Ink Set Optimisation for Expanded Colour Gamut
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Solution Overview
Problem
The traditional CMYK printing system restricts the color gamut, making it difficult to achieve lighter hues of red, green, and blue, and requires extensive trial-and-error to select optimal additional inks for Expanded Colour Gamut (ECG) printing, leading to inefficiencies in material usage and press operation.
Innovation Solution
A method to predict and select optimal ink sets for ECG printing by using spectral reflectance measurements and models like Kubelka-Munk and Yule-Nielsen modified Spectral Neugebauer, allowing for the calculation of color gamuts without printing test charts, thereby simplifying the selection of inks that maximize spot color coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional process inks (orange, green, violet) are added to CMYK system to expand colour gamut, then lighter hues and saturated colours are achieved, but device complexity and cost increase due to additional printing stations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary computational analysis of all potential ink combinations using spectral models (Kubelka-Munk, Yule-Nielsen modified Spectral Neugebauer) to predict colour gamut characteristics before actual printing. This allows selection of optimal ink sets without needing to physically test all combinations on the printing press, thereby avoiding the need for additional printing stations while still achieving expanded colour gamut.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual model of the printing system using spectral reflectance measurements and computational algorithms to simulate and evaluate colour gamut performance. This virtual copy allows assessment of different ink set configurations without physical experimentation, enabling optimal selection that expands colour gamut without adding physical printing stations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional trial-and-error method is used to select optimal ink sets for ECG printing, then colour gamut can be evaluated, but material wastage and press downtime increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary computational evaluation of all potential ink combinations using spectral models before actual printing. By calculating predicted colour gamut characteristics in advance, the optimal ink set is identified without needing to physically print and test multiple combinations, thereby eliminating material wastage associated with traditional trial-and-error methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical trial-and-error printing process with a computational system that uses spectral reflectance measurements and algorithms (Kubelka-Munk model, Yule-Nielsen modified Spectral Neugebauer model) to predict and evaluate colour gamut. This substitution eliminates the need for physical testing, thereby preventing material wastage and press downtime.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional trial-and-error method is used to select optimal ink sets, then colour gamut can be evaluated, but press downtime increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary computational analysis of all potential ink combinations using spectral models before actual printing operations. This advance evaluation identifies the optimal ink set without requiring the printing press to be stopped for multiple trial runs, thereby eliminating press downtime associated with traditional trial-and-error methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical trial-and-error process with a computational evaluation system that uses spectral reflectance measurements and algorithms to predict colour gamut performance. This substitution allows rapid assessment of ink set options without occupying the printing press, thereby eliminating press downtime.
4Adaptability or versatility
If more inks are used to expand colour gamut, then lighter hues of red, green and blue are achieved, but the number of ink combinations increases making selection difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary computational evaluation of all potential ink combinations using spectral models, calculating predicted colour gamut characteristics for each combination before actual printing. This advance analysis identifies the optimal ink set among all possibilities without requiring physical testing, thereby managing the complexity of multiple ink combinations through systematic computational assessment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual evaluation of numerous ink combinations with a computational system that automatically calculates and compares colour gamut performance for all potential sets using spectral reflectance measurements and algorithms. This substitution systematically manages the complexity of ink selection by providing objective, data-driven rankings of all combinations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables efficient selection of ink sets that expand the color gamut, reducing material wastage and press downtime, while allowing for the replacement of spot colors with a smaller number of inks, thereby improving print quality and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
spectral reflectance measurements
Implementation Method 2
models like Kubelka-Munk
Implementation Method 3
Yule-Nielsen modified Spectral Neugebauer
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of selecting optimal inks from a plurality of ink candidates for a given colour, said method comprising a) obtaining a measure of spectral reflectance of a print substrate; b) obtaining a measure of the spectral reflectance of a first candidate ink of a first colour; c) predicting a colour gamut for the first candidate ink based on the spectral reflectance of the ink and the spectral reflectance of the substrate; d) repeating steps b) and c) for a second ink candidate of the first colour; e) selecting the ink candidate for which the predicted colour gamut includes the most target spot colours as the optimal ink for the first colour.