Desktop Publishing CarnegieMellon University Spring 2001 Dave Watterson

Desktop Publishing Carnegie-Mellon University Spring 2001 • Dave Watterson Art Director, GATF • wttrsn@aol. com • dwatterson@gatf. org

Spot Colors • Requires blending different inks into one ink to obtain the desired hue • Similar to mixing paints on a palette or for a house

Four color Process • Dots, Dots • Patterns of dots (rosette pattern) simulate the desired hue

Spot Colors • Require one press unit to apply desired color • Spot Color inks are more expensive than Process Inks • With process printing spot colors require a 5 th unit or second pass through the press

Process Colors • 4 units, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow Black • Can “simulate” Pantone colors • Process colors are cheaper than spot colors (you get what you pay for!)

Out of Gamut • Some Spot colors CAN NOT be approximated by the process color system • Metallic inks • Neon Inks

Color Reference Systems • Pantone • Trumatch • Focoltone • Toyo

Pantone • Most universally recognized • Originally strictly a spot color system— 13 original colors • Process approximations

Trumatch • 4 -color process system • Arranged by Hue, Saturation, Value • Very reliable—seldom used

Focoltone • Stands for Four-Colour-Tone • More widely used in Europe and Asia • Different Inkset • Can check colors progressively

Toyo • Great when using Toyo inks • Used most widely in Pacific rim countries

Color Critical Issues • Surround • Paper • Densitometric verification

Drawdown • On YOUR paper • With YOUR ink • By YOUR printer

Color Control Bar • Measure/Calibrate/Evaluate • Star Targets • Dot Gain Scales • Solid Ink Density • Quarter- Mid- Three-quarter tone patches

Controlling Color Quality • Quality of originals and separations • Paper Surface coatings and color • In color and density • Varnish or Coating

Printer Controlled Factors • Ink Tack • Pressroom humidity • Paper conditioning

Uncontrollable Factors • Color deficiencies • Viewing light • Age of piece—Environmental effects • Effect of sunlight

Color Quality • Pleasing color—Basic printing • Match color—Good/Premium printing • Match original—Premium/ Showcase printing

Contacting me • I don’t have an office on campus and really work all day • Please e-mail me and I will set up a meeting time as quickly as possible

Thanks for your attention! Now let’s head over to the lab (CFA Room 318)