PrintFlat

PrintFlat creates calibration and linearization packages.

Setup

Scanner

Select a scanner from the list. If the list is empty, check that the scanner software is installed on the workstation.

The available output options depend on the subscription type.

Targets

Copies

Select the number of calibration target copies to print.

• Using more copies gives a more accurate, more uniform calibration but takes longer to print and scan.

• If you are unsure of the number of copies to use, then start with three copies and assess the print uniformity when printing with the calibration applied.

• If the print uniformity is acceptable, try reducing the number of copies and generating a new calibration to determine whether you can reduce the time required to generate calibrations.

• If the print uniformity is unacceptable, try increasing the number of copies and generating a new calibration, until you reach the point where the uniformity is acceptable.

Colorants

Select the colorants to calibrate, then select Next.

Scan and Create

Print targets

PrintFlat targets must be printed and scanned. Smart Media Manager processes the scans to create a calibration that returns the press to a reference state.

Select Print Targets to print the targets.

NOTE: To print targets successfully, the SPC instance must be in External Control mode.

The targets are printed using the SPC instance that Smart Media Manager is connected to.

NOTE: The targets are visible in the SPC queues.

After the targets are printed and dry, scan them.

Scan

Cut out the individual panels from the printed target images. The dashed lines act as a guide for cutting.

Place a target panel on the scanner and select Scan. Use the triangle on the printed target to align it with the triangle on the scanner.

Scan each target once, in the correct orientation.

As the scans are successfully collected, they move from the "To Scan" column on the left to the "Scanned" column on the right.

The Create button becomes available once all scans are complete (that is, no scans remain in the "To Scan" column).

Create

The final step is to process the scans, which creates a calibration that is added to the SMD file selected in the first step.

Select Create to start processing the scans.

After the calibration is generated, Smart Media Manager updates the SMD automatically and sends it back to SPC.

NOTE: Apply the updated SMD file in SPC before the changes take effect.