Can't wrap around my head what causes this...

[RytisT]

Hi. We're having a bit of trouble lately printing out designs that have soft shadows in them, this is one of them:

Printed: http://prntscr.com/n78wx5
Design: http://prntscr.com/n78x1n

Printed 2: http://prntscr.com/n78x8c
Design 2: http://prntscr.com/n78xc7

Printed 3: http://prntscr.com/n78xfq
Design 3: http://prntscr.com/n78xip

Anyone know what could cause this? We're using Konica Minolta C1805.

 

[Slammer]

Hi. We're having a bit of trouble lately printing out designs that have soft shadows in them, this is one of them:

Printed: http://prntscr.com/n78wx5
Design: http://prntscr.com/n78x1n

Printed 2: http://prntscr.com/n78x8c
Design 2: http://prntscr.com/n78xc7

Printed 3: http://prntscr.com/n78xfq
Design 3: http://prntscr.com/n78xip

Anyone know what could cause this? We're using Konica Minolta C1805.

Very interesting, it´s a bit hard to tell as it looks raised or embossed, is it Flexo?

 

[RytisT]

No, just regular Digital Press, nothing else.

 

[Slammer]

No, just regular Digital Press, nothing else.

Ufff! In that case perhaps a profile issue, maybe try a different one and see if it changes.

 

[pippip]

Have you tried running it through PreFlight.
Or can you select Adobe Print Engine on your RIP?

I've seen drop shadows do funny things.

 

[gregbatch]

All three look like they have JPEG compression artifacts in the original images. I can see them clearly in #2 design and they are in the exact position of the print issues. 1 and 3 look like a possible blending problem as well. Assuming this is InDesign, are all the images CMYK? Are all document colors CMYK. Is the transparency blend space set to CMYK? And finally, is the transparency flattener set to high resolution?

 

[wonderings]

How were the files created? Where was the shadow applied?

 

[Macmann]

I'd bet that's a press issue. I recall a similar problem on a Xerox iGen. There is a setting that is forcing a dot where there isn't one-a curve perhaps? Show your Konica rep-they'll know what it is. To mitigate drop shadow issues we always made sure they were black only and set to multiply.

 

[Correct Color]

If the images with the shadows themselves are raster images, and the backgrounds are vectors, then this is most likely caused by the incoming profile rendering intent settings in your RIP.

Probably it has raster images set to use Perceptual, and vectors set to use Relative Colorimetric. If all that's the case, then try setting them both the same. Whichever one you think looks better is fine; the main thing is that they need to be the same.



Mike Adams
Correct Color

 

[namelessentity]

How are you sending the files? I've seen things like this happen on certain files when I use a hot folder, but for some reason it goes away when I use the print driver.

 

[printmore]

Hi
The above noted suggestions are all valid points to check. Especially vector versus raster. In addition: If you are using a Fiery controller, most likely your default is screen 1 in the job properties change this to screen 2. The LPI will be slightly lower and may mask the issue. This is not optimum since it means the file was not setup properly although a great workaround to reduce having to touch the file again.
Also of consideration is print the same file using the APPE mode. The RIP processes as a PDF instead of ripping the PS. You may see a color shift in the primaries although it should be subtle with CMYK. You can enable APPE mode in the job properties at the top of the window. If you do not have this feature either it is disabled or you are not licensed for it. To enable go to Device Center in the Fiery, select Configuration, select set defaults. I normally enable this at all installs giving the option to the print operator to select APPE on a per job basis.
Another point is print calibration. If you do not have the IQ501 installed then you are either using a ES2000 or FD9 colorspectrometer to calibrate. Confirm the calibration is valid using an alternate file. If you need a test file, the KM standard is the CMYK test chart.pdf that is used by KM service to confirm print quality is meeting baseline. Ask for a copy of it from your service tech, the KM direct branches all have it. Dealer locations it may vary.

Sincerely
A KMBS production print employee

 

[RytisT]

Thanks for suggestions.

We've received this file as TIFF, just one single bitmap, nothing else. We've also tried printing same image on just a normal, regular office printer and there was no defects like in original post screenshots.
Anyways, Minolta suggested enabling option that changes all-K gray to composite gray, which did fixed the issue, but it seems absurd that you would need to enable that every time such problem comes up, and leaving it always on is not an option aswell.

We'll try your suggestions, thanks again.

 

[gregbatch]

Sounds like the TIFF was saved with layers preserved. I don't think that is an issue when the image has been flattened.

 

[prepmaster]

Every Job is different and every job has it's challenges...You must keep an eye on every job you do and if possible adjust your press to do the best possible job your equipment can do....A happy customer means more money in your pocket...Sure it might cost you a few minutes extra but it's worth it in the long run....