CREATE PLATES

PREPARING PLATES FOR OUTPUT

PREPRESS – RIP

Launch workflow
Choose the correct Workflow
Set the correct distortion factor in the RIP
Set your dot shape
Choose your inks to output
Load a plate bump curve ( “single curve“ )
1. Example EG_FIQ3to1bump.dgc
  1. This stands for Esko Graphics Flexo Image Quality 1% bumped up to a 3% dot dot gain curve (hold every dot % below 3% to a 3% dot… effectively bumping all minimum dots to 3%). This curve only affects the highlight light dots up to the quarter tone dots
  2. Remember the bump is needed to allow enough UV light energy to get through the plate mask opening to fully form a flexo dot on the plate.

PROOFING

Check your 1-bit TIFFs using Automation Engine
Find your task in the task window
Right click on your FlexRip/T4 task and “Go To Output File”
Soft proof your file
- Distorted file should be 11.61 inches
- LPI correct?
- Trapping look good?
- Did 1% dot get bumped to a larger dot?
- Separations look good?
o Hard Proof
- Send proof out on Epson 7900 using CGS ORIS Tuner software in Godfrey Hall outside room 100 A
- Select PRINT
- Use ___________________ presets

PLATE MAKING

Check your back exposure, Imaging, Face exposure, Plate Processing, Drying, Post expose, Detack

TRIMMING

Start by laying the full flexo plate on a clean, flat surface. Measure the individual color separations to ensure they are the proper repeat length.
Question? What image on the plate will allow you to measure the plate repeat length

Hold the top of the flexo plate with your left hand and the safety cutter in your right. Note which separation you are cutting out and be careful not to cut into the image area. Pull the blade down the plate towards your right elbow while the left hand is pulling away from the plate. This will give you more control when guiding the blade. *Note that when cutting the plates with a safety cutter, it can be hard to cut a straight line. Make sure you leave at least a few inches around the bearer bars and registration marks to avoid cutting the image area.

Repeat until all the separations are cut out from the original plate.

Next, take one of the single plate images (face side up) and lay it horizontally on the plate guillotine. Arrange the plate so the registration marks are just barely off the edge of the guillotine. Hold the guillotine handle down with your left hand to hold the plate in place, and make the cut with the lever in your right hand. Make sure the edge of the registration marks are shaved off. Repeat for its parallel side.

Next cut the vertical sides of the plate on the guillotine. Leave a few inches of margin around the bearer bars, but this cut does not have to be as precise as the previous.

Once all separations of your plates are cut, they are ready to be mounted.