SubscribeFlexographic printing and applications vary significantly from standard offset print work, particularly in terms of the printing substrate variety and the number of spot colors. Consequently, a much higher standard of digital color proofing is required.
For several years GMG has been setting unrivalled proofing standards in thisfield. These have reached new heights with the recent introduction of GMG FlexoProof o4, a product designed for the unique needs of flexographic and packaging proofing.
Within GMG FlexoProof, the DotProof module accommodates the specific tone reproduction and dot gain produced under any printing conditions. At the same time, the original halftone screened, 1-bit data from the imagesetter or CtP RIP remains unchanged, providing a highly accurate workflow.
Any linearisation curves in the CtP system that are irrelevant for proofing can be inverted to normalise the result. Press dot gain is easily shown in proofs. GMG FlexoProof is easily integrated into automated workflows. For example, the correctly proofed data can automatically be written to a ‘hot folder’ and sent to the imagesetter or CTP process, without reripping the data.
Spot colors and opacity control
GMG FlexoProof also includes the GMG SpotColor application, the ideal solution for managing special colors. All standard spot color systems, such as the Pantone Library supplied with the product, are supported. GMG FlexoProof manages up to 64 separations in one image, with the spot colors held in a central color database where the user can add additional colors.
All spot colors can be read automatically in any gradation and incorporated into the database. Using a special algorithm, any spot overprint colors can be calculated and printed correctly. This is particularly important for applications such as Duplex or such color models as HexaChrome. With the GMG FlexoProof solution, color opacity and the associated print sequences can be specified as needed. White underprinting can be defined as a specific color as well.
Simulate substrates Individual printing substrate structures such as paper fibres or corrugated board structures can be specified in the system and reproduced in the proof. The base color of the substrate can be reproduced as well. Actual printing conditions can also be simulated, such as printing on lower quality paper, with the use of variable image noise.
Individual printing substrate structures such as paper fibres or corrugated board structures can be specified in the system and reproduced in the proof.
Early detection of screening problems
In addition to processing nearly all industry standard prepress data formats, GMG FlexoProof can also work with final 1-bit data, such as that created by the imagesetter or CtP RIPs. The data is color-profiled with the original screen information retained. This supports the early recognition of tonal break-offs, moiré artefacts and trapping errors before plates are ever exposed.
Misregistration
A new feature is the simulation of misregistration already in the proof. This also helps to reduce cost which would occur if the problem would be identified only at a later stage of the process. Misregistration simulated in the proof.
Integration with flexographic and packaging workflows
The GMG FlexoProof solution can be integrated with a variety of different workflows. In particular, it can be tightly integrated with workflows such as Nexus and Esko- Graphics, with native data formats fully supported. The final 1-bit ripped, halftone screened data can be used for final film or plate production with no need for repeated ripping. This guarantees a true ROOM (Rip Once Output Many) process. With this approach the sometimes coarse screens used in flexo printing can be reliably reproduced even at the proofing stage.