Process control Job setup

General information

MeasureColor workflows are typically based on jobs and measurements, no matter which module you use. A MeasureColor ProcessControl job holds all specific job parameters like the color references (solid inks, dot gain, overprint, balance, etc.), measurement conditions, tolerance/scoring conditions, color bar definitions, and more.

Because it would be very time-consuming to set up all these parameters separately for each job, the job setup procedure makes use of ‘presets’ to help you create jobs with ease. You can create and edit presets to tailor the job setup exactly to your situation.

The job setup workflow

Basically, the job setup workflow is based on the steps below. Depending on your UserGroup and UserProfile (Management Module) your workflow can be more or less extended. We will explain the 3 different levels separately.

  1. Job administration: Client, Job Number, Job Name, and Job Description and Machine.
  2. Job preset selection: Select a preset that represents your job parameters at best (or exactly).
  3. Check/change job inks and run sequence on press: Review and/or change the conditions, inks (color references), and run sequence. –
  4. Check/change the color bar and color mapping: Review and/or change the color mapping for the chosen color bar.
  5. Perform the first measurement: Measure your color bar, click ‘Back’ if some settings look incorrect, or hit ‘Finish’ to store the job and review the results of the first measurement.
Create a new job: Machine, client, job number, name, and description Select job preset (all workflows) Select different printing conditions (advanced workflow only)
Select ink(Standard & Advanced workflow Color bar and color mapping (Standard and advanced workflow) Color bar and color mapping (Standard and advanced workflow)

Simple, Standard, Advanced

MeasureColor’s ‘User profile’ feature lets you specify the job setup workflow per user group. Depending on the typical use case, you might want to alter the choice.

There are 3 levels for job setup:

  • Simple: The user fills out the basic job information (number, name description) and chooses job settings from a list of presets. No review or editing of settings is available. Useful in situations where job settings are always the same (reference, color bar, conditions, etc.).
  • Standard: The user fills out the basic job information (number, name description) and chooses job settings from a list of presets. Next, the user can add or change the inks, run sequence, color bar, and color mapping before a measurement is taken. Useful in situations where printing and measurement conditions are fixed but the operator typically needs to add one or two spot colors to the specific job setup.
  • Advanced: The user has all options available to tweak the job settings, including printing conditions, measurement and scoring conditions, color bar, and color mapping. Useful for the advanced operator who needs to tweak all job parameters during job setup.

About presets

A preset works as a template for the job you are creating. A preset can hold parameters for a typical job like the Printing condition, Tolerance set, inks (reference colors), run sequence, color bar and color mapping. Creating proper presets for standard measurement situations help simplify job setup procedures in production dramatically.

About Colors & inks

The Colors & ink view lets you select your ink reference colors AND determine run sequence on press. The advanced workflow allows you to alter the printing condition which determines which color books are shown in the ink selection view. To change an ink, click on the dotted icons on the right of each ink. This will open the ink selection view.

Check/change inks and run sequence (Standard & Advanced workflow) Select ink(Standard & Advanced workflow)

Color bar and color mapping

The Color bar & mapping view allows you to select a color bar to measure and, if needed, change the way the inks are mapped to each position in the color bar (color mapping). The preview of the color bar on this screen should mimic the color bar in print. If you need to change the position of the inks in the color bar, drag-and-drop (or use the arrow keys on the right) the square elements above the color bar preview section. This will update the preview immediately.

First measurement

When you’re done with the job setup, it is time to measure the color bar. Calibrate your device and if needed check it’s options. Then measure the color bar. Before you press ‘Finish’, check if the color bar you measured is ok by comparing the measurement with the color bar preview (upper row). If something seems incorrect (different color bar or its color mapping), press the ‘Previous’ button and correct the settings. When the measurement looks OK (the lower measurement line resembles the upper preview line), click ‘Finish’ to save the job and measurement to the database and review the results on the screen.