Abstract

The study is intended to provide a better understanding on the use of process color-based color communication systems such as those provided by Focoltone, Trumatch, and Pantone, in order to print synthetic colors as accurately and as consistently as possible. Using Focoltone's system, an investigation was done on the materials and documentation, as provided by the Focoltone kit. The available information, as provided by Focoltone, was supplemented by the author's interpretation of Focoltone's specifications. From the author's understanding of Focoltone specifications, a set of procedures were outlined that would contribute towards the accurate and consistent reproduction of synthetic colors on a press run. The study concludes that the use of standard film dots, as specified by Focoltone, to reproduce the reference colors on the swatchbook, is question able because the dot gain characteristics of press run(s) used to print Focoltone's swatchbooks differ significantly from that of industry average values obtained from FIPP. Moreover, as each production press would exhibit its own dot gain characteristics, the use of a standard film dot in the printing process would not contribute to an accurate reproduction of color. Instead, the study recommends that procedures have to be established that: 1. Enable the conversion of standard film dot area specifications into custom film dot specifications to suit the particular press run's dot gain characteristics. This procedure requires the availability of the plate/press curve of the printing process used to print the swatchbook, and that of the production press, as established in a fingerprint press run. 2. Ensure that the graphic reproduction process, from film to plate to press, is implemented in standardized conditions and manner, and that process control of SID be established, so that deviations from desired SID and dot gain are minimized. This way, the synthetic colors, using process color-based color communication systems, can be as printed as accurately, with reference to the reference color swatches, and as consistently throughout the press run.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Color printing--Data processing; Color-guides--Data processing; Printing industry--Communication systems

Publication Date

5-1-1994

Document Type

Thesis

Student Type

Graduate

Degree Name

Print Media (MS)

Department, Program, or Center

School of Print Media (CIAS)

Advisor

Chung, Robert

Comments

Note: imported from RIT’s Digital Media Library running on DSpace to RIT Scholar Works. Physical copy available through RIT's The Wallace Library at: Z258.L54 1994

Campus

RIT – Main Campus

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