Application Proposal and Technology Exploration of Digital Proofer Simulation Proofing (I)

Digital proofers are increasingly used in digital workflows to provide accurate print effects simulation output for printing customers and printing processes. We can divide this simulation output into the following common application forms.

1. Use the standard proofing environment (special model specific proofing paper, ink) and FM network simulation to print out the effects of prints under various printing conditions (such as newsprint, coated paper, etc.).
2. In the non-standard proofing conditions (such as the use of coated paper and white paper instead of standard proofing paper, etc.) under the same simulation and standard environment proofing similar simulation results.
3. Use advanced imitation printing printing amplitude modulation network point to carry out the simulation proofing of the printing effect.
However, in essence, its key control techniques and techniques can be attributed to the three aspects discussed in this paper.

Linearization and characterization of proofers

Whether using standard or non-standard proofing conditions, the proofer must first be adjusted and calibrated before performing the simulation. For a specific combination of paper, ink, and resolution, the non-linear relationship between the original drive values ​​(input values) and output values ​​of the proofer is sometimes very strong, as shown in Figure 1. The key factor of the printer calibration process is to make this nonlinear relationship compensate for the linear relationship and stable working condition in the output effect. This is the basis for guaranteeing the quality and effectiveness of the numerical document proofing (eg, gray balance, hierarchy, etc.). According to the use of the system can be divided into professional and driver-level two major ways.

1. Linearization and characterization of professional proofing systems

Take Best proofing software as an example. The linearization content mainly includes the following points:
(1) Basic Linearity: Linear adjustments for a specific proofing paper, ink, and resolution combinations are generated under contractual quality conditions.
(2) Optimal ink volume judgment and setting.
(3) Printer linearity: The linear correction and fine-tuning of the printer's state based on the basic linearity is the fine-tuning "button" of the proof output.



As shown in Fig. 2(1), it is a printer linear detection interface in manual mode. Using a colorimeter to measure and input paper whiteness, individual ink solid density, and linear color scales (containing C, M, Y, K), a printer linear file is formed. Figure 2 (2) is a visual test of the ink proofing target. The total ink amount is determined by the effect of absorption and overprinting by the proofing paper.

As shown in Figure 2 (3, 4), the characterization process uses a linearized proofer to output a standard output such as the IT8.7-3 CMYK color scale. Then you must use the colorimeter and professional color management software such as Profilemaker to help establish the so-called “Paper Profile” of the current proofer. This hardware and software system is more expensive and can be outsourced. As shown in Figure 2 (5) for the Best proofing software parameter setting interface, you need to set the above Paper Profile (characteristic curve), the basic linearity, the printer linear generation file and the ink volume parameters are set in it, in order to form a kind of output control .

2. Driver-level calibration and characterization

Without the support of professional proofing software, the adjustment parameters of the driver's own driver can be used to compare the effect of feedback adjustment can achieve a more satisfactory output effect, but due to the larger space, it is not in this article Discussed.

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