Offset Printing
Offset Press Control with EyeOne and InkZone
Tuesday 07. April 2009 - The Theo Diebold Ltd. print shop in Germany works with InkZone from Digital Information.
The system for digital preset and closed-loop color control is used as a supplement to the CP2000 console of a Speedmaster SM 74-5. The measuring procedures are performed by X-Rites Eye-One spectrophotometer with motor-driven track system (DC4).
Measured, Controlled, Printed, Done
Digital Informations InkZone system was added to Diebolds six-year old Speedmaster SM 74-5 and its associated CP2000 in order to equip it with ink key presetting and color control. «We took the opportunity to optimize the workflow further by closing the color gap and feed measurement data directly into the system,» Wolfram Diebold explains. «We found the ideal, cost-effective solution in Digital Informations InkZone Loop product.»
Digital presetting…
Part of the system is DI-Plot, Digital Informations pre-press software which transforms the same bitmap used to generate CtP plates into a JDF file of ink-coverage information. Once created, DI-Plots JDF file is consumed by Digital Informations InkZone Perfect, which transmits fully-calibrated values for ductor/sweep feed rate and ink keys to the console. The JDF (CIP4) files generated by DI-Plot contain more than ordinary preset values; they can also include parameters for mulitiple paper types (coated, uncoated, ISO paper classes, etc.).
Wolfram Diebold and his son Andreas immediately recognized the comfort and process assurance which online ink-zone presetting offers. They aimed at extending these productivity and quality advantages to the whole process of offset printing.
…and automatic measuring with Eye-One
Consequently, InkZone Loop was installed shortly thereafter. Digital Informations closed-loop system with automatic color bar scanning relies upon X-Rites economical EyeOne spectrophotometer. To make the job easier, the Diebolds opted to add Digital Informations motor-driven, digitally-controlled, four-page-up track system (DC4).
Once measured, color values are displayed graphically and numerically on a touch-screen monitor using the choice of density, dot gain, L*a*b* and gray balance. Target values can be stored in the system by paper type (including Process Standard Offset, ISO 12647-2, G7, etc.) and a color okay sheet can also be saved.
Once colors are measured, ink-key settings proposed by the InkZone Loop system can be applied to the press via a symbol on the touch-screen monitor, making the system easy to use while still allowing press operator control.
Operation convincingly simple
«With our choice of the Eye-One we opted for the cost-effective solution. Our experience so far is that the system works very reliably, and our press operators have a much easier task of delivering quality printed results. In addition, the InkZone solution is a secure investment because it is flexible enough to be used on any new press we acquire, even if it is from another manufacturer» Wolfram Diebold says. «The InkZone interface is so simple and self-explanatory that one of our press operators with limited computer experience easily discovered and started using the systems measurement and control capability. Here, the excellent design of the user interface on the touchscreen helps considerably» adds Andreas Diebold who worked as an instructor for one of the leading press manufacturers after completing his formation as a press operator.