This document summarizes the results of a printing standardization trial conducted by Dr. Shimizu to analyze high-definition printing using 10-micron Staccato dots. Analysis was performed using Kodak's ColorFlow analyzer and focused on color matching for different standards and proofs, as well as between different presses. The trial found average color differences of 3.3 with some areas needing adjustment to improve trapping values and gamut. Dr. Shimizu concluded continuous quality analysis is important to empower quality experts and ensure assistance from Japanese suppliers supports high printing quality.

1. Printing standardization trial
for high-‐‑‒definition printing method
utilizing Staccato-‐‑‒10 micron dots
1
Dr. SHIMIZU, Hirokazu
Vice-‐‑‒President, WILL-‐‑‒POWER CONSULTING INC.
President, SHIMIZU PRINTING INC.
Visiting Senior Researcher, Waseda University Environmental Research Institute
Expert, ISO TC130 (Graphic technology) WG11(Environmental impact of graphic technology)

2. Agenda
1.Purpose of printing analysis
2.High-‐‑‒definition printing method
3.Kodakʼ’s printing analyzer “ColorFlow”
4.Analysis of printing condition in practice
5.Summary
2

3. 1. Purpose of printing analysis
3
✦Installation of “ColorFlow” (Kodak) for analysis
1. Color-‐‑‒matching for Japan Color Standard
•Ultimate goal is adaption for Japan Color which is
compatible with ISO12647
2.Color-‐‑‒matching for Direct Digital Color Proof
•Create color profile for DDCP to be checked as first
proof to avoid printing proof by press
3.Color-‐‑‒matching for different presses
•Secondary goal is perfect alignment of presses in our
factory and other partner factories

4. 2.High-‐‑‒definition printing method
4
✦Advanced screening tech. for high-‐‑‒end printing
Staccato 20-‐‑‒micron screen
Kodak Staccato is advanced, second-‐‑‒order FM screening technology.
Staccato screening produces high-‐‑‒fidelity, continuous tone images that
exhibit fine detail and an extended color gamut, creating a
photographic experience free of visible printing artifacts, such as
subject moire and rosettes.
(Reference: http://graphics.kodak.co.jp/KodakGCG/uploadedFiles/
Products/Color_̲and_̲Screening/Staccato_̲Screening/Staccato
%20Brochure%20ENG.pdf)
The angle and frequency of half tone dots in conventional AM screens
can cause subject moire, screening moire and unstable rosette
structures. Additionally, fewer and larger minimum dot sizes in
highlights and shadows in AM screens can result in loss of detail and
increase in graininess.
(Reference: http://graphics.kodak.co.jp/KodakGCG/uploadedFiles/
Products/Color_̲and_̲Screening/Staccato_̲Screening/Staccato
%20Brochure%20ENG.pdf)
Normal AM screen

5. 2.High-‐‑‒definition printing method
5
✦Advanced screening tech. for high-‐‑‒end printing
Staccato 20-‐‑‒micron screen
printed by other printer
Staccato 10-‐‑‒micron screen
printed by Shimizu Printing

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✦Color-‐‑‒chart analysis by “ColorFlow”
3.Kodakʼ’s printing analyzer “ColorFlow”

7. 7
✦Color-‐‑‒chart analysis by “ColorFlow”
3.Kodakʼ’s printing analyzer “ColorFlow”

8. 8
✦Configurations of presses at Shimizu Printing
R710-‐‑‒F_̲SP
R710-‐‑‒R_̲SP R707_̲SP R705_̲SP DDCP_̲SP
Primary Color
Output
Secondary Color
Output
3.Kodakʼ’s printing analyzer “ColorFlow”
Color-‐‑‒match among presses
Color-‐‑‒match between presses
and DDCP

9. 9
✦Configurations of printers in THA and JPN
Company Shimizu Printing (SP)
Press
manroland R710 TLVP (40-‐‑‒inch, 10-‐‑‒color, +coating unit,
+perfector)
Screening FM screening (10-‐‑‒micron)
Substrate I-‐‑‒best W (coated cardboard)
Plate Kodak Sword XD+ (Made in Japan)
Ink Toyo UV ink
Dampening Nikken Astro Mark-‐‑‒3 (No IPA)
4.Analysis of printing condition (contʼ’d)

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✦Basic knowledge about “color”
Magenta
Cyan
Yellow
Green
Red
Blue
a+(0〜～100)
a-‐‑‒(0〜～-‐‑‒100)
b+(0〜～100)
b-‐‑‒(0〜～-‐‑‒100)
4.Analysis of printing condition (contʼ’d)

11. 4.Analysis of printing condition (contʼ’d)
11
✦Absolute density of solid inks
SP
Avg. Min. Max. Dif. Dif./Avg.
K 1.76 1.71 1.78 0.07 4.0%
C 1.56 1.55 1.58 0.03 1.9%
M 1.46 1.41 1.49 0.08 5.5%
Y 1.01 0.98 1.03 0.05 5.0%

12. ✦Absolute density of solid inks
4.Analysis of printing condition (contʼ’d)
12
0.90
1.05
1.20
1.35
1.50
1.65
1.80
SP-‐‑‒K
Min. Max.
0.90
1.05
1.20
1.35
1.50
1.65
1.80
SP-‐‑‒C
Min. Max.
0.90
1.05
1.20
1.35
1.50
1.65
1.80
SP-‐‑‒M
Min. Max.
0.90
1.05
1.20
1.35
1.50
1.65
1.80
SP-‐‑‒Y
Min. Max.
Range of difference should be as minimum as possible

13. ✦Variations of solid density
4.Analysis of printing condition (contʼ’d)
13
Variations of solid patches across the press sheet_̲SP
Color density of all are within allowable range

14. ✦Apparent Trap Density (%)
4.Analysis of printing condition (contʼ’d)
14
SP
Target color
C
M
Y
Apparent Trap density 65.1% 74.8% 66.8%
A bit lower than expected values

15. ✦Tonal value increase for all inks
4.Analysis of printing condition (contʼ’d)
15
Tonal value increase (TVI)_̲SP
Dot gains of all colors are fairly consistent

16. ✦Spider plot of primary and overprint patches
4.Analysis of printing condition (contʼ’d)
16
Spider plots for key colors_̲SP
Difference of MY and C should be
adjusted by color density and trap %

17. ✦Measured solid and overprints colors
4.Analysis of printing condition (contʼ’d)
17
Measured items SP
Average color difference (dE) of all patches in the chart 3.3
Max. Single color difference among all patches 9.1
Color difference between substrates 1.0
Average color difference between the primary solids 3.7

18. ✦Color dif. distribution & cumulative frequency
4.Analysis of printing condition (contʼ’d)
18Color difference distributions/cumulative frequencies_̲SP
dE<5=80.2%

19. ✦CIELAB measured values
4.Analysis of printing condition (contʼ’d)
19
Target SPSP
L a b C h L a b C h dE
Paper 94.1 0.5 -‐‑‒1.3 1.4 289.9 94.1 0.5 -‐‑‒1.3 1.4 289.9 1.0
3-‐‑‒C 25% Gray 75.6 0.2 -‐‑‒1.6 1.6 275.9 75.6 0.2 -‐‑‒1.6 1.6 275.9 1.2
3-‐‑‒C 50% Gray 57.7 -‐‑‒1.0 -‐‑‒2.4 2.7 247.0 57.7 -‐‑‒1.0 -‐‑‒2.4 2.7 247.0 0.5
3-‐‑‒C 75% Gray 39.5 -‐‑‒1.4 -‐‑‒1.1 1.8 218.7 39.5 -‐‑‒1.4 -‐‑‒1.1 1.8 218.7 5.6
3-‐‑‒C 100% Bk 20.9 -‐‑‒3.0 -‐‑‒3.5 4.6 229.5 20.9 -‐‑‒3.0 -‐‑‒3.5 4.6 229.5 4.1
100% Bk 16.6 1.6 2.7 3.1 58.2 16.6 1.6 2.7 3.1 58.2 3.3
dE should be lower than 5.0

20. ✦Gray balance, complete tonal range
4.Analysis of printing condition (contʼ’d)
20
Gray balance_̲SP
Negative impact from
Low trapping value

21. ✦Gamut chart plots
4.Analysis of printing condition (contʼ’d)
21
Gamut chart plots_̲SP
In fact, wider gamut is expected than actual value

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5.Summary
✦Importance of printing quality analysis
1. Continuous printing quality analysis
•Periodical check for DDCP and printed sheet will be
continued for all devices and presses
2.Continuous educational program
•Empower experts in quality assurance team by
continuous evaluation of printing condition
3.Continuous assistance by Japanese suppliers
•Supported by Japanese printing materials (UV ink/
varnish, Plates, Dampening solution, blankets)

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Personal profile
Dr. Hirokazu Shimizu holds Doctorate in environmental impact assessment from Waseda University Graduate School of Environment and Energy
Engineering (Japan), MBA in marketing research from University of Dallas (USA) and Bachelor of education from Waseda University (Japan). In 2012, Dr.
Shimizu was assigned to be visiting senior researcher at his old school and play active role not only in business scene, but also in academic world.
• Qualification:
• Specialization in UV curing technology for graphics
• Specialization in Life-‐‑‒cycle approach (LCA, LCC) for printing
• Pioneering achievement:
• Development of “UV Waterless High-‐‑‒definition Printing method” for paper and plastic
• Schematization of “Printing service LCA” in the viewpoint of LCCO2 and Integrated LCA
• Award:
• “UV Waterless High-‐‑‒definition Printing method”, Encouraging prize from Japanese Society of Printing Science and Technology in 2011
• “Establishment of quantitative assessment for Printing Service”, Best paper from Japanese Society of Printing Science and Technology in 2010
• “Establishment of Printing Service LCA to propose environmental-‐‑‒conscious solution”, Chairmanʼ’s award (2nd best) from 6th LCA Japan Forum in
2010
• Extra activities:
• Visiting Senior Researcher, Waseda University Environmental Research Institute
• Expert, ISO 130 (Graphic technology) WG11 (Environmental impact of graphics technology)
• Committee, Energy Supply and Demand Verification Committee at Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
• Policy adviser for SMEs, Japan Chamber of Commerce
• Committee, Energy and Nuclear Committee at Japan Chamber of Commerce
• Committee, Environment Committee at Tokyo Chamber of Commerce
• Academic paper:
• Hirokazu Shimizu, Katsuya Nagata, and Aran Hansuebsai. 2012. Comparisons of Paper-‐‑‒book and E-‐‑‒book by the scale of carbon footprint.
Proceedings of The Asian Symposium on Printing Technology: 39-‐‑‒44
• Hirokazu Shimizu, Katsuya Nagata, and Aran Hansuebsai. 2011. Integrated Life cycle Assessment (LCA) for Printing Service in an emerging
country. Proceedings of EcoDesign 2011 International Symposium: 283-‐‑‒288
• Hirokazu Shimizu, and Katsuya Nagata. 2010. Integrated Life cycle Assessment (LCA) Approach for Printing Service by Using Environmental Load
Point (ELP) Method. Journal of Printing Science and Technology 47 (3): 39-‐‑‒47
• Hirokazu Shimizu, and Katsuya Nagata. 2010. Comparison of Life-‐‑‒cycle CO2 emissions for Paper-‐‑‒Based Books and Electronic Books. Journal of
Printing Science and Technology 47 (2): 19-‐‑‒29
• Hirokazu Shimizu. 2009. Establishment of quantitative assessment for Printing Service. Journal of Printing Science and Technology 46 (6): 26-‐‑‒35

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Thank you very much for your attention
You can have a look at part of presentation file:
http://www.slideshare.net/ShimizuHiro/edit_̲my_̲uploads
Corporate web site:
http://www.shzpp.co.jp
http://www.will-‐‑‒power.jp/en/