Kicker Plate???

[jcallison]

I think this must be some sort of regional term, but have you ever heard of a "kicker plate?" Our new client (graphic designer from another state) is suggesting that we use a kicker plate underneath some images of diamond jewelery which float inside a black background on white paper. He says it helps with registration. OMG, I have no clue on this one. Anyone know what this designer could be talking about? Could this be some sort of special touch plate that printers specializing in jewelry printing use?

 

[Bret Hesler]

I have heard of a support tint of Cyan, or black, under a solid black called a kicker, but this is usually just to get a richer black. I have seen two blacks used to create extra contrast and depth to the shadows, usually called a bump. I don't see how adding a color would help with registration, but it can help for other things.

Bret

 

[MonkeyAbout]

The only time I've heard of a kicker plate, was on a Die Cutting machine and I think it was related to registration for the cut. I presume you are printing the job? If so I've not heard of one in 10 years of general print, so either it's a bit specialised or it's a local term as you suggest. Probably best just to say you're not familiar with the term and ask him to explain further. It may be a case of the Designer getting his terminology confused (I know I have).

 

[KevinC@EFI]

The only way I've heard the term "kicker plate" used is similar to what Bret mentions - a second black for increasing solid density. I don't see how that would relate to registration though.

Given the image you describe - a solid black background - this would make sense.

Kevin.

 

[jcallison]

Our sales rep tells me the designer said it specifically helps the jewelry images. The images are mostly diamonds and lot of silvery-white gold. I wonder if he wants an additional black plate for some of the detail rather than using so much CMY that could easily cast those neutrals. But yes, I will need to speak with this designer. Just curious since I've not done too much jewelery retouching---and I know that can be tricky. Thanks for the input.

 

[mattbeals]

I've heard and used the term "kicker" and "bump" to describe using a screened "plate" underneath a solid to increase density or the pop of a color.

We would run a lot of book covers that would be a flood of a solid color and the art work reversed out of that. So we would run a "bum" or "kicker" of say Pantone Red 032 at 60%, then lay down a solid flood of Red 032 on top of that. Not only did it help with hickies but it looked "richer" for lack of a better term. These are the books I used to print, but with a slightly different design. ASA: Test Prep 2010 Series - Private Pilot

 

[Stephen Marsh]

I recently produced something similar at the printer's request, it was for a presentation folder that was printed all over in solid Reflex blue, while there were also halftone images in the same blue. Although this was a one colour job, the printer wanted two plates, one for the tones and another for the solid. This way they could run the solid plate at a higher density to ensure thick even coverage - while not destroying the halftone images. The images could then be run at regular ink density. The plate with the halftones also contained a stipple of 50% where the solid background would overprint.

Stephen Marsh

 

[Al Ferrari]

How is the transition from solid to image hole in the solid plate handled in the case of no key line or rule around the image? I would think there would be too sharp an edge on the image in such a case.

Al Ferrari

 

[mattbeals]

Who, me? We trapped (choked) the bump plate .25pts. It never seemed to present a problem on press or visually.