Express InkScript
Express InkScript is a comprehensive solution for ink key presetting. It reads 1-bit tiff files from RIPs, analyses them, and generates CIP3 files for the ink control unit. It can also read CIP3 data files from the selected front-end system, ready for the ink control unit to set the ink key value on the press.
The process of turning a ready-to-print ink data file into a press machine-accepted format is handled by InkScript, a solution developed by Compose. It takes a ripped job, a 1-bit data file, and recalculates the Ink density value per each ink key to match the Press machine requirement for printing.
InkScript works with a wide range of printing control units. InkScript also enhances your press productivity by shortening the setup times, reducing paper and ink wastage, and turning your press tightly integrated with a modern print production system.
Ink-key Presetting improves productivity
Presetting your press is one of the most critical aspects of the prepress workflow. To accurately preset your press, you will save valuable setup time and reduce wastage, resulting in cost savings and increased productivity.
The InkScript Loop enables the reading of the colour bar from the printed sheet and compares the setting on the press with a correct re-adjusted value; this continuous transmission of computed correction value directly to presses is called a closed-loop process.
Highlights
- Save press setup time.
- Reduce the amount of paper and ink wastage.
- Faster and safer than hardware plate scanner.
- Generate CIP3 PPF using 1-bit digital file.
- Support Express RIP option for PS, PDF, and EPS input.
- Support InkScript Connect option for online ink key presetting.
- connect printing machines from nearly all manufacturers
- replace Heidelberg/MAN Roland’s interface card
- replace magnetic strip readers with more reliable data transmission
- enable calibration on ink linearisation and ink duct values
- friendly user interface and runs on Windows platform
Tightly integrate with Express WorkFlow
Features and Benefits
Generate Production ready Ink Duct Data
Express InkScript is a comprehensive tool to generate Ink Duct data. It reads 1 bit raster data from Express RIP or Express workflow to generate ink coverage information or CIP3 data files for presetting your presses.
Wide Range of Input Formats
Express InkScript reads CIP3 and screened files generated by most major RIP vendors, including 1-bit TIFF (CCITT G4, Packbits, LZW compression) and Compose Netflow Raster formats. Support direct PostScript, PDF, and EPS files input with Express RIP option.
Export CIP3 PPF file for Modern Presses
Express InkScript can also generate CIP3 PPF files (support v2.0, v2.1 and v3.0, Binary and ASCII encoding; Forward, Reverse and Harlequin Extent alignment scheme) for all printing machine consoles using CIP3 data as input format can also be connected to InkScript.
Easy Job Handling
Express InkScript provides a powerful tool for job handling, included:
• Job centering or off-centering on paper or plate
• Job rotation by 90, 180 and 270 degrees
• Adjusting first and last zones with different zone width
• Zone calculation from Left-to-Right/Top-to-Bottom or Reverse
• Default minimum ink level for ink ducts
• One or a combination of output formats for the same job
• Crop off plate control strip from input file to avoid its influence on the final ink density
Express InkScript Server
Express InkScript Server is a server based product which allows ink key values to be calculated according to the press configuration on the network.
The server workflow is sitting next to pre-press workflow or in front of the production manager who instructs which job is printed by which press. The production manager can also include job information, like which media and what ink is to be used, number of copies to be printed, etc, to the press operator who is manning the press.
Express InkScript Client is installed to the ink control unit of the Press. Press operator reads ink key values on screen to preset his press. It also generates CIP3 or ink control data for ink presetting.
With the Visual Proof soft-proofing option activated, you can compare your output with digital proof on screen. The database runs behind the Express InkScript Server will maintain a record of all the jobs being placed with different Presses, this will enable customer to generate a production report for a tighter production control for the future.