A Brief Discussion on The Problems And Improvements of Printing Color Matching

1.Current status and existing problems of printing color matching

1.1Current status of color matching

With the rapid development of domestic printing enterprises in recent years, although the level of printing color matching has improved, there are still some common problems in the printing process. Printing color matching is still mainly done by high-paid color matching masters. The level of printing color matching of the enterprise is determined by personal color matching experience, which plays a key role in the timely delivery of printed products and the accuracy of printed colors.

1.2Existing problems

1.2.1 There are many times of printing color matching. It is impossible to guarantee the normal delivery of printed products. Printing of domestic printing and dyeing enterprises is divided into paint printing and dye printing. The printing production process is complicated and long, involving many links. It takes a lot of time to repeat the sample. If the printing color is found to be inaccurate during production, it needs to be repaired and adjusted. Most of the printing processes need to repeat invalid work, which wastes a lot of precious production time. If there are other factors, it will increase the waste of time. This vicious cycle makes the printing delivery time less and less, and even if it can be delivered, there are many hidden dangers.

1.2.2 Color difference of bulk printing. Due to the long printing process and many links, there are many factors affecting color, resulting in poor color accuracy. In addition, the color adjustment level or color adjustment management is not in place, so the color adjustment technicians cannot correct these deviations, resulting in printing color difference or printing quality risks.

1.2.3 There is a lack of high-level printing color adjustment technical talents and color adjustment management talents. The printing process and printing color adjustment technology are out of touch, mutually restricted, and cannot be improved.

2.Analysis of the current status of printing color adjustment

2.1 There are some instabilities in the printing process. The printing process has physical and chemical processes. Some processes can be touched. As long as the management is in place, the problem can basically be solved through analysis. However, the chemical process only sees the results, and can only be controlled by dyeing and finishing professional technicians, which requires certain experience and theory to support. Most of the printing color adjustment personnel have long working time and rich experience, but their professional knowledge is not comprehensive. They cannot control these unstable factors and can only be judged by multiple color tests.

2.2 The management of printing color matching technology is very important, which is reflected in the accuracy of printing measurement, such as the operation, temperature, speed, time, printing scraper pressure, scraper specifications, accuracy of the printed cloth itself, and accurate formula of the printing, steaming, baking, washing, and printing finishing processes. Any error in any factor will lead to inaccurate printing colors. If we manage the printing color matching technology as a system, many unstable factors can be solved. Some printing companies add materials based on estimates in order to print quickly according to personal experience and some wrong habits. In this way, it is difficult to ensure color accuracy and technical improvement and analyze printing problems.

2.3 Unscientific management of the printing process leads to continuous problems in printing quality. Even if there is a problem with printing quality, we don’t know why. Let alone how to solve it. Printing technicians are in an unstable state in the enterprise. There is no sense of accomplishment and serious loss. It is difficult to improve the level of printing technology.

3.Countermeasures to improve the level of printing color matching

3.1 Printing and dyeing enterprises have printing and dyeing. We must change the view of focusing on dyeing and neglecting printing. We must attach importance to the training and use of printing color matching talents. Only in this way can the development of printing color matching technology be steadily improved.

3.2 Strengthen the basic management of printing color matching:

3.2.1 The measurement work should be implemented, especially the color matching and weighing process. The operation accuracy is very important, otherwise it is empty talk to improve the printing color matching level.

3.2.2 Standardize the management of printing formula. The technical data must be recorded truthfully.

3.2.3 The printing formula is adjusted by the technicians first, and then the materials are weighed to prevent the adjustment of data after adding materials for testing. This will easily lead to the misguided printing color matching, waste a lot of manpower, material and financial resources, and increase the printing cost.

3.3 The printing color matching and printing process technology are highly unified. The overall technical level of printing is greatly improved.

3.4 Strengthen the exchange of printing color matching technology. Prevent technical conservatism, which is conducive to the improvement of color matching technology and ensure the improvement of printing quality.

4.Printing color matching technology training is to improve printing

4.1 Basic requirements for printing color matching personnel

The human eye's sensitivity to color reaches the PPM level, that is, it can distinguish a slight difference. Therefore, the color can be adjusted to be very similar in color matching. If the color sensitivity test is conducted on the color matching personnel of the printing, the color matching personnel will have advanced color discrimination ability. Then the color matching theory and operation training will be strengthened, so that the color matching level will be improved quickly.

4.2 Color matching theory training

The most basic knowledge of printing and dyeing disciplines, such as fiber, cloth, dye, surfactant, dyeing process theory, light and color, color matching theory, etc.; color matching operation knowledge, such as basic single color samples, single color conversion of the same color system, color matching training of color matching principle diagram, etc. Master the hue, color light, strength, coloring performance of dyes, so as to describe the color in words, such as hue, light, medium, dark, bright, color light yellowish, reddish, blueish, and quantify the color difference; color matching skills knowledge, such as direction, strength, color light, color change, etc., necessary printing knowledge. Color matching skills should achieve accurate and fast color matching. Improve printing production efficiency.

4.3 Printing color matching has something in common with playing billiards

Printing color matching is extremely complicated, but it is similar to playing billiards. The purpose of the first shot in billiards is to make the ball as close to the target as possible. The second shot may go into the hole as long as the direction and strength are controlled, but it is difficult. If the second shot cannot go in, it will lay the foundation for the third shot. The third shot can be successful by fine-tuning the second shot. Printing color matching first gives a standard color. The color matching personnel give the first party based on the reference sample or experience. After the first party is matched, the second party is given after comprehensive consideration towards the standard color target. The second party color may pass, but if it still does not pass, the third party will be opened for the standard color. After matching, 85% to 90% can reach the standard color.

4.4 Efficient training of printing color matching skills

4.4.1 Color three-dimensional perception training

First. To find a number of representative printing colors, the printing formula must be accurate, with certain technical difficulties and a full range of printing varieties, so that all colorists can analyze them; secondly, let the colorists distinguish the relationship between these colors red, yellow, blue and gray. For example, we often use printing formulas to distinguish the proportion of red, yellow, blue and gray according to 1000 units; finally, let the colorists write the printing formula without looking at the formula but only at the color. Then conduct accuracy and possibility analysis.

Use color three-dimensional sense training. It only takes a short time to greatly improve the color matching level, but it is unstable.

4.4.2 Strengthening color matching technology skills

Use unproduced printing color samples to let the colorists give the first party first, and after color matching, adjust the second party against the standard color. Then give the third party against the standard color to meet the color requirements. This kind of enhanced training also takes a short time, but the color matching level is relatively stable, and the effect of adjusting the color difference of printing is very obvious, and finally the color matching is fast and accurate.

5.Conclusion

Printing color matching technology is a more complex technical system. We should solve the corresponding technical and management problems at every link from the generation of printing color adjustment problems to their improvement and enhancement. At the same time, we should also manage people, dyes, printing machines, printing customers, etc., and find out the corresponding rules. In this way, the printing color adjustment technology will be greatly improved, thereby promoting the development of printing products towards high-end, high-quality and high-efficiency delivery, and improving the economic benefits of the printing industry.

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