Epson VDot II Plugin Install & Reference Guide103105 V Dot 2

Epson-vDot-II Epson-vDot-II

User Manual: vDot-2

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Epson vDot-II Plug-in

Install and Reference Guide

For use with Navigator RIPs on

Windows 2000, 2003 and XP

Revision log

RIP 7.x

Epson vDot-II v3.03

Part Number 101-0009-020

stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any

means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or

otherwise, without the prior written permission of Xitron, Inc.

The information in this publication is provided for information only,

is subject to change without notice, and should not be construed as a

commitment by Xitron, Inc. Xitron assumes no responsibility or

liability for any errors or inaccuracies that may appear in this

publication. The software described in this book is furnished under

license and may only be used or copied in accordance with the terms

of that license.

Windows and Windows NT are trademarks of Microsoft

Corporation.

Harlequin is a registered trademark of Harlequin Limited.

Navigator is a registered trademark of Xitron Inc.

Other brand or product names are trademarks of their respective

owners and are used without intention of infringement.

Contents

Foreword............................................................................... vii

Chapter 1: Supported Printers & Media................................ 1

1.1 Printers...................................................................................1

1.2 Media ......................................................................................1

Chapter 2: Installation............................................................ 3

2.1 Configuration Requirements................................................3

Navigator RIP Platform Requirements ......................................3

2.2 PC Platform Installation.......................................................3

2.2.1 Check Your RIP Configuration ........................................3

2.2.2 Epson Windows Driver.....................................................4

2.2.3 Firewire.............................................................................4

2.2.4 Configuring and Testing the Windows Printer Driver......4

2.2.5 Install vDot-II Plug-in.......................................................6

2.2.6 Feature Passwords.............................................................9

Chapter 3: Setup RIP for Proofing...................................... 13

3.1 Introduction to Setup ..........................................................13

3.2 Memory Settings..................................................................13

3.3 Feature Passwords...............................................................13

3.3.1 RIP Passwords ................................................................14

3.3.2 Plug-in Passwords...........................................................15

3.4 Device Manager Settings.....................................................16

Chapter 4: Creating a Page Setup – Configuration Choices

............................................................................................... 19

4.1 What’s Involved...................................................................19

4.2 Printer Model.......................................................................20

Contents

4.3 Note on Resolution...............................................................21

4.4 Page Setup Controls............................................................21

4.4.1 RIP Resolution..................................................................21

4.4.2 Image Orientation and Scaling........................................22

4.4.3 Calibration and Color Management on a 7.0 RIP.........22

Separation Style.......................................................................23

vDot-II Color Management .....................................................23

4.5 Configure The Plug-in.........................................................24

4.5.1 Output Media (and Plotting Resolution)........................25

4.5.2 Plotter................................................................................26

4.5.3 Color Controls ..................................................................28

4.5.4 Clipping, Tiling and Repeating.......................................28

4.5.5 Progressive Proofing ........................................................29

Chapter 5: Testing Your vDot-II Installation......................31

5.1 Printing a Test File..............................................................31

5.2 Info and ROAM functions..................................................31

5.3 Printing.................................................................................32

Chapter 6: Creating Appletalk Input ...................................34

6.1 Introduction.........................................................................34

6.2 Create Input Channel .........................................................34

6.3 Using the Input Channel.....................................................35

Chapter 7: Calibration..........................................................36

7.1 Introduction.........................................................................36

7.2 Tools and Materials Needed...............................................36

7.3 Printing a Target.................................................................37

7.4 Measuring the Target..........................................................38

7.4.1 Using Genlin...................................................................38

Contents

7.5 Entering Measurement Data ..............................................40

7.5.1 “Profile”..........................................................................41

7.5.2 Name...............................................................................41

7.5.3 Resolution.......................................................................41

7.5.4 Enter Data (Manual) .......................................................42

7.5.5 Import Data From Strip Reader ......................................42

7.6 Using the new Calibration Set............................................43

Chapter 8: Using the Halftone Option................................. 45

8.1 Enabling the Halftone Option ............................................45

8.2 How to Set up the Halftone Devices...................................45

8.2.1 Create Page Setup ...........................................................45

8.2.2 Screen Angles .................................................................46

8.2.3 Screen Ruling..................................................................47

8.2.4 Dot Shape........................................................................48

8.2.5 HPS Options ...................................................................48

8.2.6 Pre-separation Options....................................................48

8.2.7 Spot Colors......................................................................49

8.3 Rip and Plug-in Configuration...........................................50

8.4 Using Color Halftone Devices.............................................50

8.5 Making Film Negatives and Separations...........................51

8.5.1 Media ..............................................................................51

8.5.2 Using Error Diffusion Screens........................................51

8.5.3 Using Conventional Screens...........................................54

Appendix A: Media Guide - vDot-II..................................... 55

Media for Ink Jet Printer..........................................................55

Introduction ...............................................................................55

Inks .............................................................................................55

Layout.........................................................................................56

Epson 2400 .................................................................................56

With Photo Black Ink................................................................56

With Matte Black Ink ...............................................................56

Epson 4800 , 7800 and 9800......................................................57

Contents

With Photo Black Ink................................................................57

With Matte Black Ink ...............................................................57

Appendix B: Troubleshooting ..............................................59

Printer Not Ready .....................................................................59

I am using a network connection, but I get a communication

error when I try to print to my printer. ..................................59

I can’t configure my RIP to print with Firewire. ...................59

Paper White Looks Yellow.......................................................59

Streaks/Lines in Output............................................................60

Can I Use TrapWorks with Epson printers?..........................60

I get an error using the a Page Feature with Progressive

Proofs (Epson vDot-II)..............................................................60

Appendix C – Notes on Media, Resolution and Color

Management for the Epson vDot-II Plug-in........................61

Media Selection..........................................................................61

Using Non-Standard Media......................................................61

Resolution and Color Management.........................................62

Foreword

Thank you for purchasing a quality Xitron product.

The Epson vDot-II plug-in provides high quality proofing capability

to Xitron Navigator Imagesetter and CTP RIPs driving Epson

Variable Dot printers. Chapter 1 of this guide lists the supported

printer models. These same features are obtainable in the stand-

alone XPR series of RIPs for which a separate installation and setup

manual, the XPR vDot-II Quick Start Guide, is available.

This manual is intended both as a Reference Manual for the XPR

vDot-II RIP, and as an installation and reference manual for the

vDot-II Plug-in on its own.

You do not need any special programming or technical skills to install

and use the vDot-II plug-in; however it is a good idea to fully read

through this documentation in order to understand the procedures

involved with successful use of this product. This manual guides you

through the installation procedure and explains how to print test

output jobs from your RIP on a color printer.

Full support for ICC Profile Color Management is included. ICC

profiles have become the industry-preferred method of color control.

All color generated by the vDot plug-in is controlled by our included

ICC profile processor (ColorPro). Properly used, exceptional ink

control including “contract color” is attainable.

Xitron supplies a range of profiles with your vDot-II plug-in, covering

a wide range of standard media.

These profiles will work well with your printer provided it is in good

condition, has had all recommended nozzle cleaning and alignment

Foreword

procedures, is using the correct media for the profile and uses

recommended inks.

You will improve accuracy even further by calibrating

your particular printer using the procedure described in

Chapter 7. For ultimate accuracy, and especially if you

wish to use other media than those for which profiles

and calibration are already supplied, you may wish to

generate a custom ICC profile for your printer.

Generally it is not necessary to also create a custom ICC Profile for

your plate-making and press system. In fact, doing so can actually

lead to a reduction in the quality of proofs. This is because

exceptional process control is required throughout the plate making

and press environment to maintain press consistency close enough to

match a custom press profile. Instead, the use of a standard press

(e.g. SWOP) or emulated analog proof (e.g. Matchprint) Input

(emulation) profile is generally a more suitable starting point.

This manual does not cover the topics of adding support for custom

media and the creation and installation of custom ICC profiles.

These areas require additional information, software tools and

training. Contact your supplier for information about the availability

of these items.

Chapter 1: Supported Printers & Media

1.1 Printers

Xitron’s vDot-II plug-in supports the following Epson Variable Dot 8

color printers:

• Epson 2400

• Epson 4800

• Epson 7800

• Epson 9800

Pre-calibrated color is available for the Epson Ultrachrome K3 Ink

Set only. Users of other ink sets will have to provide their own

calibration and color management profiles.

1.2 Media

There are many hundreds of media marketed for use with ink jet

printers; from printer manufacturers such as Epson and HP, from

established Graphic Arts suppliers such as Mitsubishi or Agfa, and

from many other third party vendors.

Many of these media have very similar names, and it can become

quite confusing. For example Epson’s

Photo Quality Glossy Paper

Glossy Photo Paper

and

Photo Glossy Paper

are all different

products with different characteristics, while Epson’s

SemiGloss

Paper-Heavy Weight

and

Semigloss Photo Paper

are in fact the same

product, sold in different regions.

The Xitron XPR series of Proofer RIPs with the vDot-II plug-in

include a library of color profiles and calibrations for specific media,

and accurate results are only possible if the correct media is used.

A full list of supported media for this product is attached as

Appendix B to this manual.

2 Chapter 1: Supported Printers and Media

Chapter 2: Installation

2.1 Configuration Requirements

To use the vDot-II plug-in you must have a Navigator RIP that meets

the requirements listed below. Assuming the RIP is operational;

resolve any outstanding RIP issues before installing the plug-in. This

manual deals only with the additional information needed to be

successful with the vDot-II plug-in, and does not attempt to cover all

of the RIP features and requirements.

Navigator RIP Platform Requirements

• Windows 2000/3 or Windows XP Pro equipped PC. 1 G Hz

recommended.

• Minimum 512 MB RAM. (With Halftone Option, 768 MB for

the 2100-2200, 1 GB for larger formats.)

• 2 GB free disk space.

• The correct Epson Windows printer driver, using any physical

connection method you wish to use. Best results are obtained

with Firewire or USB connections, or Ethernet for long cable

runs. Do not attempt to share a single Parallel Printer Port with

the Navigator RIP parallel dongle.

• Xitron Navigator RIP revision 6.4 or later.

2.2 PC Platform Installation

2.2.1 Check Your RIP Configuration

Use the

Navigator > About Navigator

menu selection to check the

version of your Navigator RIP. The vDot-II plug-in requires version

6.4r0 or later. If your version is older, please contact your supplier

for an upgrade. The upgrade must be installed and configured with

your imagesetter before continuing to install the plug-in.

4 Chapter 2: Installation

2.2.2 Epson Windows Driver

Before continuing, install the Epson Windows printer driver for your

printer model and output a test page through the driver.

Epson posts the latest drivers on their web site at

http://www.epson.com.

This manual assumes that you have installed this driver, and that its

name is “EPSON Stylus Pro 4800, 7800 or 9800” or in the case of

the Stylus Photo 2400 “Epson Stylus Photo R2400” as appropriate.

(You can use other names if you wish, provided that you configure

the RIP for the correct name, as described later in this manual.)

2.2.3 Firewire

If you plan on using Firewire (IEEE 1394) to connect to your printer,

you must also install the firewire drivers in accordance with Epson’s

instructions. Make sure the printer has the correct name, and test the

driver installation before proceeding.

2.2.4 Configuring and Testing the Windows Printer Driver

To configure and test a Windows printer driver, proceed as follows

(this example shows the Stylus Photo 2400):

Click on

Start

, go to

Settings

Printers

and click to open the window.

Highlight the item

EPSON Stylus Photo R2400

, right click and click

Properties

. Select the

Advanced

tab.

Chapter 2: Installation 5

Fig. 2.1 Windows Printer Advanced Tab

Select the “Spool print documents…” button. For maximum

throughput (proofs per hour) select “Start Printing after last page…”

For the shortest time to process individual proofs, select “Start

Printing Immediately.”

6 Chapter 2: Installation

Select the

Ports

tab.

Fig. 2.2 Windows Driver Ports tab

Ensure the port shown is your preferred connection method. The

Epson drivers provide great flexibility of interconnection methods by

using any method supported by the Windows printer driver. In this

example a Firewire port is shown, which provides the best

performance of all available methods.

Select the

General

tab and click on Print Test Page to test the

Windows driver, printer and connection method. Resolve any

problems at this stage before installing the plug-in or launching the

RIP. If you experience any difficulties at this stage, consult your

Epson documentation and Epson on-line help resources.

2.2.5 Install vDot-II Plug-in

The vDot-II plug-in is available from a Navigator RIP CD or by

downloading from Xitron’s web site at www.xitron.com.

To install after downloading, follow the instructions found on the web

site or readme file.

Chapter 2: Installation 7

To install from the CD, insert the Navigator GPS CD Disk 2 in yur

CD drive. The following window appears:

Figure 2.3. PC Installation Screen

Ensure the destination folder is the correct location for the RIP to

which you are installing the Plug-in. If it is not correct, use the

Browse

button to locate the correct folder and click

. At the next screen

click Next (there are no support utilities installed with the vDot-II

plugin.)

At the next screen, scroll through the list of possible plug-ins and

confirm the installation you wish to complete. Confirm your selection

by checking the boxes as shown in figure 2.4, and click

8 Chapter 2: Installation

Fig. 2.4 Installer Selection Window

If the Installer returns a “RIP Not Found…” error at this stage, it is

not able to locate important components of the RIP. Click

Back

, and

re-confirm that you have correctly specified the RIP destination

folder.

The installer will now copy the plug-in and support files to the RIP.

During this process you will see progress information similar to the

example in figure 2.5.

Chapter 2: Installation 9

Figure 2.5 Installation progress

2.2.6 Feature Passwords

After copying a number of files to your system, the Installer will

prompt for feature passwords as shown below:

Fig. 2.6 Entering Passwords

10 Chapter 2: Installation

With your vDot-II Plug-in you will have received a printed sheet with

several passwords listed. These are required to enable a number of

specific features in your Navigator RIP for use with the vDot-II plug-

in.

If you have purchased the Halftone Option you will also need to

enter a password to enable it.

There are two different types of passwords. RIP passwords which

have 7 numerals, and Plug-in passwords which have 20 alphanumeric

characters. Normally the passwords are entered during installation of

the plug-in. However they may also be entered after the RIP is

running as described in Chapter 3.

You can enter either 7 or 20-character passwords into the Installer

screen shown in figure 2.6. The entries are as follows:

a) vDot-II Lite

Enables Epson 2400 and 4800 support.

And / or

b) vDot-II

Enables all other supported printer models.

c) Halftone Option

Always a 20 digit Plug-in Password.

The next screen is similar. Enter any RIP Option passwords that

enable special features of the plug-in. These are also found on the

printed password sheet.

Chapter 2: Installation 11

Fig. 2.7 Entering Passwords (2)

ColorPro enables color management. (In previous RIP versions this

was called HIPP and you can enter a HIPP password in this location

if you have one.)

After the installation is complete, click on

Finish

to close the Installer.

Chapter 3: Setup RIP for Proofing

3.1 Introduction to Setup

Now that your vDot-II Plug-in is installed, you need to configure

certain options in the RIP. These options are divided into two groups

– initial setup and configuration choices for media and quality.

Chapters 3 and 4 explain this.

3.2 Memory Settings

a) Overall Memory Allocation

Launch the RIP, select

Navigator > Configure RIP > Options

and

make sure the “Memory For RIP” and “Allow Use of All Available

Memory” boxes are not checked, and that the “Memory Reserve For

RIP” box

shows 0.

b) “Memory Reserved for System”

Set to 256 M Bytes (enter 256000).

c) “Band Size”

Set to 256 KB.

Click

d) “Printer Buffer”

In the

Configure RIP

window enter 20000 KB for Printer Buffer.

Click

. Exit and re-launch the RIP.

3.3 Feature Passwords

With your vDot-II Plug-in you received a printed sheet with several

passwords listed. These are required to enable a number of specific

features in your Navigator RIP for use with the vDot-II plug-in.

14 Chapter 3: Setup RIP for Proofing

Normally these passwords are all entered during installation of the

plug-in (see section 2.2.7 above). If you already entered this

information, go directly to section 3.4. To enter passwords into an

existing RIP, follow these steps:

3.3.1 RIP Passwords

To enter these passwords, select

Navigator > Configure RIP > Extras

Fig. 3.1 Configure RIP Extras Dialog

For each item, highlight it in the list, and click

Add

. Enter the

password and click

Possible items to be added are:

a) ColorPro (or HIPP)

These Color Management options enable the processing of ICC

profiles for accurate color matching. The results of using either are

the same.

Comment [PA1]:

Chapter 3: Setup RIP for Proofing 15

ColorPro is the advanced color management system provided with a

6.0 RIP, while HIPP is the simpler version available for RIPs up to

5.5.

If you have an XPR Low Resolution RIP will you also have RIP

passwords for:

b) X-Epson, vDot-II Lite

Enables Epson 2400 and 4800 support.

And/or

c) X-Epson, vDot-II

Enables all other supported printer models.

When you have entered all the 7 (or 8) digit RIP passwords supplied,

click

twice, exit and re-launch the RIP. Return to the

Configure

Rip >Extras

dialog and make sure all the entries you added show up

as “Yes” in the list. If any do not show “yes,” check and re-enter the

password.

3.3.2 Plug-in Passwords

If you purchased the Halftone Option, the password will be a 20-

character string.

If you are using a High Resolution Navigator RIP, you will also have

Plug-in Passwords for either vDot-II Lite or vDot-II devices (see

3.3.1). The vDot-II 20-character password enables the 2400 & 4800

printer models.

The third menu item in the main Navigator user interface (between

“Edit” and “Color”) controls special functions for individual plug-ins.

Select this menu item (on a new RIP it will default to “Preview”) and

choose the “Select Device” option. You will see a list of all the

available output devices in the RIP. Choose any one of the “78-

9800”, “4800” or “2400” devices listed, and click “Select.” The main

menu item will now change from “Preview” to the chosen device.

16 Chapter 3: Setup RIP for Proofing

Select the menu again, and choose “Enter A Xitron Password.” A

dialog box will appear as shown in figure 3.2:

Fig 3.2 Entering a Plug-in Password

Enter the first 20-character plug-in password on your sheet. Make

sure you copy the password exactly and with no spaces.

Click OK to store the password.

If you have more than one 20-character Plug-in Password, simply

repeat these steps until all have been entered.

3.4 Device Manager Settings

The Device Manager allows you to select and name the output

devices you will be using in the RIP. Select

Navigator

Device

Manager

. At the top of the window is a list box labeled, “Plug-in.”

The names of the various plug-ins are shown on page 1 for each

printer. Check that the box shows the correct entry for the vDot-II

plug-in, Epson-vDot-II.i32.

Chapter 3: Setup RIP for Proofing 17

Fig 3.3 Device Manager Dialog

Some entries may already be filled in. If so, leave these, or re-name

them something you prefer. If you plan on using the pre-configured

calibration and color management features of the vDot-II plug-in, you

must ensure that the Names you use are identical with the Types

chosen, as in the example in figure 3.3. At a minimum you need to

have at least one Name entry for each different printer. Each printer

model has several Device Types, the differences being as follows:

• Color vDot

This is the standard high-quality color device type using variable dot

error diffusion screening, suitable for Sheet or Roll fed media.

• Color Halftone

This device creates composite full color images which have been

screened by the RIP’s conventional dot-based screening system,

Harlequin Precision Screening (HPS). Spot colors are accurately

reproduced as screen dots of the appropriate color. Depending on

the printer model and media used screens of up to 150 lpi and above

can be simulated.

18 Chapter 3: Setup RIP for Proofing

• Color Keys

The Color Keys device creates individual separated prints for each

color in the job, including spot colors. These prints can be

reproduced on clear film to provide an accurate proof of traps when

printing with multiple colors.

In addition, the Color Keys devices can output screened separations

in black ink onto clear film, suitable for the creation of silk screens

and even offset plates for some applications.

Note that the Color Halftone and Color Keys device types require

the purchase of the Halftone Option. Installation of the Option is

achieved by adding a password, as shown in section 3.3.2.

If there are no devices listed when you click “New” and open the

“Type” list box, this is probably because you are using an XPR RIP

and you have not correctly entered the RIP Passwords (see section

3.3.1).

The choice of device type completes the initial Setup of the RIP to

use the vDot-II plug-in.

The next step is to configure specific details necessaryd to produce

output.

Chapter 4: Creating a Page Setup –

Configuration Choices

4.1 What’s Involved

In this section you will create one or more Page Setups for your

printer. A Page Setup includes settings for printer, resolution,

connection method, print quality and media selection (which sets

calibration and color management).

These items are reviewed in order. To start, select

Navigator > Page

Setup Manager

, and click

New

. The Page Setup dialog is shown in

figure 4.1.

20 Chapter 4: Creating Page Setup - Configuration Choices

Fig 4.1 Page Setup Dialog (7.x RIP)

4.2 Printer Model

To select the printer model and mode for this Page Setup, select it in

the Devices list box. In this example we are selecting the printer type

“4800 Color vDot.”

Chapter 4: Creating Page Setup - Configuration Choices 21

4.3 Note on Resolution

When a RIP product such as Xitron’s Navigator drives a plotting

device such as an ink jet printer, the term Resolution has two distinct

uses. This is because the RIP first processes the incoming data into a

continuous tone raster at a specified resolution, called the RIP

Resolution, and then in a second process at output time the

continuous tone data is screened and output on the printer at what

may be a different resolution, called the Plotter Resolution. For

further details about the significance of these parameters see

Appendix B,

Resolution and Color Profile Issues.

4.4 Page Setup Controls

In the main page setup window you can choose your RIP Resolution

(but not Plotter Resolution, which is set when you select your media

in Configuration, section 4.5.1 below), image orientation, scaling,

calibration and color management.

For further details about the settings in Page Setup see the Xitron

Navigator Users Guide.

4.4.1 RIP Resolution

Select the Rip Resolution in the top right corner of the Page Setup

Dialog.

Fig 4.2 Rip Resolution Settings

In this case we have selected the normal resolution for high quality

proofs, 720 by 720 dpi.

22 Chapter 4: Creating Page Setup - Configuration Choices

4.4.2 Image Orientation and Scaling

The controls for orientation and scaling are in the lower right corner

of the Page Setup Dialog.

Fig 4.3 Image Orientation and Scaling

Use the controls to change the orientation of the printed image, and

to scale it (up or down) in the X and Y axes. The “Trim Page” option

removes any large amounts of white space from the top and bottom

of the image. The Control Strip option adds an information slugline

to the output, which provides a range of useful information about the

job and printing conditions.

Fig. 4.4 Control Strip

4.4.3 Calibration and Color Management on a 7.0 RIP

Controls for Calibration and Color Management are located on the

left side of the Page Setup Dialog.

Chapter 4: Creating Page Setup - Configuration Choices 23

Fig. 4.5 Calibration and Color Management Controls

Separation Style

Set the Style list box to CMYK Composite. This is the only option

available for the Color vDot-II and Color Halftoned devices. The

Color Keys device has additional options:

“Monochrome” separation Style renders all colors into shades of gray

in a single image.

“CMYK Separations” separation Style renders each color as an

individual grayscale image.

If you are using either of the Halftone Dot device types (Halftone

and Color Keys) there are additional controls required to set screen

rulings, dot shapes and spot color handling. See Chapter 8, Using the

Halftone Option, for further details.

vDot-II Color Management

The vDot-II Plug-in is pre-configured with calibration and color

management for specific media types, and the vDot-II data set that

corresponds exactly to your Output Media should be selected in the

24 Chapter 4: Creating Page Setup - Configuration Choices

ProofReady list box. (The media choice must also match the setting

you make in section 4.5.1 below.)

This setting is pre-configured to apply ICC Profile-based color

management targeted at a standard SWOP press. Choosing a

ProofReady color management configuration accepts this option for

Color Management, and the entry “vDot” appears in the “Color” List

Box.

If you wish to configure color management differently, you can create

a special ColorPro Setup. Details of the use of ColorPro are

contained in a separate ColorPro User’s Guide.

If you wish to calibrate your individual printer to match the pre-

configured calibration state, see Chapter 7.

You will only get accurate color with exactly the correct media and

the correct resolution, though you may find acceptable results for

some applications by using substitutes.

If the RIP is able to detect that you have made an incorrect

combination of settings it will warn you when you attempt to process

a job. For example, if you select a calibration profile in Page Setup

for a different media than that chosen in the Configuration dialog you

will see the following warning:

Fig 4.6 Mis-matched Profile Warning

4.5 Configure The Plug-in

From within the Page Setup dialog, locate the button near the top left

corner of the screen marked “Configure Device.” Click this button to

Chapter 4: Creating Page Setup - Configuration Choices 25

open the vDot-II Device Configuration window.

Note: many of the variables in this window can be changed after the

job is RIPed. To do so, highlight the job in the Active or Held

queues in the Output Controller, click

Info

then

Configure Device

You will see the same display as figure 4.7, but some functions will no

longer be available (such as Progressive Proofs) because they were

processed at the time the job was RIPed. However, many other

functions such as Repeat to fill media or Horizontal Tiling, can be

selected at this stage, either before the job is printed or before re-

printing it, which is done by dragging it back to the Active Queue.

Figure 4.7. vDot-II Configuration dialog box

4.5.1 Output Media (and Plotting Resolution)

The large window at the top of the screen lists the various media

types supported by the Epson vDot-II Plug-in for this printer. Also

listed are the various RIP and Plotter Resolution options (see

Appendix B for more information), a Media ID value, and typical

part numbers for each media type, where known. It is very important

26 Chapter 4: Creating Page Setup - Configuration Choices

that the media is correctly specified as there are numerous settings

including color management, ink drop size and speed, ink nozzle

control etc., that vary from one type to another. Left of the window

are icons for each entry that present useful information as described

below:

The current RIP Resolution is incorrect for this choice.

The current RIP Resolution is correct for this choice.

The current RIP resolution is correct and there is an available

calibration for this choice.

In most cases, if the RIP resolution is incorrect there will be another

choice for the same media with the current RIP resolution. If not,

you can still choose the media but you should then change the RIP

resolution to the correct value when you exit the Configuration dialog

(see 4.4.1 above).

Note that some media types and resolution combinations are not

supported when you use Matte Black as an ink choice in certain

models (see below). The RIP will not be able to output if an incorrect

combination of media and ink set has been chosen.

If you need to use a media type not listed, see Appendix B.

4.5.2 Plotter

The section labeled “Plotter” contains entries related to the printer

connection. The list box next to the icon of a printer should show the

previously installed Epson Windows printer driver for this printer

model. If not, select it now. It is possible to output through another

Windows driver but Xitron does not recommend this action. If you

wish to output to a file for printing later, choose

File

from this list and

enter the path and filename below.

Chapter 4: Creating Page Setup - Configuration Choices 27

Check the box labeled “

Automatic Cutter”

if you are using roll media

and require a cut after each job.

The box labeled “

Special Codes”

is reserved for use by Xitron

technical support staff. Do not put any information in this box unless

asked to do so by our support staff or their representatives. (With

some media types you may notice some automatic entries in this field

- this is normal.)

The “Inks” list box allows you to select which of two types of black

ink are installed on the printer.

The choices available are Photo Black and Matte Black. Only the

Stylus Photo R2400 can be easily changed from one type to the other

by exchanging the Black ink cartridge. With all other models

supported by the vDot-plug-in, changing ink type requires a complex

flushing and re-charging process that consumes a substantial amount

of ink and time. See your printer documentation for details.

When you select your Output Media (see 4.5.1 above) you may

notice the “Inks Allowed” column, which identifies which ink set(s)

are permitted with the chosen media. If you choose a media where

both Photo and Matte inks are allowed then you can print regardless

of ink set, but you may not achieve acceptable quality. If you select a

media that only allows one ink set, and you set the Ink Set control to

another set, the RIP will abort the print job and report the error. If

you specify an Ink Set that differs from that actually installed on the

printer, the printer may abort the job and report the error.

The remaining controls in this section are inactive unless you select

“User Defined” as your Output Media. See Appendix D for more

information about non-standard media.

The box labeled, “

Give more time to Windows

“should normally be

checked. If your RIP output speed seems slow, and you have at least

512 M Bytes RAM in your PC, uncheck the box and compare

results.

28 Chapter 4: Creating Page Setup - Configuration Choices

4.5.3 Color Controls

Xitron’s Epson vDot-II Plug-in provides two methods of color

control; manual and ICC profile. The four sliding controls in the

Configuration dialog provide the manual method of color control,

but they can also be used to make adjustments when ICC Profile-

based color management including vDot-II color management is in

use.

The icons at the top of each slider control can be used as a quick way

to re-set each control to zero. Moving the sliders up or down from

zero increases or decreases the particular color channel – the units

shown are %, so if you set Cyan to +10 all values of Cyan in the image

will be increased 10%. The Brightness control changes all ink

channels together to make the overall image lighter or darker.

4.5.4 Clipping, Tiling and Repeating

Xitron’s Epson vDot-II Plug-in has additional special features for

tiling or clipping large images and repeating small ones.

Specify the Media Type and Size in the

Media

list box and the

Width

and

Height

entries. Also select the correct

Media Source

for the

chosen media. The options for

Media Source

vary from one printer

model to another so check the list box and your printer

documentation if you are unsure which source you need to specify.

If you wish to use cut sheets, select Sheets from the

Media

list. Refer

to your printer manual for details of permissible sheet sizes and

thicknesses.

Print Horizontal Tile

controls the tiling system. When set to

Never

only one print is made from each job. If the job is too wide for the

media it will be clipped to the value shown in

Media Width

. To print

only part of the job, enter the width to which you wish the job clipped

in the

Media width

box.

Print Horizontal Tile

is set to

All,

as many tiles are created as

needed to output the job. Each tile will be the full height of the job

Chapter 4: Creating Page Setup - Configuration Choices 29

(assuming roll media), and the width will be equal to the value

entered in the

Media Width

box. To print one tile at a time,

Horizontal Tile

can be set to the tile number required. Tiles are

numbered from left to right, and tiles overlap by about 0.5 inches.

The

Repeat job to fill media width

check box controls step-and-

repeat printing. This box is only available if

Print Tile Number

is set

Never

. If the box is checked, jobs are repeated as many times as

they will fit across the available media width, as set in the

Media width

box. For example, if the

Media width

box is set to 35.6 inches (when

using 36 inch roll media) and an 8.5 inch-wide job is processed, the

job will be repeated 4 times across the width of the roll. If more

copies are required the

Number of rows

can be set to any value up to

10, which will yield a total of 40 copies in this example.

The

Indent image

check box moves all images across the media from

the origin point in cases where blank space is needed to the left of the

image.

The

Center

check box sets the margins to place the image in the

center of the width of the media.

The

Units

list box sets the measurement unit for all of controls to

Inches, MM or Points as required (based on the Units setting of your

Windows 2000 installation).

4.5.5 Progressive Proofing

This special feature is primarily for printers running 4 color jobs on 2

color presses. The system can create a proof that simulates the job

after the first pass through the press, helping to ensure that when the

final two colors are added the result is correct. The system is very

simple and flexible, and enables any combination of 1, 2 or 3 colors

to be printed as required.

Note that due to limitations in RIP processing, Progressive Proofs are

not color managed as accurately as full color composite proofs.

30 Chapter 4: Creating Page Setup - Configuration Choices

To use the feature, un-check the boxes for the colors that you do not

wish to print, and check again to turn that color back on. When the

color is off its icon is shown with a cross.

Note that the Progressive Proofs option is incompatible with several

standard Page Features such as the Crop Marks and Imposition

Features. If you are using Progressive Proofs we recommend not

using Page Features.

Click OK to return to the Page Setup Dialog.

Click

Save As

(or Save if you are editing an existing Page Setup) and

give your new Page Setup a useful name.

Chapter 5: Testing Your vDot-II Installation

5.1 Printing a Test File

Once you have created a Page Setup it is time to output a sample job.

Begin by clicking the checkbox labeled “Disable Output” on the

Output Controller window. Pull down the Navigator Menu and select

Print File.

From the list box, choose the Page Setup created for the vDot-II

plug-in (on the PC select “pdf” in the “Files of Type...” list box).

Browse the system for your RIP, usually C:\Xitron\Navigator 7.0.

There you’ll find a folder labeled Sample Files containing a file

labeled “Drupa Sample.PDF.” Select this file and click Print.

5.2 Info and ROAM functions

After the RIP processes the file it will appear in the Output

Controller as shown in figure 5.1.

32 Chapter 5: Testing your vDot-II Installation

Fig. 5.1 The Output Controller

With the job highlighted, click the “Info” button and check the size,

orientation, printer type etc. Take particular note of the width and

height of the job and make sure it is within the limits of your printer.

(You can often save media by setting rotation in the Page Setup dialog

- see section 4.4.2 above.) By clicking the “Roam” button you can see

an on-screen preview of the job before outputting it.

(To obtain a reduced scale ROAM view, use the menu on the

ROAM window and select Reduced ROAM.) The test image should

appear as shown in figure 5.2.

Don’t be surprised if some of the colors in the ROAM view seem

wrong. You are looking at data that has been color managed for the

printer, ink and paper combination you have specified and these

adjustments typically look “wrong” when viewed on an RGB monitor.

Fig. 5.2 Test Image

5.3 Printing

After viewing, close the Roam windows and click the “Disable

Output” box to release the job for output.

Chapter 5: Testing your vDot-II Installation 33

As the job progresses, you will see a dark gray bar in the central

window of the Output Controller. This progress bar indicates the

proportion of the job output.

Depending on your Windows Printer driver settings (see section

2.2.4 above) it may take several seconds before the printer starts to

output. If the printer does not start to output after one to two

minutes, check the output controller for error messages and see

Appendix A, Troubleshooting.

Chapter 6: Creating Appletalk Input

6.1 Introduction

To print to the RIP from a Macintosh workstation running OS 9 or

older, it is necessary to create one or more AppleTalk input

connections. This chapter describes the process of creating the input

channel, and associating it with the Page Setup you created in

Chapter 4.

6.2 Create Input Channel

From the Navigator menu select Input Manager. When the Input

Controller displays, click New.

Fig. 6.1 Add Input Channel

In the Name field, enter the name you wish to see in the Macintosh

Chooser, and select AppleTalk as the Type.

From the Page Setups list box, select the Page Setup you wish to use

for this channel.

Chapter 6: Creating Appletalk Input 35

Click OK. (You can create as many additional channels as you wish

for different Page Setups.)

6.3 Using the Input Channel

From the Navigator menu select “Start Inputs” if it is not already

selected. The RIP will display a message as it starts each input

channel. From a Macintosh on the network you can now select your

input channel in the usual way through the Chooser using a

LaserWriter (or other PostScript) driver (Classic OS) or using the

Printer List dialog (OS-X) as shown in figure 6.2.

If Navigator is running on a Windows XP platform, the AppleTalk

stack must be loaded and a Miramar code properly entered to

communicate with the RIP over AppleTalk. Xitron does not

recommend the use of AppleTalk with OS X platforms as it is the

slowest protocol available.

Fig. 6.2 AppleTalk Printer in Printer List

Chapter 7: Calibration

7.1 Introduction

Xitron supplies the vDot-II plug-in with a number of calibration

curves for specific media and resolution. These curves were created

with reference printers of the same type that the plug-in is intended to

support.

In many cases printers will have characteristics so similar to the

reference printers that no additional steps are needed to get good

quality output. However, it may be helpful to calibrate your printer to

compensate for differences between it and the reference machine.

7.2 Tools and Materials Needed

The RIP includes facilities for interfacing an automatic strip reading

measurement instrument such as the X-Rite DTP-41. However, for

occasional calibration you can also use any quality instrument capable

of reading color densities in Status T format.

(Note that the DTP-41 is not only able to measure color densities

required for calibration, but is also a spectrophotometer which is a

requirement if you plan to create ICC profiles.)

In addition, you will require a good supply of media. Note that the

RIP can only be calibrated for media listed in the document “Media

For ink Jet Printers” - referred to in Chapter 1 and attached at

Appendix A - for which Xitron provides internal calibration targets.

To create an initial calibration curve for other media types requires

the use of additional tools not provided with the vDot-II Plug-in.

Chapter7: Calibration 37

7.3 Printing a Target

This step is essential and may not be skipped. It is possible to go

through the entire process without this step but the results will be

incorrect. Begin by making sure you have created a Page Setup with

the correct settings for the calibration targets. The

Color

list box will

show “vDot-II” and Calibration should show “None.” In this example

we will calibrate an Epson 2400 using Epson Semimatte Proofing

Paper at 720 dpi. We have created a suitable Page Setup, and named

it 2400 vDot.

Go to the

Output

menu and choose

Print Calibration

. The following

window will appear:

Fig. 7.1 Print Calibration

Highlight the correct Page Setup, and click on “Print Uncalibrated

Target.” The RIP will generate a special four-color target which you

should print on the correct media type.

The target image is show here:

38 Chapter 7: Calibration

Fig 7.2 Calibration Target

7.4 Measuring the Target

7.4.1 Using Genlin

If you do not have a strip-reading densitometer such as the DTP-41

supported by Genlin, and you wish to use a manual Status T

densitometer, skip this section and go to 7.5, Entering Measurement

Data.

If you have the DTP-41 or similar instrument, use the Genlin

application installed with your RIP. Locate the Genlin icon inside the

RIP folder, launch it, and then select Configure from the menu bar.

Fig. 7.3 Genlin Configuration

Chapter7: Calibration 39

Use the Browse button to locate the RIP you are calibrating.

Highlight the SW folder within the RIP folder before clicking the

“OK” button.

In the Instrument list box, select the correct model of your measuring

device.

Set Measure to Status T, Media to Press paper, and set the Port to

the serial port to which you’ve connected the measurement device.

Click

From the Menu bar, choose Read Target.

You will see a box with one or more Reference Numbers. Each time

the RIP generates a calibration target it records the details in a

database and gives each target a Reference Number. This number is

printed on the target. Check the target printed in 7.3 above. Note the

Reference Number and highlight the correct number in the list. Then

click OK. Verify in the next screen that Genlin is expecting to read

the correct number of colors for this target, and click Read.

For each color strip, Genlin shows a window similar to that shown in

figure 7.4.

Fig.7.4 Genlin Prompt

Arrange the target in the direction of the arrow with the first (Cyan)

strip under the measuring head and slide the target under the head

until it stops. Click OK and feed the target gently through the reader.

40 Chapter 7: Calibration

Repeat this process for each of the four colors, after which Genlin

will display the following message box:

Fig 7.5 Genlin Finished Prompt

Genlin has placed a file of measurement data in the RIP folder ready

for the RIP to import.

7.5 Entering Measurement Data

From the Navigator Menu Bar select

Output > Calibration Manager.

Fig. 7.6 Calibration Manager

In the

Device

list box, select the device that you are calibrating. This

must be the same device name as was selected in Page Setup when

you printed the Calibration Target. Click

New

Chapter7: Calibration 41

Fig. 7.7 Calibration Editor

7.5.1 “Profile”

Select in this list box the same Calibration Profile that you chose in

Page Setup, which must match the media. This underlying

Calibration profile provides the target information (aim curve) that

you are going to calibrate the printer against.

7.5.2 Name

Enter a convenient name for this calibration set.

7.5.3 Resolution

Calibration is only accurate at one resolution, so select the resolution

that set in Page Setup here. This provides a warning in the RIP

monitor, should you attempt to use it at a different resolution.

42 Chapter 7: Calibration

7.5.4 Enter Data (Manual)

If you are using a hand-held densitometer make sure it is set to the

Status T response curve. Measure the density values for each Cyan

patch on the target and enter these values in the boxes. When you

have finished the Cyan data, select another color in the

Channel

list

box, and repeat until all four sets of values have been entered. Click

7.5.5 Import Data From Strip Reader

If you used Genlin to create an import data file as described in

section 7.4, simply click the

Import

button.

Fig. 7.8 Import Dialog

The Import Measurements dialog box shows a list of the four color

channels contained in the import data file. Click

Import

The RIP will immediately import all the data values and change the

numbers in all the boxes for all four colors. Click OK to save the

Calibration Set.

Chapter7: Calibration 43

7.6 Using the new Calibration Set

Close the Calibration Manager and return to the Page Setup edit

window. If you open the Calibration list box you will now see your

new calibration set is available for use:

Fig 7.9 Select New Calibration

Since the new calibration set is based on the originally supplied

calibration profile, the color management settings and performance

do not change.

44 Chapter 7: Calibration

If you do not intend to use the default ProofReady color

management and wish to create your own using ColorPro, the

calibration process does not change. However, in this case there

would be no entry in the ProofReady list box and the name of your

chosen Color Setup would appear in the Color list box.

Chapter 8: Using the Halftone Option

8.1 Enabling the Halftone Option

In Chapter 3, sections 3.3.2 and 3.4, we covered entering Plug-in

Passwords and the selection of Devices in the Device Manager. For

each printer model there are two Halftone device types; Color

Halftoned and Color Keys, which depend on the purchase of the

Halftone Option for full operation. You can use these devices

without the password, but output will include vertical lines showing

that the RIP is operating in a demonstration mode. To remove the

lines and operate in full mode requires the installation of the

Halftone Password using the method described in section 3.3.2.

8.2 How to Set up the Halftone Devices

8.2.1 Create Page Setup

Using the same procedure as described in Chapter 4, create a new

Page Setup using one of the Color Halftone devices. The example

here will use the 76-9600 Halftone device.

Fig 8.1 Color Halftone Separation Style

After setting the Separation Style, click the icon to the right of the

Style Name and click Edit. The screening setup dialog will appear as

shown in figure 8.2.

46 Chapter 8: Using the Halftone Option

Fig 8.2 Screening Setup

8.2.2 Screen Angles

For best results, Xitron recommends using off-axis screen angles. To

do so, check the “Use Harlequin Precision Screening” check box and

click the button “HPS Options.” In the following dialog select the

angle set “7.5, 76.5, 22.5, 37.5 in the top list box, and click OK:

Chapter 8: Using the Halftone Option 47

Fig. 8.3 HPS Options

Then set the individual screen angles to the values as shown in figure

8.4.

Fig. 8.4 Screen Angle Settings

8.2.3 Screen Ruling

Edit the table near the bottom of the screen to set the Screen Ruling

you wish to use for the current RIP resolution. In this example 150

lpi has been chosen and turn on “Override angles” in the main Page

Set-up dialog.

48 Chapter 8: Using the Halftone Option

8.2.4 Dot Shape

Choose one of the library of dot shapes (spot functions) available.

Euclidean is the conventional round dot that appears as a

checkerboard at 50%. You’ll also want to turn on “Override dot

shape” in the main Page Setup dialog.

8.2.5 HPS Options

For full details of how to configure and use Harlequin Precision

Screening (HPS) see the full Navigator Rip User Manual. The

settings shown above are recommended starting points for use with

the vDot-II Halftone Option. For the most accurate proof, you

should use the same screening settings here as you use when making

films or plates at high resolution.

The Halftone Option does not create the exact same dots that you

will see on film – no proofing system can unless it images at the same

resolution as the imagesetter and has the same imaging algorithms.

The Halftone Option simulates press dots such that the result will be

a visually closer match, especially at lower rulings as used in

newspapers, flyers etc., than the very high quality Error Diffusion

screens used in the Color vDot-II mode. In plain terms, Color vDot-

II output is often simply too good compared to the press results, and

the Halftone Option closes this gap.

The recommended settings for HPS are:

Generate Extra Gray Levels – Yes, set to 1024

Use HPS - Yes (using default HPS Options)

Rotate screens according to page rotation - Yes

8.2.6 Pre-separation Options

In the top right hand corner are settings related to the format of the

jobs you will be processing. These controls have the following

meanings:

• Override separations in job

If checked, the RIP will ignore separation information (which objects

belong on which separations) in the job file and use the settings you

Chapter 8: Using the Halftone Option 49

specify here. Xitron always recommends using this feature to

eliminate possible errors contained in the page layout file.

• Use Level 1 Spot Colors

If checked, this allows the RIP to recognize spot color information

defined in the PostScript Language Level 1 Specification.

Recommended setting is checked.

• Override angles in job

If checked the RIP will ignore screen angle information in the job

and use the settings you specify here.

Xitron always recommends using this feature to eliminate possible

errors contained in the page layout file.

• Reject pre-separated jobs

If checked the RIP will not process any job that is pre-separated by

the sending application.

Recommended setting is un-checked.

• Recombine pre-separated jobs

If checked the RIP will accept pre-separated jobs, recombine them

into a composite, and re-separate using the settings you specify here.

Recommending setting is un-checked.

8.2.7 Spot Colors

If Other Colors In Job is set to “No” then spot colors will be

converted to CMYK equivalents based on the contents of the

PostScript file unless Override separations is checked on. With

Override separations on, the system makes calculations using the

various ICC profiles and other color management settings in use for

this page setup. A spot color will appear as rosettes of the 4 process

colors. If set to Yes the same calculation is done to generate the

required color, but the spot color is output as either dots, or solid

tone, in the emulated color.

The recommended setting is Yes.

Click OK to save the settings and return to the Page Setup dialog.

50 Chapter 8: Using the Halftone Option

8.3 Rip and Plug-in Configuration

The controls in the Page Setup dialog for RIP configuration and the

controls in the Device Configuration dialog for Plug-in configuration

have the same functions with the Halftone devices as with the vDot-II

devices.

8.4 Using Color Halftone Devices

The first time a job is processed with a Page Setup configured to use

one of the Color Halftone devices, the RIP may spend several

minutes generating halftone screens. Once generated the RIP saves

this information and they do not have to be made again.

If you click Disable Output and ROAM the job when it appears in

the Output Controller, it will appear as a normal color job. However

if you select Roam Option you will see a list of the individual colors

used in this job, each of which has its own screen, as shown in figure

8.5.

Fig. 8.5 Roam Options with Spot Colors

Clicking Disable Output again will release the job to the printer. At

this time the various colors merge into a print image and output. If

you examine the proof with a loupe you will see the rosette structure

and if you have spot colors (and you set “Other Colors In Job” to Yes

in 8.2.7 above) you will see the spot color reproduced.

Chapter 8: Using the Halftone Option 51

8.5 Making Film Negatives and Separations

The vDot-II plug-in, in combination with the Navigator RIP and

Epson Stylus Pro printer can be used to make film negatives or

positives suitable for screen printing and other processes. This

section provides some insight to get you started.

8.5.1 Media

Xitron tested one brand of transparent film and found it to work well

with the Stylus Pro 7800 and 9800 models. Other films may also

work well, but you should make a number of tests before committing

to any quantity of media.

The film Xitron tested is Pictorico Premium OHP Transparency

Film. It is available as roll and sheet media. Pictorico can be

contacted at 1-888-879-8592, www.pictorico.com.

8.5.2 Using Error Diffusion Screens

Select the 78-9800 Mono device, but in the Page Setup dialog select

“CMYK Separations” as the separation style.

Color jobs will be separated into the four process colors and appear

in the RIP Output Controller as four separate Page Buffers as shown

in figure 8.6.

Fig. 8.6 A Separated Job

You can select all four of these Page Buffers and click on the ROAM

button to see a color preview, but on output the images will appear in

black only. You can make the separations print negative by

52 Chapter 8: Using the Halftone Option

highlighting any one of the Page Buffers, checking the Negative box

and clicking OK as shown in figure 8.7. The system will change all

related Page Buffers together.

Fig. 8.7 Selecting Negative Output

If your job contains Spot colors they will be converted to Process

separations unless you configure the Separation Style to include Spot

colors as individual films. To do this, edit the Page Setup dialog, click

the icon to the right of the Separation Style list box, click Edit and

you will see the following dialog:

Chapter 8: Using the Halftone Option 53

Fig. 8.8 Edit Separation Style

In this example “Other Colors in job” has been set to Yes, forcing the

RIP to create individual separations for each color, including spot

colors.

In the following example the job has 4 Process and 4 Spot colors and

each one creates its own Page Buffer in the Output Controller:

Fig. 8.9 Separations Including Spot Colors

If you do not wish to output all of these separations you can delete

unwanted Page Buffers before releasing jobs for output to the printer.

54 Chapter 8: Using the Halftone Option

8.5.3 Using Conventional Screens

You can also output film negatives or positives using conventional

halftone dots (provided you have purchased the Halftone option for

your vDot-II plug-in).

This is done using a Color Keys device. Create a Page Setup using –

for example - the 4800 Color Keys device and follow the directions

earlier in this Chapter for screen angles, ruling etc.

Since the Color Keys devices normally output separations in color,

there is an additional step required to enable output of the

separations in black only. To do this, edit the Page Setup dialog, click

the Configure Device button, and check the “Print color separations

in Black” box as shown in figure 8.10.

Fig. 8.10 Setting a Color Keys Device to print Black Separations

The remarks in section 8.5.2 concerning Spot colors, multiple Page

Buffers and negative output all apply to conventional dot separations

in just the same way as they do to error diffusion screened

separations.

Appendix A: Media Guide - vDot-II

Media for Ink Jet Printer

Introduction

There are many hundreds of media being marketed for use with ink

jet printers, from manufacturers such as Epson and HP, from

established graphic arts suppliers such as Mitsubishi and Agfa, and

from many other third-party vendors.

Many of these media have very similar names, and in some cases,

several media from one supplier can have almost identical names.

For example, Epson’s

Photo Quality Glossy Paper

Glossy Photo

Paper

and

Photo Glossy Paper

are all different products with

different characteristics, while Epson’s

SemiGloss Paper-Heavy

Weight

and

Semigloss Photo Paper

are in fact the same product, as

sold in different regions.

The Xitron XPR series of Proofer RIPs and the ProofReady and

vDot-II plug-ins include a library of color profiles and calibrations for

specific media. Accurate results are only possible if the correct media

is used. The purpose of this document is to identify exactly which

media are supported on which printer, and to provide part numbers

for these media to enable the user to accurately match the media and

RIP settings.

Inks

In addition to the correct media, the correct ink set is essential for

accurate results. All Xitron’s color calibration and profiling for vDot-

II is done using Epson’s Ultrachrome K3 8 color ink set.

56 Appendix A: Media Guide

Layout

The following pages contain charts for each family of printers for

which Xitron supply color profiles and calibrations. (This is not by

any means the full list of devices which Xitron are able to drive from

our RIP products.)

Each chart identifies the printer followed by a list of the supported

media for that model.

Epson 2400

With Photo Black Ink

Media Type Part Numbers Profile Names

Epson Premium Semigloss Photo

Paper

S041331

S041327

C13S041328

C13S041336

C13S041338

C13S041334

Epson Premium

Semigloss

Epson Proofing Paper Semimatte

(also Epson Proofing Paper

Commercial Semimatte)

S041744

C13S041668

Epson Semimatte

Proof

With Matte Black Ink

Media Type Part Numbers Profile Names

Epson Enhanced Matte Paper

(also Epson Archival Matte

Paper)

S041341

S041343

S041339

C13S041344

C13S041340

Epson Enhanced

Matte

Appendix A: Media Guide 57

Epson 4800 , 7800 and 9800

With Photo Black Ink

Media Type Part Numbers Profile Names

Epson Premium Semigloss Photo

Paper (250)

C13S041641

C13S041642

Premium Semigloss

Photo 250

Epson Proofing Paper Semimatte

(also Epson Proofing Paper

Commercial Semimatte)

S041724

S041668

S041744

C13S041668

C13S041724

C13S041658

C13S041659

Epson Semimatte

Proof

With Matte Black Ink

Media Type Part Numbers Profile Names

Epson Enhanced Matte Paper S041341

S041343

S041339

S041908

S041595

S041596

S041597

S041725

C13S041595

C13S041596

C13S041597

Epson Enhanced

Matte

Epson Archival Matte Paper C13S041344

C13S041340

Epson Archival Matte

58 Appendix A: Media Guide

Appendix B: Troubleshooting

Printer Not Ready

Check to make sure that the printer says “Ready” on the display, and

that no ‘ink empty’ lights or ‘paper empty’ lights are lit, then power

off the machine and power it up again.

If this does not solve the problem, check to make sure that your

connection method is set up properly. See Chapter 4 for more

information about connection methods.

I am using a network connection, but I get a communication error when I try

to print to my printer.

Follow Epson’s instructions to make sure your Windows driver is

installed and working properly. Verify you can print a test page from

Windows before trying to use the RIP.

I can’t configure my RIP to print with Firewire.

Firewire can be used (with the Epson firewire option where it is not

supplied as standard). Again the Windows driver and Epson firewire

software must be installed and working before using the RIP.

Paper White Looks Yellow

Epson’s paper stocks are very bright compared with most input

samples you might be trying to match. Try turning off “Fill

background with paper color of input job” in your color setup. (For

6.0 RIP users see the ColorPro user manual. For 5.5 Rip users see

Appendix A, HIPP Color Management System.) Alternatively, try to

60 Appendix B: Troubleshooting

use a paper stock with a white that is the same color or slightly darker

than the paper white of that which you are trying to match.

Streaks/Lines in Output

Usually, streaks or lines in your output are caused by poor print head

alignment or clogged nozzles. You should use the Epson Windows

driver Utility software to perform a head cleaning or print head

alignment. Occasionally more extreme cleaning is required and can

be performed by an Epson technician.

Some third party inks are infamous for clogging Epson print nozzles.

Use of third party inks is not recommended by Epson, nor are stock

color profiles supportable with their use.

Can I Use TrapWorks with Epson printers?

Yes. All supported devices work well with TrapWorks (on a 5.5 Rip)

and TrapPro (on a 7.0 RIP).

I get an error using the a Page Feature with Progressive Proofs (Epson vDot-II)

This is the result of an incompatibility between the Progressive Proofs

system and the RIP’s Page Feature mechanism. If you get an error

when combining Progressive Proofs with a Page Feature then you

must disable the Page Feature.

Appendix C – Notes on Media, Resolution and

Color Management for the Epson vDot-II Plug-

Media Selection

The Configuration dialog discussed in Chapter 4 includes a list of

media types. For each media there are several entries, with different

combinations of RIP and Plotter resolutions. The reason for these

different entries is that the vDot-II driver has to make a number of

adjustments depending on the combinations of RIP and Plotter

resolution. These adjustments include setting ink droplet size, print

head speed, maximum ink level and the interweaving of scan lines.

Most of these adjustments are encapsulated in a single Media ID

variable, for example Epson Photo Glossy Paper is Media ID 44.

The system of ink control is so sophisticated that for many purposes,

provided the correct Media ID is selected, accurate and pleasing

proofs can be generated with only minor manual adjustments rather

than implementing a full ICC color management configuration. For

this reason we strongly recommend using one of the many alternative

standard Media Types. Remember that a non-standard media is not

only unknown to the vDot-II plug-in, but also unsupported by Epson.

Using Non-Standard Media

If you are forced to use a non-standard media, significant

experimentation will be required to establish a suitable Media ID and

other settings.

Create a test job containing Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black step

wedges from 5% to 100%, and a number of patches of Super Black

with total ink levels from 100 to 300% containing reversed out (white)

type of around 6 pt.

62 Appendix C: Media, Resolution and Color Management

Print this test job under your intended conditions of use (e.g. RIP at

720 dpi, plot at 720 by 720 dpi) with a range of different standard

media selected. You don’t have to try all combinations – if your

media is glossy then only try glossy and semi-glossy options; if your

media is matte only try matte and semi glossy options, etc. You will

be able to reject many samples on grounds of ink run on the surface,

or the reverse type being illegible at total ink coverage of only 150%,

etc. The goal is to find a media option that produces clean prints that

dry quickly and have reversed type visible all the way to 300%

(because the chosen settings are preventing total ink coverage from

exceeding a safe value regardless of the job). Measure the reflection

density of the 100% patches of each color and select the settings that

give you maximum density without over-inking. If you cannot find a

standard media setting that meets these requirements then your

media is probably not suitable for use with the Epson X800 series.

Resolution and Color Management

ICC Profiles supplied with the XPR RIP have been generated using

“normal” conditions, meaning RIPing at 720 dpi and plotting at 720

by 720 dpi. Tests show that the profiles are still valid at other RIP

resolutions, but some errors will occur if used at different plotting

resolutions. Errors of 2 or 3 Delta e can be expected if you plot at

720 by 1440 instead of 720 by 720. These errors are reduced but not

eliminated by calibrating under the actual output conditions.

The RIP will warn of all uses of the built-in profiles that do not match

Media ID, RIP or Plot resolution.

Epson VDot II Plugin Install & Reference Guide103105 V Dot 2

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