Productivity Modes

[ttlcntrlprint]

Hi Guys, the following has frustrated me for ages. Can anyone please advise on the best procedure for setting up the Productivity Modes available with regard to Production House v.7.x, before any inbuilt calibration for both the HP Z6100 and HP 5500 (although named slightly different on the front of both machines GUI) but especially before initiating linearization and profiling?

Thanks in advance,
Christian

[jonkovach]

Would this not be limiting it to 4pass mode, or something of the like?

[ttlcntrlprint]

Hi Jonkovach, thanks for the reply. Can you please elaborate on what you mean by 'limiting it to 4pass mode'. I've been able to accomplish selecting the Productivity Mode with the HP 5500 (non-varware) in Media Manager, but with the Z6100 what are my options? Also does anyone know the benefit of the multiple select buttons for these Product Modes on the front of the HP 5500, as once the machine is linearised and profiled these always seem to default back to the correct (non-varware) previously selected within Media Manager, so seen pointless.

Thanks,
Christian

[jonkovach]

I am just thinking of in Onyx, when you go to the mode options, you can set the number of passes for the printer to form. Fewer passes = lower quality = productivity mode...

Onyx overrides any settings you set on the front panel of the printer - so if you have it set to 4 pass mode, which is very low quality, on Onyx, but high quality on the printer.... printing through Onyx will go at 4 pass mode, no matter what the front of the printer says.

Does that help?
Jon

[ttlcntrlprint]

Hi Jonkovach, so may I additionally ask if you recommend using an '11 Pass' on a high gloss substrate with difference between 600x1200 and 1200 or 600 Modes alone (making the high quality '11 Pass' available in Media Manager) will slow down the media getting to the take up roll thus allowing additional drying time for deeper shadows?

Also, can you please offer any more advise and help explain about the differences between all the print Mode options and the resolutions above, as obviously resolution dictates what print Modes are applicable when matched to specific Pass Modes?

Should I just be apply Varware settings instead and keeping everything as simple as possible?

Thanks in advance,
Christian Macey

[jesse]

In my experience, the higher the "pass", the higher the quality. Depending on what resolution you specify of those available, this will limit your choice to pass variables.

Bidirectional will lay down ink when the heads travel left and right, but if bidirectional isn't checked, it'll only lay ink down as it's traveling from right to left.

This is what I've seen in practice. If I'm incorrect, please correct me.

[jonkovach]

Yes, if you use 11 pass mode, as opposed to something like 4 pass mode, the printer will run slower, thus taking a longer time for the print to make it down to the take up reel. As far as allowing for deeper shadows - this is true as well, though they will only go as deep as your profile allows. If your darkest levels are set to X, they will never get past X, no matter how many passes you use.

Jesse is right about the different print modes.

As far as varware settings... you can do whatever you like - you will have more control over your final output, however, if you specify all your settings.

Best of luck,
Jon

[ttlcntrlprint]

Hi Jonkovach and Jesse, thanks so much for all the help it's really appreciated. However I'll probably have more questions with regard to the above to ask both of you in the near future.


Thanks again,
Christian

[jesse]

Feel free to ask whatever. I'll sit down and build a profile tomorrow to get familiar with the process again. I built a slew of profiles for the Z6100's a couple months back, and I'm due to rebuild them now anyway. If you have something specific in mind, I'll be sure to make note of it when I'm going thru the process.

Also note, when you specify a media from the printer, that will limit your options as well. The built in media configs on the Z6100's are a sort of built in ink limit, and will effect the modes that are available to you as you move beyond that initial option.

I'll check back, or you can email me directly.

[jonkovach]

Yep, I am here to help, too.

What is the original goal, anyway? To get productivity mode while profiling, or highest quality possible? Or both?

Jon

[ttlcntrlprint]

Hi guys, can I just bypass the above thread and ask the two of you for your input on the following off topic question please (as a matter of urgency). What is your recommendations for outputting an Illustrator CS3 file to either the Z6100 or HP5500 (color table turned on), that incorporates a large nightmare spot colour (coated) purple radial gradient, with transparency.
Would you recommend bringing the (.ai) file straight into InDesign and not converting to process or retaining the spot for a composite Inkjet? This is as difficult as things can get for me so far.

Thanks
Christian

[jonkovach]

Christian,

Is the gradient itself a spot color? Meaning.... does it gradate from 100% of Pantone 259 down to 50% of Pantone 259? (insert your color number)

How does the transparency come into play? Is it semi-transparent? Or is something else going on over top of it?

In my experience, I'd keep it what it is - spot color - for composite output. The RIP will see that and convert it to CMYK anyway. One workaround may be to convert the entire thing to process... But I'm havig trouble picturing what this thing looks like.

Jon

[ttlcntrlprint]

Hi Jon, yes, the gradation is from 100% to 50% but it's a PANTONE 268 C, a very 'shadowy' purple. There's no transparency, it is just again, the PANTONE 268 C but on solid.

However, you do say that the RIP will convert to a breakdown, but in my experience the Z6100's 'Colour Tables' are very good for spot matching?

TIA,
Christian

[ttlcntrlprint]

Hi Jon, can I just amend the above post and say that there's no transparency beneath the grad. Also, has anyone got any tips on grads for ONYX (maybe the minimum resolution and steps appropriate).
I do understand the old school method or creating grads for Litho in CMYK only and adding noise, but is this just applicable to Photoshop?

P.S. ONYX TALK administrator, would you like to move this off-topic post with regard to Color Management?

Christian