Most, if not all, major printing houses around the world have a printing specification. This can be supplied to advertising agencies upon request and is the basis of all processes, which go to make up a newspaper. It can be a hard copy, or a PDF that can be downloadable from the Internet.
As an example the print specification could contain the following information:
A Digital colour profile, which can be loaded into Pre-press applications -- Recognised by the industry, IFRA and most international printing advisory organisations.
The Newspapers preferred screen Rulings and Angles for:
Colour, Mono, Any special irrational screen angles, Special extra colours or varnishes.Typical tone reproduction guidelines:
- Highlight 0-4%;
- Quarter tone 25%;
- Mid-tone 50%;
- Three Quarter tone 75%;
- Solids 100%.
Grey balance targets, proportion of Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow used to make a 30% black.
UCR/GCR separation set up.Ink Coverage, Total ink weight for, four-colour process. ISO standard is 240% for newspapers
Preferred Ink weight densities, which appear to be:
- Cyan 0.86
- Magenta 0.95
- Yellow 0.90
- Black 1.09
- (These figures should be reviewed for each customer)
Advice on Dot Gain and preferred maximum colour values
E.g. any colour specified at 85% will print solid.Colour chart outlining the following: (see example in Document examples page)
- Actual printed colours
- The component colours Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key (black).
- Instructions for Advert agencies for producing proofs and replicating the preferred printed result (we would recommend that soft proofing could be introduced over time).
- Where colour bars should be sited.
- What colour bars are preferred.
- Type of Ink used in production.
- Type of substrate e.g. Any special finish, mechanical or chemical created paper.
- Fountain solution/chemistry.
- Press blanket type
Use of certain types of picture, which are typical of the region covering key areas, such as:
- Skin types;
- Vegetation;
- Sky colour;
- Buildings.
- A general look and feel of how images should look when they are printed.
The specification could also include an overview of Media Pre-Press and Press Data, such as:
Scanning devices :
- Flat bed;
- Drum;
- Copy Dot.
Type of Plate/Image setters.
Press sequence of printing:
E.g. Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black as opposed to Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow which is popular amongst quality magazine printers;Grey Balance Colour reference patches (often referred to as jelly beans);
Types of Negative working plates and types of Positive working plates;
CTP devices used;
Printing Presses;
Take off system and preferred method of insertion (Ferrag).