Press Characterization Pal #2, 1998 Corrugated Containers Conference Proceedings

Before any production process or piece of equipment can be successfully utilized, the process must be quantified. This is done through optimization and characterization. It is important to understand why and how to characterize the print reproduction process and then how to monitor and maintain these print results within an acceptable tolerance. Subjects such as dot gain, CIBLAB, characterization and control targets, measuring results, analysis of results, and communicating upstream in the production process; should be part of the process.

The purpose of a characterization is to quantify or document the printing process; the purpose of optimization is to imnrove the printing process. Optimization is used to determine the best combination of variables to use in the printing process. As such, a press optimization logically should precede a press characterization.

After the optimum combination of variables is determined, a characterization is performed to document the results achieved using selected variables. The entire process of optimization and characterization starts with measurement and control, then optimization and lastly characterization. Each printer must develop and specify his own goals during characterization, but all companies should have the common goal of accomplishing print repeatability and consistency...