Good Day,
In my facility, we produce 0.112 plates and do 90% linework and 10% screened work @ 55LPI on 300 annilox (depending on graphics, then it can go to 85LPI on 600 annilox). We consistently hold a 4% dot. We can push for 3% if need be. and 99% of our art doesn't call for 2% dot.
Capping plates can be beneficial. I agree with this. But for our print, we are hitting dots and longevity in plates without. Meaning, even if capping adds benefits, we would be waisting since the process in place is already producing expected results.
HERE IS THE ISSUE:
For approximately six months we will run fine. Then, there will be times when screens become an issue and of course the go-to answer is bad plates and to put the blame on them not being capped. I then showcase that we do not have proper dotgain/TVI feedback from the press. We need PMs in the plateroom and to change our exposure lamps. We need to ensure our calibrations on our film output is accurate and up-to-date. We need to ensure we measure: density of films, dots on films, dots on the plate using our Plate-II-Print tools, etc. After doing all this, we were back to hitting our expected dots without issue.
Problem is, this problem is solved until the next time we have screen issues and we go through this cycle once again.
QUESTION:
So my question(s) is/are. Should I just get my platemaker to cap all plates with screens? Saving myself the heartache.
If we aren't implementing the proper processes mentioned above would capping even help?
I feel, that instead of performing the proper processes, everyone wants to paint with a broad brush and just say cap, as if the problem will go away.
I feel that we could cap, and still have the same problems. Or we would cap and some problems would go away, making everyone adequate with the outcome, but never resolving the underlying issues.
If I am trying to hit a 40% dot I have to setup my prepress to compensate for dotgain.
So when I measure my finished plate, it should read 30% (this is what we found out after testing).
If I have my platemaker cap screens, will he be able to measure the dots at 40% and the press will hit that 40 or will there still be dotgain of 10% or some other unknown we have yet to test for?
Sorry for the long post and multiple questions.
Thanks for any feedback you are able to provide.
In my facility, we produce 0.112 plates and do 90% linework and 10% screened work @ 55LPI on 300 annilox (depending on graphics, then it can go to 85LPI on 600 annilox). We consistently hold a 4% dot. We can push for 3% if need be. and 99% of our art doesn't call for 2% dot.
Capping plates can be beneficial. I agree with this. But for our print, we are hitting dots and longevity in plates without. Meaning, even if capping adds benefits, we would be waisting since the process in place is already producing expected results.
HERE IS THE ISSUE:
For approximately six months we will run fine. Then, there will be times when screens become an issue and of course the go-to answer is bad plates and to put the blame on them not being capped. I then showcase that we do not have proper dotgain/TVI feedback from the press. We need PMs in the plateroom and to change our exposure lamps. We need to ensure our calibrations on our film output is accurate and up-to-date. We need to ensure we measure: density of films, dots on films, dots on the plate using our Plate-II-Print tools, etc. After doing all this, we were back to hitting our expected dots without issue.
Problem is, this problem is solved until the next time we have screen issues and we go through this cycle once again.
QUESTION:
So my question(s) is/are. Should I just get my platemaker to cap all plates with screens? Saving myself the heartache.
If we aren't implementing the proper processes mentioned above would capping even help?
I feel, that instead of performing the proper processes, everyone wants to paint with a broad brush and just say cap, as if the problem will go away.
I feel that we could cap, and still have the same problems. Or we would cap and some problems would go away, making everyone adequate with the outcome, but never resolving the underlying issues.
If I am trying to hit a 40% dot I have to setup my prepress to compensate for dotgain.
So when I measure my finished plate, it should read 30% (this is what we found out after testing).
If I have my platemaker cap screens, will he be able to measure the dots at 40% and the press will hit that 40 or will there still be dotgain of 10% or some other unknown we have yet to test for?
Sorry for the long post and multiple questions.
Thanks for any feedback you are able to provide.