Manual Color Process Control vs Closed-Loop Color Process Control

Accurate and consistent color reproduction throughout a press run is crucial for the success of any offset, flexo, or digital printing operation. To achieve this, periodic color monitoring and control of key characteristics like color, density, TVI, and G7 are essential. Traditionally, printers have relied on manual color control, a primitive and time-consuming process that often leads to costly mistakes, wasted materials, and customer dissatisfaction. In this blog post, we’ll explore the drawbacks of manual…

21

Jul 2023

By Josh KatowitzColor TechnologyComments Off

Match Colors Faster on Press!

Good afternoon blog fans! It’s been a little while since my last blog post and as I look ahead into 2023, I’ve got many great topics in mind to discuss with you regarding Techkon products and technologies that are “must-haves” for any printing environment. So, I am going to jump right in today with a close-up look at Techkon’s InkCheck technology. This is a feature that is built right into our SpectroDens handheld instrument and…

13

Mar 2023

By Steve RankinColor Quality Software, Color TechnologyComments Off

What is Closed-Loop Color Process Control for Offset, Flexo & Digital Presses and Why it’s Time to Retrofit

Periodic color monitoring and control of aim characteristics (color, density, TVI, G7, etc.) of an offset, flexo,or digital press is extremely important for ensuring accurate and consistent color reproduction throughout the press run. These operations can either be accomplished manually, semi-automatically or automatically via color measurement hardware and color control software. Manual color control is a primitive method of quality control that uses a “trial and error” process—and it’s costing printers worldwide millions of dollars…

29

Jul 2022

By Steve RankinColor TechnologyComments Off

5 Advantages of Using an Automatic Scanning Color Spectrophotometer

Automate your color control process An automatic scanning color spectrophotometer like the SpectroDrive is a perfect tool to aid in the task of automating your color control process. It is designed to scan entire press sheet color bars in a matter of seconds thus eliminating the need for manual measurements via a handheld device. These devices are fast, accurate, and can also scan color bars anywhere on the press sheet. Collect & distribute data The…

05

May 2022

By Josh KatowitzColor TechnologyComments Off

A simple review of CIE ΔE* (Color Difference) Equations

PHOTO: Techkon SpectroDens 4 all-in-one-color densitometer and spectrophotometer. If you work in the color industry, either you are a brand owner, merchandise designer, printing professional, paint department staff in Home Depot or Lowe’s, or just a complete color geek like me who likes words like CIE CMC color, you will likely hear the term “ΔE”, pronounced “delta-E”. Since I work in the color industry, I spend most of my time talking to all of the…

11

Sep 2018

By JINKAI QIANColor TechnologyComments Off

The Beauty of Color Transformation in Fall Foliage

This blog is inspired by John Seymour, also known as John the Math Guy (http://johnthemathguy.com/). Last year in 2016, John wrote a blog about his burning bush, the euonymus alaus, and the fact that it was starting chromatic transmogrification in September ( http://johnthemathguy.blogspot.com/2016/09/the-color-of-leaves.html). In his article, he picked several leaves and plotted the CIE a* & b* graph, as well as a spectral curve for each. Due to the fact that maple trees are quite…

07

Dec 2017

By Josh KatowitzColor TechnologyComments Off

Pre-Launch of Newest SpectroDens | Densitometer and Spectrophotometer

Customer feedback has always driven our product development and innovation; and the latest updates to our SpectroDens are no exception. As a member of our Techkon community, you are the first to hear about and be able to PRE-ORDER at no additional cost the newest SpectroDens to be unveiled in January. Here is a sneak preview of some of the new features: SCCA Reference value correction The practice of following print standards like ISO 12647…

10

Dec 2013

By Josh KatowitzColor Technology, Industry StandardsComments Off

LED versus Incandescent Lighting

As the debate over LED versus incandescent lighting continues throughout a variety of industries, it seems there is less to deliberate within the color measurement industry; namely for use in densitometers and spectrophotometers. There are 5 compelling reasons for choosing a densitometer or spectrophotometer that uses an LED light source. LEDs last longer. In fact, LED’s can last up to 10 times longer than incandescent light; which translates into an average incandescent lamp life of…

02

Oct 2013

By Josh KatowitzColor Technology, Industry StandardsComments Off

Do you have a unique color challenge?

Measuring, monitoring, and maintaining the strict color tolerances being demanded by brand owners is an increasingly complex component of your print production process. Issues unique to you and your customer base compound the challenge of maintaining reliable, continuous color quality. That’s why an out of the box system won’t fully satisfy your needs. The only way to solve your specific issues is with a customized solution designed specifically to address your needs. The dynamic state…

17

Jun 2013

By Josh KatowitzColor Technology, TrendsComments Off

Expanded Color Gamut: Seminar and Open House

See Techkon equipment on display at the Expanded Color Gamut Seminar and Open House! June 18: Hilton Indian Lakes, Bloomingdale, IL Presenters: Mark Samworth, Esko & Catherine Haynes, All Printing Resources APR and Esko jointly present an informative industry seminar focused on the trending topic of Expanded Color Gamut (ECG), followed by an APR Open House. “Expanded gamut has increased from less than 1% to roughly 14% of industry printers in the last 5 years….

06

Jun 2013

By Josh KatowitzColor Technology, Device How To's, TrendsComments Off

Index of Natural and Artifical Light

Tn [Kelvin] 1000000/Tn [Mired] Illuminant, nature Source, simulation > 5300 K: “Daylight white” natural lighting 13 500 to 27 000 Approx. 74 to 37 North blue sky – 9 300 107 – Original white point of CRT screens 9 000 to 12 000 111 to 83 “The blue hour” Only perceptible with eyes used to warm white 8 500 125 Lighting in fog – 7504 (“7500”) 133 D75 – North sky daylight Predefined in just…

02

May 2013

By Josh KatowitzColor TechnologyComments Off

Top 5 Reasons to Consider “Closed Loop” for Digital Presses

The traditional method of color calibration of a digital press is a manual operation, which falls into two logical categories. The first is a one-time task during the make-ready operation and the second is on going during the press run. With an automated process, color make-ready and run time press calibration fold into one continuous operation from press startup to print run completion. A high-speed color measurement instrument (in-line spectrophotometer) mounted on the press will…

26

Apr 2013

By Josh KatowitzColor TechnologyComments Off