Ink Density Tolerances

Discussion in 'Ink' started by William Taylor, Apr 5, 2012.

  1. William Taylor

    William Taylor Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 2011
    Messages:
    70
    Location:
    Canada
    Hello All,
    Opinions please on variations in measuring ink density.
    What is a realistic deviance in measuring an ink density with a densitometer.
    For example, if I measure my cyan at 1:30 then is it normal to fluctuate between, say, 1:25 and 1:35 or can I expect it to stay pretty close to 1:30.
    I know there are a lot of conditions to bear in mind (condition and set up of press, press itself, damping, paper, climate etc) but what would be a fair and reasonable expectation?
    Any opinions on this million dollar question are greatly appreciated!!!
     
  2. turbotom1052

    turbotom1052 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2008
    Messages:
    1,044
    Location:
    Vermont
    we use xrites intellitrax system which will scan all color bars in a single 15 second pass and display all densities, on all colors with a color code for each individual zone on each individual color. The color coding is..... green = in tolerance within 5 densitometer points
    Yellow = within 10 densitometer points up or down
    Red = more than 10 densitometer points up or down
    these tolerances can be chosen in the software. 5 densitometer points up or down is near the middle tolerance. Ive found that on 4/c process you can print with "pleasing" color with deviations of up to 10 points on each color. More critical color matches will have you wanting to keep tolerances within 7 or 8 densitometer points. I think that tolerances of 5 points are to be expected as the normal variations for even the most finely tuned press and press crew. The natural flow of ink and water through a press will even under the best of conditions vary a bit.
     
    Last edited: Apr 6, 2012
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