Let's be REALLY explicit here. "Printer Points" (and Offset, which is the same thing) are just a very simple mathematical Add or Subtract to the underlying color numbers, unlike the relatively more mathematically complex Contrast, Lift, Gamma or Gain. As such, they are intended as an "Overall" correction, and a very powerful one. As the article points out, it works in its original intended fashion only with Log footage, specifically Cineon Log (Red Log Film is almost the same thing), which was a Gamma curve formulated by Kodak as the digital equivalent of film. There was no tonal range control with film, thus PPs are intended to adjust the entire image. That said, some colorists DO use printer points within tonal "keys" (darks, mids, lights) to get better control over those ranges in today's digital environment.
Master Study in DaVinci Resolve Printer Lights
in Color Grading
Let's be REALLY explicit here. "Printer Points" (and Offset, which is the same thing) are just a very simple mathematical Add or Subtract to the underlying color numbers, unlike the relatively more mathematically complex Contrast, Lift, Gamma or Gain. As such, they are intended as an "Overall" correction, and a very powerful one. As the article points out, it works in its original intended fashion only with Log footage, specifically Cineon Log (Red Log Film is almost the same thing), which was a Gamma curve formulated by Kodak as the digital equivalent of film. There was no tonal range control with film, thus PPs are intended to adjust the entire image. That said, some colorists DO use printer points within tonal "keys" (darks, mids, lights) to get better control over those ranges in today's digital environment.