Setting up a new Press (and plate) in Sierra
The time may come where you need to add a new press to Sierra. Although you will have to make significant changes to your pressroom, and plate department, adding a press to Sierra is fairly straightforward.
Before you begin, you will need to know the following:
Plate size
Max sheet size
Plate bend/setback (also if the plate bend/setback is handled by Sierra, or by the platesetter)
Gripper/paper clamp size
Does the new press need CIP data?
Launch Sierra, and open the Admin options:
Select Press Profiles under the Admin Tasks, click on Default Press, and select New for the Press Device Profile.
Now you create a new press by entering the following:
- Enter a name
- Enter a description of the press (optional)
- Choose what type of press it is from the list
- Enter the plate size
- Enter the max sheet size for the press
- Enter your X and Y offsets. Usually your “X” value is centered on your press sheet (left and right), and your “Y” value is the amount you want to push your image up (plate bend/setback). Some platesetters have been configured to add the plate bend automatically. In this case, your value would be 0”, which would have your templates appear to have the press sheet start at the edge of the plate in the Sierra template editor.
- CIP data. This only applies to presses that can import and use CIP data, and if your Sierra has a license for it. All these settings are determined by the individual press and keysetter. You will need the press installation technicians to assist you, otherwise turn this option off (unchecked).
Hit okay at the bottom to save your new press.
Now that you have your press, you need to attach at least one Media profile. You can have multiple media profiles for your press, or just one. While your new press is selected, click on New (at the bottom of the Press Profiles options), to create at least one new media profile for your press device.
This first window deals with the type of media, and any ICC profile you want to attach to your media. First enter a basic name (e.g., coated/uncoated, paper mill, weight, etc.), then click on New.
A new window will pop up asking what type of media is this. Here you will enter:
- A simple name that is a description of the media (e.g., Coated, Transparency)
- The type of Material (paper or transparency)
- Weight measured in gsm (optional)
- Thickness of paper measured in inches (optional)
- The coating (if any) on the front of the sheet.
- The coating (if any) on the back of the sheet.
- Media Type Details (envelopes, letterhead, etc.) This is also optional.
Once you click on OK, your new Media Type will appear. Make sure to put a check next to it, to select it as the media to be used. Once you create a media type, it will be available for all your media profiles, not just this specific one.
Now at the bottom of this window, you will need to assign an ICC profile for this media profile. This is a list of all the loaded ICC profiles in Sierra (not your computer). Select one from the pulldown menu, then click Add.
Now, click on the Stretch & Characterisation tab toward the top of the window.
In this tab you will be setting a screen set and press characterization. You also have the option to have different stretch, screen sets and characterizations for the front and back of the press sheets (for example a C1S stock (Coated 1 Side)). If you do not have any stretch settings, select the screen(s) you want applied. Your custom screens will usually be at the bottom of the list. Go to the bottom of the window, and select which press characterization you want, then click on Set.
Now you can click on OK to close this window. If you do not have an ICC profile, Characterisation, or Screen set selected, it will not close this window. Once closed, it will bring you back to the Press Profiles window. If you select the press at the top, it will show you the Media Profiles created for that press below.
Now you can create/edit job templates for your new press.