On the dot

[Slammer]

Recently I got into a discussion with a customer who is complaining about too dark prints.
The last time I had this discussion I suggested that we should do measurements and add a press curve into the process, I explained how it was done with targets and a test print to get the SID´s the TVI´s, slur etc. etc. And that to do it correctly it will take a bit of time and money.
This may be a medium sized printshop but they do not know how to do this themselves.
I get a grumpy look: “your predecessor just touched something and it has worked ever since”
“When was this done?”
“Dunno five, six years ago”
“…..Aaaaaand have you changed anything since? Rollers, Blankets, inks, plates perhaps?”
“He did it in five minutes, we have no time for this and why should I pay you a lot of money for something that can be done in a few minutes?”
This is paraphrased but you get the gist.
I want to convince the customer to do a proper job so I took a print sample and gave it a shufti in the microscope… seems it is not just a calibration that is needed. Ink- water balance off, roller pressure? What do you guys and gals think?

 

[gordo]

Not too bad...for flexo.

What SIDs was this run at? It looks like the press operator was backing off on SIDs to lighten the presswork.

 

[Slammer]

Not too bad...for flexo.

What SIDs was this run at? It looks like the press operator was backing off on SIDs to lighten the presswork.

...Offset..., and you are correct about the SIDs. Not sure about the SID, havn´t been able to measure yet.

 

[gordo]

...Offset..., and you are correct about the SIDs. Not sure about the SID, havn´t been able to measure yet.

I knew it was offset. I was just making a little joke just forgot to add the emoticom.

 

[Slammer]

I knew it was offset. I was just making a little joke just forgot to add the emoticom.

Ahh I see, sorry nerves are a still a bit frayed after the Prinergy update. ;.)

 

[D Ink Man]

What happened to the days of just running to the print copy and seek a result that is at least print good with commercial acceptability?

Too picky customers, too unskilled press personell too much automation or a combination of all these and others?

Movie, Shawshank Redemption : Brooks Was Here scribed on the wall. You may get the correlation.

D