Digital Printing, Spot Colors and Expanded Gamut

[gordo]

It will be interesting(and then again, maybe not) to see how press operators wages will be affected by this new technology.

They will be deemed "over qualified" and sent home to spend more time with their family.

:-(

gordo

[chevalier]

Unfortunately, it does appear in the long run that the job "press operator" will continue to move from being a high-skill machine operator to a low-skill button masher. On the brighter side somebody will have to be trained and learn to maintain/service these highly sensitive senor-laden new machines (that is until we have robots doing that).

[John W]

We are using Serendipity Black Magic with Epson printers and are very satisfied with both the spot color simulation (RDT - real dot tech - actual plate files are proofed). The ability to tone the paper to match substrate color is good if not perfect (SBS and CCNB); you can see more effect in pastels and less in the deeper tones of course but overall pretty good. The paper is Fuji FP Satin and we use the 9pt thicker version (then we spray glue that to stock - sum equals press substrate caliper and have our cadroom op create actual mock ups showing rollover areas, no print glue etc).
As far as digital, I'm betting on J-Press once they push the feed and deliver apart and add a second 4 unit inkjet unit to get the extra green, orange, blue (plus spot Aq) to achieve the color accuracy one gets when printing for real eg; FM6 quality. I expect this enhancement in a version II model but WHEN is the question? I love the J Press ease of use, ink not toner or powder, actual litho type design for transport, operator changeable heads, cleaner bars, precoat to seal card stock up to 15pt etc. I hate the idea of paying per click or using expensive proprietary consumables. Eventually I expect the thickness issue to disappear (straight through thinking, no rollers).
But alas, we aren't there yet!
JW

[tmiller_iluvprinting]

On the brighter side somebody will have to be trained and learn to maintain/service these highly sensitive senor-laden new machines (that is until we have robots doing that).

I hope the robots can pay taxes! :-)

[Mike Strickler]

Chevalier, I'm confused by the post. First you talk about simulating spot colors in proofs and then you discuss the gamut of digital presses. Which question do you want addressed?

As for iterating spot colors in a proof, the problem is that while this may be fine for setting up the system, but not really practical when proofing for different jobs that each may contain a different set of spots, which is par for the course in packaging. EFI XF automatically includes all spot channels in the color bar if one chooses to use the "Dynamic Wedge." In that case you can have an immediate verification of those spots. If the numbers come up short you can do a one-time, instant optimization--no iterations--which also respools the print job. It's highly effective. You do need a printer with a large gamut; the Epson 9900 can reach nearly all of the Pantone coated library.

Keep in mind that only the spot solids are color managed in inkjet RIPs; the tints and overprint Lab definitions are not present in most spot libraries (not to speak of spot-process overprints), so these are modeled in a variety of ways proprietary to the RIP manufacturers, and the effectiveness of the simulations may vary considerably. But if the solids are correct, the tints can be adjusted in the spot color editor to account for higher or lower TVI of your actual press, and this should be adequate for most purposes.

[chevalier]

Chevalier, I'm confused by the post. First you talk about simulating spot colors in proofs and then you discuss the gamut of digital presses. Which question do you want addressed?

I was commenting on the limitations currently associated with inkjet proofing spot colors and what production inkjet/electrostatic printer vendors are doing to get around these same problems. The Epson Stylus *900 series amazing 11 channel solution appears to be the best out there for color gamut but it is still limited to not achieving all spot colors.

Yes, I am aware that the efi ColorProof product (just like the ORIS ColorTuner app that I use) will create a dynamic color bars and measure them. I am also aware that various RIP manufacturers have different separating approaches for spot color simulation with various proofing and output devices.

[David Milisock]

Just saw this (related) news item. Click here: HP could sell printing division within two years, reports claim | printweek.com | Latest Print Industry News, Jobs, Features, Product Reviews, Used Printing and Packaging Machinery

best, gordo

HP is run by 1 D 10 T's but the reality is that the margins in print today makes getting out a good choice. My one digital vendor has had a sales meeting and we were told that they are not encourgaing anyone to sell to print shops. They wante dto concentrate on market areas that were more profitable.