Dot gain calibration method and apparatus

A method of providing in use prediction of dot gain in a scheduled printing using printing plates, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing parameters of said scheduled printing including a set of required density values;
• and
• obtaining a calibrated tone reproduction curve corresponding to said parameters, said curve indicative of compensation for dot gain, said scheduled printing using a printing plate comprising a calibration strip, said calibration strip comprising a plurality of patches, each patch constructed from a basic shape composed of a respectively different pre-selected layout of laser dots, wherein said step of providing additionally comprises:
• issuing a measurement request;
• printing at least one test sheet using said printing plate;
• measuring intensities from said printed calibration strip;
• and
• providing said measurements for generation of said calibrated tone reproduction curve.

A method of providing in use prediction of dot gain in a scheduled printing using printing plates, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing parameters of said scheduled printing including a set of required density values;
• and
• obtaining a calibrated tone reproduction curve corresponding to said parameters, said curve indicative of compensation for dot gain, wherein said step of providing additionally comprises:
• issuing a measurement request;
• printing one or more test sheets using a currently mounted printing plate comprising a calibration strip, said printing according to said scheduled printing parameters;
• the calibration strip comprising a plurality of sets of patches, each set configured by pre-screening with a respectively different screening parameter set, wherein each of said patches within each set represents a specific gray level;
• measuring intensities at said printed calibration strip;
• and
• providing said measurements for generation of said calibrated tone reproduction curve.

A method of providing in use prediction of dot gain in a scheduled printing using printing plates, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing parameters of said scheduled printing including a set of required density values;
• and
• obtaining a calibrated tone reproduction curve corresponding to said parameters, said curve indicative of compensation for dot gain, wherein said step of providing additionally comprises:
• issuing a measurement request;
• printing one or more test sheets using a currently mounted printing plate comprising a calibration strip, said printing according to said scheduled printing parameters, the calibration strip comprising a plurality of patches, each patch constructed from a basic shape composed of a respectively different pre-selected layout of laser dots;
• measuring intensities of said printed calibration strip;
• and
• providing said measurements for generation of said calibrated tone reproduction curve.

A method of providing in use prediction of dot gain in a scheduled printing using printing plates, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing parameters of said scheduled printing including a set of required density values;
• and
• obtaining a calibrated tone reproduction curve corresponding to said parameters, said curve indicative of compensation for dot gain, wherein said step of providing parameters comprises searching a database to determine the presence of dot gain compensation data corresponding to said provided parameters,
• using said compensation data to obtain said tone reproduction curve if found, otherwise:
• obtaining intensity measurements from printing of a calibration strip, and
• using said intensity measurements to obtain said calibrated tone reproduction curve.