Graphic Production Summary PDF

Module 1: Color How to look at color – understand color The human eye: Use of rods: -adjust your eyes when entering a dark room -120.000.000 rods -transmit mostly black and white Use of the cones: -create sensation of color/visual sharpness -6.000.000 -10.000 les light-sensitive divided in red/gre...

Module 1: Color How to look at color – understand color The human eye: Use of rods: -adjust your eyes when entering a dark room -120.000.000 rods -transmit mostly black and white Use of the cones: -create sensation of color/visual sharpness -6.000.000 -10.000 les light-sensitive divided in red/green/blue sensitivity -> exceptions for colorblind people Requirements for objective color interpretation: -dedicated light source (preferable “norm light” at 5000°K/5500°K) -surface absorbing light must be capable to reflect (min. a part) of the absorbed light -instrument that measures or evaluates color ex: human eye, color densitometer, les, digital camera… What is color? ROYGBIV – English is an acronym for the sequence of hues commonly described as making up a rainbow: -> red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. The traditional color wheel In graphic production color is defined in values and color systems: -additive color system (to add color) Mixed RGB light = key in additive color system Primary colors RGB lights are added together in various way to reproduce a broad array of colors R+G+B=white, G+B=Cyan, R+B=Magenta, R+G=Yellow -subtractive color system (to subtract color) When we print (with inks or digitally) C+M=blue, C+Y=green, M+Y=red, C+Y+M=CMY Black (K) -Red Green Blue (RGB) on-screen usage, 16777216 possible colors -Cyan Magenta Yellow Black (CMYK) used in color printing, is a subtractive color model 4 color printing, ex: toner cartridges in printer CMYK pigments= key in substractive color system  C+Y+M= substractive black in fact is a darkish brown mix color, so we must add Key color Black, more saturation, shadows, contrast, text, therefore 4 color printing Understanding color Color triangle used in Graphic Production Images on screen (or digital cameras) are in RGB. Conversion from RGB to CMYK is a must. How to convert colors to another color space: -use any “adobe” application or photoshop -rely on your pre-press specialist, photographer, or printer to help you -some steps to start 1. Screen calibration/setup 2. Printing out a calibration form on your printer 3. Compare and check the variations 4. Share this w/ the specialist Printing Inks CMYK inks are transparent inks, -we need a “white” or light-colored printing material to make ink visible -we need a white light to distinguish or recognize printed inks/toners correctly (best 5500°K) White covering inks: -traditionally only silk screen printing technology -recently available in digital printing technology (need for a 5 th toner unit) Color perception Objective color perception depends on: -light conditions in the room -> neutral White light is a must 5500° K or D50 of D65 standard -environmental conditions in the room -> white paper Color metamerism =a perceived matching of colors that, based on difference in spectral power distribution, do not actually match. Objective color measuring/interpretation -Standardized lighting technology or environment - “norm light” 5500° K Color shades and variations are based on CMYK but using only CMYK provides a limited gamut of colors. Brownish-, greenish- and purple colors are the most difficult to print. Why? Solutions: -add, integrate, or use other “color” systems (PMS, Focoltone, Trumatch, RAL, Hifi color printing…) -to extend the color (gamut), to print a wider variety of colors more accurately Color management necessary bc digital cameras, scanners, monitors, printers… al have a diff. color gamut! primary goal of color management: - to obtain a good match across color devices -providing formulas – standards -make it more complex -every paper variety has its own characteristics Is CMYK the ideal printing solution? NO 1.extended gamut prining would be better, 6-7 color system rather than 4 goal: to print a wide/larger gamut (20% or more) better color saturation -Pantone Hexachrome: CMYK+orange+green -Hifi color: CMYK+orange+green+violet problem: projection on price, requires 4+printing press or toner units 2.using pantone colors (=spot colors) separete inks, not mixed CMYK colors ink color can be based on/translated from CMYK colors improved brand colors problem: requires 1 additional color unit (or +) to print, price! When would you print panone colors? -limited colors, no need for CMYK (ex 2 color printing) -when a “special” color is key/ need for fluorescent, mettalic, pastels or others -exact/correct color reproduction is a priority (not present in CMYK) PMS color PMS= pantone Matching Systems based on 18 colors, providing 1.124 mixed colors not all colors are in the CMYK color gamut values projection on cost – efficiency – printing options and limts Pro: -a color communication system about color for designers, prepress and printers -provides smoother and direct communication about colors Cons: -remains an additionnal color system (add. Costs, printing/toner units…) -name of color not always clear; sometimes 3-6 numbers, sometimes name -during print, added ink layers are printed on top of each other (4-8 or more), lower printing speed, due to longer drying times Using PMS/spotcolors instead of CMYK: Pro: -1single color printed, improve sharpness -more consistency in color reproduction duing printing run Cons: -additional printing unit needed: extra cost, more complex color management issues PMS color books PMS-wavers and books -color fomula guide -process color imaging guide -available on adobe for digital selection of colors and references -pantone internet colors system: 216 hexadecimal references of color/color mixes Other printing systems bases on special inks TOYO en DIC: -japanese color system -compare w/ Pantone PMS or Ral colors Focoltone: -US based systems, mostly used in the USA RAL: -based on industrial painting &varnishing industry -reference: 210 colors -used in public traffic, army, traffic, signs… -options to select colors in photoshop (architects, industry markets) -usage: printed colors on company cars and vehicles (Brand Identity) How and where to use? Microsoft suite: -RGB bases apps, limted/no possibilities for use of CMYK colors -conversion to CMYK by prepress specialists (cost+) Adobe Creative cloud apps -build in CMYK+pantone colors options -conversion options (ex to RAL +others) -“plug in”, other colors can be impirted, sometimes extra cost for it For documents (brochures, flyers, business cards…) -CMYK=ok but other toner combinat° not always aivalabke -output options/limitations: paper, substrates, materials… Large format (posters, banners…) -Mostly CMYK, other toners cans be used (but extra cost+time) Other color systems Based upon Color Characteristics: -HSB (Hue, Saturation, Brightness) -HSV (Hue, Saturation, Value) -TVH (Dutch:Toon, Verzadiging, Helderheid) HSV color wheel -Lab colors -Hexadecimal Color values Colorwheel Johannes Itten Scanning/digital photography =RGB Screen web/mobile =RGB Conventional & digital print =Black &White =CMYK =Wide garamut or PMS =PMS or RAL/or others only The ∆ E difference What is delta E: color description based on 3 components L (lightness), a (project° color in axis Red-Green), b (project° color axis Yellow-Blue) The color difference is the distance between 2 colors and their projection on the axis: defined as ∆ E. Module 2: Prepress Workflow: Concept idea -> Prepress -> print/publication Prepress= step between “concept design” and “print” by artist/company/agency Most requested and delivered services: Images and color correct°, adaptation/alterations from page layout, creating production “print ready pdf” docs, plate making… Prepress Today: Trend towards own ‘production units’ within creation agencies: cost/time/planning efficiency secret or delicate projects To serve own production needs Print ready Pdf’s Converting and retouching images Design and ‘alterations’  Preparing digital mailing setup Digital printing for proofing, trapping, color separations Using professional graphic applications and technology Digital file delivery, file exchange: How? -Using a hardware device (USB stick, CD, DVD) -Using internet / Cloud technology (Internet, e-mail attachments (small file sizes), Networks: ftp protocol, Cloud Services + sharing options (Google Drive, DropBox, OneDrive) Digital file delivery to prepress companies: -FTP-server (file transmission protocol) -cross platforms exchange applications (wetransfer) -pro? Print ready PDF: -CMYK -document’s page size is the finished trim size -Fonts are embedded or converted to outlines so no fonts are needed. -All scans resolution are 300 dpi at 100% of the final image size. -Images are embedded in the file. -Files are supplied with 3mm bleed. -Any trim, score or fold marks are indicated and outside the live print area. -Artwork is at least 5mm from the edge of the page; this is regarded as a safe or quiet area. -Black text is 100% black and not a mix of CMYK -White text is not set to overprint. -Any multiple-page PDF consists of single pages running from the front cover through to the back cover, including blank pages if needed. -If folded, check artwork is setup correctly for these folds. Halftone images: how are they printed? Line art= black and white 1ink Halftone images= grayscale, 100 gradations (more than 100 inks?) Halftone=the reprographic technique that simulates continuous tone imagery using dots, varying either in size or in spacing, thus generating a gradient-like effect -A higher level of screening points results in a better print quality -This reproduction relies on a basic optical illusion: the tiny halftone dots are blended into smooth tones by the human eye. Low quality resolution: newspaper printing, Bigger and less screening dots High quality resolution: luxury art book printing Smaller (finer) and more screening dots Resolution of halftone screens (Ipi) Screen ruling (lineature of a printed screen) Measured in Lines Per Inch More pixels in the source file = higher screen lineature In the Netherlands (NL) screen ruling is often measured in Lines Per Centimeter (lpc) !! Screen ruling is defined w/ a ‘screen ruling’ meter Origin: a film overlay; today a digital meter tool Need details? contact your printer or compare with a loupe or screen ruling meter Quality parameters: Parameters that may influence print quality/resolution: 1. Type of Paper: -Use glossy, smooth paper papier, for higher quality printing (and screening resolutions; up to or > 240 lpi) 2. Printing technology -offset, silk screen print, letterpress, digital print….: # different Quality options Common screen ruling values in # print techniques -Newspapers 65-85-110 lpi -Offset printing/ commercial print jobs 100 – 200 lpi -Digital printing: ± 150 lpi [other screen dots!] -Silk screen printing 58 – 100 lpi Scan resolution=input resolution (ppi) Scan resolution ppi – pixels per inch = Lpi x Scale Factor x Quality factor 150 lpi x 1 x 1,67 [use 2 for calculation] = 300 ppi Good Practice: screen lineature x 2 = the number of pixels you need ONLY if your image is scaled at 100 %. As such not enlarged or cropped This is the designer’s primary concern! Case: Printer prints using a 150 lpi screen: Image used at 100 % size: 150 lpi x 1 x 2 = 300 ppi Image used at 200 % size: 150 lpi x 2 x 2 = 600 ppi Output resolution (dpi) Refers to the Output Resolution [in dpi – dots per inch] of a printing device. Printing devices can only print pixels with a fixed size a screen dot is built up from Picture Elements (PEL) (REL) That is the smallest addressable element in a device 16 x 16 dots = 256 or 28 dots Good quality: you need for 1 screen dot 16 picture elements: e.g. 150 lpi x 16 = 2400 picture elements = 2400 dpi printer resolution e.g. 250 lpi x 16 = 4000 dpi printer resolution Printing devices: resolution dpi – dots per inch eg. 75 lpi x 16 = 1200 dpi printer resolution Your inkjet printer has (appr.) 600 dpi: 37,5 lpi x 16 = 600 dpi Values defined and fixed by the printing device supplier and/or type. If less than 256 grayscales ‘Banding’, appears: inaccurate color presentation in computer graphics Digital file exchange: checklist Use highest possible Image Quality settings on your digital camera (RAW, SHQ or Large) or scanner Exchange original [unedited raw] files [!!] Downloads from the net: mostly 72 to 100 ppi = too low Q Scan images using the correct scan resolution (LPI x SF x QF or 150 x 2 x 1,67) Check resolution of images at reception PPI – pixels per inch – scan resolution (or camera resolution) DPI – dots per inch – output resolution printing device LPI – lines per inch – lineature of a printed screen on paper From screen to print Screening technologies: 1. Amplitude Modulation (AM) screening -screen dots varying in sizes -dots are positioned in a regular grid (fixed defines matrix) Structure: Screen angles Position of each color is defined by a different ‘screening angle’ Mathematical algorithme These angles define a pattern; a regular structure If these screening angles are not positioned precisely: ‘Moiré’ fringes can occur: These are large-scale interference patterns AM screening patterns & errors; Moiré fringes Large scale and visible interference patterns in print,3 variations; 1. Screen moiré: Caused by incorrect positioning of screening angles [covers the entire image] 2. Image moiré or object moiré A part of an image interferes with the print screening (eg. Line structure in a shirt) Only [visible in dedicated parts in the image] 3. Print moiré interference between screening and substrate or paper. Conventional screening (AM screening) Most common method of creating screens amplitude modulation Produces a regular grid of dots that vary in size Quality limitations (up to ± 240 lpi) Visual artifacts: moiré Proven technology, but with limitations: sharpness, details, tonal curves Demand for higher quality screening ranges: Other (newer) screening technology 2. Frequentie Modulation (FM) screening FM or Stochastic screening: structure FM (Frequency Modulation screening technology) Fixed size of dots, a variable distribution density that varies depending on the color’s tone AM - FM screening: visual comparison; FM-screening Pro’s: eliminates screening moiré patterns Smoother, softer, equal midtones and variables Halftone dot sizes can be as fine as 10 micrometers, resulting in a quality comparable to that of photographic prints Ink spreading is better, resulting in shorter drying times = higher printing speed Some popular brands: Agfa ‘Sublima’, Kodak ‘Staccato’, Esko ‘Equinox’, … Tonal values in screens Tonal values A printing patch is covered with X % of ink: Full density = 100 % ink coverage 50 % density = 50 % ink coverage Gradual graytones varying in a % value: 10%, 20%, 50%, 75%, 100%; step by step Gradients: a smooth, gradual blend of color an even gradation from low to high values or black to white Special applications Duotone: combines the highlights and middle tones of a monochrome (grayscale or black-and-white) image in one color, any color ink as the second color Duograph: A fake duotone, or duograph, is done by printing a single color with a one color halftone over it Dot gain =phenomenon in printing which causes printed material to look darker than intended =halftone dots growing in area between the original printing plate and the final printed result. Causes: -Paper absorbs ink: Cfr. Drop of water on a paper -Errors during the process: calibration, finetuning -Very noticable in 50% screening values -Ex 50 % looks 60 % on print How to avoid dot gain? -Adapt values during pre-press in Adobe PhotoShop or InDesign in ‘workflow software’ in communication process with supplier Module 3: File Formats Input options Text : OCR [Optical Character Recognition] Scanner scans text as words (not images!) Despite maturity: still quality issues Adobe Scan or Adobe shape CC (part of Adobe CC !!) Speech to text applications [Voice Recognition Apps] correct interpretation is around 95 or 97 % ex. Siri, Google assistant, Alexa, Cortana... Page make up in layout applications Word / InDesign or others I Input options Images: Scan Images or drawings Using a flatbed or rotating scanner device Use a camera (or smartphone) Use correct image resolution settings Most scanners limited to A3 - A4 format Mostly for opaque documents, not always support for transparant documents Using digital drawing tablets or pens: Using a drawing tablet, or a pressure sensitive pen on a tablet File exchange and delivery: page layout Check and follow your supplier recommendations on accepted type file formats How to save? ‘native’ file: name.doc, name.idd, or others? exchangeable, editable or non-editable file pdf (portable document format) Submitting print ready artwork File exchange: “native” files Native files (ex.docx,.psd,.IDD…) Are Editable files if you have the native application Other export functions available in: Adobe InDesign Microsoft Word / Excel File exchange, always add: Used Fonts / Typefaces Used images/ illustrations / application specs PDF version or printed version from the file Digital exchange: images/illustrations Pictures / photographs / illustrations -300 ppi at 100% (1:1) -Deliver RAW file format if possible -Check out color profile / rendering File exchange in a structured format: directories / folders: ex [project name - images- fonts – text – native design] (make it easy and clear for the next receiver) Checklist digital exchange Is digital file or document complete? Images and illustrations added? Reference to pages or location in pages? Is the ’proof print’ or PDF made from the final version? Does the file contain your contact information? Please add telephone number!! Can be added in Adobe InDesign ‘package’ option ->Printing instructions panel Create a standard test (proof) output: Use and integrate all fonts Print important images (color check) Print special colors (PMS, Quadri...) Based on InDesign Package file PDF delivery and exchange Make a proof print and check results Make changes if necessary Content: Checked copy? Language OK, typos? Correct typefaces and fonts? Placeholders, Notes, titles, OK? Never think: Will Change that later! Please notice program + version: (ex: InDesign CC21 – build 14) PDf files: PDF [Portable Document Format] Program and device independent file format Adobe Acrobat: ideal exchange standard ?  Electronic ‘print’ version from the original native file File is text searchable (indexed) Compact: up to 10 x smaller file format, but still high resolution Multiplatform (mac, PC, Linux, mobile, on-line, …) PDF file format Portable Document Format -multi-platform -Everyone has access to an acrobat file using the free Acrobat Reader application -pre-installed on most computers and devices Please use Acrobat Pro: plenty of options!! Free within your Adobe Creative Cloud application! both on your computer and smartphone or tablet Different PDF: suited to diff. markets PDF/A [Archive] Developed for archiving: long time storage and re-use of documents PDF /VT [Variable & Transactional Printing] Used in the domains of Variable data Printing and transactional printing PDF /E [Engineering] Developed for Geospatial applications, construction, and fabrication Support for 3D (U3D / PRC) PDF /UA [Universal Accessibility] Developed to support ’assistive technology’: screen readers, joysticks, and other electronic navigation tools Not all PDFs can be used to print documents ‘professionally’ Prepress companies and printers require Print Ready PDF’s: -Improved color information (ICC profiles, PMS info, …) -Fonts included Structured: image resolution, quality level... -Bleed, registration marks, dye cut lines, , … -Media box, Art Box, trim box, bleed box There is a need for PDF standards and best practices for the Graphic Arts, Design, Printing and Publication Market. Ghent PDF WorkGroup specifications (www.gwg.org) PDF standards and best practices fort the Graphic Arts Industry PDF/X Subset from the PDF standard: Focus on exchange and usage in the graphic arts industry Support for CMYK / Spot colors, RGB and CieLab Support for # color profiles Support # page layout boxes: trim, bleed, artbox No support for Active content: signatures, comments, sounds, video’s...  PDF/X-1a Standard for print ready ‘Graphic production’ PDF Supports CMYK and Spot color. PDF/X-3 Extended: supports RGB and Lab image information Support for color management, color profiles, color settings... PDF/X-4 is at this point a draft ISO specification, yet to do final ‘editorial’ work and publish the specification PDF/X-6: currently under development Best PDF standard for the graphic art industry: PDF/X1 / PDF/X3 / Certified PDF Preflighted PDF : why ? -To avoid problems in processing or printing content. -Based on a dedicated output profile: Newspapers, magazine, offset printing, or others… -The pdf is checked against ‘most common errors’ and is tagged: -Ready for print [V] or Not Ready for print [X] -Preflighting can be done in both Adobe Acrobat Pro and Enfocus Pitstop (and others) PDF preflighted before delivery Magazines andNewspapers in Belgium / The Netherlands: Deliver a preflighted PDF “preflighting” via software: Enfocus PitStop All images CMYK? Image resolution, ok? Are spotcolors (PMS) used? Fonts embedded Bleed and art boxes defined Preflighting is only a ‘Technical control’ of the PDF Preflighting does not check or modifies: Content, data, …. Language errors, typos, abbreviations, hyphens Location of text, elements, images... Capitals, numbers... Page numbering, headings, titles... PDF exchange : summary Editors and Printers rely on Preflighted PDF/X - (GWG) or Enfocus Certified PDF Some printers provide their ‘own’ PDF profiles In order to maximize the production in their workflow Check out delivery specifications! Advantages: -Higher Quality level: less errors -Faster ready to print: deadline! -Standardization= efficiency -Faster error detection = faster error fixing -Straightforward and well-defined instructions and actions -Preflight starts early in the process: The closer you get to press, the more expensive it is to fix or change... Other Graphic File Exchange formats Vector files eps [Encapsulated PostScript file] svg [Scalable Vector Graphics] If possible, use Vector file formats:.ai,.eps,.svg, … Almost unlimited scalability (enlargement) Exchangeability without quality issues Improved quality after resizing Bitmapped files png [Portable Network Graphics] tiff [Tagged Information File Format] jpeg [Joint Photographic Experts Group] gif [Graphics Interchange Format] XML – JDF JPG or JPEG: Joint Photographic Expert Group 72 ppi – 300 ppi file = low to medium resolution Particulary produced by digital photography Has excellent compression characteristics: degree of compression can be adjusted Image compression : lossless or lossy Lossy compression Data encoding used to reduce data size User decides how much loss: trade-off between file size and image quality Using a glider: Compression ratio visible Lossless compression Does not degrade data Amount of data reduction is much higher Less visible artifacts Bitmapped file formats: GIF =Graphic Interchange Format Bitmap image format developed by Compuserve Mainly used on the WWW Supports animations (animated gifs) Support # compression algorithms (ex: LZW lossless data compression) Support for up to 1859 colors Usage Cross-platform publications: Sharp edges line art Small file size: gaming, online apps & low-res video clips Bitmapped file formats: PNG =Portable Network Graphics Improved replacement of the GIF format cross-platform, mainly internet Supports ‘transparency’ and ‘gradients’ Lossless bitmapped compression (LZW) Does not support ‘non-RGB color Spaces’ such as CMYK! Vector Image file formats: SVG =Scalable Vector Graphics Support for interactivity and animation Open standard developed by W3C) Extended color pallet XML based: searchable, indexable file Compression is possible: lossless data compression However: compatibility with mobile and # browsers... How to choose the best file format? Output independent File size / quality level Purpose: print, online or cross-media Color pallet needed Based on other variables ex: logo on business card and on a banner sized 2 m2 software and tools Othe file formats : XML XML [Extensible Markup Language] publications on the internet based on HTML and SGML content and (visual) representation are independent to create, develop cross media files shape and structure are independent allowing database and metadata exchange Important steps when creating e-books and cross media publications Othe file formats : JDF Job Definition Format Used in workflow applications and job tickets cfr. Medibel standard XML-based, supplier independent digital job ticket Base level automation in order/entry and tracking JDF = communication protocol Inside companies Outside companies Digital Image files Photos: Adobe Photoshop digital photography (or scans) stock-images (iStock photo, …) Photo-cd, cdrom Photoshop options: Image masking, Image assembly, Applying filters, Color corrections, Resolution adaptions, Color conversions Image sharpening: Filter Sharpen / Sharpen more: Covers the entire image Filter based or using gliders and setting limitations Filter Unsharp masking Sharpening of the edges (contrast pixels) Only applicable in contours Illustrations: Adobe Illustrator drawings, painting, …: digital creation and finishing Illustrations: on paper / canvas / other materials drawings, painting, …: manual creation and finishing To scan or reproduction using digital photography Images, ink usage and printing Printing images = heavy ink coverage = more ink / toner impact on paper, price, printing speed, quality (How to reduce ink/toner usage?)  Under color removal (UCR) eliminating overlapping Y+M+C that would have added to a dark (black) and replacing them with black ink only called a ’Full Black’ Grey Component Replacement (GCR) the C+M+Y values that add to grey all along the tone scale can be replaced with black ink UGR-GCR: Advantages Advantages GCR results in less ink being used, and some of that ink is black which is normally cheaper than the others The areas where less ink is used are regions of high ink use, so the potential for drying and offset problems is reduced. Solves the ink not sticking problem and Black ink is cheaper Not only in offset printing, also in digital printing technology: Less toner coverage = cheaper ! Less visible toner layers Less errors: ‘breaking’ toner parts in folds or bends... Trapping =a measure of how well one ink printed on top of another =describe the compensation for misregistration between printing units on a multicolor press that was traditionally known as "Chokes and Spreads” Purpose: avoid printing registration problems Misregistration of paper of printing heads Changes in paper dimensions: shrink or expand General printing registration errors Knock out or overfill from #colors Goal: avoid register problems during print Spread lightest color (spread) Some applications provide color recommendations ex: spread yellow vs Magenta Special settings apply to packaging design Special settings defined by printing technique Offset vs flexo settings Specs silk screen, digital printing Proofs, Proofing and Ready to Print Color Proofing: How ? Soft proofing and remote proofing [on-screen] Digital sublimation proofs (no screening used) color laserprints, dye sublimation, ink jet proofprints [Canon, Xerox, Fuji, Mimaki, Epson…] Digital screening proofs DDCP printers [Xeikon - HP Indigo] Printed Proofs Often printed on a printing press, using the same inks, paper, substrates. >> price, time, value Ready to Print Proofs and Proofing: Lay-out proofing documents Content, color impression, general page view Content Proofing documents Correct fonts, Tekst review, images, lines, tables, colors: positioned correctly Page view level Imposition Proofing documents Pages and signatures: collected. General overview Color or B/W Contract Proofing documents Focus on exact Color reproduction Page view level