HCT Precision Scanner Targets

Overview
The HutchColor HCT is a high-precision, individually-measured ICC profiling target for demanding scanner and camera users. With about twice as many patches, a better sampling of dark colors and three times as many gray scale steps as standard IT8.7/1 and IT8.7/2 targets, the HCT can characterize cameras and scanners more accurately, especially in rich colors and dark shadows.

Benefits
For scanner operators the HCT yields more precise color and tonal accuracy, especially in richly-saturated colors and very dark shadows. This translates into more precise scans and better correction of underexposed originals.

For Photographers the HCT provides a much higher dynamic range and wider color gamut than typical camera targets, allowing a greater portion of the camera's color space to be characterized.

Limitations
The amount of improvement can be influenced by scanner setup, viewing conditions, subject matter and user-expectations.

As with all camera targets, HCT profiles are optimized for the dyes or colorants in the target itself. If the subject matter's colorants have different spectral curves, accuracy may be limited by "metamerism failure", for which there is no simple solution except manual editing in Photoshop.

Flatbed (CCD) scanners with serious optical flare or uneven illumination may show less improvement than drum scanners, however high-end flat-bed scanner users report significantly improved results compared to profiling with an IT8 target.