Color Issues w/Konica Minolta

[PrePress Gal]

Using Adobe CS4, Quark 8.02, Mac G-4, 10.4.11.
Outputting to Konica Minolta, BizHub PRO 6500 using Creo Server IC-304 Print Controller v2.

We are having more and more problems arising with color shifting, noise behind logos, file errors, image boxes showing up as screened box or a line on one side or the other. It seems what works one time, does not the next.

Anyone else having major issues outputting? We just switched from CS2 to CS4 and it seems to have gotten worse. We are trying one thing or the other with each file until something works. I am not the main person outputting on the press, I just send the files. Is there a lot more involved at the server level in outputting these files? In training, we just got the basic run through and simple color adjustment.

Anyone having problems with this also?

Thanks.

[UberTech]

Do you have the service pack also? Most of what your saying is resolved with the service pack.

[Craig]

Originally Posted by UberTech

Do you have the service pack also? Most of what your saying is resolved with the service pack.

Uber, I thought Random already covered all known issues with KM's. Their operator related, remember, KM's are 100% without troubles.

[PrePress Gal]

Yes.

IC 304 v2.0

Windows XP Service Pack 2, v5.1

[UberTech]

Originally Posted by PrePress Gal

Yes.

IC 304 v2.0

Windows XP Service Pack 2, v5.1

Under the creo software help menu there should be an 'about' option. This will bring up your patch state. If it doesn't say anything about a service pack in there then you in for a world of hurt cause V2 with no SP is a complete dog. Regardless of operator!

[PrePress Gal]

In the Creo Window it lists these items:

SW Packages: blank

Updates:
Printer Driver 6-08
RIP patch 7-08
Profile 7-08
Saddle Stitch 7-08
Scan patch 7-08
Inserts Patch 7-08
EPS Header Patch 7-08
Import Color Prof 8-08
RIP Patch 8-08
Lines Patch 9-08

Should it list the Service Pack 2 in here?

[PrePress Gal]

Another quick question: Operator indicates the machine pauses frequently and does it's own calibration, so he never does an "off the glass calibration". Do you know what he is talking about. The only calibration methods I can find in the book are off the glass and device tool.

[Craig]

Originally Posted by PrePress Gal

Another quick question: Operator indicates the machine pauses frequently and does it's own calibration, so he never does an "off the glass calibration". Do you know what he is talking about. The only calibration methods I can find in the book are off the glass and device tool.

It more than likely is laying down color patches and reading the densities. You will still need to calibrate from the print engine to the front end. 2 different calibrations, usually calibrate the print engine first, then the front end to it more than likely you will have a spectrometer to do this.

[Kevin H]

Originally Posted by PrePress Gal

Using Adobe CS4, Quark 8.02, Mac G-4, 10.4.11.
Outputting to Konica Minolta, BizHub PRO 6500 using Creo Server IC-304 Print Controller v2.

We are having more and more problems arising with color shifting, noise behind logos, file errors, image boxes showing up as screened box or a line on one side or the other. It seems what works one time, does not the next.

Anyone else having major issues outputting? We just switched from CS2 to CS4 and it seems to have gotten worse. We are trying one thing or the other with each file until something works. I am not the main person outputting on the press, I just send the files. Is there a lot more involved at the server level in outputting these files? In training, we just got the basic run through and simple color adjustment.

Anyone having problems with this also?

Thanks.

All those issues can be resolved.
It sounds like you need to get some "advanced" training scheduled.

A better understanding of the advanced features will allow you to recognise issues and select the correct options to resolve.

A bit of advise is to create PDFs of the files and import them into the Creo directly. This will help with the CS4 issues. The fact it has gotten worse when you switched to the latest version tells me that there is not a full understanding of how the Adobe settings affect/translate into the Creo. Colour handling, simulate overprint, etc in Adobe paly an important role when sending to a digital device.

Calibration with the handheld is quite sufficient.

[PrePress Gal]

Thanks Kevin. I am continuing to read the book and am finding some settings that may indeed solve some of these issues.

KM is scheduling someone from CREO to come out for training the first part of July.

My problem is, why aren't our Konica people familiar with these problems and the settings on the CREO designed to deal with some of these very issues? Initial training did not cover any of this.

Am I to assume the "advanced training" will help us with any issues that may be originating on the Adobe end or is there somewhere I can go to find the best way to send Adobe files to digital output?

Do you have any guidelines as to PDF settings we should be using?

Lots of questions, I know, but some of this is beginning to make sense now.

Thanks!