Operating Manual

OPERATING MANUAL
Bright target colors which are formulated entirely transparently on a reflective
metalized substrate and are intended to be viewed under an ambient light with a
high proportion of directed light can sometimes not be reproduced satisfactorily.
The reason for this is the inherent color of the metalized substrate, which appears
as gray. Since with transparent colors the background is seen in its full effect, the
recipe may appear too dark even if it is formulated very brightly.
In such a case, Ink Formulation will indicate that the task is not possible by means
of an increased visual dE. The only possibility that can be tried then is to reproduce
the target color by adding opaque white to the recipe (e.g. by using the option Control
covering power > user-defined). Because of the covering effect of the opaque
white on the background, it is possible to formulate even bright colors on reflective
metalized substrates, but the reflective effect of the substrate is lost on the areas
that have been printed.
22.2.5 Ink film thickness
This field is used to enter the ink film thickness for which the recipes are to be calculated.
By definition, an ink film thickness of 100% represents the medium thickness
for colorant calibrations of the current assortment.
Offset printing
It is possible to enter a minimum and a maximum ink film thickness (weight per area).
By increasing the maximum film thickness, you extend the color range which can be
achieved with a particular assortment. Let us take, for example, the highly saturated
red of a Marlboro packet, which can often be obtained only by increasing the maximum
film thickness. By reducing the minimum film thickness, it is possible to reduce the
transparent white, if the recipe contains any. It goes without saying that you should
enter only film thicknesses which are technically feasible.
Flexo or gravure printing / Screen printing
The ink film thickness depends on the size of the mesh (screen printing), on the cell
count of the anilox roll (flexo printing) or the depth or volume of the engraved roll
(gravure printing), which is determined by the type of the engraving or the etching.
As a percentage of the colorant calibration: In the event of deviations in relation to
the colorant calibration conditions of the current assortment, it is possible to enter
here a rough estimate of the actual film thickness. Under more or less the same
conditions, you can leave the setting on 100%.
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22 • Making settings