Ink Key Presets: The key to faster makereadies

First of all, I want to thank all of you who have responded to the new way were are trying to communicate. Second, I’ll be going over some terms and concepts, if you feel that you already know this, go ahead and skip to the next section.

With press runs getting shorter and shorter and the cost of paper going up, up up, this time I’d like to talk about CIP3, CIP4, JDF, and ink key presets. First, let’s define what CIP3 is: CIP3 is a print production format specified by the Fraunhofer Institute for Computer Graphics. They worked in close collaboration with a group of well-known software and equipment manufacturers. This group was called "International Cooperation for Integration of Prepress, Press, and Postpress" (abbreviated as CIP3).

It was developed as a way to bring the printing and post printing processes closer to prepress. The idea behind this was that the information generated in prepress should flow downstream to the pressroom for further processing. This would avoid having to re-acquire data in the pressroom that was already available in prepress.

The challenge was getting many equipment and software manufacturers to come up with a common way of communicating with each other. The end result of this endeavor was the CIP3 Print Production Format or PPF. The PPF is a file that contains all the necessary data for printing and further processing of a job, except for the high resolution data for printing. Things like plate size, paper size, colors being used, register mark info, previews, folding, etc., can be included in a PPF file.

CIP4 is the International Cooperation for the Integration of Processes in Prepress, Press and Postpress Organization. The folks at CIP4 are responsible for JDF. JDF is an industry standard that goes one step further than CIP3. While CIP3 covers what happens to a job beyond prepress, the idea behind JDF is to simplify data sharing among the different applications and systems in and around the graphic arts industry. Like other standards, JDF is based on XML. This allows easy integration with Internet solutions. To find out more about JDF, visit www.cip4.com

Data in JDF can be used in prepress or the pressroom. For example, data gathered during the estimating phase of a job, such as the type of paper the job should be printed on, will be used in prepress to determine what kind of ICC profiles should be used. And then, in the pressroom, to determine which press the job should be printed on.

Enough with the acronyms, let’s talk about ink key presets.

Imagine this

The printing area of a press is divided into zones. Each zone is fed ink by an ink duct. And the amount of ink that goes into the duct is controlled by an ink key.

The amount of ink to be delivered depends on the amount of data on the zone. In other words, if there is no data in the zone, the ink key is closed. If there is a solid color that fills the zone, then the key opens to meet the ink demand.

How much ink is needed?

That is where color bars and ink density come into play. As the press prints, the press operator adjusts the ink key until a certain ink density is achieved by measuring each color on a color bar. Ink density is nothing more than how thick is the ink is on paper.

The number of ink ducts on a press depends on the press width. Depending on the manufacturer, the ink keys will be more or less numerous. Most of them are a little over an inch wide. So the wider the press, the more ink ducts that need to be adjusted. The more color units a press has, the longer it takes to get the colors dialed in at the right densities.

And finally, on to our stuff

Compose has a product called Express InkScript that would sit on the pre-press department, or the front side of this equation. It takes PS, PDF or 1 bit tiff files (digital plates) and converts them into ink duct data. This ink duct data can be automatically saved as a PPF file (see paragraph 4 above if you need a refresher course). This PPF file is sent to the press room. Or, InkScript can generate a PDF file with a color preview of the job, under a grid representing the ink ducts. And an ink duct histogram per each color used in the job. This makes it very easy for press operators to adjust the initial ink key values on presses that do not have ink consoles.

If the press has an ink console, that PPF file arrives at the pressroom and is processed by Ink Zone, the back side Compose app in this equation. Ink Zone displays a list of jobs that are available for immediate printing. Once the press operator selects one, it’s sent to the press and the ink keys are configured with the accurate values.

Ink Zone learns from the press. Once a job has finished printing, the operator has the option to archive it to print it again at a later day. Or save the difference of what he originally got from InkScript and what he adjusted on press. The more the operator uses the system, the closer to being perfect that the ink keys are at startup. Customers of ours that are using this are reporting a 90% to 95% proximity to their goal at press startup.

A Closed Loop System can be installed with Ink Zone by using a color bar with the width of the job and an automatic reader, such as X-rite’s Intellitrax. With the automatic density readings, Ink Zone can tell the press which ink keys to move up, and which keys to move down. This option further reduces the make ready time.

Expresso RIP: Hablamos Español

Buenas noticias, we have just released version 8.1 of our Express RIP in with a Spanish interface. If you already have version 8 of your RIP, all you'll need is to download the software. If you're running an earlier version of the Express RIP, you'll need to upgrade to version 8 in order to run Express RIP in Spanish.

Please contact your Compose dealer, or our office and we'll tell you how to obtain the Spanish version of Express RIP.

Mind the GAP! - The missing link for narrow-web offset printers

I did not win last week’s lottery nor did I receive great news on my retirement account statement. I did however, get a package by mail with books I had ordered a few days before. I signed off the delivery sheet that the mailman had given me and received a duplicate copy from him. Today, through snail mail,, I also received rebate check for that external hard drive I’d purchased a while back. It’s not all bad.
You are probably asking yourself, “Where is he going with this”. Well, you see, most of the documents, except for the books, were printed on a narrow-web press... But why? Narrow web presses are very fast and provide the ability of inline finishing procedures like perforation, die cut, slitting, roll to roll rewinding, ETC... The downside of using a narrow-web press is the place where the plate and the rubbers are mounted to the cylinders.


This area is non-printable, and it’s what we call the “GAP”. A simple solution would be to add a blank area on the top or the bottom of the job to shift into the “GAP” area. However it may cause errors while adapting the job or an endless point of discussion with some customers who do not want to compromise their design. This is can be very inefficient and not at all cost-effective because of the amount of time it takes to get the job to the press. Compose offers a complete toolset to mitigate the issues related to narrow web prepress and plate making. Using 1bit tiff data for input and output, not only is the content of the job secured, but it also allows simple and open connectivity with many systems. This toolset is made up of two programs. One is Plate Controller. Plate Controller allows the arranging of elements on a plate for flatout work. Plate Controller offers advanced “Step & Repeat” and alignment functions. It supports single sided and double sided jobs. The second program is called Gapfinder.
Gapfinder locates the so called “GAP” and moves it to an area of the job where there’s no information. Thus “enlarging” the printable area, or saving a significant amount of paper. If a plate does not have a place to move tha “GAP” to, that plate can be split into what is called a “2 plate lockup”. So part of the image will be printed on a press unit and the rest on another. When these products are used together, Plate Controller gives Gapfinder the “Step & Repeat” information. With this data, Gapfinder can automatically find the gaps and move them, or create the necessary splits. Gapfinder can also place all the necessary registration & custom optical marks that some presses require. Plate Controller and Gapfinder can help you increase your productivity.
Stop by booth 6555 at Print09 to see it in action, or call us and see for yourself what Compose can do for your Narrow Web business. To download the Plate Controller click here, to download the Gapfinder brochure, click here.

Free Exhibits Only Passes for Print09

We understand that the economy is tough right now and that travel plans have been cut back. If you are were on the fence about attending Print09, here is a compelling reason to go: Free Exhibits Passes courtesy of Compose. We are giving away free passes to Print09 for the first 500 people who sign up. When registering, all you have to do is click on the link and enter the pass code as noted below.

Pass Code: E5221.

To register, click here

Deadline to register for free is August 28, 2009

Global Graphics improves trapping and transparency in Harlequin 8.1

If you are a Harlequin RIP user, we have good news for you. Global Graphics has just released Harlequin Plus Server RIP 8.1. The main advantage of the software update is a significant performance improvement when ripping jobs with transparencies and traps. There is also accuracy improvements in the way Color Pro converts spot colors to CMYK.

If you are a Compose Express RIP user and your RIP is already at version 8, this upgrade is free of charge. If you've have not upgraded yet, this is a great time to do so. e-mail me for instructions on how to download the new version or to request an upgrade quote.