Material Terms

Places halftone dots in a consistent pattern, varying the size of the individual dots to simulate the tone values of the original.

Highlight compensation applied to avoid imaging dots in the plate that are too small to allow full dot formation during plate processing.

The adjustment of manufactured process images to be more color correct. This process is started with a layered PSD file that gives the production artist the ability to work easily within the file and determine how to properly align color for output and to match specific press targets. A PSD file is a layered image file used in Adobe PhotoShop. PSD, which stands for Photoshop Document, is the default format that Photoshop uses for saving data. PSD is a proprietary file that allows the user to work with the images' individual layers even after the file has been saved.

Also referred to as “Repeat”. The film measurement in the machine direction from the leading edge of one eye mark to the leading edge of the next eye mark. This represents the size of the impression or height of the bag or wrapper being converted.

This is a screening technology unique to KODAK plates that applies a user definable texture pattern to the surface of the plate. The texture minimizes stray artifacts in solids, reduces patterning, increases solid density and reduces dot gain (specifically in shadows).

Stochastic dot screens that provide more contrast and detail in images while fading shadows in a more natural way.

Center face is Center web and the seal laps over side to side to create the seal.

For every color to be printed, a plate is made and eventually put on a cylinder which is placed in the printing press. To make a complete picture, regardless of printing on flexible film or paper, the image transferred from each plate has to register exactly with the images transferred from the other colors. To ensure an accurate picture is made, mounting marks are made on the flexographic plates. These mounting marks can be microdots (down to 0.3 mm) and/or crosses. Special machinery is made for mounting these plates on the printing cylinders to maintain registration.

The face is centered on the web, and a fin is created on the back seal.

A preview proof for reviewing the layout from dieline specifications applied to the art, to the color legend explaining the breakdown. The art is set up with all basic layout functions addressed. The preview should verify measurements, UPC, and correct copy. This is the typical proof that an authorized person will give approval to proceed to production.

Overwraps utilizes a method of platemaking developed by Kodak. The method of plate development uses light-sensitive polymer. A computer-guided laser is used to etch the image onto the film negative. This method is commonly referred to as digital platemaking. The polymer plate is then transferred to an exposure unit where ultra-violet light passes through the film. This hardens the areas of the polymer that will print the image. The remaining polymer has the consistency of chewed gum. The plate to be washed out is fixed in the washout unit on a base plate. The plate is washed out with a special mixture designed to remove the “gummy” unwanted plate material. Soft brushes scrub the plate to facilitate the "washout" process. The unit is equipped with a dual membrane filter. With this filter the environmental burdening is kept to an absolute minimum. The freshly washed plate is then transferred to a drying oven to fully harden and cure the polymer. Once this step is complete the plate is ready to go to press.

The process of running target images on a particular press to create a file that shows how the press renders and reproduces color. It is used to calibrate the color separation process to achieve the most accurate color match on press.

KODAK software that separates files, RIP and process art files to TIFFs that make up each color used in a job. The TIFFs are then output to plates.

Preparing files to RIP and process through the pre-press workflow and make plates that will successfully meet target color and print expectations on press.

A contract proof usually serves as an agreement between customer and printer and as a color and copy reference guide for adjusting the press before the final press run. Most contract proofs are a prepress proof. The primary goal of 'proofing' is to serve as a tool for customer verification that the entire job is accurate. Prepress proofing (also known as off-press proofing) is a cost-effective way of providing a visual copy without the expense of creating a press proof. If errors are found during the printing process on press, correcting them can prove very costly to one or both parties involved. Press time is the most expensive part of print media. The main objective of proofing is to produce either a soft or hard copy of what the final product will look like on press. Hard-copy proofing usually involves ink-jet printing or other technologies (i.e. Laminate Proof) to produce high-quality one-off copies of the production artwork. Soft proofing usually involves highly color accurate wide-gamut computer displays. "The printed proof is a simulation of the ultimate output - a CMYK press sheet. The mission of a proofing system is to create accurate predictions, not pretty pictures." In the best conditions the proofing process will actually try to emulate the effects of the printing press through color management and screening techniques.

Graphics that are made up of pixels and have a specific resolution that will produce the desired sharpness and clarity of the image.

A program that uses digital information to create dot patterns delivered to produce an image.

Face is shifted off center from the Web Center and a fin is created on the back seal.

The film measurement in the cross direction from edge to edge. There are two references for this term. The first is the measurement from edge to edge of a finished slit roll that is ready to be shipped to the customer. The term “web width” is also used for internal manufacturing purposes which describes the “master web width” which is the width a much larger roll that will be later be slit down into individual finished rolls.