Correcting Size Changes caused by Processing

Correcting Size Changes caused by Processing

Certain printing applications such as the fixation process after printing on fabric can cause the original material to shrink or extend, leading to distorted output and making a reliable workflow difficult at best and impossible at worst. When this happens ErgoSoft can help with the Size Correction feature. Using Size Correction, you can enter a correction factor for both width and length before printing to pre-emptively work against size changes that might happen due to processing of the material. The Ergosoft RIP will automatically scale the output image larger or smaller in height and width to correct the size changes and make sure that the final output appears exactly as you want it.

Configuring Size Correction

To configure size correction, you’ll first need to know how distorted the final output is. So make sure to print and process an image as you normally would. Measure the output and make note of the final measurements.

Next, access the Print Environment Settings and go to the Extras tab. At the top right you’ll find the Size Correction feature.

The horizontal and vertical fields always represent the final output size, and the correction is based on that output size. That means that the standard 100% will simply print any image with the size as it is defined in the Job. Entering 200% in Horizontal means that the printout is twice as big as it should be after processing, so the RIP will scale the Job to half their width to compensate for the size change. This will of course look odd in the first production step, but will even out during processing as we are compensation for those size changes.

So for the correction, you’ll need the exact percentage values, Ergosoft RIP makes it easy to figure out the right correction values. Clicking on the Calculator button to the right of the Horizontal/Vertical fields to start the Calculator. In the Calculator window, simply enter the expected output size as Original, and the actual output size in Measured. The RIP will then automatically show you the correct percentage value to enter in the respective field.

After you have entered the percentage values for the size changes, confirm the Print Environment Settings dialog with Ok. From this point on the Size Correction will be applied to every Job printed with this Print Environment.

Note that since the Size Correction feature is configured in the Print Environment, it is also tied to that Print Environment. Switching to a different Print Environment will not take over the setting, so you’ll need to configure it for every Print Environment that you want to use the Size Correction with.

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