Navigator - Plate Linearization

Plate linearization is the process of using a curve to adjust the tint values of a measured dot area on an imaged plate or film.  A digital target is sent to the RIP and imaged on the plate/film.  The goal is to get the tint area on the imaged plate to +/- 2% of the value of the digital target.  This document reviews the tools used in Navigator and the step-by-step process of creating a linearization and how to apply it.

1. Open the Navigator RIP.

2. Under Output, select Print Calibration.

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3. In this new window, first select your page setup on the right side.  Choose the page setup you use for your plate/film output.  For this example, I am selecting a Tiff output Page Setup.  Next click on Print uncalibrated target.

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4. Now measure the values on your plate (or film) with a densitometer/plate reader, and write down your measurements.

5. Go back to your Navigator RIP, and under Output, select the Calibration Manager.

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6. Now select your output device from the device list, and change the Color Space to Monochrome. For this example, I am selecting a Tiff output (to match the page setup I used).

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7. Click on New in the lower left corner of this window.

8. Enter a custom name (with a date) in the Name field.

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9. Now enter the values you recorded into this window.  The only issue you will have is the range from 92-98 screen values.  Your target only contains a 90, 95, and 100 target, so you will have to extrapolate the missing values as best as you can.  Click on OK to save this curve.

10. Click on OK to close the Calibration Manager.

11. Open you Page Manager, select your Page Setup, and click Edit.

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12. Under the Calibration pull down menu, change to your new curve, and then click on OK to close this page setup.

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13. Click on OK to close the Page Setup Manager.

14. Go back to Output, and select Print Calibration again.  Now you can click on Print calibrated target.  This will print another sample file for you with the curve applied. This is a verification target.

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15. Read the new values, and see if they are within a +/- 2% of the value of the digital target.  If they are not, record all of the values.

16. Go back to your Navigator RIP, and under Output, select the Calibration Manager again.  Select your curve, and click on Edit from calibrated target.

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17. Enter your new values here, and click on OK to save them.  Go back and print another calibrated target (step 14), and repeat until you are within +/- 2% value of the digital target.