How to Create Color Test Charts

April, 2005
In order to properly evaluate equipment, you need the right tools for the job. When it comes to screen profiling, printer profiling, soft proofing, and similar colour management endeavours, there are a number of useful test files available. Some are free, some are available for download, and some come with various books and programs. But there are two mathematically-derived test charts you can make yourself that are both useful and consistent from user to user. All that's needed to create them is a copy ofPhotoshop.
In the weeks and months ahead, I will be writing a new series of articles on the topics of colour management, profiling, inkjet printing, soft proofing and the like. To learn from these articles and to apply that knowledge to your own work, you will require access to certain test charts.
Here then are the instructions for creating those charts. If you are printing and profiling currently with a colour managed workflow, you may find these to be of immediate valu...