ISO 17972-3:2017

Graphic technology - Colour data exchange format (CxF/X) - Part 3: Output target data (CxF/X-3)

ISO 17972-3 defines an exchange format for target input values, colour and process control data relating output targets for printers of all types (and the associated metadata necessary for its proper interpretation) in electronic form. ISO 17972-3 includes the use of a CustomResource element within the CXF framework to define a minimum set of data for exchange and identify the data as being part of the ISO 12642 series. If this same framework is used for another defined target, provision is made for that use as well.

Technologie graphique — Échange des données de couleur en utilisant CxF — Partie 3: Données cibles sortantes

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 04-Oct-2017
• ICS: 35.240.30 - IT applications in information, documentation and publishing
• ICS: 37.100.99 - Other standards related to graphic technology
• Technical Committee: ISO/TC 130 - Graphic technology
• Drafting Committee: ISO/TC 130/WG 2 - Prepress data exchange
• Parallel Committee: ISO/TC 6/SC 2 - Test methods and quality specifications for paper and board
• Current Stage: 9093 - International Standard confirmed
• Start Date: 08-Mar-2023
• Completion Date: 13-Dec-2025

Overview

ISO 17972-3:2017 - Graphic technology - Colour data exchange format (CxF/X) - Part 3: Output target data (CxF/X-3) specifies an electronic exchange format for output target input values, measured colour data and process-control metadata for printers of all types. Built on the Color Exchange Format (CxF3), CxF/X-3 defines a CustomResource element to carry the minimum data needed to identify and interpret targets defined by the ISO 12642 series, while allowing extension for other target types (including non‑CMYK and transmissive targets).

Keywords: ISO 17972-3:2017, CxF/X-3, CxF3, Color Exchange Format, output target data, ISO 12642, color data exchange.

Key topics and requirements

• CxF3-based structure: Files must conform to the CxF3 schema and commonly use the “.CxF” extension (see Annex B). FileInformation must include Creator, CreationDate, and Description; Description must state “CxF/X” and the applicable standard number.
• CustomResource mapping: A CustomResource within CxF is specified to identify files as ISO 12642 series targets and to carry layout and application‑specific metadata.
• Required measurement data:
  • Batch-specific mean and standard deviation colorimetric data (XYZ) to two decimal places where applicable.
  • Calibrated targets must supply measured colorimetric data for all patches.
  • At least one measured representation is required: CIEXYZ, CIELab, or spectral reflectance.
• Instrumentation and measurement metadata: Elements such as Device.Model, DeviceFilter, Measurement Geometry, Backing, and Measurement_Source are required to interpret measurements.
• Input value support: Standard CMYK (ColorCMYK) and device-dependent values. Optional elements for non‑CMYK targets include ColorCMYKPlusN, ColorRGB, ColorCustom, and MeasurementType (e.g., Spectral_Reflectance).
• Layout reporting: When layout is relevant, the CustomResource must include fields like NumberPatchColumns, NumberPatchRows, PageWidth/Height, PatchSize values/percent, margins, PrinterName/Type and SubstrateName. Default: patches ordered left-to-right, top-to-bottom; equal patch sizes unless noted.

Practical applications and users

• Who uses it: prepress houses, printer manufacturers, RIP and color‑management software vendors, print service providers, QA labs, and graphic arts engineers.
• What it’s used for:
  • Exchanging calibrated chart definitions and measured target data for device calibration and characterization.
  • Replacing or mapping legacy ISO 28178 keyword/text files to a modern XML/CxF3 workflow.
  • Enabling consistent verification, colorimetric traceability and vendor‑neutral data exchange across supply chains.

Related standards

• ISO 17972-1 (CxF3 core usage), ISO 17972-2 (scanner target data), ISO 12642-1/-2 (target definitions), and ISO 28178 (legacy colour measurement text format).

Standards Content (Sample)

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 17972-3
First edition
2017-09
Graphic technology — Colour data
exchange format (CxF/X) —
Part 3:
Output target data (CxF/X-3)
Technologie graphique — Échange des données de couleur en
utilisant CxF —
Partie 3: Données cibles sortantes
Reference number
©
ISO 2017
© ISO 2017, Published in Switzerland
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form
or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on the internet or an intranet, without prior
written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below or ISO’s member body in the country of
the requester.
ISO copyright office
Ch. de Blandonnet 8 • CP 401
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva, Switzerland
Tel. [phone]
Fax [phone]
[e-mail]
www.iso.org
ii © ISO 2017 – All rights reserved

Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Symbols and abbreviated terms . 2
5 Requirements . 3
5.1 General . 3
5.2 General description of a CxF/X file for the ISO 12642 series data exchange . 3
5.3 Requirements of a CxF/X-3 file for the ISO 12642 series data exchange . 3
5.4 Optional value fields for non-CMYK targets and transmissive targets . 4
5.5 Layout reporting . 4
Annex A (informative) Color Exchange Format mapping to ISO 28178. 6
Annex B (informative) CxF3 format .10
Annex C (informative) Example files .11
Bibliography .12
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
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ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of
any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www.iso.org/patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation on the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and
expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the
World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see the following
URL: www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 130, Graphic technology.
A list of all the parts in the ISO 17972 series can be found on the ISO website.
iv © ISO 2017 – All rights reserved

Introduction
The ISO 17972 series defines methods for the use of CxF3 to exchange measurement data and associated
metadata within the graphic arts industry and for the exchange of these files between graphic arts users.
It is a multipart document where each part is intended to address different workflow requirements.
The goal throughout the ISO 17972 series has been to maintain the degree of flexibility required while
minimizing the uncertainty of the data exchanged.
ISO 17972-1 defines the use of the publicly available Color Exchange Format, version 3 (CxF3), for
prepress data exchange and verification.
ISO 17972-2 defines the use of a CustomResource within the CxF/X structure for the creation of scanner
target data.
This document covers the use of CxF3 when exchanging data from ISO 12642-1 and ISO 12642-2. This
document is not designed to replace ISO 12642-2 but to define an updated and verifiable method of
data exchange using CxF3, acting as a supplement to ISO 12642-2:2006, 4.3 and 4.4 and the informative
information provided on layout of the targets. This document also provides a framework for reporting
data and additional definitions that define the layout information of the target that is not defined in the
ISO 12642 series. Provision has been made to extend the format beyond the ISO 12642 series targets,
including those that have non-CMYK input values.
Output target data and the resultant measure of the printed target are some of the most commonly
exchanged data in graphic arts and are used for calibration and characterization of all types of printing
devices. Traditionally, data has been provided in ACSII format using a keyword file. The direct mapping
of existing data to the updated CxF/X encoding was one of the primary concerns in writing this
document. In addition, there have been a number of proprietary vendor-specific formats for these files.
With the introduction of this document, it is hoped that a common format can be implemented across
vendors. X-Rite Inc., the original creator of the CxF file format claims no intellectual property rights to
the materials used in this document.
The following files are covered in this document and are included as electronic inserts:
— CxF3_Core.xsd;
— CxF3_Schema_Diagram.pdf;
— Example Chart 400 Patches 17972-3.cxf;
— Printer target CxF/X-3.cxf;
— Printer target CxF/X-3.txt.
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 17972-3:2017(E)
Graphic technology — Colour data exchange format
(CxF/X) —
Part 3:
Output target data (CxF/X-3)
1 Scope
This document defines an exchange format for target input values, colour and process control data
relating output targets for printers of all types (and the associated metadata necessary for its proper
interpretation) in electronic form. This document includes the use of a CustomResource element within
the CXF framework to define a minimum set of data for exchange and identify the data as being part of
the ISO 12642 series. If this same framework is used for another defined target, provision is made for
that use as well.
2 Normative references
There are no normative references in this document.
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— IEC Electropedia: available at http://www.electropedia.org/
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at http://www.iso.org/obp
NOTE The spelling of terms and elements taken from Color Exchange Format v3.0 is not altered from that
used in References [2], [3], [4] and [8]. A specific example is the word “color” instead of “colour”.
3.1
ColorSpecification
information about the ColorValue (3.2), including its source (measurement specifications),
illuminant/observer calculation method (tristimulus specifications) and physical attributes of the
objects (3.5) (size, quantity, finish, etc.)
[SOURCE: Color Exchange Format v3.0]
3.2
ColorValue
one of several defined colour space types that can hold values and associated information related to
that specific type of device-independent colour space
[SOURCE: Color Exchange Format v3.0]
3.3
CustomResources
“extensible” part of CxF3 (3.7)
Note 1 to entry: Additional information is not included in the CxF3 Core about colour objects and the file itself
that is considered application-specific in nature and not generally of use to all other applications.
[SOURCE: Color Exchange Format v3.0]
3.4
DeviceColorValue
one of several defined colour space types that can hold values and associated information related to
that specific type of device-dependent colour space
[SOURCE: Color Exchange Format v3.0]
3.5
object
specific “colour item” that is being described
3.6
CxF/X
CxF3 (3.7) file which also conforms to requirements defined in this document
3.7
CxF3
exchange format for colour and process control data defined in Color Exchange Format v3.0
3.8
resources
information about each colour object that is of interest to all readers of the CxF file
Note 1 to entry: This is also referred to as the “CxF3 Core”, defined by the CxF3-Core namespace schema.
3.9
schema
XML (3.10) document, conforming to the specifications established by the World Wide Web Consortium
(W3C), that defines the structure of a class of XML documents
3.10
XML
Extensible Markup Language
set of rules for encoding documents electronically
3.11
XSD
XML schema definition
definition that specifies how to formally describe the elements in an XML (3.10) document that define a
shared vocabulary
4 Symbols and abbreviated terms
The following documentation conventions are used.
— Names of XML elements are shown in bold type; for example, Resources.
— Names of XML attributes are shown in italics; for example, SpotColorName.
XML XPaths are used to identify XML elements. For example, container/contained refers to an element
(contained) that is a child of another element (container).
Similarly, XML XPaths are used to refer to XML attributes. For example, element1/@Name refers to an
attribute (Name) of an element (element1).
2 © ISO 2017 – All rights reserved

5 Requirements
5.1 General
This document primarily defines the use of CxF/X for the exchange of data for the ISO 12642 series.
While not explicitly stated in all parts, the elements of CxF/X and this document allow the use of CxF/X-3
for additional targets with any number of colorants.
5.2 General description of a CxF/X file for the ISO 12642 series data exchange
The standard Color Exchange Format as presented in ISO 17972-1 captures file information such as
creation and ownership, core colour information (the Resources) and any extended information
(CustomResources). In this document, CustomResources is used to define the minimum required
data for the ISO 12642 series data exchange using CxF/X-3. Any CxF/X file shall meet the following
requirements.
— The FileInformation. element of a CxF/X file shall include Creator, CreationDate and Description.
— The Description element of a CxF/X file shall include “CxF/X” and the number of the applicable
International Standard with which the CxF/X file complies.
If the file is to be used in support of an International Standard, it shall include the number of the
International Standard in the Comment text.
A CxF/X file shall validate against the CxF3 schema (see Annex B). In all cases, a CxF/X document should
have the extension “.CxF”.
A CxF/X file shall be structured as shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1 — CxF/X schema top-level structure
NOTE The spelling of terms and elements taken from Color Exchange Format v3.0 is not altered from that
used in References [2], [3], [4] and [8]. A specific example is the word “color” instead of “colour”.
5.3 Requirements of a CxF/X-3 file for the ISO 12642 series data exchange
There are several data requirements stated in ISO 12642-1:2011, 4.3. Originators of targets are required
to provide:
— for all targets, batch-specific mean and standard deviation colorimetric data shall be available for
each patch in the form of XYZ tristimulous values to two decimal places;
— calibrated targets shall supply the measured colorimetric data for all target patches.
Table 1 lists the required elements for CxF/X data exchange of output target data.
...