http://www.dtpstudio.de, info@dtpstudio.de

Trademark rights remark

RAL, RAL DESIGN System and RAL DIGITAL are nationally and internationally registered trademarks of the

RAL Deutsches Institut für Gütesicherung und Kennzeichnung e.V., Sankt Augustin

Copyright

This software is subject to the regulations of the copyright laws of Germany.

The software cannot be changed, copied, or distributed without the permission of the copyright owner.

© dtp studio 2006