High Fidelity Printing

[sgirard]

Hi All

All prepress and platemaking is in plant using a number of seats of Artpro and Nexus so the process control could be managed it is maybe a case of how we market the process its just getting an idea of which would be the most suitable.

Thanks Jimjam

You might want to get in touch with Esko. Mark Samworth does a talk on their hi-fi software which I checked out once. I think Nabisco (or similar) moved from spot to 6- or 7-color process a couple of years ago.

-sean

[gordo]

One of the key things will be selecting the hues of the extended process colors you'll need. This is normally done by reviewing the inventory of spot colors that you've used over the past 6 mo - 1 year. Some workflows track that info, with others you may need to review past dockets or brand swatch books.

That information, in turn also gives you the percent of jobs using hues in a certain range. That in turn tells you if you need a 5/C, 6/C, 6/C with one change over, or 7/C process. You'll need to establish that the extra hues that you select extend the gamut to cover the spot colors that you will be simulating. It also give you the info you'll need to suggest to your customer which of their current brand colors may need to be adjusted to bring them with the gamut for this process.

best, gordon p

[Christian STG]

OPALTONE IS ONLY SYSTEM WITH GAMUT NECeSARY FOR HIFI COLOR, THE PROBLEM, IS NECESARY 8 COLORS PRINTER.

7 color + Black, is the future standar for pakagin

Opaltone: La revolución a 7 colores / alabrent.com / Noticias

http://www.opaltone.com/

...:::CHROMACOLOR:::... consultoria en color e imagen

[gordo]

OPALTONE IS ONLY SYSTEM WITH GAMUT NECeSARY FOR HIFI COLOR, THE PROBLEM, IS NECESARY 8 COLORS PRINTER.
7 color + Black, is the future standar for pakagin

Your enthusiasm in all CAPS is noted.
However, Opaltone is a proprietary color system. You must use their ink colors. You must use their color libraries and application plug-ins to specify color.
That's OK, but doesn't help you replace specific brand colors or, for example, specific Pantone colors.
I.e. You can't specify colors outside of the Opaltone range. In that sense it is the same as Pantone Hexachrome's system.
It also does not allow you to tailor the number of inks used, or gamut, to suit individual shop press configurations or brand color usage needs.
As a result Opaltone, IMHO, is not a very flexible or adaptable solution.
Especially if you compare it with the Esko Kaleidoscope or Kodak Spotless offerings.

best, gordon p

[Erik Nikkanen]

In tests run by RIT, the consistency of screen tint builds through the run is similar to the consistency of a single spot color - both will vary a bit, the multi-color build a bit more than the single color but both within acceptable levels.
best, gordo

Gordon,

This is an application in which I have been curious to see how well positive ink feed reduces the overall variation. Since the positive ink feed would greatly reduce the individual screen variations, having multiple screens tightly controlled should result in a more consistent overall result.

[jimjam]

You might want to get in touch with Esko. Mark Samworth does a talk on their hi-fi software which I checked out once. I think Nabisco (or similar) moved from spot to 6- or 7-color process a couple of years ago.

-sean

I have been in touch with Esko today and they are coming onsite next week to discuss our needs. This would seem to make the most sense as all our software is Esko so hopefully would integrate nicely.

Jimjam

[Printpro]

Is there proofing software out there able to proof these extended color gamuts accurately? I have always heard it is very difficult to get a prepress proof to look like the press when using Hexachrome.

[gordo]

Is there proofing software out there able to proof these extended color gamuts accurately? I have always heard it is very difficult to get a prepress proof to look like the press when using Hexachrome.

Yes, with today's technology it is possible to proof extended color gamuts used for spot color simulation - as long as the inkjet, or other proofing system has the gamut. Hexachrome, which is not a spot color simulation system, can also be proofed. But I doubt that jimjam will end up using Hexachrome.
In the end it will be a question of effective color management and the capabilities of the vendor's solution - something that jimjam will be finding out about I'm sure.

best, gordon p