the designer’s

guide
making the most
of hp indigo
digital presses
the authors:

Nick Loh

Nick has been working with

digital print since 1995 and
prior to that he was involved
with the development and
design of pre-press systems.
A graduate in Photographic
and Electronic Imaging he is
a consultant working for HP.

Tony Brown

Tony started his career in

print production and sales
before making the switch to
writing about the industry.
He is the former editor of Based on an original concept
Printing World magazine by Hervé Bernard and Erwin
and now works as a senior Busselot. Many thanks to Guy
writer at the Bespoke Agency Thompson, Emmanuel Folliot-
in Banstead, Surrey. Bisser and Maarten Strack for
their ideas and feedback.
Maastricht , May 2003
 T H E D E S I G N E R ’ S G U I D E

contents
introduction 1-2

Chapter 1 the hp indigo press - transforming the print industry 3-8

Chapter 2 digital vs conventional workflows 9 - 14

Chapter 3 design software - making the right choice* 15 - 18

Chapter 4 getting the best results from your design 19 - 24

Chapter 5 designing with character 25 - 28

Chapter 6 the portable document format 29 - 32

Chapter 7 designing for personalisation* 33 - 38

Chapter 8 designing with seven colours* 39 - 42

Chapter 9 substrates*- feel the quality 43 - 46

Chapter 10 final checks 47 - 48

glossary 49 - 54

using the files on the cd-Rom 55

* the information contained in this guide covers the general range of HP Indigo presses.
Check with your Print Service Provider to ascertain the exact configuration, capabilities and services that they provide.
introduction
 T H E D E S I G N E R ’ S G U I D E

The role of the designer has changed

radically in the last few years. With the
advent of digital communications the
designer is no longer just an artworker,
but has had to combine a myriad of
functions into the one role.

Today, the designer has to be an expert in

typography, layout, imposition, colour,
and be technically literate enough to be
able to operate any number of software
applications.

But all this talent can be compromised if a

designer does not have an appreciation of
the printing process or the press they are
creating a job for.

This guide bridges the gap between you

and your Print Service Provider (PSP) by
examining the power and potential of HP
Indigo presses. It starts with an
explanation of what makes the HP Indigo
press unique in the world of printing,
providing the shortest possible workflow
route from concept design to print.

It will explain what file formats are best

suited to HP Indigo presses, how to use
PDFs to send information to the Print
Service Provider, and how to prepare a
layout for printing.

This guide covers how to tap into the

unique features of the HP Indigo press in
terms of the ability to personalise, to make
each item of print that comes off the press
different from the next, and how to
maximise the use of colour by printing
with special inks and spot colours. It will
also help you get the best out of different
substrates as the need dictates.

By reading this guide we hope that you

will gain a greater appreciation of the HP
Indigo press and that you can translate
that understanding into more effective and
powerful designs for your clients.

Happy designing!

1
2
T H E D E S I G N E R ’ S G U I D E

chapter 1

the hp indigo press

3
 hp indigo

The HP Indigo press has many

unique features that are
unmatched by many other digital the web-fed HP Indigo Press w3200

presses including:
the hp indigo press -
• uses a true digital workflow and transforming the print about hp indigo
can change images on-the-fly.
industry. HP Indigo has more than 25 years
• the ability to print on a wide experience in designing, building
variety of substrates What is so special about an HP and running digital presses. In 1993
Indigo press? Why is it so different HP Indigo launched the worlds first
• 7-colour capability to conventional printing? What digital colour press. Overnight it
techniques are needed to design for triggered a transformation in the
• extended gamut 6-colour printing one? printing industry, enabling the
processes production of short run,
These are some of the questions that personalised, high quality colour
• spot & highlight colours may be asked by designers when print direct from the desktop.
they come to design for digital
• “offset” look and feel to the printing? Today, over a decade on, the
printing technologies involved have been
The first answer is that the HP Indigo further refined and developed to
• SNAP® personalisation press is unique. There is nothing on meet the needs of the evolving
the market that can match its market. HP Indigo now supply a
• collation versatility and adaptability. But range of sheet-fed and web-fed
designers need not worry. Many of presses suited for both the industrial
the design considerations for the HP and commercial printing and
Indigo press are exactly the same as publishing markets.
those you would apply when
designing a job for conventional Unlike conventional printing process-
print. es, there are no intermediate pre-
press steps between the digital
The following pages of this document file and the final print, so
designer’s guide are intended to there is no need for film (i.e. no
give some handy hints and tips to imagesetters), no plates (no plate-
harness the power of the HP Indigo setters) and no photo-chemicals (no
press to its maximum potential. waste) (Figure 1).

Figure 1 Digital printing workflow Printing on required stock

1st Sheet
Design workstation Data transfer via CD, Print provider’s hp indigo press
Disk or ISDN workstation
2nd Sheet

Jim
4 Laffan
3rd Sheet
 T H E D E S I G N E R ’ S G U I D E

This also means that there is no press surface texture and thickness, just Laser Imager
make-ready needed, no plate like conventional printing.
mounting, no registration adjust- 2
1
ments, and no ink keys. HP’s The difference is that unlike
5
workflow is fully digital from creation conventional offset printing the HP
to print and since it is fully digital, Indigo blanket transfers 100% of the
every image can be a new one, ink to the substrate. The total transfer
PIP
enabling information to be of ink from the blanket allows the
completely varied as required. same set of cylinders to be used to
Blanket
print the complete sheet ensuring B
I 6
precise colour-to-colour registration D
3
offset printing and colour consistency throughout. 4

7
Digital printing is different to An entire new separation, in a Impression
analogue or conventional methods different colour, can be created for
but HP Indigo presses still retain every rotation of the cylinder. This is
some familiar elements. called “on-the-fly colour switching” Figure 2
and is the technology that enables
HP Indigo presses, like conventional the HP Indigo press to print fully
presses, use liquid ink to print an collated, duplexed and individually
image. The major difference here personalised sheets. of the ink image from the PIP to
however is that the HP Indigo press the blanket takes place.
uses its patented HP ElectroInk®
technology, to enable the ink to be the printing cycle 5. Any residual ink on the PIP is
directed electrically using charged removed to ensure it is clean,
particles in the ink. For a better understanding of the HP ready for the next separation to
Indigo Liquid Elecro-photographic be imaged.
The HP Indigo press uses a light (LEP) printing process it is useful to
sensitive plate that will attract ink. follow the sequence of events in the 6. Heat applied to the blanket dries
However, unlike conventional printing process. (Figure 2) the ink image and makes it
printing that uses a fixed (etched) “sticky”.
plate that cannot change, the HP 1. The PIP is charged to provide a
Indigo Photo Imaging Plate (PIP) is a “blank canvas” on which to 7. The ink image is then transferred
dynamic light sensitive plate that can write the image. under pressure to the substrate
be re-imaged with different which is gripped and held on the
information on every revolution of 2. The image is “drawn” on the PIP impression cylinder. Once all the
the cylinder. The ink is attracted to using a laser which is controlled colours have been delivered
the PIP by an electrical charge, by the raster image processor the sheet is released.
rather than a physical transfer from (RIP) that converts instructions
ink tray to cylinder. from a digital file into “on/off”
signals. Through exposure to the
Likewise it is then attracted from the laser the imaged areas of the PIP
PIP to the blanket. This has a number are discharged leaving a
of advantages including the difference in charge between the
elimination of the incomplete transfer image and non-image areas.
of ink (ink splitting) that is a
characteristic of conventional offset 3. Binary Ink Development (BID)
litho. HP Indigo press technology units deliver the appropriate
uses a blanket to transfer the ink as colour ink to the imaged areas of
in conventional offset printing. The the PIP. Any excess ink is
blanket acts as a shock absorber returned to the ink tanks for
and pressure pad to ensure even ink reuse.
transfer to the substrate. This enables
the HP Indigo press to use a wide 4. The PIP is then neutralised
range of substrates of different (erased of charge) and transfer

5
 why is the hp indigo press quality. Dry toner particles are
unique? between 7 to 9 microns in size and
struggle to reproduce fine details
Digital printing is a term often and acceptable colours. With dry
misunderstood and used to toners it is difficult to match the
hp indigo generalise what is a diverse range of surface gloss of a substrate, usually
output devices. Your desktop inkjet is giving the image a glossy
a digital printer. For ease of appearance on a matt paper and an
HINTS AND TIPS definition a digital printer can be ultra-glossy appearance on a glossy
considered as any device that has paper. The process also attracts a lot
You can ask your Print Service the ability to change, 100%, the of static that is transferred to the
Provider (PSP) to match the dot gain content from sheet to sheet without paper and can cause significant
characteristics of the HP Indigo press stopping. problems and wastage in the
to another printing device. This is finishing process.
especially useful if you are mixing There is a class of press which is
conventional and digital printing often mistakenly referred to as This limits your choice and creativity
methods in the same print job. digital, the DI presses. Direct as a designer in terms of the print
Imaging presses use on-press quality, paper quality and finishing
imaging technologies to create an techniques that you can use.
image onto a lithographic printing
plate. As such, they do not have The HP Indigo press is the only
collating, duplexing or variable digital printing technology that can
imaging capabilities like the HP equal or exceed the quality, colour
Indigo press. In other words, once range and substrate compatibility of
the plates are imaged the process is conventional offset printing. It is also
conventional, with all the the only digital technology that can
conventional limitations. print up to seven colours - including
extended gamut printing or spot
The only other main digital colour colours - for use in your designs to
press technology is the xerographic produce eye-catching images or to
(dry toner) process, commonly found maintain your clients’ corporate
in laser printers and colour copiers. brands.

This process however is typically All this is what makes the HP Indigo
characterised by a lack of print press unique.

A cross section of the HP Indigo Press 3000

6
 T H E D E S I G N E R ’ S G U I D E

the benefits of hp ElectroInk

HP has developed and patented its

own special set of inks for use on its
presses called HP ElectroInk. A liquid
ink, it has a number of advantages
over both dry-powder xerographic
toner and standard conventional ink.
Figure 3. Xerography (powder toner) hp ElectroInk

For a start, the consumption of HP

ElectroInk has little dependence on
the substrate properties, unlike and is even superior to offset image gloss
conventional printing or dry-powder lithographic dots (Figure 4). When
xerography. transferred from the blanket to the Just like conventional offset inks HP
final substrate (paper or plastic), the ElectroInk images match the gloss of
In conventional offset printing, HP ElectroInk cools to form a thin film the underlying substrate, from rough
different inks are needed for papers layer on the substrate surface. When to dull to high gloss. Paper stocks
or non-absorbent films, and the printing on paper, the cooled HP have a typical surface roughness
viscosity of the ink needed is ElectroInk does not soak (or wick) ranging from about 1 to 10 microns
different for each type of paper stock into the paper fibres. Thus, printed in height. The HP ElectroInk layer is
used. Particularly absorbent papers dots, linework and text, stay sharp only about one micron thick, and
can increase offset ink consumption and well defined. A designer can therefore follows the “hills and
by up to 50%. use almost any paper stock and valleys” of the substrate surface
quality without a huge deterioration rather than filling them in. This
Dry-toner xerography is heavily in image quality. combined with the translucency of
dependent on the electrostatic HP ElectroInk allows the papers’
properties of the substrate and small character to show through.
changes in the relative environ- dot gain and colour
mental humidity can result in large consistency
changes in print quality. The high instantaneous image drying
fusing temperature that is needed for HP Indigo presses have the ability to
the process also limits the choice of vary the dot gain allowing precise Because HP ElectroInk solidifies as
paper available for the process. control of the exposed dot size and soon as it transfers to the substrate,
optical density. This ensures that dots the finished print emerges dry from
HP ElectroInk suffers from none of of the desired size are printed time the press allowing it to be finished
these drawbacks. and time again. The LEP process immediately. This means that print
means that the HP Indigo press does jobs can be turned around quickly as
not have to compensate for the ink dries rapidly even on special
edge sharpness fluctuating ink and water substrates such as plastic or acetate.
temperatures, ink/water balance, Further image hardness is acquired
Viewed at high magnification, you plate and blanket wear, and in the few hours after printing.
can see that HP ElectroInk forms atmospheric humidity.
much sharper images than
xerographic dry toners (Figure 3) light fastness

The encapsulation of the pigment

sub-particles within the HP ElectroInk
resin helps to preserve the chemical
properties of the pigments against
oxidisation and the effects of relative
humidity. Colour durability of the
printed images, either in the form of
fading or deepening, is as good as,
Figure 4. Conventional offset hp ElectroInk if not better than, conventional offset
inks.

7
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 T H E D E S I G N E R ’ S G U I D E

chapter 2

digital vs conventional
workflows

9
 digital vs. conventional flats before platemaking.
workflows
Today, the designer’s job combines
all these roles. The computer age
Using the HP Indigo press is the means the designer has to be
workflows fastest, easiest way for a designer to artworker, typographer, computer
see his artwork appear in print. The expert, scanner operator and layout
image you have created on your pro all in one.
Apple Mac™ or PC can be digitally
relayed to an HP Indigo press and But even with the aid of computers,
output within minutes if you have the lithographic printing still needs to go
right connections with your Print through a complicated series of tasks
Service Provider (PSP). That is before a design can be turned into a
because the HP Indigo press cuts out print.
many of the stages involved in
conventional printing.(Figure 1)
pre-flighting
In the “old days”, the designer’s job
was much more limited than it is Once you, as a designer, have
today. A designer would prepare the finished the artwork you can send it
artwork and design on flat copy to a PSP on disk, via ISDN, or
boards. A host of specialists were on broadband links in a number of file
hand to complete other jobs. formats. The first thing your PSP will
Typography was handled by skilled probably do is pre-flight your job as
typographic operators whose only this will tell him if he has all the files
role was to layout text. Scanner he needs to output it, e.g. fonts,
operators were responsible for logos and images. This check will
scanning images. Reprographics also verify other parameters, things
specialists were there to strip the text like: are all the pictures at the correct
and images to films. All this had to resolution and in the right colour
be done for each colour section on space? You can help yourself and
Conventional workflow
Combined steps in a CTP environment
Data Print
Design transfer via provider’s RIP Imagesetter Films Platemaking Press Production
workstation CD, Disk or workstation run
ISDN

Imposition, Match
trapping, OPI

Digital Proof Conventional Proof Proof

HP Indigo workflow
Data Print hp indigo press & RIP
Design
transfer via provider’s
workstation Printed proof/
CD, Disk or workstation
ISDN production run

Imposition

Figure 1

10
 T H E D E S I G N E R ’ S G U I D E

job file
out the film step, hence the term
Computer-to-Plate (CTP). In either
case an individual film or plate has
to be created for each colour
images fonts separation, so potentially you will
AaBbCc have four films and four plates for workflows
AaBbCc
AaBbCc each signature of a CMYK job.

a folder containing all the collected files

If a PSP uses an imagesetter, then he HINTS AND TIPS:
still needs to expose the film onto a
plate before printing. It begs the A common mistake is to supply an
question as to why printers still use incomplete document or file to your
computer to film if they can directly Print Service Provider. It is always best
expose a plate? The answer mainly to check your files using a dedicated
disc of all required files
comes down to cost, in that flight-checking program that will pick
Before sending the job file to your Print Service computer-to-film is a lot cheaper than up on any errors, or make sure that
Provider ensure that all the necessary files are computer-to-plate, even with the your PSP pre-flights your files before
also supplied (job file, fonts and images).
associated costs of film and plate sending them to the press. This
processing and chemical disposal. precaution prevents disappointment
after a job is printed and it is too late
your PSP by doing some of these Some printing presses have the laser to do anything about it. If you have
checks before you send the job. This imaging heads incorporated into the any doubts about how to set your job
will help to avoid any delays or printing press. This technology is up or what files to supply consult your
additional rework costs. After that, it known as Direct Imaging (DI). Whilst PSP before submitting the job.
is usual for your PSP to supply you it has the advantages of having a
with a proof, so that you will know CTP system effectively built into the
what to expect from the press. press with automated plate changes,
once imaged the plates and the
press perform in a way similar to
that of conventional offset printing.

On an HP Indigo press all the

“imagesetting” functions are done
on the press. The job is RIPped and
imaged in real time onto the Photo
Imaging Plate (PIP) (see chapter 1).
Unlike a DI press, which once the
plate is made has a fixed image, the
HP Indigo press can vary the image
with each revolution of the PIP,
Conventional printing requires an imagesetter creating fully collated or even
to create the films which are then used to personalised documents.
create plates.

the proof
imagesetting
It is very expensive to provide a
Typically the next stage of the press proof, i.e. to produce a limited
conventional print process is to send number of prints using the same
the file for imagesetting or printing method and substrate as the
platesetting. An imagesetter is a final job.
device that will transfer the digital
file onto film that can then be used to In order to reduce costs, alternative
create a plate. A platesetter images methods of proofing a job have
the file directly onto a plate, cutting been developed. Proofs that are of

11
 the quality to pass a job on press are
known as contract proofs, and many
of the following methods are good
enough for contract proofing
purposes.
workflows
A flatbed proofing press has the
advantage of producing what are
termed wet proofs on the same stock
and using the same inks as standard
litho printing. However, it has
drawbacks in that the ink layers are
produced one at a time, i.e. the
yellow is applied and then left to
dry; then the cyan is applied and left
to dry, etc. This makes it labour
intensive, time consuming and Proofing is simple, cost-effective and extremely
expensive. quick on an HP Indigo press.

An analogue proof can be made images as used by litho presses.

using the final films on a specially Again, they don’t always use the
designed proofing machine, from stock that you want the final image
manufacturers like DuPont®, Kodak to be printed on.
Polychrome Graphics®, etc. These
systems mainly utilise the same However, your Print Service Provider
method of image transfer, using can use the HP Indigo press to
toner based dyes rather than inks. supply you with proofs very quickly,
using Eurostandard inks and on the
The use of colour matching intended final stock. This can be
standards, like the Eurostandard®, especially useful for test marketing
enables analogue proofing devices purposes or for instances where the
to accurately reproduce the desired trimmed and finished product will
colour. However, these processes have more impact than a collection
tend to only work with a specialised of flat single sided proofs.
base stock that may or may not
exactly match the substrate that the Remember that whilst the HP Indigo
final job will be printed on. press can be used for proofing jobs
that may eventually be printed using
Analogue proofs have now largely a different method, if the job is
given way to digital proofs, with a destined for printing on an HP Indigo
variety of manufacturers producing press then the proof is an exact
In register
machines that can generate a proof rendition of the final job.
from digital data. However, many
digital proofing devices are ink-jet An additional benefit is that your PSP
machines that produce continuous will also be able to provide you with
tone images rather than screened multiple copies of the proofs should
you need them, at a relatively low
Out of register cost, which you can use to distribute
to your clients.

the printing process

In conventional printing, once plates

have been imaged, they are fitted to

12
 T H E D E S I G N E R ’ S G U I D E

the printing press. The plates have to the press washed-up, ready for the Direct mail workflow timeline
be carefully aligned so that all the next job. The completed job is then
colours register properly. To check ready to be finished, by folding, conventional digital
this, the press has to be run and trimming, creasing and packaging.
adjusted before it is correct. The artwork finalised digital artwork & data finalised
printed proof to client
operator also has to manage the ink-
water balance. This is critical to the This is very different on an HP Indigo
performance of the press. Too much press that needs virtually no make-
water and the image will be washed ready as the press is completely client approves artwork client approves press proof
printed with variable data in one pass
out. Too much ink, and it is digital. The next job can be
saturated. Again, it takes time to get prepared whilst the current one is
this balance correct. This set-up, being printed and there is no need
termed make-ready, generates a for a wash-up in-between jobs. There films & platemaking fulfillment & despatch

significant amount of paper is also no need for any delicate ink-

wastage, something you will be water balance adjustments on the
paying for in your final bill! press, as the density and delivery of
the ink is automatically controlled. offset printing of colour blanks mailing delivered to end customers

The process of press make-ready is This means that from the first sheet
one of the most time consuming and the print is up to ink weight and in
costly elements of a printing job. It is register, which dramatically reduces
especially inefficient on short-run wastage. The HP Indigo press can deliver to direct mail house
for laser overprinting
jobs where the press is running for personalise every single printed
very short periods of time between sheet, whether it is for an individual,
make-readies. a company or even a sequential
database arrives &
number or barcode - everything in variable data processed
Using conventional printing methods the design can be varied, including
all personalisation must be done off- text, images and illustrations.
line as a separate process. This
usually consists of laser overprinting variable data checked & proofed

that is restricted to a few lines of finishing

black text in an address box or name
panel. Unless special techniques and
client approves proof & variable data
processes are used in conventional printed onto blanks
Once the job has been printed then printing the ink image is still
the plates have to be removed and relatively wet and tacky when it
comes off the press. This means that
fulfillment & despatch
there is usually a period after
printing when the sheets are left to
dry before either being printed on
the other side or finished.
mailing delivered to end customers

On the HP Indigo press, the ink dries

instantaneously and the job can be
finished as soon as it comes off the
press. A document can be collated Using digital printing for direct mail can save
(printed in sequence), in either you time and, just as importantly, money.
simplex (single sided) or duplex
modes (both sides of the sheet).
Once printed the sheets can be
trimmed, folded and stitched so that
within minutes you can be holding
the finished article. Some HP Indigo
presses can even be configured with
Allow for drying time when printing on a in-line finishing to fully automate the
conventional press finishing process.

13
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T H E D E S I G N E R ’ S G U I D E

chapter 3

design software,
making the
right choice

15
 design software, necessarily mean that the
making the right application you are using is the most
suitable for printing to a
choice conventional or digital press.

design software Choosing and using the right design For example, text editors and word
software in the first place can make processing software often have some
your life a whole lot easier. There basic page layout abilities, and for
HINTS AND TIPS: are hundreds of different applica- printing out on a relatively low-
tions and add-ons in the form of resolution printer they are fine.
the bitmap mode plug-ins or XTensions that you can However, when sending your
In the world of the digital image there buy, but where do you start? document for printing on an HP
are two methods of defining images: Indigo press the abilities of these
bitmap (or pixel) mode, and the Generally the applications for applications may fall short in terms
vector mode. graphic design can be grouped into of quality and the ease with which
different categories: Image Creation your PSP can output them.
Bitmaps store graphical data & Manipulation; Illustration; and
represented as a set of pixels. With Page Layout software. Firstly, most of these types of
this method an image is composed of application use the RGB colour
a series of points determined by their For example: space because very often they are
x and y coordinates and their colour. Image Creation & Manipulation intended for display rather than
This data storage system can produce Adobe® PhotoShop®, Corel® print. The HP Indigo press is a CMYK
very large files directly related to how Painter™
much colour information it contains.
Hence an 8-bit colour image will be Illustration Figure 1a. A bitmap image shown at 100%
smaller than a 24-bit image. Adobe® Illustrator®, Macromedia®
FreeHand®
Typically bitmap images can be
considered photographic images where Page Layout
each pixel is defined independently. QuarkXPress™, Adobe® InDesign®
Thus, bitmaps are edited by
manipulating individual or groups of These days the line between these
pixels. Because each pixel is defined categories is becoming fuzzier with
at creation or capture, bitmaps are most of the mainstream applications
sensitive to scaling and can suffer loss expanding their feature set with each
of detail and appear jagged if release. But the way in which each
enlarged too much (Figure 1a). They application approaches tasks tends
are resolution dependant. to extend from its original heritage.
Some people will find one
The bitmap method represents the application easier to work with than
only way of digitally storing a another, probably because it follows ..the bitmap image shown at 350%
enlargement
photograph, a watercolour, or a a similar logic or working practices
painting in digital form. that they can relate to. So one aim
should be to find an application you
Common Bitmap formats include: TIFF, are comfortable with. However, in
BMP, JPEG, PhotoShop EPS. business there are some industry
leaders and your choice may be
made more from a compatibility
standpoint.

It is worth pointing out at this stage

that whilst you may be able to print
your document or presentation to
your desktop printer it does not

16
 T H E D E S I G N E R ’ S G U I D E

device and in converting from the they usually do not provide any
larger RGB colour space to the facility to add crop marks that are
smaller CMYK colour space the used by the PSP to cut the page
colours may not appear as vivid and down to finished size when printed
bright as you see on your screen. It on a larger sheet of paper. Neither
is always better to design your do they usually take into account design software
document in CMYK if you are going different imposition schemes to cater
to print it using a CMYK device as for your finishing requirements. For
the results will be far more example, a saddle-stitched booklet HINTS AND TIPS:
predictable. will need a different imposition
scheme to a perfect bound report. the vector mode.
Secondly, remember that the HP The vector mode is a way of saving an
Indigo press is capable of printing at On the whole it is not advisable to illustration that uses curves or shapes that
a much higher resolution than the perform page layout in Image can be defined by mathematical equations.
average desktop printer and Creation & Manipulation applica- In a vector file, each shape is stored
therefore benefits from higher tions. These software programs according to its geometric properties.
resolution and quality images to get generally have very basic Instead of storing the image point by point
the best results. typographical features and because (like in a bitmap), this shape is associated
they use bitmap-based images the to one or several mathematical formulae
Thirdly, on the whole these file sizes can be large and the that connect simple geometric properties
applications expect only a single quality of the text poor compared to such as a rectangle or a circle - to
page to be printed at a time and vector based applications. Also, mathematical equations that represent
importantly, they have no concept of these vectors.
a document with more than one
Figure 1b. A Vector version of the same image page. They are however excellent at This way, images of a greatly reduced file
shown at 100%
getting the best out of your images size when compared to a similar bitmap
and preparing them for printing. file can be created. Vector graphics are
They are the best place to perform ideal for logo designs, typography and
RGB to CMYK conversions, image similar objects that require a high degree
retouching, image cut-outs, image of precision and where using mathematical
composition and format conversion. definition allows for easy editing of whole
elements. This also means that the image
Conversely, even if the functionality can be infinitely scaled without loss in
is there, Page Layout applications quality (Figure 1b). They are resolution
are not the best place to perform independent.
image retouching or colour
adjustments. Ironically, to print a vector page, it must
be converted into pixels. This is done by
Increasingly the difference between the Raster Image Processor (RIP) which
Illustration and Page Layout transforms the vector information into a
...the Vector image shown at 350% applications is becoming more pixel based bitmap image suitable for
enlargement
difficult to distinguish. Both tend to printing on the associated printer. RIPs are
have good typographic control but usually closely integrated with, and specific
an Illustration application will to, an output device and cannot be used to
typically have more control over the drive other non-similar output devices.
vector based graphical elements Because of differences in RIPs there can be
(Figure 2). Again, these applications variation in the quality and appearance of
tend to only allow the creation of a the image resulting from this conversion.
one page document. Hence, it’s worth being aware that output
from different RIPs (shouldn’t but) could
The professional Page Layout be different.
applications are capable of pulling
together all the elements needed to Vector based format: Illustrator/Freehand
construct the page; the copy from EPS.
word processors, the images, and

17
 design software

Figure 2.
Vector based images are used for the creation of curves or shapes that
can be defined as mathematical equations.

the illustrations. It allows the creation elements that make up the page. Finally, it should also have good
of entire multi-page documents with control over the output by allowing
good typographic, word editing and The functionality of these applica- the definition of printer’s marks and
document control. tions can often be extended by the the application of imposition
addition of a suitable plug-in or schemes to the document to keep
It is the place where many different XTension that can either make your PSP happy.
elements come together (Figure 3) so common tasks easier or bespoke
it should have good version control tasks possible. 1
to track any changes that may have
2
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Figure 3. The above layout

illustrates the typical components that are used
to make up a page: crop marks (1), an imported image that
bleeds off the page (2), an imported vector based illustration (3) and text (4).

18
 T H E D E S I G N E R ’ S G U I D E

chapter 4

getting the best results

from your design

19
 a question of resolution

If the image resolution is too high for

the printer, the file size, transfer time
and RIP times will be unnecessarily
design long; if the resolution is too low then
the quality of the printed image will
be poor. You can see the effect of
resolution in the printed example on Figure 2a. 72 dpi original image
getting the best results this page (Figure 1). As a rough rule
of thumb the resolution of the image
from your design should be twice the screen ruling
used to print the image.
On the whole designing a document
for printing on an HP Indigo press is Ideally, images should be at a
no different from any other printer. resolution of 300dpi for printing on
However, as with all devices, by the HP Indigo press. However, you
understanding the process and its will find that at resolutions between
limitations better results can be 250dpi and 300dpi, there is little
obtained. Indeed, by gaining a appreciable difference in the quality
greater appreciation for the of the resultant printed image. The Figure 2b. 300 dpi changed image
capabilities of the device you may amount of detail in an image
find even more inspiration for your (resolution) is defined not only by the If necessary, resolution can be
designs. number of pixels but also by the “invented” by using re-sampling or
dimensions of the file, hence the unit interpolation of the image.
of measure is dots per inch (dpi). Interpolation is the process of
multiplying the number of pixels
Figure 1.
For example, a typical image may contained in an image using
start off with 1600x1200 pixels, different algorithms to increase its
which at 72dpi produces an image resolution or to prepare it for printing
with the physical dimensions of at a larger size, whilst maintaining
56x42cm (Figure 2a). But this image the same resolution. Interpolation is
can be otherwise converted to a particularly useful to compensate for
300dpi 13x10cm image (Figure 2b) insufficient sampling. In other words,
without any loss in detail, i.e. it still it can help to compensate for too low
has 1600x1200 pixels. So if we a density of dots in relation to the
72 dpi were to create a 13x10cm picture print size.
box in our page layout and either
import the 300dpi image at 100% Linework should be scanned at a
or scale the 72dpi image to fit we minimum of 812dpi for output on an
should get the same quality image HP Indigo press.
produced.

In practice it is always better to how to obtain the best tints

convert the image to the correct and gradients
150 dpi resolution first and then import it. It is (vignettes/blends)
also good practice to also create the
image at the size you intend to use it There is a tendency for banding
since scaling images adds (changes in density) on all electronic
significantly to processing times and devices and this can give rise to
can give poor results. On the whole undesirable artifacts in blends or
you will see a loss in quality of the areas of tint. It will very much
image if it is scaled up by more than depend on the colour and its density
200% unless you have compensated since your eye is particularly
300 dpi
for it in the resolution. sensitive to these changes in some

20
 T H E D E S I G N E R ’ S G U I D E

design

require and then add some noise (5-

10%), a pattern, or a texture to it.
This will help to smooth its
appearance whilst maintaining the
original colour (Figure 3).

The right hand side of the above picture with Figure 4. QuarkXPress blend (left)
added Gaussian Noise (10%). Photoshop blend with 5% noise (right)
The same tactics can be applied to
blends. Blends can show banding
and again it will depend on the
colours. For example, you cannot If you can, try to avoid using large colours in the blend. Best results are
easily detect changes in density in areas of that particular colour. achieved when the tonal range is
yellow or red but you can quite Smaller patches will look better than less than 50%. Shorter blends tend
easily see changes in blue or green. large areas. Lighter tints tend to look to be better than longer blends since
better than heavier tints, but try to the change in tone is less subtle.
There is no magic formula to tell you avoid specifying tints lighter than Similar to tints you could also
if a colour will be problematic but 5%. generate the blend using an image
your PSP should be able to advise editing software package and then
you on this. As a guide colours that If you have a large area of a colour add some noise (Figure 4).
are difficult to print conventionally that is proving difficult then either
out of four-colour process inks will consider printing it as spot colour
also be difficult to print on an HP (check with your PSP to see if this any colour you like as long as
Indigo press. could be an option) or introduce it’s black
some granularity into it. This can be
There are however some guidelines done with most professional image Large areas of solid black benefit
and tips that you can use to minimise editing software. Create an image from a “shiner” like in conventional
the appearance of banding should with the actual physical size you printing so add 40% cyan to deepen
you need to do so. need and fill it with the colour you it and make it richer (Figure 5).

Figure 3. A corporate colour can be enhanced by introducing background textures such as...

BLACK
A corporate colour can be enhanced by
introducing background textures such as...
an image...

BLACK
BLACK
a pattern... or noise (10%) Figure 5. Deeper blacks using 40% cyan.

21
 the application and your PSP made can be achieved using CMYK. The
aware. colours tend to be more subtle and
brighter. How often have you
noticed that your images look better
digitally captured images on screen than when you print them
design out? This is because your monitor is
Digital photography is rapidly an RGB screen and your printer is
becoming accepted as an alternative probably CMYK. Because of its
means of capturing images for both colour gamut it is advisable to work
size matters professional and domestic use. At for as long as possible with an RGB
the professional end of the scale, image. This has several advantages:
The HP Indigo press has a maximum digital cameras now capture images
image area of 308x450 mm and with a higher resolution than film 1. It enables the maximum number of
can accept a physical sheet size and with a colour depth and colour hues to be digitised for the
from 210x297mm to 320x464 mm. accuracy that is superior to the production of the highest quality
This allows for a single A3+5mm photographic transparency. prints and images. Always save a
bleed or two A4+2.5mm full bleed copy of your RGB image, it may be
documents placed side-by-side on Professional digital cameras do not useful later for including in a Web
the sheet to be imaged. In most pose major problems in CMYK page or for six-colour printing (see
cases you would be wise to let your conversion. Increasingly modern chapter 8).
PSP handle the imposition of your cameras come equipped with
document since they have specialist software that converts files directly to 2. You will find that RGB images are
software to do it. However, you the CMYK print format. However, if faster to work with in image
should design any bleeds you you are presented with an RGB manipulation applications than
require into your document. image refer to the following section CMYK and also take up less disk
for guidance on making the RGB to space.
Remember that by designing to CMYK conversion.
make the most effective use of the 3. You can control the RGB to CMYK
image area you can reduce your conversion more accurately if you
print costs. Even if you do not RGB-CMYK conversion need to. But remember, once you
actually impose the document have converted your RGB image to
yourself keep in mind the imposition The HP Indigo press uses CMYK CMYK you cannot regain the same
scheme your PSP will use. If the (Cyan/Magenta/Yellow/Black) inks gamut of colour by converting it
document will fit 4-up on the sheet as it base set. They conform to the back. Once the conversion has taken
then it will be cheaper to print than if Eurostandard® ink specification and place all the “extra” colour attributed
it were slightly larger and could only in addition there is the ability to add to the RGB gamut is lost, and whilst
be printed as a 3-up imposition. up to 3 additional inks to the you can convert a CMYK
ink set. Predictable colour image into an RGB image
output can only really be you cannot regenerate
trap and overprint achieved if you also that lost colour.

The HP Indigo press is capable of

very accurate colour-to-colour
work in the same
CMYK colour space.
All data that you send
RGB However, before you
use your image in a
registration and in most cases it the HP Indigo press design that is to be
should not be necessary to specify should be converted to printed on an HP Indigo
any trapping. However, if you want CMYK too. press you should convert it
to specify specific traps then this to CMYK. This way you will see
should be done in the originating Many images start off their life being in advance the appearance of the
software application, but also let digitally captured, whether by image. In particular you may notice
your PSP know so that they can camera or scanner, in the RGB that the greens and oranges may not
process the file accordingly. The HP (Red/Blue/Green) colour space. The be as bright but this unfortunately is
Indigo press RIP will automatically RGB colour space is much larger the world of CMYK. If you don’t
set 100% Black to overprint. If you than the CMYK colour space and convert it then the RIP will perform a
require any other specific overprints this means it is able to display a default conversion that may give you
then these too should be defined in much wider gamut of colours than unexpected results.

22
 T H E D E S I G N E R ’ S G U I D E

One of the elements essential to a description language formats that

good CMYK conversion is the can contain all the page elements
control of the black layer, whether in and production requests required to
traditional offset or digital print. HP print the whole document. Some are
Indigo presses do not escape this proprietary, e.g. IBM AFP, HP JLT, but
rule. others are open industry standard file formats
formats e.g. PostScript®(PS), Portable
Typical parameters you can use to Document Format (PDF)
perform the conversion are as
Figure 6. The same JPEG image saved with
follows: The interchangeable and output low, medium and high quality compression.
formats all have their pluses and
• Eurostandard Coated or Uncoated minuses and the decision about
which one to use can sometimes be
• dot gain: 14% tricky. But if the file is created with
the correct settings for its purpose
• GCR black generation: medium then the end result should be the
same. Very often the decision is
• black ink limit: 100 % based on a balance of file size,
editability and RIP time.
• total ink limit: 300 %
TIFF/ .tif (Tagged Image File Format)
Check with your PSP if you have any The Tiff format is the preferred and
doubts. oldest standard format in the graphic
arts sector. It is a very versatile
low quality/high compression (297k)
editable format based around a
file formats: the good, the bad, single “page” of bitmap data. You
and the ugly cannot include vector information in
this file format so it is used
An individual collection of data is exclusively for images.
often referred to as a file. There are
many different formats and they will JPEG/.JPG (low, medium, high
normally fall into one of three compression)
categories: application document or An editable single “page” bitmap
data formats; interchangeable file orientated image file format with the
formats; and output file formats. ability to significantly reduce the file
size using specialised data
The application document formats compression techniques with little
tend to be specific to the original loss in quality. The terms low,
application that created it and medium and high compression medium (615k)
typically cannot be used by another denote the amounts by which the
application e.g. a QuarkXPress™ data making up an image has been
document can only be opened in squeezed to save on file size. The
QuarkXPress. more an image has been
compressed, the lower the quality of
Interchangeable formats are the image and therefore for printing
generally used to transfer data on an HP Indigo press you should
between different applications. They only use either the low or medium
usually can only contain a single compression settings. (Figure 6)
“page” worth of data. Very often
they can also be used directly for A word of caution however.
printing but usually they lack any Applications do not always use the
specific control over how the file is to same version of the compression
be output, e.g. EPS, TIFF, BMP, GIF. algorithm and therefore not all
high quality/low compression (1005k)
graphics and imaging applications
Output file formats are usually page give the same result.

23
 DCS 1.0/2.0
DCS is the Desktop Colour
Separation file format based on the
bitmap EPS file format. In this case
the separation of the image into
file formats plates is done at the image creation
stage rather than in the RIP, which in
theory saves time in the RIP. It is a
multi-file format with each plate
Illustrator®/FreeHand® EPS having its own separate file that is
EPS stands for Encapsulated referenced by a master file. All files
PostScript. Illustrator or FreeHand must be present to successfully print
EPS is an editable, single “page” the image and they must be
vector based data format. Because it presented to the RIP in a pre-
is essentially PostScript it is separated PostScript file. DCS 1.0
especially suitable for use with only supports process colour images
PostScript RIPs, and because it is and DCS 2.0 supports additional GIF & BMP are not practical for printing, both
vector based it is suited to the types plate colours e.g. six-colour images. use indexed colour. They are mainly used for
web images.
of graphics that these applications Whilst you can use this format for
typically produce. printing to a HP Indigo press, unless
you have good reason it is better to every element and page in a
use the standard EPS format. complete multi-page document so
that a RIP can rasterise it for output.
.BMP (Bitmap) It also contains job data such as
The BMP format cannot save CMYK imposition, cropmarks, quantity and
plate information. Consequently, in control settings for the RIP.
order to print a BMP file, it is
necessary first to open it in an PDF (Portable Document Format)
application such as Photoshop, then PDF is the newest page description
convert it and save it in TIFF or EPS language to become an industry
format. Therefore, when designing standard. Due to its initial success it
for the HP Indigo press you should has developed into a powerful and
avoid this format or convert it. flexible format. Its main strengths
originated in its ability to be viewed
.GIF and printed from different
Similarly, in principle to BMP, the GIF platforms/operating systems whilst
format is not really intended for ensuring the integrity and
printing but is more suited to the consistency of what was displayed
Web. The number of colours in its to the viewer. The data is also
palette is too low and zone effects optimised so that the file sizes are
A vector based eps image at 100% (inset)
appears equally sharp and pixel free at a sometimes appear, particularly in usually significantly smaller than
300% enlargement graduated fills. Also, the GIF format comparable PostScript files. Another
does not work in the CMYK colour main benefit is that it maintains page
Photoshop® EPS space, therefore requiring a independence that can give
An editable single “page” bitmap conversion before layout. Like the significant advantages further down
based data format suited for use BMP, this format is not practical to the line in the production of the
through PostScript RIPs. It can be use for printing to a HP Indigo press. document. PDF is covered in more
used in conjunction with JPEG detail in Chapter 6.
compression. Vector information PostScript® (PS)
cannot be included in this file format PostScript is the original industry
so it is used exclusively for images. standard page description language
However, clipping path information that revolutionised pre-press to bring
can be included in it. us to where we are today. This
format is able to precisely define

24
T H E D E S I G N E R ’ S G U I D E

chapter 5

designing with
character

25
 designing with same characteristics as a Berthold®
character Times font. Features such as kerning,
interline spacing or width may be
different which, for a text of
a warning about fonts several pages, could
typography alter the number of lines
It is very important that you own or or even the number of
have access to the copyright of a pages. Computer
HINTS & TIPS typeface under license before using codes for accented
it. If you supply your PSP with a font, characters and
When choosing a colour for a you could well be infringing the law particularly special
typeface, it is advisable to work with a if they do not have the rights to use characters such as
CMYK printed colour chart, and if the typeface. © are not always
possible with the HP colour chart identical. In fact, even
(provided on the CD with this Typefaces and fonts are very closely if you have the same
brochure). This allows you to obtain protected under copyright laws and Helvetica font using the same
the most predictable results during users are allowed access to them by program, you still cannot be
printing. Once you have chosen the purchasing a user license, usually certain that it is the same
colour, enter the CMYK values in defined by the number of “seats” or version. As users are able to also
percentage terms into the software by buying a software package that modify kerning, two versions of
application you are using to create will give you access to the fonts. the same font can give
your layouts. different results.
Any infringement of these rules could
Be aware that by default coloured text lead to a fine and a payment for the The simplest solution,
is screened, i.e. made up of dots and loss of earnings to the copyright therefore, is to provide
not solid unless the colour is defined holder. Special file formats, such as the fonts with the
and printed as a spot colour. PDFs, get around this problem by design, whilst of
using embedded fonts as part of the course making sure you
If you are using a very fine typeface program that will allow you, and the are not infringing any
or very small point size choose your PSP, to use them. However, certain copyright issues.
colour carefully since it could cause fonts aren’t able to be embedded in Another useful tip is to
the type to appear “broken-up” or PDF files because of copyright convert the text to
make it illegible. restrictions. If in doubt, check “outlines” which
carefully with your PSP first. essentially makes each
character a vector based
Different operating systems, e.g. object and not a font. This
MacOS™ or Microsoft® Windows®, means it can
use different fonts. Whilst one may be freely
be suitable for use on one platform distributed,
the same font will probably not work easily scaled
on another. This means that you will and the appearance cannot
need two versions of the same font if be changed by subtle
you move your document from one differences in font families or
platform to the other. Very often there computer platforms.
can be subtle differences in the font
on different platforms which can However, not all applications
lead to typographical inconsistencies have the functionality to do
between the same document this and once converted the
displayed on different platforms. text cannot be easily edited,
so only do the conversion at
Furthermore, fonts with the same the very last minute.
name will not necessarily be
identical even when using the same As a general rule, it is better to avoid
platform. For example, an Adobe® using false bold, italic or condensed
Times font may not have exactly the fonts. From a typographical point of

26
 T H E D E S I G N E R ’ S G U I D E

view, these fonts are not considered The first generation (Type 3) were
to be true bold or italics because created from bitmap fonts, and give
they have not been designed as inferior results when compared to the
such. In this case, it is actually the newer Type 1 fonts that are vector
software application itself that makes based. PostScript fonts are the most
the character bold or puts it into suitable fonts to use when outputting typography
italics. This can make certain letters to a PostScript device like the HP
illegible, particularly in small text. It Indigo press.
is also worth noting that some of
these “special effects” are often not A PostScript font on a Macintosh that this removes the need to install
accurately or reliably consists of two parts: a screen font several types of font. In fact, an
reproduced when they are and a printer font. The two should OpenType font can contain a
rasterised for output. always accompany each other. The TrueType font or a PostScript Type 1
screen font is used as the name font. However, at the time of writing
The smallest size text that suggests for the on-screen preview this font format is not prevalent and
the HP Indigo press can and the printer font is used to render it is likely that it will take time before
image is normally the font for output. It is therefore it is commonplace.
around 1-2 points but important that if you supply a
this will depend on the PostScript font to your PSP that you
font used and its make sure you include the printer
colour. font since without it the document solid text
cannot be printed, even though it
can be displayed.
solid text
screened text
TrueType
TrueType was originally intended for screened text
office use to output to non-PostScript fine solid text
and PostScript devices. TrueType
fonts contain display (screen) and fine solid text
print data in a single file. This makes fine screened text
them easier to manage and handle
but the downside is that before fine screened text
printing to a PostScript device they
2pt text 2pt text 2pt text 2pt text 2pt text 2pt text 2pt text 2pt text 2pt text 2pt text 2pt text 2pt text 2pt text 2pt text 2pt text 2pt text 2pt text 2pt text
2pt text 2pt text 2pt text 2pt text 2pt text 2pt text 2pt text 2pt text 2pt text 2pt text 2pt text 2pt text 2pt text 2pt text 2pt text 2pt text 2pt text 2pt text
2pt text 2pt text 2pt text 2pt text 2pt text 2pt text 2pt text 2pt text 2pt text 2pt text 2pt text 2pt text 2pt text 2pt text 2pt text 2pt text 2pt text 2pt text

must internally be converted to a

1pt micro text 1pt micro text 1pt micro text 1pt micro text 1pt micro text 1pt micro text 1pt micro text 1pt micro text 1pt micro text 1pt micro text 1pt micro text 1pt micro text 1pt micro text 1pt micro text 1pt micro text 1pt micro text 1pt micro text 1pt micro text 1pt micro text 1pt micro text
1pt micro text 1pt micro text 1pt micro text 1pt micro text 1pt micro text 1pt micro text 1pt micro text 1pt micro text 1pt micro text 1pt micro text 1pt micro text 1pt micro text 1pt micro text 1pt micro text 1pt micro text 1pt micro text 1pt micro text 1pt micro text 1pt micro text 1pt micro text
1pt micro text 1pt micro text 1pt micro text 1pt micro text 1pt micro text 1pt micro text 1pt micro text 1pt micro text 1pt micro text 1pt micro text 1pt micro text 1pt micro text 1pt micro text 1pt micro text 1pt micro text 1pt micro text 1pt micro text 1pt micro text 1pt micro text 1pt micro text

PostScript outline. The quality of this

Care should be used when tinting text to avoid
conversion has a direct influence on it breaking up when it is screened. Look at the
the quality of the font when output. micro text under a loupe.

Whilst HP Indigo presses should

some notes on have no problem outputting a
PostScript®, TrueType font, where possible
TrueType® and PostScript Type 1 fonts should be
OpenType® fonts used.

PostScript OpenType™
This is the leading standard in the The aim of OpenType is to provide
field of typography, but there are standard printable fonts for both
three generations of PostScript Mac and Windows environments
font. It is important to remember without any compatibility problems.
that PostScript Type 1 fonts This format simplifies font
correspond to the latest generation installation, whether the fonts are
of PostScript fonts, whereas Type 3 PostScript or TrueType, since
fonts correspond to the first OpenType is a combination of both.
generation. A further advantage in a combined
(Mac and Windows) environment is

27
28
 T H E D E S I G N E R ’ S G U I D E

chapter 6

the portable document

format

29
 the portable viewed using an Adobe Acrobat®
document format Reader®, which can be downloaded
free of charge from Adobe’s site on
the Internet. www.adobe.com
The Portable Document Format, or
PDFs PDF, is rapidly becoming the de PDF is a direct development of
facto standard for file transfer. It is Adobe’s own PostScript® page
not a “device dependent” software description language that has been,
COMMON PROBLEMS – ADOBE application but a completely open and continues to be, the printing
PDF SOLUTIONS system that can be used on a industry’s standard output format.
multitude of output devices and The main difference is that PDF
problem. Recipients can’t open files media. For instance, it can be used addresses the needs of the overall
because they don’t have the to convey information to the Internet, multi-media market whereas
applications used to create the in printed format, on cd-rom, or via PostScript is really focused only on
documents e-mail, without losing image quality the printing market and cannot be
or the layout, style, etc. of the easily viewed without specialist
solution. Anyone, anywhere can document. software. For this reason PDF is fast
open a PDF file. All you need is the catching up in popularity within the
free Acrobat Reader supplied on the Its strength lies in, as the name printing sector mainly because it has
cd-rom with this guide. suggests, the portability of the the following advantages:
document it produces. What this
means is that a PDF document can • simplified PostScript code - PDF
be transferred between systems, i.e. files reduce the complexities of
problem. Formatting, fonts and Macintosh® to Windows® PC, PC to the graphic constraints found in
graphics are lost because of platform, printer, without being altered. So PostScript files that need to be
software, and version incompatibilities what you see on the computer screen rasterised in RIP devices.
in front of you is exactly the same as
solution. PDF files always display everyone else has seen on their • embedded fonts - the type
exactly as created, regardless of fonts, computers. In this way it can be sent characters and instructions for
software and operating system anywhere for remote proof reading kerning and manipulating Type
and this consistency is also 1 and TrueType® fonts are
conveyed to the final printed image. placed inside the file so the user
does not need the font to view,
problem. Documents don’t print Adobe® Systems is the company that process or edit the document.
correctly because of software and developed the PDF file format, and
printer limitations. all PDF files can be opened and

solution. PDF files always print

correctly on any compatible printing
device. + PC
supplied by Adobe®

images fonts
ACROBAT AaBbCc
LOGO AaBbCc
AaBbCc
low resolution high resolution
for the worldwide web for digital, litho and web
high-end presses
medium resolution
low resolution for multi-media medium resolution
for email & screen preview for desktop/inkjet printing

30
 T H E D E S I G N E R ’ S G U I D E

• compressed graphics - file as long as all the accompanying

compression can be dramatic fonts and images are available.
with no loss of quality of the
image. Vector graphic files can If you choose to use PDF files, one
be reduced to 25% of their thing you must take into account
original size, while bitmap when creating the document is the
PDFs
graphics can be reduced by up output device and format. The HP
to 75% of their original size. All Indigo press is a high resolution
PDF files are scalable (to 800%) CMYK printer and therefore the
and printable on PostScript and images and design should take this
non-PostScript printers. into account.

• forms and indexing features - Careful attention must be paid to the

enables PDF to serve as a set-up parameters for creating the
complete Integrated Document PDF since these directly determine
Management System. the print quality. These settings are
commonly overlooked and very
• sound and QuickTime® files often the result is a PDF that only
insertion - enables PDF to contains low resolution images. This
become a complete multimedia may be fine for on-screen previews The ‘Job Options’ settings allow you to alter the
way Acrobat Distiller creates PDFs.For
tool. But remember these types but no good for printing. example, compatibility...
of files are not printable!
You should also be aware that if your
• hypertext-linking - allows design requires bleed you must
dynamic visual interaction include it in the PDF, it cannot be
between pages and documents invented later.

• page independence - individual From a PSP’s point of view it can

pages can be sent for RIPping, cause more problems than it solves if
rather than the whole document, you provide a PDf file that has not
giving significant workflow been created properly.
benefits in the production
process. For example, if you make a mistake
in QuarkXPress™ it is quite easy for
It is important to point out that the PSP to correct the file. If however,
Adobe Acrobat and the PDF format you convert the file into a PDF with
are not intended to be a replacement an embedded fault, it is very difficult image compression...
for Page Layout, Illustration or Image for your PSP to correct it. This makes
Creation applications. You still need flight-checking even more important
to create the original design using before sending a job for printing.
these applications since Acrobat Consult with your PSP if you want to
itself has limited layout and editing know more.
facilities. It is only once you have
designed your document using the On the CD accompanying this guide
appropriate application software you will find a profile that can be
that you convert it to PDF. Then, you used with Adobe Acrobat Distiller® to
can start to use the benefits of the automatically provide the correct
PDF format. settings for generating suitable PDFs
for an HP Indigo press. Alternatively
But using PDF files is not necessarily refer to the accompanying screen
better than using PostScript files. The shots in this section.
final stage of printing from either a
PDF or the original application file font embedding (Remember to set your font
locations if you wish to embed your fonts)...
will make no difference to your PSP
continued overleaf.

31
 ensure that there are no errors or normally be picked up at this stage.
hiccups in the production process.

The following is a brief summary of Quite Software www.quite.com.

a few key plug-ins that have proven
PDFs to be especially useful to HP Indigo Quite Imposing Plus™. An easy to
press designers in the past. It is by use imposition plug-in for creating
no means an exhaustive list and you booklets or arranging complex
are encouraged to look at the current impositions.
range of solutions before making
any purchasing decisions. Quite a Box of Tricks™. A useful
collection of tools whose features
Enfocus Software® www.enfocus.com include; conversion to CMYK or
greyscale including support for ICC
Enfocus Instant PDF®. Instant PDF profiles, shrinking images to reduce
allows you to create PDFs according PDF file size, thickening “hairlines”,
to a preset quality standard from transformations, integrating form
within your design application. You fields with documents, all text to
will provide your PSP with a black, and detailed info on text and
Certified PDF and therefore be images.
confident that they will be able to
colour control...
output it correctly. Instant PDF also
allows you to create soft proofs for PPA Pass4Press. www.ppa.co.uk.
your clients. Setting up a different
print queue and creating “thin”, The search for a common file
web-ready PDFs becomes just as standard so designers, printers and
easy as making “fat” print-ready publishing houses all talk the same
ones. language has been going on for
many years. By far the most
Enfocus PitStop Professional™/ Server™ effective solution is the Pass4Press
As an advertising agency or a system developed by the Periodical
graphic designer you will use Publishers Association, based
Enfocus PitStop Professional to around PDF files.
and a range of various advanced settings. You repurpose your PDFs. Once you
can save these settings as a profile which can
have made a high quality PDF for The standards have been trialled by
be distributed and used by others.
press, you can downsample images a number of publishing houses in
or change their colour space, subset the UK with their suppliers including
fonts and more, making the file Emap, Reed Business Information,
plugging in to PDFs compatible for Web or e-mail IPC, BBC Worldwide, Condé Nast
applications. At the same time you and the National Magazine
It is extremely important that you and are secure in knowing that the Company.
your PSP can exchange files that can content of the file remains the same.
be read and printed without any Pass4Press aims to lay down the
problems. To aid this process, a You may also want to use PitStop rules for effective file transfer, so
number of software companies have Professional to perform last minute that all of the files that are handled
developed applications that work corrections before the PDF is sent out in the production of magazines and
with Acrobat to enable you, as the for production, or to correct errors journals can be processed in the
designer, to take greater control of that are reported by the pre-flight same manner.
the PDF creation process. These are process. Pre-flighting software is very
referred to as Acrobat plug-ins. important as it checks the quality of
your file before it is relayed to your
Many of these packages allow you PSP. For instance, if there are missing
to edit and pre-flight PDF documents fonts, RGB images, low-res files, or
before you send them to your PSP, to imposition problems, they will

32
T H E D E S I G N E R ’ S G U I D E

chapter 7
designing for
personalisation

33
 designing for schemes. Direct mail can then be
used to complement their spending
personalisation patterns and interests.

Many years ago direct mail used to However, direct mail is not just about
personalisation consist of a standard generic letter recruiting new customers. Surveys
that was sent to the “occupier” of an have conclusively shown that it is
address. But for a long time now much cheaper and easier to keep
HINTS AND TIPS: direct mail has used personalisation existing customers than to find new
in a very basic form, using the ones. This has stimulated a huge
Digital presses are an ideal tool to recipients’ name and text based data focus on Customer Relationship
complement other forms of digital to try and increase response rates. Management (CRM). Delivering
media, such as the Internet or email. accurately targeted personalised
With advances in digital technology communications means that your
For example, a car company could ask it is now possible to start addressing clients’ customers will feel
customers visiting their showrooms or customers not only by using variable individually valued and are more
website to specify which make and text but also by using variable likely to remain loyal. One of the
model of car they are interested in. images and graphics. best ways of doing this is by using
This could include the particular colour, the HP Indigo press.
finish and extras that they would The day of the digital press has
choose. Using this information, a arrived. It is a new era where
personalised direct mail piece can be marketeers are able to communicate it starts with an idea
printed so that the recipient receives with the recipients on a one-to-one
their own personal brochure with level. Direct mail has become a HP is able to offer a unique
pictures of the vehicle, in their science, with very closely monitored approach to high-speed variable
personal colours, inviting them for a response rates signalling the success colour printing. Its digital presses
test drive. or failure of a campaign. can change the entire contents of
every page. By connecting a
This is what is meant by one-to-one Personalisation is an important tool database to the page design you
marketing. But personalisation can in generating new business. can produce jobs where each copy
also be used to great effect in Companies can build up profiles of is created for, and tailored to, a
Customer Relationship Management customers by gathering information specific recipient.
(CRM). about their buying patterns and
habits from existing digital Alternatively, you can print multiple
For example, bills and statements, information such as credit card short runs of nearly identical copies,
nobody likes them but you have to transactions or customer loyalty where the content varies for different
look at them. They are the perfect
way for a company to communicate
with their customers. “Morphing” the Manages
customer data
usual accompanying inserts into the The printing
bill or statement with offers ecosystem customer
personalised to and chosen for the
enterprise
recipient, means the customer cannot Requests and
reads
avoid them. If the right profiling communications
decisions are made they may even be
pleased to receive them!

Print
agency Service
Provider

Creates direct mail, brochures, Prints & fulfils

point-of-sale etc. communications

34
 T H E D E S I G N E R ’ S G U I D E

target groups. They could be for personalisation would improve the

different branches or outlets, response rate by appealing directly
different geographical locations or to the recipient.
even different languages. This is
called versioning or zoning. While Significantly higher response rates
this requires extra work at the design can be achieved on carefully
personalisation
stage, there is no need for additional targeted mailings. However, it is
preparation work once the job important to remember that
reaches the press. personalisation is only as effective as HINTS AND TIPS:
the decisions that you are making at
The market for full variable the planning stage of a campaign. The HP Indigo Yours Truly® Designer™
personalisation is still fairly new, and The success of a campaign still (YTD) software application is the same
imaginative applications are being depends on getting the right software that your Print Service
invented all the time as marketeers, message in front of the right recipient Provider uses and provides all the
designers and printers learn to use at the right time. With reward based elements for setting up a variable
the technology. Typical applications mailings it will also often depend on data document. It is a QuarkXpress™
include: the attractiveness of the offer. XTension for the Apple® Macintosh®. If
you want to have a go at setting up
• direct mail your own variable data documents,
• personalised brochures a note on the technology copies of Yours Truly Designer can be
• invitations freely obtained directly from your
• conference and seminar material First of all it is worth looking at Print Service Provider.
• follow-up mailers Chapter 1 to find out how the HP
• CRM material Indigo press works. HP YTD software works on the basis of
• security or financial documents a fixed template, i.e. one where the
• labels HP has developed its own optimised variable text and images appear in
• point of sale materials personalisation software for driving pre-defined locations on the page. For
the press with personalised data documents whose layout or length
called Yours Truly Designer® (YTD), dynamically change with each cycle
planning is key which incorporates SNAP® (Swift then HP can offer a range of Partner
Native Accelerated Personalisation). Solutions which utilise the PS, PDF and
It is vitally important for the designer This enables the press to prepare at PPML output standards. Please consult
to work with the marketing very high speed the variable data with your Print Service Provider for
department to find out what they for printing. advice.
want to achieve with a mailing. It is
also important to talk to a database
specialist to make sure that what the basics
needs to be achieved can be derived
from the available data. Also, speak There are three parts to a variable
to your Print Service Provider, who data job: a template, variable data,
can advise you on what can be and a database.
produced using the technology they
have. It is important to appreciate The template is the building block of
that a successful mailing depends on your page design. This will define
a team approach with the designer the static (non-variable) elements on
working closely with the marketing the page, the position and format of
department, database/IT specialists, the variable data and other job
and the Print Service Provider. related functions like imposition.

The response rates of a mailing Variable data can be broken down

piece vary depending on the market into two types; reusable and
you are serving. The financial disposable. The reusable data can
services market, for example, may be text or images or a combination
be happy with a response rate of 1% of text and image. The idea is that
for their mass-market mailings. But this data is not specific to any one

35
 individual recipient but is instead database. As a crude example, all
relative to a group of individuals. For males over 35 will be offered the
example, a number of people will be sports channel whilst all females over
interested in a certain model or 30 will be offered the lifestyle
colour of car and therefore they channel. This is called data-mining
personalisation would all receive the same image. where the original data is used in
Reusable data is usually product conjunction with external data and
related. Disposable data is only decisions to calculate an outcome.
HINTS AND TIPS: relative to a single recipient (for
example, your name and address or Even if the final database has not
You don’t have to have the final your picture. It is data that is usually been prepared the groundwork and
“live” database before you start unique or private). Reusable data is planning that determines the final
preparing the template. All you need useful to keep because it will be used structure and range of outcomes
to know is the structure of the many times but the disposable data should have been defined before
database i.e. the field order, and what is transient and can be thrown away you, as the designer, can begin to work
all of the reusable variable data once it has been used - but both are on the template or variable data.
options are. However, it is often useful variable and personal (Figure 2).
to also have some “dummy” data so
that you can test your design visually A good database is the most database structure
on-screen before you send it to the important part of any personalised
press. campaign, no matter what media it Database and spreadsheet software,
uses. It contains the information that like most other applications, have
It is always better to use TIFF or JPEG will drive the project, many of the their own internal document format
formatted images for reusable or decisions that are made will be but the most common way to export
disposable images since the HP Indigo based on its content and therefore it the data they contain is as an ASCII
press software has a special optimised must be of high quality. A good delimited file. This is a basic raw text
way of processing these files without “clean” database will contain up-to- file format where different
the need to put them through the date, relative and accurate information is separated or delimited
PostScript RIP. However, remember information. by a defined character. You can
that these are bitmap based formats think of a database as a grid of
and if you need to preserve vector- Your database/IT specialists should information, each row of the data-
based detail then EPS should be your typically check the entries in a base contains information relating to
choice. database for things like; duplication, a single individual or item which is
postcode and address verification, called a record. Each individual
Remember that any fonts used in false names and offensive language. group of information within the
personalisation channels must be record is called a field e.g.
available to download to the HP They should work in conjunction with forename and surname usually
Indigo press RIP. the marketing team to implement the appear in separate fields (Figure 1).
choices that are to be made in the In the ASCII delimited file the records

Fields

A B C D E F G H
Header
1 First Name Last Name flower Picture Address Zip Code rep landscape
Records 2 John Barry yellow1.jpg John.eps London 12345 1 7012.jpg
3 Brenda Kelly red2.jpg Brenda.eps Paris 2378 3 7013.jpg
4 Alex Bar purple3.jpg Alex.eps 45 High Street 3896s 1 7014.jpg

Figure 1. Database structure

36
 T H E D E S I G N E R ’ S G U I D E

are separated by a hard-return include some “worst case” data so

character and the fields are that you can see how your layout
delimited by one of a range of handles very long names or
characters, typically a comma or addresses for example.
tab. These types of file are often
referred to as comma delimited (.csv) By assigning the header information
personalisation
or tab delimited (.txt) text files. It is to the template you can now link
common practice to label each field individual personalisation channels
in the first record with a descriptive to a certain field of information that
name defining that field’s contents, will define the contents of the
e.g. street, city, postcode, and this is personalisation channel. If it is a text
called the header. based personalisation channel then
the field will provide the text data
Ultimately the print sequence is that can either be embedded in a
defined by the order of the records predefined paragraph or used on its
and each complete document that is own. In the case of an image based
produced is defined as a cycle as
opposed to a copy which is the term
that is given to a complete non- David Brown Disposable
personalised document. variable data
12345678

how it all works

(the design phase)

During the template creation you ABC TRAVEL Static (fixed)

define static elements as you would data
Membership Card
for any other normal document.
These are elements of the page that
will not change, everyone in the
database will get them by default.
You will also define elements in the Doris Green
page that will contain either reusable
or disposable variable data, and
12345555
these are called personalisation
Reusable data
channels.

Personalisation channels can contain

variable text, images or a mixture of ABC TRAVEL
both. You are able to define the Membership Card
format of the data, e.g. font, point
size, alignment, colour, image
scaling and positioning, etc. How
these personalisation channels are
populated will be driven by the data Adam Black
supplied by the database. At this 12345699
point is it unlikely that you will have
the final database, all you need is a
file containing the header
information since this defines the
field order. However, it is often useful
to have some dummy data in the
ABC TRAVEL
database so that you can test out Membership Card
Figure 2. Anatomy of a
your design before committing it to variable data document.
print. Ask your database specialist to

37
 There is one case when a images that are referenced by it.
personalisation channel does not Once the job is imported it can be
need to be linked to a database field printed straight away. This is called
and this is when you want to the production phase.
sequentially number the template.
personalisation This can be done using the built in Finally, it is worth just repeating that
number generator in the Yours Truly a good database is key to a
Designer software. successful mailing. If the data is
HINTS AND TIPS: inaccurate or if it calls up the wrong
Once you have finished the design personalised image for example, the
using variable barcodes of the layout you can then use the effect it can have on the recipient
YTD software to define the can be worse than not personalising
Variable barcodes can be generated by imposition of the job and then create at all.
using downloadable barcode fonts, in the template although you may
which case the database must contain prefer to leave this to your PSP. On
the right character string to generate reaching this stage you will have PPML - the future of
the right barcode. However, not all completed the design phase. personalised print
barcodes are available as fonts in
which case they must be generated As an executive member of PODi
and saved as reusable or disposable the production phase (the Print On Demand initiative
images that are referenced in the www.podi.org) HP is actively
database. The template will be saved as a job involved in the definition, develop-
layout file (.JLT). This is a special HP ment and promotion of Personalised
Indigo press format that contains all Print Markup Language (PPML).
the static elements in the document,
the formatting and links of the PPML is a XML based industry
variable content and other job standard print language developed
personalisation channel the field will control parameters such as by some of the world’s leading
reference a reusable or disposable imposition. manufacturers of print technology for
image by its unique filename. These the high-speed production of
referenced images can be TIFF, Once created, the template, any reusable page content. PPML is an
JPEG, EPS, PDF, or PS format reusable or disposable images and open, interoperable, device-inde-
dependant on your preference or the the live database are made pendent standard that enables the
content (see Chapter 4, file formats available to the HP Indigo press. The widespread use of personalised print
and the hints and tips on page 36). job can then be imported into the applications. It is a standard devel-
press job manager at which point oped with commercial intent, to
Remember that if you subsequently the variable content is collated and create commercial impact - to
change the field order in your formatted according to the genuinely change the economics of
database you will have to update the instructions in the template and the personalised printing. It allows
template with a new header file and data in the database file. Using personalised print to be more flexible,
reassign the fields to update the links SNAP technology this can all easier to use and more affordable to
to the database. happen very quickly and an produce.
additional benefit is that you
The reusable and disposable images can import the same
must also be designed at this stage. template many times using
Make sure that they “fit” your different databases without
personalisation channel. Even having to do any redesign or
though the image can be scaled-to-fit occupy time on the pre-press
it is always better to generate it at or design workstation.
final size since this will save time in
the RIP. Remember that it is possible So to generate the print data
to combine both text and images into for subsequent mailings it
a single reusable or disposable couldn’t be simpler, all you
image. need is a new database file
and any new disposable

38
T H E D E S I G N E R ’ S G U I D E

chapter 8

designing with
seven colours

39
 GREEN
KEY
RGB Gamut
CMYK Gamut
designing with HP IndiChrome Gamut

seven colours

Colour as we know it is
hp IndiChrome made up from light of
varying wavelengths in yellow
the visible part of the
HINTS AND TIPS: spectrum. Colour can be
“generated” in one of
The use of special colours can both two ways. When we cyan orange
increase and decrease the cost of a job look around us what we
depending on how you design the job. usually see is reflected
light where the colour is RED
For example, if you designed a two- determined by the way magenta
colour job but used the CMYK four- different objects absorb violet
colour process to print it, it might different wavelengths
(depending on the colour) require four of radiation. The
colours to be laid down to produce the reflected wavelengths Figure 1. Combination Gamut

job. If you used the HP IndiChrome are interpreted by our BLUE

on-press system you would get a brain into different colours. This is monitor or a printer has what is
better match but it still may require called the subtractive colour system termed a gamut which is the entire
four colours to produce the job. and relates to the way we perceive a range of colours it is capable of
printed image where the inks used rendering. Typically the gamut of an
If you used the HP IndiChrome off- actually absorb some wavelengths of RGB monitor is quite large, certainly
press system the two spot colours light and reflect others. much larger than that of the standard
could be mixed to match the colours four colour (CMYK) printing process
you have chosen, and the print could Alternatively colour can be formed (Figure 1). It is for this reason the
be produced as a true two-colour job. by the direct emission of visible colours you see when you create a
Not only would this speed up radiation of different wavelengths. design on your computer does not
production, but it could save you This is called the additive colour always look the same when it is
money in terms of consumables. system and can be used to describe printed. Steps can be taken to
However, the extra labour and the light emitted by an LED (laser) or minimise this discrepancy by
consumable costs involved in mixing monitor (phosphorescence) where calibrating your monitor and
the inks could mean that it was not red, green and blue phosphors or implementing some form of colour
cost effective if the run length was not LEDs are used to emit light (hence the management but because the two
long enough. term RGB monitor). systems are fundamentally different it
is unlikely they will ever match
continued opposite... But colour, no matter from what entirely.
source, is always a very personal
experience. It is unlikely that any two The standard CMYK printing process
people see it in exactly the same has become the established norm for
way. However, between each other colour printing and in most cases the
we are able to relate to it through gamut of colours it renders is
learned terminology. Attempts have acceptable to many people. In
been made to quantify colour reality, the gamut is made up of the
scientifically and several systems three process colours, Cyan,
exist today. Magenta, and Yellow, while Black
(also known as the Key colour
It has been estimated that the human represented as K) is used to
eye can see around 16 million supplement deficiencies in the other
different colours. However, what can inks which make it difficult to
be seen and what can be printed is achieve a good black when they are
vastly different. Every device that all mixed together. It also makes
produces colour, whether it is a good economic sense since why use

40
 T H E D E S I G N E R ’ S G U I D E

three inks to make black when you can substantially extend the gamut of
can use just one? colours that can be produced. This is
the basis for a recent trend to start
However, occasionally a wider using a six-colour printing process.
gamut of colours is needed. Special
colours may be needed to match a Uniquely in the digital press market
hp IndiChrome
corporate colour swatch, or bright HP Indigo presses come with a fifth,
eye-catching colours are often sixth and seventh colour capability,
required for label and packaging collectively termed HP IndiChrome®.
applications. These special colours ... On the other hand, if you use more
are often referred to as house, spot, than four colours in your job, whether
or corporate colours. extending the gamut using hp using HP IndiChrome on-press or off-
IndiChrome press this is likely to increase the cost
If the colours you wish to achieve lie of the job because of the extra colours
within the gamut of the standard In order to understand how to best being laid down and the increased
four-colour CMYK process then with utilise HP IndiChrome we must first time taken for production.
few exceptions (see HP IndiChrome examine the different ways in which
off-press later in this chapter) there is the fifth, sixth and seventh colours The timings on a job are also very
no reason to look any further. can be used. important. If a PSP has the HP
However, if your colour lies outside IndiChrome Ink Mixing System on-site
the gamut it will be impossible to There are two different methods, the they will be able to mix the inks much
achieve. By introducing extra inks HP IndiChrome on-press and the HP faster than if they have to be ordered
into the standard four-colour set you IndiChrome off-press solutions. from HP.

HP IndiChrome OffPress
hp IndiChrome
on-press

The HP IndiChrome on- using the standard CMYK ink set in

press system introduces HP IndiChrome on-press, the HP
two further colours into Indigo press can be quickly switched
the standard CMYK ink from standard four-colour work to
b*

set which has the effect six-colour printing even if it is mixed

of extending the gamut within the same document, without
of colours you can the need for any ink changes.
achieve. Subsequently
IndiChrome OffPress all tints and half-tone The use of the HP IndiChrome on-
ElectroInk
Spot colours images are mixed from press six-colour process extends the
these six basic colours. available printing gamut and
Figure 2. a*
The HP IndiChrome provides a better matching of a
system is similar in much wider variety of colours and
HP IndiChrome OnPress
theory to PANTONE® the production of much more vivid
Hexachrome® printing. images. It allows you to use a wide
range of special colours in your
The difference is that the designs which will be rendered more
HP IndiChrome on-press accurately than with the four-colour
system uses the standard process. However, if the colour still
CMYK inks plus lies outside the gamut of the six-
b*

additional orange and colour process, then whilst you will

violet inks, as opposed get a closer match than with CMYK
to Hexachrome® which it may still not be perfect.
uses non-standard CMY
IndiChrome OnPress
ElectroInk inks plus orange and Typically this can happen with
Spot colours
green inks. The major colours in the green part of the
a*
Figure 3. benefit here is that by spectrum. Here, the gamut is not

41
 The HP IndiChrome off-press system If your design uses one, two or three
makes use of special equipment that spot colours then you could print it
utilises eleven base inks; cyan, using HP IndiChrome off-press. In
magenta, yellow, black, green, this case make sure that the spot
orange, violet, bright yellow, reflex colour name is defined consistently
hp IndiChrome blue, rhodamine red and a throughout your entire document
transparent ink. By using a spectro- including any linked files, e.g. EPS
photometer and specialised software logos or graphics. The reason for
HINTS AND TIPS: to measure and calculate the this is that if the spot colour is given
composition of a colour, the correct a different name, in say an imported
The HP Indigo presses are the only mix can be determined to match graphic, relative to the name it is
digital presses that have fifth, sixth or your colour. given in the document, then they will
seventh colour capability. By utilising generate separate plates on output
this ability you can bring a striking This method means that the ink can instead of both being included on
new dimension to any job. be treated as a true spot colour ink the same plate.
and as such can be printed as a
HP also produces a range of speciality solid (i.e. not screened). This can be
spot colours which include white ink, especially useful for jobs that contain when to use hp indiChrome
fluorescent pink and fluorescent fine detail, e.g. linework, logos and
yellow inks and UV sensitive security fine small point text. But it can also To summarise, HP IndiChrome is
ink. be used to improve the appearance useful for a variety of different
of solids that may otherwise be reasons. The following is a list of
Check on their availability with your prone to banding (see chapter 4). some, but not all, of its possible
PSP before starting the job. However, the major benefit of HP applications.
IndiChrome off-press is that it gives
you a precise match to the colour HP IndiChrome Off-press:
you have chosen.
• special colour inks to match
corporate colours precisely
extended at all by using the HP which method to use?
IndiChrome on-press system. Also, • production of bright colours that
one of the key things you have to It is important to know in advance cannot be accurately reproduced
accept when using the six-colour which method of HP IndiChrome to by the four-colour process
process is that all the colours have to use for a job before starting the
be screened since they will probably design or artwork. If you have any • special colours that can be
be composed of more that one base doubts about the colour you are printed as solids (especially
ink and therefore spot colours will trying to achieve, consult your PSP at useful for small point type)
not be solid. In both these cases the the earliest opportunity.
alternative use of the HP IndiChrome • economy - by allowing you to
off-press system should be used. It is worth noting that HP Indigo print two or three colour jobs
presses come in several different without the extra charge for a
configurations and models. It is third or fourth colour.
hp IndiChrome off-press worth checking with your PSP what
configuration they have; four- , five- , HP IndiChrome On-press
The HP IndiChrome off-press method six- or seven-colours? Do this before
enables your PSP to make pre-mixed designing or commissioning the job. • production of more vivid life-like
special colours for loading into the If your design needs three or more images.
fifth, sixth and seventh ink tanks on spot colours then consider using HP
the HP Indigo press. This method is IndiChrome on-press, this will give • print a larger range of special
much more akin to the handling of you a better overall match. In this colours more accurately than
spot colours in conventional printing case all the spot colours should be with the four-colour process.
where a special colour separation is defined in the pre-press using their
defined in the page layout by the PANTONE® references.
designer.

PANTONE® approved
42 The HP IndiChrome system is PANTONE® approved. PANTONE® colour conversion tables provide
you with simulations of 942 different PANTONE® colours. For more information, see the HP
IndiChrome on-press user guide or check with your Print Service Provider.
T H E D E S I G N E R ’ S G U I D E

chapter 9
substrates
- feel the quality

43
 substrates

the ink and suffer from dot gain

HINTS AND TIPS: which can make the image lose its
sharpness.
Use specialised substrates for that feel
good factor... substrates The HP Liquid Electro-Photographic
(LEP) process uses HP ElectroInk
Teslin® - waterproof applications e.g.
- feel the quality which dries instantaneously on
outdoor labels, cookery books, contact with the substrate. This also
security labels. As a designer you will appreciate means that it does not get absorbed
the important role often played by to any great extent and is able to
DuPont® Tyvek - tear resistant the substrate to achieve the overall maintain very well defined and
applications, e.g. workshop manuals, impact of the piece. Colour, sharp dots. This enables superb
maps. whiteness, thickness, texture, results to be obtained on either non-
durability, all these aspects can absorbent or highly absorbent
Plastic film (transparent & opaque) - contribute to the design and materials. In most cases the printed
membrane switches, OHPs, shelf functionality of the product. With the sheets can be handled and finished
wobblers and other point of sale HP Indigo press your substrate straight away.
materials. options are hugely expanded when
compared to xerographic printers However, as with all printing
Watercolour papers - for fine art and in some cases even processes there will always be
reproduction, greetings cards. conventional presses. exceptions and it is worth checking
your requirements with your PSP.
Lenticular sheets - create motion or Xerographic papers are often
3-D effects, e.g. mousemats, childrens characterised by their “dry” and
stickers, novelty items. “crackly” feel and this is attributed to coated and uncoated papers
the process which requires a paper
with very low moisture content for There is a classification of paper
successful fusing. For this reason you type that is commonly referred to as
usually are restricted to using laser coated, where the paper surface is
approved papers which not only pigmented or coated with a special
limits your choice of substrate but on mixture of clay or chalk and other
the whole costs more as well. additives and agents. Papers that do
not have this coating are classified
Conventional printing is very as uncoated.
accommodating when it comes to
substrates with thousands of different Coating formulations and the
materials, not just paper, at your amount of coating vary according to
disposal. Even so, depending on the the paper type. Generally four
press and substrate combination different categories of coating
there can be problems. Typically weight are referred to; pigmented,
non-absorbent substrates will take a medium coated, fully coated, and art
long time to dry which makes fast papers. Properties such as
turnaround impossible since to print smoothness, gloss, printability and
the duplex side or carry out the opacity improve with increasing coat
finishing you need a dry image. weight. The degree of calendering
There can also be problems with that is applied in the paper
very absorbent papers, e.g. manufacturing process will also
watercolour papers, which soak up determine these properties.

44
 T H E D E S I G N E R ’ S G U I D E

substrates

the rules of engagement

• must be stable at temperatures
up to 130°C (plastic and
synthetic substrates).
Coated
papers are • maximum physical sheet size:
typically used 320 x 464mm.
for applications
where a higher • maximum physical roll size:
quality look and feel 1.3m diameter 330mm width.
are required, for example,
“coffee table” books and
brochures. Uncoated papers • approximate weight range:
are usually used for single colour Sheetfed: 80-350gsm.
(e.g. black only) books and forms Webfed: 50-250gsm.
where its higher absorption makes it (Remember that weight is not a
more suitable for writing on. true indication of the bulk and it
is the thickness in combination
with the grain direction that will
approved and optimised on the often determine the suitability of
substrates range of the substrate).
papers they
To provide assurance around a stock and the • grain direction:
substrates suitability for printing on availability of any less than 170gsm= long grain.
an HP Indigo press there is a process specialised substrates greater than170gsm= short grain.
of independent approval. First and that you may require.
foremost a substrate must have a if in any doubt consult your PSP.
surface that is receptive to the HP
ElectroInk in order to provide the ink Many substrates will print well but
with a good degree of adhesion. In in the cases when they don’t, all is
addition the substrate must perform not lost. When an alternative cannot
well in both handling and be found a top-coating can be
production. A range of stringent tests applied to the paper which alters the
are performed on a substrate which surface characteristics of the There is
it must pass before it can be substrate to provide a suitable key usually a small
approved. A full listing of approved for the ink. This is often referred to as additional cost for
substrates can be found at optimisation or treatment and should this treatment so if an
www.digitalacademy.com. not be confused with the term alternative substrate can
“coated paper” (see coated and be found then so much the
However, it is worth remembering uncoated papers above). Visually better.
that not all substrates are submitted the substrate will look the same in
for approval but this does not mean appearance as the original sheet but
that they are not suitable for use on an optimised or treated substrate will
an HP Indigo press. In most cases give better results.
your PSP will be able to advise you

45
46
T H E D E S I G N E R ’ S G U I D E

chapter 10
final checks

47
 final checks

checks to make with your PSP

final checks
■ can they handle the applications you have created your documents in?
(Chapter 3)

HINTS AND TIPS: ■ what format media can they accept for delivery of the data e.g.
CD, Zip, DVD, ISDN?
Try printing your document from the
■ confirm the configuration of their press, e.g. 6-colours?,
disc that you will send to your PSP. spot colour mixing? (Chapter 8)
This will highlight if anything is
missing. It is best to do this on a ■ check that they can print the substrates you require. (Chapter 9)
different workstation to the one you
used to design your original
checks to make in your design
document.
■ does the design fit the format of the output device? (Chapter 4)
Pay particular attention to missing
fonts. ■ are all the images CMYK? (Chapter 4)
■ are all the images at a suitable resolution? (Chapter 4)
■ are there any potentially problematic tints or blends? (Chapter 4)
■ have you put a shiner behind large areas of solid black? (Chapter 4)
■ have you included bleed in your design where needed? (Chapter 4)
■ have you set-up any specific overprints or trapping? (Chapter 4)
■ does the document contain fine coloured type? If so consider using a
spot colour to give you a clearer sharper result. (Chapter’s 5&8)

■ if your design is personalised have you taken into account “worst case”
data? (Chapter 7)

■ does your document need five, six or seven colour printing? If so make
sure it is set up correctly for HP IndiChrome on-press or off-press
depending on your choice. (Chapter 8)

checks to make before sending the files to your PSP

■ are all the associated images, graphics and fonts used in the
document present? Remember both screen & printer fonts are needed
for Type 1 PostScript® fonts. (Chapter 5)

■ if you have made a PDF, is it saved at a resolution suitable for printing?

(Chapter 6)

■ if you have made a PDF, does it contain all the bleeds you need?
(Chapter 6)

■ if you are sending a personalised design for printing make sure that the
associated variable data files and database are also supplied.
(Chapter 7)

■ provide your PSP with the final printed proof of the document for clarity.

48
T H E D E S I G N E R ’ S G U I D E

glossary

49
 A10

A: ‘DIN-A’ (Deutsche Industrie Norm) A0 A9

A7
sizes start at size A0 which measures 840 x A8
A5
1188mm. The series of sizes is obtained by
taking the previous size, dividing its larger A6

dimension by two and keeping the smaller A3

dimension the same.
A4
A0: 840 x 1188mm.
A1: 594 x 840mm. A1
A2: 420 x 594mm.
A3: 297 x 420mm.
A4: 210 x 297mm.
A5: 148 x 210mm.
A2
A6: 105 x 148mm.
A7: 74 x 105mm.
A8: 52 x 74mm.
A9: 37 x 52mm.
A10: 26 x 37mm.

Additive synthesis: the additive system or centred. In the last of these cases, the text taking the previous size, dividing its larger
stems from three beams of light in the is aligned about a central axis. dimension by two and keeping the smaller
primary colours red, green and blue. By dimension the same.
superimposing these beams it is possible to Example of right-justified text: B0: 1000 x 1414mm.
obtain practically all the visible colours. The Si meliora dies, ut vina, poemata reddit, B1: 707 x 1000mm.
sum of these three colours, at their maximum chartis pretium quotus arroget annus. scriptor B2: 500 x 707mm.
intensity, produces white. This method is abhinc annos qui decidit,novos? B3: 353 x 500mm.
based on the trichromatic sensitivity of the and centred text: B4: 250 x 353mm.
human eye. This method is used particularly Si meliora dies, ut vina, poemata reddit, B5: 176 x 250mm.
for video screens and computer monitors. scire velim, chartis pretium quotus arroget B6: 125 x 176mm.
inter perfectos veteresque referri debet an B7: 88 x 125mm.
inter vilis atque novos? B8: 62 x 88mm.
B9: 44 x 62mm.
Alpha mask or 8-bit mask: in digital B10: 31 x 44mm.
graphics, a type of mask ensuring
customisable protection of the image located Bit (Binary digit): the smallest unit of
below it, from a 100% level to a 0% level, information in computing. The bit is used to
with 254 intermediate levels, giving a total encode all information in the form of 0s and
of 256 values. These masks make it possible, 1s. Eight bits form a byte. The number of bits
in particular, to insert one image into used has particular importance in
another with a fading level of transparency determining the quality of a signal (audio or
or to make graduated masks. visual) during digitisation. See bits per pixel.
Aliasing: in digital graphics, a physical
phenomenon caused by the rectangular Analogue: a method of encoding Bitmap: a method of storing graphical data
structure of the pixel. Aliasing shows up in information using analogy. This method is represented in the form of a group of pixels.
jagged edges on slanting lines and curves. called analogue because the relation The bitmap remains the only format for
The lower the resolution of an between the copy and the original is digital storage of photographic images.
image, the greater the recorded. So there is a correspondence
occurrence of this phenomenon. between the most dense parts of the image Bits per pixel: The number of bits used to
Aliasing can be minimised by and the most dense parts of the real object. define a pixel is one of the factors in
using a smoothing algorithm, This equivalence may be identical (in the determining the quality of an image, as
termed anti-aliasing. case of the positive), or inverted (in the case essentially it indicates the number of shades
of the negative). of a colour that can be represented digitally.
Alignment: text is right aligned when its A bitmap file is stored in the form of a
right hand edge forms a vertical straight line. B: ‘B’ sizes start at size B0 that measures 1m succession of pixels determined by their x
The terms used are right aligned, left aligned x 1.4m. The series of sizes is obtained by and y co-ordinates in the orthonormal space

50
 T H E D E S I G N E R ’ S G U I D E

constituted by the image. These two CMY (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow): basic compound that absorbs various wavelengths
coordinates are added to by three values: colours for subtractive synthesis. The sum of of visible light which gives it the ability to
one for red, one for green and one for blue. these three colours, at their maximum change the colour of a solid or a liquid.
The three RGB values can be replaced by intensity, produces black. Also referred to as
hue, saturation and luminance or brightness, the Complementary or Secondary Colours. Colour space: a range of colours grouped
or by the four CMYK values, depending on by a property. So, the colour space of the
the colour space chosen. CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, visible spectrum designates all the colours
• a one bit image is the equivalent of an Black): four basic colours for printing, that a person with average sight is able to
image that is composed of only black or giving rise to the term ‘four-colour printing perceive. Other examples include the RGB
white pixels without any shade of grey. process’. The CMY combination makes it colour space and the CMYK colour space.
Sometimes referred to as a bi-level image. possible, theoretically, to reconstitute the
• an 8 bit image is the equivalent of a majority of visible colours, including black. Colour Management: see ICC
greyscale image. It is a monochrome image However, in practice, due to problems with
with 256 levels of grey between white and ink purity, pure black can not be obtained by Colour synthesis: reconstitution of the
black. superimposing 100% of cyan, magenta and colours of the whole of the visible spectrum
• a 24 bit RGB image is able to define the yellow. This is why it is necessary to add from a limited number of base colours.
full range of colour, approximately 16.7 black. This method also enables less ink to Colour synthesis takes either an additive or a
million (256 levels for each primary colour be used and therefore saves money and subtractive form.
256=16.7m), often called a true colour reduces drying time.
image. Complementary colour: a colour which,
• a 32 bit CMYK image is also a true colour Colorimetry: the science of colour when added to another, produces white in
image. It has, however, a few less shades measurement. additive synthesis and black in subtractive
because the CMYK colour space contains synthesis.
fewer colours than the RGB space. Colour: The visual experience perceived by
the cones of the retina which are stimulated Condensed type: typographical function
BITS HUES by the different wavelengths of light designed to reduce the width of a character.
6 64 perceived by the eye. The colour therefore It is best to use this function with caution. As
8 256 varies in relation to the physical properties of far as possible, it is recommended that a font
10 1024 the reflected light of an illuminated object or that has actually been designed at a
12 4096 the light emitted from a source. When we narrower width should be used. These fonts
reproduce a colour it is generally impossible very often have the term ‘condensed’ in their
or too complex to recreate its original name.
The chart shows the equivalence between the spectrum. So we use a mixture of either the
number of bits per primary colour and the three primary colours or three Contract proof: the last check before
number of hues per primary colour. complementary colours in order to produce printing, it refers to any document that is
an equivalent sensation in the eye. See used to give approval before production. The
Black: In the additive system additive synthesis and subtractive synthesis. contract proof is signed by the client and is
black is generated by the used as a legal check in the event of a
complete absence of any colour. Colour balancing: the neutralisation of dispute over the work of the printer or
In the subtractive system it is the presence of dominant colours in an image. provider.
all colour at their maximum intensities. It is
denoted in the printing process by the letter Colour cast: a colour that dominates all the Contrast: observable differences between
K, a historic relationship which stands for shades of an image. The cast may be due to the different tones and colours of an image.
Key (not blacK as commonly supposed). ambient lighting, the base material used to The concept of contrast is subjective,
make the analogue recording (e.g. film) or depending on the viewers’ perception,
Blanket: in offset printing, the rubber caused by a fault or characteristic response because it contains several context-
cylinder covering that transfers the ink from of the digitising device. dependent concepts.
the plate to the media to be printed (paper,
plastic, etc). Colour conversion: transformation from Cyan: one of the four colours
one colour space to another. This process used in printing. This is the
©: symbol for the word ‘copyright’, more can sometimes lead to the loss of colour complementary colour to red
generally used to indicate that the when the subsequent colour space has a because it is made up of blue and green in
publication of a picture or a text is subject to smaller or different gamut to the original. an additive system. In a subtractive system
legal rights of reproduction. cyan absorbs red wavelengths of light, as a
Colouring agent: an organic or chemical consequence, it reflects green and blue.

51
Data Compression: various techniques which give rise to images with well-defined the dot size, using super-pixels to alter the
whereby using mathematical algorithms to edges and minimal dot gain, instantaneous dot shape according to the density, and data
represent or store the data in a different way drying which allows for immediate finishing interpolation to increase the effective
the amount of data in a file can be reduced, and handling and conventional light fastness. resolution. Available screens include 144
leading to smaller files sizes. Different See Chapter 1 for more information. (Sequin), 160, 175, 180, 195 & 230 lpi
compression techniques give rise to different dependant on machine configuration.
rates of compression. Some compression Eurostandard®: a European standard for
techniques are termed “lossless” or non- digital or analogue systems to control the HLS: hue, luminance and saturation, three
destructive where there is no loss of detail in colour quality of photoengraving films, dimensional colour H
the data, others are termed “lossey” or photoengraving proofs, digital printing and space used in many
destructive where there is loss of detail of digital plates in the case of direct plate graphics applications S
varying degrees. Generally the smaller the output, and of the printed document. to define a colour.
resultant file the greater the loss of detail. Sometimes also
Fixed spacing: in typography, equal termed as HSB, hue,
L
Density: in the graphic arts, specifies spacing between two letters, whatever the saturation and
whether an area of an image is dark (high characters that are used. This type of brightness.
density, shadows), or light (low density, spacing is inherited from old typewriters that,
highlights). Density ranges are measured for mechanical reasons, were unable to vary ICC (International Colour
with a densitometer. In computing, density this distance (see Kerning). Consortium): It makes no sense to specify
indicates the quantity of data contained per a colour in CMYK if you don’t know how the
unit of surface area for a given media (tape, Fluorescent colour: fluorescent colours different devices used in a workflow, e.g.
disk, etc). A density of 300 dpi (dots per reflect more light than they receive, because cameras, scanners, monitors and printers,
inch) indicates therefore that a surface area they transform, among other things, the will interpret those values. The ICC is an
of one square inch has 300 x 300 dots, i.e., wavelengths of ultraviolet light into visible industry body that exists to define a set of
90,000 points. light. “device dependant values” that can be used
to determine the different characteristics for
Digital coding: a basic concept in Font: a set of characters (letters, figures, each machine e.g. brightness, colour
computing, digital coding of information uses punctuation marks, etc.) of the same type balance, colour shifts etc. This information is
a two state system; on/off, yes/no, which is (Times, Helvetica, etc), of the same style then contained in an ICC profile for that
represented in binary by either 0 or 1. The (bold, italic, etc.). device. This profile can be used in a Colour
information is then encoded in a binary Management System (CMS). The aim is that
script. The benefit of this system is to prevent Font size: the size of a character in a font, by understanding the relative colour
the weakening of an electronic signal during usually measured units of points. performance of each device through its ICC
processing and therefore to eliminate loss of profile it should in theory be possible to
information. A 0 always remains a 0 and a
1 always remains a 1.
The The manipulate the colour information in a file to
give predictable colour as long as it is within
Futura Book Futura the capabilities of the device.
Digitisation: the process that transforms an Condensed

analogue signal into a digital signal. Gamut (or colour gamut): a range of Imposition: the ordered placement of
colours that can be produced using a certain pages on a sheet (signature) for printing, to
DPI (dots per inch): a unit of measure of process or device. For example, a wider accommodate different finishing and binding
resolution, this unit indicates the density of range of colours can be created on an RGB styles.
dots either recorded or imaged per inch. monitor than using the CMYK process, and
by printing on gloss paper compared to Indexed colour: a “paint by numbers”
HP ElectroInk®: liquid ink technology matt. system for saving colour information in an
developed specifically by HP for its unique image. In order to keep the file size low the
LEP process. Its colour reproduction is similar GCR (Grey Component replacement): image references a restricted and defined
to that of offset printing and is available in See UCR colour palette (generally 256 colours).
both SWOP®, Eurostandard® and HP
IndiChrome® ink sets and as a range of HDI (High Definition Imaging): printing HP IndiChrome®: The term given to five,
PANTONE approved spot colours including
®
screens developed by HP for increasing the six, or seven colour printing on HP Indigo
white. Unlike xerography, it preserves the rendered detail in the printed image from HP presses. Incorporates on-press (six colour
appearance of the paper due to the fineness Indigo presses. This is achieved by using a process) and off-press (spot colour)
of the HP ElectroInk layer (1 to 2 microns). combination of increasing the screen ruling techniques. See Chapter 8 for more
Other characteristics include; sharp dots (number of lines per inch of dots), reducing information.

52
 T H E D E S I G N E R ’ S G U I D E

JPEG (Joint Photographic Expert measured in candela/m2. Often used to can be either used for visual effect in the
Group): a compression method that cuts an denote the brightness of a colour. design or to eliminate the effects of
image into small tiles or zones to calculate misregistration between colours caused by
an average colour that it will attribute to the Magenta: one of the four inaccuracies in printing. For example, black
whole set of pixels in this area. It is the size colours used in printing. This is text should usually overprint any underlying
of these zones in particular that will the complementary colour to tint or image. The HP Indigo press RIP will
determine the rate of compression of the green because it is made up of blue and red automatically do this if requested, otherwise
image and therefore the quality of the image in an additive system. In a subtractive system you can usually set it up in the original
produced. magenta absorbs green wavelengths of light, design application.
as a consequence, it reflects red and blue.
Justification: in typography, a text PANTONE®: a colour reference system
composition mode where the spacing Mask: in silver halide processing the mask developed by Letraset. This system comprises
between words is adjusted to align both the refers to an inactinic film, generally red, that more than a thousand defined colours that
left and right edges of the paragraph. protects the photosensitive surface from any can be created by mixing seventeen
reaction to a light source. By extension, in a pigments. The system also makes reference
Kerning: typographic function used to graphics application, a mask is a layer to the same colours on different substrates;
control the space between characters created to protect the underlying data of an coated & uncoated. It is impossible to
image from the operator’s actions. Masks produce all of these colours in CMYK. The
KERNING
are coded in either 1-bit or 8- bit. In the first Eurostandard CMYK gamut only makes it
Normal KERNING case, like photoengraving coated film, they possible to simulate approximately 50% of
setting
KERNING protect either completely or not at all. In the these colours whilst the HP IndiChrome on-
second case, their protection varies from 0 to press six-colour process can reproduce
K E R N I N G
100% depending on the users’ specifications approximately 85% of them. See Chapter 8.
K E R N I N G (see alpha mask).
PDF (Portable Document Format):
Offset: a monochrome or colour printing unique format based on PostScript, created
Knock-out: See Overprint technique developed to improve earlier forms by Adobe® and originally released with the
of lithography. In this process, the ink is Acrobat® application. This format describes a
Landscape: a printing format with the applied to the areas of the image engraved document containing any combination of
paper laid horizontally (or the long edge on on a plate, then it is transferred (offset) onto text, graphics and images, independently of
the top of the paper). Opposite to Portrait. the substrate via a rubber cylinder, called a its environment. See Chapter 6.
blanket. This technique offered a number of
Liquid Electro-Photography® (LEP): HP’s benefits including better transfer of the ink Pigment: used in the composition of inks,
unique printing technology that gives image to the substrate. It is now the most enamels and paints to give it its colour.
traditional ink-on-paper quality via a true common form of printing used in the
digital colour printing press. Key to the commercial market. HP Indigo presses also Pixel, acronym of “picture element”:
process is HP ElectroInk which can be use an offset process. By combining the the basic building block of a digital image,
directed using electrical charges enabling a advantages of the offset process with a the pixel is the smallest element
different image to be digitally formed. unique “digital” plate the HP Indigo press is of an image. Only when
able to offer the quality of conventional presented in a group can it
Light: a component of the electromagnetic printing with the flexibility of digital printing. define an image. The higher the
spectrum, it fits into the range of number of pixels or points in the
electromagnetic radiation between X rays Optical resolution: in digital graphics, the group, the better the quality of
and radio waves. All these waves move at real resolution of a scanner or a camera. the image.
the same speed in a vacuum: about Optical resolution therefore indicates the
300,000km/s. Like all electromagnetic number of pixels contained in the larger axis Portrait: a print format with a vertical print
waves, light can be defined by its and the smaller axis of a CCD array. For a orientation or the short edge on the top of
wavelength. The wave length of visible light strip device, it gives the number of pixels the paper. Opposite to Landscape.
lies between 390 and 780 nanometres. Blue contained in the strip and the number of
lies between 390 and 500 nanometres, steps by which this strip moves. PostScript®: an industry standard language
green between 500 and 600 nanometres format for describing a page. Used for
and red between 600 and 780 nanometres. Overprint: When a page element is driving a printer or an imagesetter. This term
instructed to overlay another element without is also used to denote the fonts compatible
Luminance: in physics, the quantity of light knocking-out the data in the underlying with this language (PostScript Fonts).
per unit of surface area, luminance is element it is said to overprint. This technique

53
Primary colour: a pure colour in the Spot colour: Special separately defined in shadow areas and neutral colours and
visible spectrum that is impossible to obtain colours that are printed using an individual replaces it with black ink (K). Its benefits
by mixing together any other colours. ink rather than being composed using the include cutting down on the amount of ink
standard CMYK inks. Typically used in a needed to produce an image and the drying
Print Service Provider (PSP): the design to catch the eye or related to a brand time needed for the print. GCR (Grey
company supplying the printing capability. (house colours) but also for economy. See Component Replacement) is similar except
Chapter 8. that it affects all neutral areas using black
Proportional spacing: in typography, and only the minimum amount of CMY
spacing between two letters that varies in Subtractive synthesis: extracts the blue, needed. Care needs to be taken when using
relation to the shape and size of the letters. green and red components from white light GCR since it can adversely affect the colour
with the aid of yellow, balance in the image when printed.
Resolution: the resolution of a device is a magenta and
measure of its ability to physically define two cyan filters Variable Data Printing (VDP): a
individual points as separate entities. The respectively. printing technique that enables unique
common unit of measurement used is dots The sum of variation of a part of the printed data,
per inch (dpi). For example a device with a these three also called customised or personalised
resolution of 812dpi can independently colours, at printing. Variable data printing has only
image two points that are 1/812th of an their maximum been made possible by the development of
inch apart without them appearing as one intensity, produces digital printing techniques, especially by HP.
point. black. It is this system
that is used in printing. Vector graphics: an efficient data storage
RGB: abbreviation of red, green, blue. An method normally used for graphics and text,
additive colour system using the three SWOP (Standard Web Offset Press): based on mathematical definition of objects.
primary colours. The sum of these three one of the offset colour range standards used Each shape contained in an image is stored
colours, at their maximum intensity, produces as a reference (the word web has nothing to in accordance with its geometrical properties
white. See additive synthesis. do with the Internet). This standard is more instead of storing the image pixel by pixel.
commonly used in the United States. These files are typically much smaller than
RIP (Raster Image Processor): Software their pixel based equivalent and their
or hardware based interpreters that can Trapping: During printing slight movements scalability maintains the image quality at all
translate input file formats such as PostScript of the paper when going through the press levels. However, depending on the
or PDF into output bitmap formats that can can lead to misregistration between the complexity of the mathematical calculations
be used to image the file on a designated colour plates. An area of trap is sometimes the RIP has to make, it is not always the
device. Generally RIP’s are specific to the needed around a page element to prevent quickest to RIP even though it will be the
output device since their bitmap formats the substrate showing through in these areas smallest in file size.
vary. of misregistration. Depending on the
relationship between the colour and type White: In additive synthesis, white is
ROOM (RIP Once, Output Many): a (text or graphic) of the overlying element to produced by the sum effect of red, green
concept where the output bitmap file from the underlying element the edge of the and blue, and is the result of the presence of
the RIP can be used for imaging on a range overlying element may be effectively grown, all colours in equal quantities. In subtractive
of output devices. In reality this is seldom known as spread, or the area underlying it synthesis it is the absence of any colour
achievable especially between output may be shrunk, known as choke. When no whatsoever.
devices from different manufacturers. trapping is used and the images need to
align exactly they are said to need a “kiss- WYSIWYG: ‘what you see is what you get’,
Scaling: mathematical transformation fit”. Trapping is not normally required when i.e. what you see on the screen is what will
(enlargement or reduction), of an image in printing using an HP Indigo press. be printed.
proportion to its original dimensions.
UCR (Under Colour Removal): Yellow: one of the four colours
Secondary colour: mixture of two primary compensation for the addition of the three used in printing. This is the
colours. primary colours by black only in neutral complementary colour to blue
tones. In theory, using the additive theory of because it is made up of red and green in
SNAP® (Swift Native Accelerated colour, the combination of magenta, cyan an additive system. In a subtractive system
Personalisation): HP Indigo press and yellow will produce black. In practice, yellow absorbs blue wavelengths of light, as
technology used for the production of imperfections in the printing inks usually a consequence, it reflects green and red.
variable data documents at very high speed. mean that a dark tone of brown is produced.
See Chapter 7. UCR reduces the amount of C, Y, M needed

54
 T H E D E S I G N E R ’ S G U I D E

using the files on the

All brand and product names are trademarks
cd-rom or registered trademarks of their respective
this cd-rom contains: companies.

• this guide in ready to print HP .JLT format. • the files to print a CMY colourbook that PANTONE® and other Pantone, Inc.
Just import it into the job manager on any can be used as a colour reference when trademarks are the property of Pantone, Inc.
HP Indigo press and print. discussing colours.
The information contained in this document is
You may print and distribute this guide freely • the files to print an HP IndiChrome® on- subject to change without notice.
in its original form on condition that no edits press colourbook that can be used as a
or changes are made to it. colour reference when discussing colours. The Designer’s Guide
Authors: Nick Loh and Tony Brown
• You can however customise the front cover • an Adobe® Acrobat® Distiller® profile for ©Copyright Hewlett-Packard Company 2003
to include your company details or creating PDFs suitable for HP Indigo presses. www.hp.com/go/indigo
personalise it for your clients. To help you
with this the cd also contains the cover • MacOS™ and Windows® HP Indigo print Printed on an HP Indigo press
design in a QuarkXpress document.
™
drivers
Copywriting design & artwork by the
Bespoke Agency, Banstead, Surrey
Based on an original by Hervé Bernard

DG05/03EU

55
 just imagine

North America Europe Israel, Asia Pacific

Hewlett-Packard Company Hewlett-Packard Company Hewlett-Packard Company
Indigo Division Indigo Division Indigo Division
400 Unicorn Park Drive Limburglaan 5 Kiryat Weizmann
Woburn, MA 01801 6221 SH Maastricht P.O. Box 150
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Tel: +1 781 937 8800 Tel: +31 43 356 5656 Tel: +972 (8) 938 1818
Fax: +1 781 937 8810 Fax: +31 43 356 5600 Fax: +972 (8) 938 1338

All brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective
companies.

PANTONE® and other Pantone, Inc. trademarks are the property of Pantone, Inc.

The information contained in this document is subject to change without notice.

The Designer’s Guide

Authors: Nick Loh and Tony Brown
©Copyright Hewlett-Packard Company 2003
www.hp.com/go/indigo

Printed on an HP Indigo press

Copywriting design & artwork by the Bespoke Agency, Banstead, Surrey

Based on an original by Hervé Bernard

DG05/03EU