Print White Ink Jobs

A. Printing a Multiple Layer Print Job with White Ink

Arizona Quality-Layered print mode is used to print white ink applications such as under-printing for non-white media, over-printing for backlit applications viewed 2^nd surface or as middle layer for a day-night application

Print modes other than Quality-Layered mode can also be used to print only white ink, or areas of white ink in an image as long as the ONYX media profile (media model) has been made with a CMYKSS ink configuration with spot colours defined.

NOTE

When you print white ink using a print mode other than Quality-Layered, we recommend that you don't print white ink in the same area of an image as CMYK inks. The white ink does not mix well with the other ink colours.

For Quality-Layered print mode jobs:

1. Create spot data in a design application.

   NOTE

   Not required if only printing white ink using a printer generated white flood or using the ONYX Spot Layer Tool to create spot data (step 3).

2. Open the job in ONYX workflow software using an ONYX media profile that has been made using the Quality-Layered print mode. (See section "White Ink and Varnish ONYX Media Profiles").

3. Create underlay or overlay spot data using the ONYX Spot Layer Tool.

   NOTE

   Not required if only printing white ink using a printer generated white flood or using spot data created in a design application (step 1).

4. If the desired layer definitions have not been predefined in the ONYX media profile or Quickset, select "Hold for Operator" prior to submitting the job to be printed (step 5), so that the job will not automatically be sent to the printer.

   Hold for Operator

5. Submit the print job (i.e., process/rip the job).

6. Define or verify the layer definitions prior to sending the job to the printer.

   NOTE

   Optional - not required if the layer definitions were correctly specified in the ONYX profile or quickset.

7. Send the job to the printer and then print it.

   NOTE

   To preview the layer order of the job on the printer, click Layers for the job in the printer software UI.

Configuring Quality-Layered Print Mode To Print White Ink

The Quality-Layered print mode can be used to print three, two, or one layer of image data or printer generated flood data. All layers are independent of each other.

Where to Define Layers

Quality-Layered layers are defined in ONYX media - mode options, but may be optionally overridden within a Quick Set - Media Options, and optionally overridden on a per job basis by modifying the printer settings of a processed job in RIP Queue - right click the job and edit print settings. Editing the print settings for a job displays the following dialogue:

Layer Definitions

The layers are identified as bottom, middle and top. The bottom layer is printed first (if it is not empty) and the top layer is printed last (if it is not empty).

Use the layer indicated to print the following white ink applications:

Under-printing white ink for non-white media

• Top - CMYK

• Middle - W (spot data or printer generated flood)

• Bottom – W (spot data or printer generated flood)

Over-printing white ink for backlit applications viewed 2^nd surface

• Top - W (spot data or printer generated flood)

• Middle - CMYK (mirrored)

• Bottom – CMYK (mirrored)

Print white ink for middle layer for a day-night application viewed 2^nd surface

• Top - CMYK (mirrored)

• Middle - W (spot data or printer generated flood)

• Bottom – CMYK (mirrored)

Each layer can be defined with one of the following choices:

• CMYK Data - CMYK image data
• White Spot Data – Print Spot 1 data with white ink
• White Flood Fill – Printer will generate flood data for the extent of the image data using the largest ink drop level
• Custom - Custom ink colour to data mapping and advanced options
• Empty

Custom Layer Definition

The "Custom" layer definition allows customer ink colour to data mapping and advanced options for the selecting the printer flood level or mirroring the data.

There are five colour channels: C,M,Y,K and W, and six data planes: C,M,Y,K,Spot 1, and Spot 2 data.

Each colour channel can be configured to print: nothing, any one of the six data planes, or have the printer generate flood data with a chosen drop level.

Example 1: White ink to be printed Spot 2 data

Example 2: White ink to be printed with printer generated drop level 4 (24 pl) data

B. Printing a Single Layer Print Job with White Ink

For print jobs that do not use Quality-Layered mode:

NOTE

When you print white ink with print modes other than Quality-Layered, it is not recommended to print white ink in the same area of an image as CMYK inks. The white ink does not mix well with the other ink colours.

1. Create spot data in a design application. (See section “How to Create Spot Data”)

2. Open the job in ONYX workflow software using any print mode other than Quality-Layered with an ONYX media profile that supports printing of white spot ink.(See section “White Ink and Varnish Media Profiles”)

3. Submit the print job (i.e., process/rip the job).

4. Send the job to the printer and then print it.