Abstract: A printing plate includes a defined image area having a microstructure pattern. The microstructure pattern is defined by a plurality of rows each having a plurality of diagonal oriented elevated line segments having orientations alternating between a positive angle in one row and a negative angle in an adjacent row, wherein each line segment has a first end aligned with a middle portion of and spaced apart from a first line of a first adjacent row and a second end aligned with a middle portion of and spaced apart from a second line of a second adjacent row. Processes, computer readable media programmed with instructions for performing the processes, and tools for making the printing plate are also described.

Abstract: A process for creating a mask for making a printing plate from an unexposed flexographic plate having a masking layer. The process includes providing image information as a first screen having a first plurality of pixels and defining openings in the masking layer in accordance with the image information by superimposing on at least a portion of the image information a base pattern of equally sized spots. Each spot corresponds to an imaged discrete element represented on the mask and has a size corresponding to a smallest discrete element formed on the mask. The spots in the base pattern are aligned in horizontal rows and columns having a non-zero spacing between adjacent rows and columns. In at least a portion of the mask, a size for forming each imaged discrete element is selected such that each set of four neighboring imaged discrete elements has a non-imaged discrete area centered therebetween.

Abstract: A process for creating a mask for making a printing plate from an unexposed flexographic plate having a masking layer. The process includes providing image information as a first screen having a first plurality of pixels and defining openings in the masking layer in accordance with the image information by superimposing on at least a portion of the image information a base pattern of equally sized spots. Each spot corresponds to an imaged discrete element represented on the mask and has a size corresponding to a smallest discrete element formed on the mask. The spots in the base pattern are aligned in horizontal rows and columns having a non-zero spacing between adjacent rows and columns. In at least a portion of the mask, a size for forming each imaged discrete element is selected such that each set of four neighboring imaged discrete elements has a non-imaged discrete area centered therebetween.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for replicating printing output of a source printer having an unknown color profile includes receiving a source file of ink values used by the source printer for printing a product, obtaining measured values of the product in a device-independent color space (DICS), computing a source device-to-lab (A2B) function that converts the ink values in the source file to the measured values, and using a destination lab-to-device (B2A) function to convert the DICS values to destination printer ink values. Computing the A2B function may include a) estimating a proxy color profile, b) pre-training a source neural network using ink values from the source file and proxy color values, c) finetune-training the source neural network using the ink values from the source file and the measured values, and d) converting the ink values from the source file to the measured values using the finetune-trained source neural network.

Abstract: A method for enabling a customer service representative (CSR) to review a print job including a digital graphics file for printing. The CSR receives an incoming electronic communication containing job instructions with the file attached, selects a job instruction preset from the user interface, and initiates preflighting of the file based upon the presets and the printing system. The user interface includes a display screen having a plurality of areas displaying information about the graphics file and annotations relating to results of the preflighting operation, a page of the job, selectable thumbnail images for the job pages, and selectable presets. If preflighting identifies problems, a prepopulated outgoing electronic communication communicating the problems is created and sent to the customer. If no problems are identified, the job instructions and digital graphics file are saved, and an automatic notification is sent to a prepress operation address indicating the job is ready.

Abstract: A method for enabling a customer service representative (CSR) to review a print job including a digital graphics file for printing. The CSR receives an incoming electronic communication containing job instructions with the file attached, selects a job instruction preset from the user interface, and initiates preflighting of the file based upon the presets and the printing system. The user interface includes a display screen having a plurality of areas displaying information about the graphics file and annotations relating to results of the preflighting operation, a page of the job, selectable thumbnail images for the job pages, and selectable presets. If preflighting identifies problems, a prepopulated outgoing electronic communication communicating the problems is created and sent to the customer. If no problems are identified, the job instructions and digital graphics file are saved, and an automatic notification is sent to a prepress operation address indicating the job is ready.

Abstract: Computer-implemented method, as well as systems and computer-readable media, for visualizing printed graphics applied to at least one defined printing area or part of a three dimensional (3D) structure, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing a visualizer web application having a user interface for specifying one or more rendering parameters comprising selecting information from pre-existing criteria including a plurality of rendering specifications; b) accepting in the web application rendering instructions for the 3D structure and the at least one defined printing area or part; c) accepting in the web application a 2D graphic description and assigning it to a printing area or part in said 3D structure, the 2D graphic description comprising separations corresponding to processing steps; d) accepting in the web application an operation stack defining operations corresponding to separations; e),f),g) calculating with a visualization rendering processor textures including color and at least one other a

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for creating a computer-aided design (CAD) corresponding to a 2-dimensional rendering of an unfolded blank configured for manipulation into a 3-dimensional shape. The method includes obtaining a first digital, non-CAD design file containing information relating to the unfolded blank geometry but lacking metadata that defines cut or crease lines separately from surrounding content, and deriving, with a computer processor, a digital representation of the unfolded blank geometry based upon the first digital non-CAD design file. The digital representation includes defined data corresponding to a shape having one or more defined cut and/or crease lines. A system for performing the method includes a computer processor and machine-readable media accessible by the computer processor comprising non-transitory, instructions readable by the computer processor for performing the method steps of defining the digital non-CAD design file and deriving the digital representation therefrom.

Abstract: A printing plate having a printing surface for receiving ink, including a defined area of an image intended to print with ink and a surface pattern applied to the defined area. The surface pattern includes a plurality of rows each having a plurality of diagonally oriented line segments, each line segment corresponding to an ink-carrying relief structure in a raised area of the plate, the plurality of diagonally oriented line segments having orientations alternating between a positive angle in one row and a negative angle in an adjacent row, wherein each line segment has a first end aligned with a middle portion of and spaced apart from a first line of a first adjacent row and a second end aligned with a middle portion of and spaced apart from a second line of a second adjacent row.

Abstract: A method for designing a printing plate for mounting on a printing cylinder. An optimal lateral seam path is defined between opposite lateral edges of the plate by applying an energy minimization function. Top and bottom edges of the plate are defined based upon the optimal lateral seam path, preferably with a variable gap therebetween, and the bottom edge is unwrapped from the top edge to define a closed cutting path. The area inside the closed cutting path is wrapped with artwork or portions thereof, and an updated digital graphics file stored. The energy minimization function may include a penalty function, overall seam path length, and seam path amplitude, with weighting factors. For artwork including staggered lanes of step and repeat one-up images, the optimal lateral seam path may extend across each lane through one-up images, steps between adjacent one-up images, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a printing process by applying a selected adjustment curve to an image input file to produce an output file. The adjustment curve is derived to match a target tonal response curve having a function value for 0 that is non-zero or has a discontinuity between 0 and 10%. The adjustment curve has a basic part selected from limited options and an intersecting highlight part derived using a 1-dimensional function having input parameters selected from limited options. The adjustment curve has a starting point (X1, Y1), a highlight curve part having a first slope at the starting point and a first intersection with the basic curve part at (X2, Y2). The first slope and first intersection are among the input parameters selected from limited options. The basic curve part has a second slope at a midrange point (X3>X2, Y3>Y2).

Abstract: A printing plate having a printing surface for receiving ink, including a defined area of an image intended to print with ink and a surface pattern applied to the defined area. The surface pattern includes a plurality of rows each having a plurality of diagonally oriented line segments, each line segment corresponding to an ink-carrying relief structure in a raised area of the plate, the plurality of diagonally oriented line segments having orientations alternating between a positive angle in one row and a negative angle in an adjacent row, wherein each line segment has a first end aligned with a middle portion of and spaced apart from a first line of a first adjacent row and a second end aligned with a middle portion of and spaced apart from a second line of a second adjacent row.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for visualizing printed graphics applied to at least one defined printing area or part of a three dimensional (3D) structure is described.