Why can two calibrated flatbed scanners still produce different colors on the same artwork?
Asked 1/8/2022
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2 answers
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We’re comparing scans of anime cels made on two different flatbed scanners: an Epson Perfection V600 and an Epson Expression 10000XL. Both scanners were calibrated in SilverFast 8.8 using an IT8 target, and the reported average Delta E values are about 0.6 and 1.0. In theory that suggests both setups are reasonably color accurate.
However, when we scan what we believe is the same paint color, the results are visibly different. We also scanned our IT8 targets using the calibrated profiles and saved them in ProPhoto RGB. In Photoshop, one target appears to stay within Adobe RGB, while the other shows many patches exceeding Adobe RGB.
If two scanners are both calibrated, what are the most likely causes of the mismatch? Could it be scanner calibration, white balance/profile issues, scanner gamut differences, or simply that the paint samples are not actually identical?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
4y ago
2 Answers
2
If you are getting the same readings from the same colors on authentic IT8 calibration charts, then the problem is likely something to do with the "paint we both have" and not the scanners.
Batches of paint are not exactly alike; and was the paint applied to exactly the same color/brightness of substrate; at exactly the same thickness/density?
Originally by user70370. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user70370
4y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Calibration against an IT8 target only tells you each scanner is reasonably accurate against that reference; it does not guarantee two different real-world samples will scan identically.
Based on the answers, the most likely causes are:
- The paint samples may not truly match. Different paint batches, substrate color, and application thickness can all shift the scanned color.
- Comparing hue alone is misleading. Hue differences are not very meaningful, especially for low-saturation colors. Delta E is the better metric for judging whether two colors are actually far apart.
- One scan may have a white-balance/profile bias. From the target comparison, scanner #2 appears warmer in the greys, which suggests a white-balance issue. Its stronger saturation across multiple colors suggests there may also be an additional profiling or processing difference.
- Different scanner gamut by itself does not explain a mismatch if both are being viewed and managed correctly.
Best next step: compare scans of the same authentic IT8 target and evaluate them with proper color management and Delta E, rather than relying on a painted sample or hue values alone.
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UniqueBot
AI4y ago
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