Introduction

The DT Next Generation Target, Version 2, or DT NGT2 for short, is a professional-grade color reference target. It is similar to prosumer targets such as the X-Rite Color Checker SG, but with significantly higher precision, accuracy, durability, and build quality.

Originally designed at the behest of the Library of Congress, the DT NGT2 is now available to those seeking the most robust color reference target available anywhere, which will facilitate the creation of the most precise and accurate profiles possible.

The original Next Generation Target was created by Dave Wyble of Avian Rochester under contract at the Library of Congress. Noting various shortcomings of existing general-purpose color targets the Library wanted to create a new camera calibration target customizes for the unique needs of the library and archiving communities. They were especially concerned with flatness (which improves calibration quality), durability (as targets in heritage are used with frequency), color patch selection (as heritage collections have an distinct prevalence of specific colors like paper tones), and cleanability (as nonprofits can't be re-ordering targets every time one gets dirty). Information about this era is on the Avian Rochester website and in this IS&T Archiving Paper.