Will Wonders Ever Cease?

Wide-format inkjet proofing is steadily making inroads into proofing applications.

April 2008 by Jean-Marie Hershey

multipage

The :Grand SherpaMatic uses the :Apogee Proofing RIP, so in an Apogee workflow you are using identical digital interpreters. That means you can be confident that what is outputted on your proof is what will image on the plate. Agfa also offers a variety of FOGRA-certified (Fogra Graphic Technology Research Association) proofing media in satin or glossy finishes and a range of weights that are suitable for dye or pigment inks.

DuPont

The company’s new Cromalin® Largo proofers make use of the latest DOD technology with roll-fed proofing substrates to create contract-quality proofs. DuPont expanded-gamut pigment inks, ­DuPont media, and output sizes have been tuned specifically to meet the needs of the graphic arts industry.

Two Cromalin Largo versions are now available, the Largo 2406 with a 24˝ width for 4-up proofing, and the Largo 4406 with a 44˝ width for 8-up signatures or wide-format graphics. All systems include the DuPont Largo ink and Cromanet RIP and color management software, offering a “closed-loop” color calibration process that the company says can be used to match virtually any proofing or press conditions consistently and accurately, ­including difficult spot colors.

EFI

EFI Vutek recently launched EFI Colorproof XF for Flexo, a large-format production solution designed for customers in the packaging industry. Available in M (up to 17˝), XL (18˝-24˝), and XXL (25˝-44˝) output options, Colorproof XF for Flexo is said to create halftone screened inkjet proofs based upon the actual imaging engine used to create proofs. Unique to Colorproof XF, this feature allows customers to achieve challenging dot proofs using inkjet to simulate virtually any packaging scenario.

Epson

Variable DOD printers from Epson’s Stylus Pro line (3800, 4800, 7800, 9800, and 11880), use UltraChrome K3 pigmented inks. Users have a choice of third-party RIPs from CGS, ColorBurst EFI, and GMG. Epson’s Stylus Pro line of wide-format variable DOD printers use the 8-color UltraChrome K3 ink technology with proofing media designed for improved image processing.

Newly enhanced with Vivid Magenta, UltraChrome K3 inks can simulate a wide range of colors and provide an ­accurate proof of what the final package or label will look like when printed on a flexographic printing press. Epson’s variable DOD piezo Stylus Pro 4880, 7880, 9880, and the 64˝ 11880 use the manufacturer’s UltraChrome K3 pigment inks with Vivid Magenta for ­improved image processing.

Hewlett-Packard

Hewlett-Packard’s 8-ink DesignJet Z2100 printer with GMG Americas’ ColorProof software is designed to deliver a high level of color accuracy and consistency with the use of an ­embedded spectrophotometer. With this capability, ICC profiling is automatic and precise printer calibrations provide predictable results whenever a proof is printed.

The eight HP Vivera pigment ink cartridges contain three black inks: matte black, photo black, and light grey. A user can choose from a wide variety of HP photographic, fine-art, and proofing media or specialty papers from other vendors.

Kodak

Kodak offers several inkjet proofing options, including the 4- and 8-up KODAK Matchprint and 4-up VERIS inkjet devices. The VERIS proofer delivers repeatable, high-resolution 4-up contone (continuous tone) proofs. Based on Kodak-developed multi-drop array inkjet imaging, the VERIS proofer produces a controlled stream of drops at 1500 x 1500 dpi, for high-quality proofs that are accurate predictors of the final printed job. Key improvements include: an expanded gamut ink set, a new high-performance proofing media, the new Certified Process for Color Confirmation, and many Kodak proofing software features that are designed to further enhance color consistency, production accuracy, and remote-proofing functionality. pP

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