ZePrA | Edit Spot Color

Edit Spot Color

Create and edit spot colors

Editing and Measuring Spot Colors

  • Individual new spot colors may be entered as solid tones or gradations via the New button under Spot Colors from selected Libraries and the Edit Spot Color dialog will open. Spot colors as CxF/X-4 data are fully supported.
  • Name: Enter the name of the spot color. The name should be written as in the PDF document since it is used as an identifier and therefore crucial for a successful automatic conversion.

Note: If separate libraries are created for different substrates or printing processes, identical spot color names can occur in several libraries but will be associated with different measurements. Make sure to select the correct library for the color conversion in the configuration to avoid problems.

Editing a Spot Color

  • Use the checkbox Non Printing Color to define whether the indicated name of the spot color corresponds to a non-printing color (die-cutting marks, braille, coatings, etc.). Activating Non Printing Color will make the necessary settings automatically. Close by clicking on OK.
    Note: In modern PDF files non printing areas can also be defined bywith processing steps. Read the explanation about PDF Layers for more information.
  • Printed on White Background (Substrate) and Printed on Black Background (Process Black): If the spot color is available as print on white or black backgrounds, enter it by manually measuring or by importing measured values for further processing.
  • Use Template: To process a ‘true’ spot color, indicate the Solid Tone for the 100% value of the spot color. For complete tints, select a template with either three steps (3 patches: 0%, 50% and 100%) or with eleven steps (11 patches in 10% increments). Alternatively, Import a spot color that has already been measured and is available as measurement file.
  • Custom: If a printed wedge with tints of the spot color does not correspond to either of the predefined templates, click Add to open the Additional Tone Values which allows to enter gradations of the wedge as percentage values. Seperate the percentage values by spaces and confirm with OK.
  • The personal wedge is marked as Custom and can be saved for later use with Save as Template.
  • There are three ways to define color values: Enter the Lab values for each gradation manually, select Measure to use the Measure Tool supplied with ZePrA, or select Import to load existing measurement files.

Note: It is recommended to print a wedge of the spot color directly onto the respective substrate as well as a second wedge of the spot color as an overprint with the black process color (black must be printed first) using the correct printing conditions and to measure them spectrally in ZePrA. This will allow ZePrA to perform high quality conversions for the solid tones, the gradations and the opacity, taking dot gain into account. Compared to Lab values, spectral measurement data can improve the simulation of overprinting spot colors.

  • Click on Measure to open the Measure Tool. For further information read Measuring Spot Colors with the Measure Tool below.
  • Once the measuring is complete, the measurement can be transmitted to ZePrA by clicking the Transmit button. This will close the Measure Tool and the Edit Spot Color dialog reappears. Click OK to add the measured spot color to the color library.

Opacity indicates how translucent or opaque a color is. A spot color is fully transparent when the value is set to 0% and completely opaque with a value of 100%. When the opacity value is changed manually, the spot color has a custom opacity.

Reset: Removes the custom opacity from the spot color. The Reset button is enabled if the spot color has a custom opacity, otherwise it is disabled. If the spot color has no custom opacity (Reset button disabled), the displayed opacity value is updated whenever a relevant measurement value (e.g. measurement on black) changes.

Note: ZePrA will automatically calculate the opacity of measured values on black backgrounds, and use the opacity values for the color conversion of spot colors. Information from the ink manufacturer regarding the opacity of the spot color can be entered directly as a percentage, measurements on a black background are not required. Without any opacity information ZePrA will assume the spot color to be fully transparent at 0%.

Note: The Information table under Spot Colors from selected Libraries indicates whether a spot color in the library consists of a solid tone or of tints and whether the color values are based on spectral or Lab data. The opacity of the spot colors is shown as well, if available. Color values can be edited by double clicking on a spot color in the table. Delete, Cut, Copy and Paste are accessible using the right click context menu. Colors can be moved to another library by Cut and Paste. To do so, select the color(s) to be moved, right click and either Cut or Copy. Then select another Library, so that its colors appear in the table under Spot Colors from selected Libraries, right click and Paste.

Measuring Spot Colors with the Measure Tool

Some measuring instruments allow to select the measuring mode (M0, M1 or M2). Select the mode that fits the measuring requirements, then select the measuring mode for the wedge layout and press the Measure button on the instrument.

Note: Barbieri measuring instruments are optimized for test chart measurement therefore single patch measurement is not available.

Once the measurement is complete, the measured color appears in the Measure Tool. The measurement data can now be transmitted to ZePrA by clicking Transmit. Saving the measured values in the Measure Tool is not required.

The Measure Tool is part of ColorAnt and included in ZePrA. If it has not been installed on the computer, the Measure button is not available in ZePrA.

The following measuring instruments are supported by the Measure Tool:

  • Barbieri Spectro LFP
  • Barbieri Spectro LFP qb
  • Barbieri SpectroPad
  • Konica Minolta FD-7
  • Konica Minolta FD-9
  • Techkon SpectroDens (Windows only)
  • Techkon SpectroPad (Windows only)
  • X-Rite eXact
  • X-Rite i1iO
  • X-Rite i1Pro 1 (without XRGA)
  • X-Rite i1Pro 2 (XRGA)

Procedure

Connect the measuring instrument to the USB port of the computer and select the appropriate wedge from the drop-down menu Use Template. Then click the Measure button in the Edit Spot Colors window in ZePrA. The Measure Tool will start and the rest of the process is completed within the Measure Tool software.

If a solid tone is selected, a single color patch is preselected for the measurement. If a step wedge is selected, the layout of the wedge selected in ZePrA is displayed. Under Selection, select the measuring instrument connected to the USB port from the drop-down menu. Click Connect and follow the instructions. More information about measuring can be found in the ColorAnt online help.

In single patch measurement, only one color is measured and transmitted at a time. Either click Transmit or re-measure if the measurement was faulty or unsuccessful.

 The Measure Tool Window

 

 

 

 

ZePrA | Spot Color Libraries

Spot Color Libraries

Manage libraries and edit spot colors

Spot Color Libraries

Overview

ZePrA’s spot color module allows management of spot colors and spot color libraries efficiently. Select the tool Spot Color Libraries from the sidebar to access the window Manage Spot Colors.

Here you can create, add, view and customize libraries. Spot colors can be edited, imported or measured. For example, spot colors from color fans can be measured with a spectrophotometer or Lab values can be entered manually. Furthermore, color tables with spot colors can also be imported. Supported formats are Named Color ICC profiles, Photoshop ACO color tables, Adobe ASE color tables (from InDesign or Illustrator), text files in CGATS format or CxF files, such as CxF/X-4.

X-Rite Pantone Color Manager color tables support Named Color ICC profiles, CxF files (there are current Lab values, but no spectral values for Pantone solids), and CGATS-compliant text files. Import your PantoneLIVE color fans stored in the cloud by clicking the PantoneLIVE button.

Note: PantoneLIVE® from X-Rite is a cloud-based solution for the digital storage of spectral spot colors. To use PantoneLIVE, licenses are required for the ZePrA spot color module and X-Rite’s PantoneLIVE module. You need to unlock your licenses for use in ZePrA under My X-Rite. See PantoneLIVE to learn how to activate your licenses.

Both lab and spectral color values are supported; however, spectral measurement data is preferred as it provides the best results internally.

More information about spot colors can be found under:

Spot Colors

Edit Spot Color

PantoneLIVE

A spot color library can contain a multitude of different information in just one library, such as the full tone, tints printed on a substrate or black, spectral or Lab measurements and opacity values.
All available libraries and the number of spot colors of a library are listed under Libraries. Additionally, the revision number and expiration date of PantoneLIVE libraries are displayed (with the PantoneLIVE icon).

After double-clicking on the selected library the spot colors will be shown in the lower part of the window. In order to improve the performance – especially with extensive libraries – spot colors will only become available when they are used for the processing of jobs or by double-clicking on a library.

The spot color table shows the Name of each spot color and additional Information such as the data type (Remission or Lab) Solid tone or Tone values, or Opacity information (custom or calculated).

The search function can be used to find specific spot colors quickly. Spot color libraries can also be searched for Lab values. If the search text is of the form “L a b Lab” (e.g. “51 7 -61 Lab”), ZePrA searches for spot colors matching the specified value. Since exact matches often fail due to rounding and non-precise input, a tolerance is applied.

Note: PantoneLIVE libraries are protected and in ZePrA they can not be edited, extended or removed. With PantoneLIVE, Pantone spot colors and libraries can be accessed directly from ZePrA.

Import spot color libraries
  1. Select the tool Spot Color Libraries from the sidebar.
  2. Import existing color tables containing many spot colors by selecting Import under Manage Spot Colors. The formats supported by ZePrA include ACO (Photoshop color tables), Adobe ASE, TXT (text files in CGATS 1.7 format), CxF (Color Exchange Format 3), CxF/X-4 and Named Color ICC-Profiles.
  3. To create a library from scratch using printed samples, click New, give the library a name and then click New on the lower right of the dialog to open the Edit Spot Color dialog. Each added color will appear in the selected library. For more information on how to measure or edit spot colors see Edit Spot Color.

Note: ZePrA does not provide spot color libraries with a new install. To obtain spot colors from some applications export Adobe Photoshop color tables with Lab color values as ACO files or Adobe InDesign/Illustrator files as ASE. Color tables of the X-Rite Pantone Color Manager can be saved as Named Color ICC profiles or as CxF file (provides current Lab values but no spectral values for Pantone full primaries) and CGATS compliant text files. Another source for spot colors is the PantoneLive eco system. The use of PantoneLIVE libraries requires the corresponding access data and an X-Rite license.

Export Spot Color Libraries from ZePrA

Spot color libraries can be exported. When clicking Export the supported file formats (CCF, ACO, ICC, TXT, CxF) for saving the library are displayed. Note that only the ZePrA internal CCF format allows saving all information that may be in a library. Use the CCF format to exchange a library with another ZePrA installation on another computer. The other more common file formats are mainly included for exchange with other applications. A warning appears for other file formats.

Export Spot Colors from ZePrA

There are three ways to Export spot colors:

  • In the upper Libraries panel an entire library with all colors can be exported.
  • In the panel below (Spot Color from selected Library) a single color from a library can be selected and exported.

  • In the Edit Spot Color window a single spot color can be exported, too.

  • PantoneLIVE libraries and single colors cannot be exported.

When clicking Export the supported file formats (CCF, ACO, ICC, TXT, CxF) for saving the library or a single spot color are displayed:

  • Only ZePrA’s internal CCF format allows saving all information contained in a library. Use the CCF format to exchange a library with another ZePrA installation on another computer.
  • Use the CxF format to save CxF/X-4 compatible files. A notification message shows which CxF/X-4 compatibility level has been exported depending on the data (X-4a, X-4b, full compatibility).
  • The other file formats are included to exchange data with other applications. However, the exchange is limited as not all data of a library can be exported using these formats. A notification message indicates which data can be lost when using the selected format.

ZePrA | SaveInk Report

SaveInk Report

Information on ink saving

Creating SaveInk Reports

SaveInk reports give a detailed overview of the ink savings of all SaveInk queues and jobs processed. To create a report select SaveInk Report in the sidebar.

 

Ink savings on all SaveInk queues

Procedure

  1. Select SaveInk-Report in the Sidebar.
  2. Enter a file name and select the format. The report can be created as PDF (default), TXT, HTML or XML. Then specify the save location.
  3. Click Save and the ink saving report will be generated.

Summary: Shows the ink saving for all files for each SaveInk queue and for all queues.

Ink Saving per Queue and Job: Shows details of individual queues and jobs.

Note: The percentage calculations in the SaveInk Report refer only to the CMYK components. Transparency effects, overprinting elements, and spot colors are not taken into account.

ZePrA | Global Settings | Gradation

Gradations

Manage and create tone value correction curves

Overview

Almost every printing process requires a tone value increase (TVI) correction shortly before printing, which is stored in the RIP of the platesetter. This tone value correction is primarily used to maintain printing standards and to compensate for intangible data in the printing process caused by a large number of factors, including the substrate and ink. These TVI corrections can be included in the data to be converted. Subsequently, only a linear conversion in the RIP software of the imagesetter is required for the exposure of the data.

By using gradation curves, tonal value corrections can be performed on process and spot colors. Gradation curves can be integrated into configurations and applied automatically, either after or instead of color conversion. The Gradations tool can be used to create the required gradation curves and then integrate them into Configurations (under Configurations in the Gradations tab).

Manage gradation curves

Create new gradation curves

In the Manage Gradation Curves window, create New curves and Duplicate or Delete existing ones. New curves can be modified in the Curve Design panel either by clicking and moving the displayed curve with the mouse pointer or by entering values. If you would like to enter percentage values in the Input and Output fields, first create an anchor point in the curve by clicking on the curve.

Creating a new curve

The entered values then refer to this anchor point. The X button is used to delete the selected anchor point.

Percentage values can be entered up to one digit after the decimal point. This allows for more precision of gradation corrections.

Note: The correction works most accurately with 16-bit data. For 8-bit data, the smallest change is 0.4 units (100/255=0.39), so corrections smaller than 0.4 cannot be applied.

Import and Export: This provides the option to export one or more gradation rules from one configuration and import them into another configuration.

ZePrA | Configurations | PDF | Transparency

Transparency/ Overprinting

Automatically reduce transparencies in PDF files

Transparency/Overprinting

The processing of transparencies and overprint objects can be precisely defined with the three available options.

Preserve Overprinting Effects: Provides automatic adjustment of overprint properties. Some overprint effects may be lost when changing color spaces, for example, with CMYK-to-N channel or ICC-based CMYK conversions. This feature enables the best possible conversion of colors, especially vector colors. It is enabled by default when no Transparency Flattening is performed. 

Note: The Transparency Flattening feature suppresses the Preserve Overprinting Effects and Convert all transparent Elements in PDF Files functions.

Convert all transparent Elements in PDF Files: Transparent objects in PDF files have a color space and color values in addition to the intrinsic transparency effect. By default, all transparent objects are converted the same as all other color objects, even if no transparency reduction is performed. With some transparency effects, however, this can lead to visual flaws. In this case, disable this feature and perform the color conversion again. Alternatively, Transparency Flattening can be performed. If this function is deactivated, transparencies will continue to be color-converted correctly, however, individual effects that have no color relevance will be excluded.

Transparency Flattening: Activating this checkbox enables the Settings button. This button opens the Transparency Flattening window, which enables a precisely controlled conversion of transparencies and overprinting elements with its numerous detail settings.

 

The transparencies and overprint objects of a PDF file can be processed using two methods:

  1. Flatten Transparencies
  2. Rasterize Document

1. Flatten Transparencies

Preset: Presets are available for the most common daily transparency flattening tasks. The settings used are grayed out and cannot be changed. Presets can also be used as a basis for Custom settings. 

Preset:

High Resolution for Printing: This default setting retains as many vector objects as possible. A typical resolution setting of 2,400 dpi is used for the rasterization of vectors and texts. This presetting is suitable for print production, for example in conventional printing presses.

Dissolve Overprinting: This is the best solution if there are problems with overprinting elements after a color conversion, especially when combining a spot color conversion and a transparency reduction, or if the total amount of coverage (TAC) is too high. This should be used specifically to convert spot colors to process colors to ensure the best possible conversion of colors and vector objects.

Overprinting elements are separated into individual vector objects and, if necessary, rasterized so that the resulting color result is identical to that of the original file. The main difference between High Resolution for Printing and Dissolve Overprinting is that the Preserve Overprints checkbox is disabled.

Note: The two functions Preserve Overprints and Preserve Overprint Appearance work independently of each other. If the Preserve Overprints checkbox is deactivated, overprinting objects are resolved in the same way as transparent objects. This can lead to adverse results with overprinting and transparent objects when spot colors are present and a spot color conversion is carried out afterward. The Preserve Overprint Appearance function can be used to avoid these problems without rasterizing the file.

Rasterize all Graphics and Text: If the Raster/Vector Balance is set to zero, all vectors and texts will be rasterized. The resolution of the rasterized elements then corresponds to the Vector and Text Resolution.

Note: Images are also converted to this resolution and can be blurred in print when using extended resolution. The resulting PDF file can become significantly larger when using this function.

Resolution for Proof Printing: Uses the resolution of a typical inkjet printing system for proof printing. Overprinting elements are resolved to reproduce the correct color appearance.

Custom: Enables custom conversions of transparencies and overprinting elements by specifying user-defined settings.

Raster/Vector Balance: Determines the amount of vector information that is preserved. A higher setting preserves more vector objects, while a lower setting rasters more vector objects. Medium settings preserve simple areas and rasterize more complex ones. The lowest setting rasters all graphics with transparency.

Note: The conversion to pixel images depends on the complexity of the page and the type of overlapping objects.

Vector and Text Resolution: All objects are rasterized to the specified resolution, including images, vector graphics, text and gradients. The resolution influences the accuracy of the intersection points when converting to pixel images. Adobe recommends 600 to 1,200 ppi for vector graphics and text resolution to achieve high-quality screening, especially for serif fonts and small fonts.

Gradient and Mesh Resolution: Specify a resolution between 72 and 2,400 ppi for gradients and Illustrator grid objects that are rasterized due to the transparency flattening. The resolution affects the accuracy of the intersection points when converting to pixel images. Adobe recommends 150 to 300 ppi for gradients and grids. Higher resolutions do not improve the quality of gradients, cast shadows, or soft edges. However, higher resolutions can increase print times and file size unnecessarily.

Convert all Text to Outlines: Converts all text objects to outlines and ignores all text glyph information on pages with transparency. This function ensures that the text width remains unchanged during reduction.

Note: Small fonts appear slightly wider when the file is opened in Acrobat or when printing at low resolution. Quality is not affected when printing at high resolution or using a platesetter.

Convert all Strokes to Outlines: Converts all strokes on pages with transparencies to single-filled outlines. This ensures that the width of the strokes remains unchanged during transparency reduction. Note that thin strokes are displayed slightly thicker and may affect reducing performance.

Clip complex Regions: Ensures that borderlines between vectors and rasterized graphics run along object paths. Prevents visible transitions in graphics where one part has been converted to a pixel image while another part preserves the vector format. However, with this function, paths can be created that the printer cannot process due to their complexity.

Preserve Overprinting Appearance: Solves common overprinting problems without rasterizing the file. This option can be applied to overprint problems with or without transparencies in the file. It is enabled by default in all presets within the Transparency Flattening feature, but can be disabled in Custom settings.

Use Document Color Space as Transparency Color Space on Page Level: Available only with the Custom setting by default. Overwrites the transparency color space at page level and uses the profile set under Document Color Space. This option is convenient when converting a file with a transparent RGB blending space from CMYK to CMYK. In this case, a more reliable result is obtained when the transparent blending space is CMYK rather than RGB.

Time limit: By default, flattening processes are canceled after 30 minutes. However, some PDF files contain complex transparencies which may need more than 30 minutes for flattening. Therefore, the allowed flattening time can be defined under Time limit.

Note: It is not recommended to reduce the Time limit to less than 20 minutes.

Rasterize after Timeout: By enabling the check box, files will be rasterized when the Time limit is exceeded. The rasterization is carried out by using the settings defined in the grayed-out section Rasterize Document. To change these settings, select Rasterize Document, make the desired changes (use the tab key after changing the Resolution for the dialog to accept your change), select Flatten Transparencies, and click OK.

Note: Some files take hours to flatten, and it is not certain that they will be processed correctly. Rasterizing is then the last resort to convert such files correctly.

2. Rasterize Document

Rasterizes the entire PDF file to the specified resolution, including vectors, text, images, and white paper backgrounds. This setting is convenient when printing with a RIP that does not support transparency or when generating a soft proof as a pixel-based file.

Under Format choose between PDF and Pixel File.

Note: For pixel files, set the settings under Options > Image Quality. If you select Automatic mode for the Compression Method, a TIFF file is usually generated. Please note that for multi-page PDF files as many pixel files are created as there are pages.

Smooth Text and Vector Graphics: Anti-aliasing is applied to text and vector elements to avoid artifacts at low resolution. Anti-aliasing can also cause some blurring in the processed file.

Note: Fonts are also rasterized. For best results, choose a resolution that is high enough to achieve a good quality result when rasterizing text and vector lines (at least 600 dpi).

Rasterize all Files: Rasterizes any PDF document even if it does not contain transparencies.

Note: By default, a document is only flattened if it contains transparencies. Otherwise it is not flattened. Use this function to create a pixel file such as TIFF or PSD from a PDF that does not contain transparencies.