If you are trying to connect a Techkon device to Chroma QA, Printflow, or Colibri, follow these steps: If you encounter problems connecting to the Techkon Device, please check that the Windows Service is running. Open the Microsoft Windows Control Panel Select the Administrative Tools Open the Services Make sure that the TECHKON Device Service is listed as shown above and that the status is set to “Started” and the startup type is set to…
Five Tips for Creating Your Color Bar Evaluate all of your presses so you have complete information on the manufacturer, print width, number of keys, and individual key width. This will allow you to map a color bar that will work for each of your presses. Be sure that each ink zone has at least one solid patch per ink used on press, so you know how to control the keys based on density or…
Do you want to reset your SpectroDens? Resetting your SpectroDens will bring the device back to the factory default settings. **Please note that if you do this, all calibration data (including slope values), stored measurement values, reference values, target values, and tolerance values will be deleted.** If you have any questions at all, please get in touch with our service team by calling 978-777-1854, chatting, or emailing service@techkonusa.com! Some reasons you might want to reset…
The Techkon Recertification program will ensure your instrument is ISO compliant and that it meets factory specifications. Our 8 point recertification includes: Cleaning of instrument optics Check/replace battery charging capacity Check/replace lamp Check white standard Verify & Update internal device calibration Upload new firmware Complete functionality test ISO9001 compliant certificate You can start the process of recertifying your device by requesting an RMA. After filling out the RMA request form, you will receive an email…
SpectroDENS InkCheck and ISOCheck functions calculate and display density adjustments needed to achieve the best possible color match. The newest update of SpectroDENS firmware (download here) now includes a display of PERCENT DENSITY change. The percent change values are useful since they can be entered into ink key adjustment software on Heidelberg and other presses. InkCheck calculates ink density adjustment to achieve best color match (lowest ΔE) to reference values for the ink. The screen…
Color measurement devices work by measuring the amount of light reflected at different wavelengths. Measurement consistency is affected by factors such as ambient temperature, calibration, paper opacity, optical/sensor design of measurement device. An understanding of these factors can help ensure more reliable print color control by measurement. Software settings are another practical issue in achieving consistent results. Spectral measurements are mathematically converted to color and density values. These conversions depend on settings and options selected…
Use of polarization filters in print color measurement Photographers use polarization filters to cut out glare. On color measurement devices, the use of these filters minimizes differences due to gloss. Differences in appearance from specular reflection can come from paper coating and from ink finish. Also drying of wet ink changes the appearance. Whether a surface is glossy or matte can impact color measurement. There has been debate about the use of polarization filters and…
Print color and density measurement can be done with different aperture sizes on a spectrophotometer. Here are 7 things to consider when pondering aperture size for color measurement of prints: What size are the color patches on the color control bar? Typically small aperture is used where smaller color patches need to be measured. This is often the case for presses with many printing units and where extra patches are being used for each ink…
Ensuring consistent and accurate color in a multi-press multi-facility environment presents a host of challenges that many printers struggle to deal with on a daily basis. Most of these challenges fall into the following four categories: Inability to Share Data If there is not a cohesive system and process in place to share customer specified color tolerances and values, it is virtually impossible to achieve accurate and consistent color across multiple presses and facilities. Without…
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….
Using the Pass/Fail Function: This function is found on the SpectroDens Premium handheld instruments. 1. What is this function / What does it do? The Pass/Fail function is a unique Techkon function that easily enables a Press Operator or QC Manager to compare a sample color, ink drawdown or press sheet to a standard color stored onboard the instrument. They know immediately whether or not they are within tolerance with the onscreen feedback and audible…
Question: With four SpectroDens devices on different flexo presses, running three shifts, how can I set up all the color libraries, get my entire staff trained and be assured they are all following the same prescribed procedures? Answer: Build highly accurate color libraries for the jobs to be run each day. Train your staff on loading the proper color libraries and checking proofs to see if they “Pass or Fail,” and quickly and efficiently correcting…
Color Guide: This function (formerly known as Ink Check) is found on the SpectroDens Premium, SpectroJet Pro and SpectroDrive Pro instruments. The Color Guide Feature is a great tool to support intiatives related to maintaining brand standards. 1. What is this function / What does it do? The Ink Check function is a unique Techkon function that combines the measurements of Density and Color (L*a*b*). When operating a printing press an operator can either add…
One of the great advantages of printing to standards is having a known target to aim for. ISO 12647 indicates precise L*a*b* values for offset CMYK solids when using ISO compliant inks with ISO compliant paper. But what do we do to establish proper ink density targets when no standard exists? Printing onto unusual substrates such as plastics or synthetics, printing to “G7 Extreme”, or printing using unusual techniques are all examples of important non-standard…
Here are just a few tricks of the trade when using a densitometer or spectrophotometer to measure color: Calibrate Always be sure to calibrate the device on its matched calibration plaque. Experienced users tend to get lazy or rushed and forget this critical step. And, often time’s new users overlook the importance of calibration. Handle with Care It is very important to hold the device down gently and evenly when measuring color patches; even slight…
