Abstract: Computer-implemented methods, computer program products, and computer systems for preparing a digital artwork document for printing. An input digital artwork document is modified to enhance or avoid a physically printed result by generating an output digital artwork document containing digital objects that align to the one or more features of one or more portions of the artwork, such as for use in trapping, reverse trapping, or pullback of objects, providing rich black, white underprint, or spot varnish. The digital objects are generated in accordance with a combination of first and second sets of instructions, such as a first set generated by a computerized expert system, and the second set created as an exception to the first set. The output document is annotated by storing at least one association between each instruction in the second set and each corresponding selected portion of the document governed by the instruction.

Abstract: A method of producing a printed product includes creating a project specification and storing the it on a server, the project specification including a palette of selected master colors, a printing substrate, a printing technique, and an ink base for a printed product; determining whether a quality assurance color is available for each master color, for master colors having an associated quality assurance color, automatically associating quality assurance color information with the master colors; generating a quality assurance package corresponding to the project specification, the quality assurance package including the quality assurance color information; providing a converter with access to the project specification and the quality assurance package; the converter producing the printed product according to the project specification and scoring the printed product against the quality assurance package; and receiving from the converter a score indicative of the printed product's appearance measured against t

Abstract: A method of creating a bitmap for a printing plate, including defining an area of an image intended to print with a solid color, applying a halftone screen to the defined solid color area, and creating the bitmap embodying the halftone screen in the defined solid color area. The halftone screen pattern includes a plurality of dashes with a plus or minus 45-degree orientation, a plus or minus 135-degree orientation, or a combination of two or more plus or minus 45-degree and 135-degree orientations. Each dash or component dash thereof has a same number of two or more adjacent touching pixels in length and a number of one or more adjacent touching pixels in width, or the dashes are orthogonally arranged in rows and columns, or a combination thereof. Masks, plates, processes for making them, and print methods using the bitmaps are also described.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods, computer program products, and computer systems for preparing a digital artwork document for printing. An input digital artwork document is modified to enhance or avoid a physically printed result by generating an output digital artwork document containing digital objects that align to the one or more features of one or more portions of the artwork, such as for use in trapping, reverse trapping, or pullback of objects, providing rich black, white underprint, or spot varnish. The digital objects are generated in accordance with a combination of first and second sets of instructions, such as a first set generated by a computerized expert system, and the second set created as an exception to the first set. The output document is annotated by storing at least one association between each instruction in the second set and each corresponding selected portion of the document governed by the instruction.

Abstract: A workflow method for creating a printed sheet from a graphics file and an associated job description. The graphics file and an associated job definition are received in a digital front end (DFE), and a raster imaging processor (RIP) in the DFE converts the graphics file from a native format to RIPped data and stores the RIPped data in digital storage. A print controller retrieves the RIPped data from the digital storage and streams the RIPped data as an output. A communication interface, connected to a screening engine processor, receives the streamed RIPped data and the job definition from the DFE and converts the streamed RIPped data to converted RIPped data having a format readable by the screening engine processor, and to pass information from the screening engine processor to the DFE.

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 visualizing printed graphics applied to at least one defined printing area or part of a three dimensional (3D) structure is described.

Abstract: An imaging system, including a laser source and a controller, for producing a mask for a flexographic plate. The imaging data includes a base pattern comprised of spots superimposed on the image information and aligned to a grid defined by an imaging resolution of an imager. Each spot corresponding to an imaged discrete element in the base pattern is surrounded by eight spots corresponding to non-imaged discrete elements. In at least a portion of the mask corresponding to a non-solid tonal area of the plate, the controller adjusts the laser beam to a size that causes each set of four neighboring imaged discrete elements to have an unexposed or unablated area centered therebetween, wherein the unablated area resolves to a region on a surface of the plate below an uppermost level but above a non-printing level, and each of the four neighboring imaged discrete elements resolves to the uppermost level.

Abstract: A method of creating a bitmap for a printing plate, including defining an area of an image intended to print with a solid color, applying a halftone screen to the defined solid color area, and creating the bitmap embodying the halftone screen in the defined solid color area. The halftone screen pattern includes a plurality of dashes with a plus or minus 45-degree orientation, a plus or minus 135-degree orientation, or a combination of two or more plus or minus 45-degree and 135-degree orientations. Each dash or component dash thereof has a same number of two or more adjacent touching pixels in length and a number of one or more adjacent touching pixels in width, or the dashes are orthogonally arranged in rows and columns, or a combination thereof. Masks, plates, processes for making them, and print methods using the bitmaps are also described.

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 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 process for creating a flexographic plate or a mask for producing a flexographic plate, including providing a screen having a resolution defined by a base pattern of equally sized screen spots, each screen spot comprising a smallest exposed discrete element represented on the screen. In at least a non-solid tonal portion of the plate or mask, the size of physical spots are selectively modulated such that each set of four neighboring physical spots in the base pattern has an unexposed area centered therebetween. Each screen spot in the base pattern may be an exposed pixel surrounded by 8 unexposed pixels, each physical spot corresponding to the resolution of a laser beam for exposing the spots on the mask, in which the imaging step includes boosting power of the laser beam for isolated pixels relative to non isolated pixels. Mask and plates, and imaging systems for creating them, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A workflow method for creating a printed sheet from a graphics file and an associated job description. The graphics file and an associated job definition are received in a digital front end (DFE), and a raster imaging processor (RIP) in the DFE converts the graphics file from a native format to RIPped data and stores the RIPped data in digital storage. A print controller retrieves the RIPped data from the digital storage and streams the RIPped data as an output. A communication interface, connected to a screening engine processor, receives the streamed RIPped data and the job definition from the DFE and converts the streamed RIPped data to converted RIPped data having a format readable by the screening engine processor, and to pass information from the screening engine processor to the DFE.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for proofing a selected part of a graphical data input file for output to an output device by automatically adjusting at least one graphics feature in the input file to compensate for a predetermined resolution limit. The method includes identifying one or more portions in the selected part of the input file having an initial thickness less than the resolution limit, determining a set of optimal anisotropic offset parameters that will bring the one or more portions above the predetermined resolution limit with a minimal total offset value, applying an offset using the anisotropic offset parameters to modify the selected part of the input file to give the one or more portions an adjusted thickness greater than the initial thickness, and creating an output file comprising the at least one graphics feature having the adjusted thickness.

Abstract: An imaging system, including a laser source and a controller, for producing a mask for a flexographic plate. The imaging data includes a base pattern comprised of spots superimposed on the image information and aligned to a grid defined by an imaging resolution of an imager. Each spot corresponding to an imaged discrete element in the base pattern is surrounded by eight spots corresponding to non-imaged discrete elements. In at least a portion of the mask corresponding to a non-solid tonal area of the plate, the controller adjusts the laser beam to a size that causes each set of four neighboring imaged discrete elements to have an unexposed or unablated area centered therebetween, wherein the unablated area resolves to a region on a surface of the plate below an uppermost level but above a non-printing level, and each of the four neighboring imaged discrete elements resolves to the uppermost level.

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 raster image processing system including a computer readable media storing digital information that includes information corresponding to an image, and instructions for performing raster image processing (RIP) using an over scan RIP technique on the image to generate a bitmap. Also included is a processor configured to RIP the image using the over scan RIP technique at a multiple of the desired output pixel resolution to produce a plurality of sub-pixels per output pixel. The processor is further configured to determine each image output pixel value based on the values set for the plurality of sub-pixels of each image pixel, by firstly comparing the values of the plurality of sub-pixels to each other and, and then secondly comparing the values of the plurality of sub-pixels to a set background value if needed. The processor then sets the output pixel value based upon that second comparison, and generates a bitmap.

Abstract: A method for performing a design rule check of a computer aided design (CAD) file corresponding to a geometry of a tool for use in a process for making an article from a starting material. Design rules defined to avoid a geometry of the tool documented as causing an inefficiency in a non-printing or non-platemaking operation of the process are stored in a computer. A design rule checking (DRC) module of the computer processes the CAD file relative to the stored design rules, identifies violations, automatically suggests design changes responsive to each violation, receives a user input responsive to suggested design changes, and modifies the CAD file in response to the user input. Non-transitory computer readable media containing code for implementing the method and related CAD systems are also described.

Abstract: In this method, a surface of a digital master of the printed product is subdivided into a plurality of areas based on at least a first area of the printed product being printed having a first set of color-affecting printing characteristics and at least a second area of the printed product having a second set of color-affecting printing characteristics. Each of the plurality of areas are assigned a printing press color profile or device link, and the colors from colorspaces corresponding to each set of color-affective printing characteristics are converted to a colorspace of the proofing device. This conversion is accomplished by determining, for each pixel, one of the plurality of areas of the digital master surface that the pixel belongs to, selecting the color profile or the device link profile, converting the values to proof colorant values, and assigning the proof colorant values to the proof.

Abstract: A raster image processing system including a computer readable media storing digital information that includes information corresponding to an image, and instructions for performing raster image processing (RIP) using an over scan RIP technique on the image to generate a bitmap. Also included is a processor configured to RIP the image using the over scan RIP technique at a multiple of the desired output pixel resolution to produce a plurality of sub-pixels per output pixel. The processor is further configured to determine each image output pixel value based on the values set for the plurality of sub-pixels of each image pixel, by firstly comparing the values of the plurality of sub-pixels to each other and, and then secondly comparing the values of the plurality of sub-pixels to a set background value if needed. The processor then sets the output pixel value based upon that second comparison, and generates a bitmap.