Integrating Handheld Spectrophotometers into Automated Color Control Systems for Offset Printing

Integration of handheld spectrophotometers into automated color control systems for offset printing no longer has to break the bank. The PressLink has 3 different configurations, each with different price points, which opens the door to closed loop color control for all. PressLink Basic utilizes the SpectroDens, which is an entirely handheld device. The PressLink Advanced utilizes the SpectroJet, which is a spectrophotometer that can be manually pushed on a track or used as a handheld…

Evaluating the Total Cost of Ownership for Handheld Spectrophotometers in High-Volume Print Environments

High-print volume environments require precision, accuracy, and control. Handheld spectrophotometers offer all this and can automate your color control process. When considering investing in a handheld spectrophotometer, it is crucial to evaluate the total cost of ownership; from purchase price to maintenance and operational efficiencies. Why Choose a Handheld Spectrophotometer for color control in Printing Operations? Handheld spectrophotometers offer a range of functions and benefits to press operators who are looking for accuracy and consistency…

What is a Spectrophotometer and How Does It Work?

A spectrophotometer is an instrument that is used by printers to ensure that the colors they are printing are consistent with brand standards, across different locations, materials, and utilizing different printing processes. Spectrophotometers have the ability to measure Delta E, or the difference between 2 colors. The spectrophotometer works by utilizing a white light source (LED or incandescent) that illuminates the desired measurement location and reflects light which is then separated by either a diffraction…

The Role of Handheld Spectrophotometers in Streamlining Color Quality Assurance for Packaging

Spectrophotometers are tools that printers use to ensure quality as well as consistency in their products. Spectrophotometers are commonly used in printing and packaging to ensure consistency and help maintain a brand’s identity while still complying with industry standards. The most common use of the spectrophotometer is to determine the Delta E, or the difference between two colors. This is primarily used in printing and packaging, as packaging can be made up of many different…

What is a SpectroDensitometer?

Color reflection densitometers have been used for many years in the graphic communications and printing industry and are likely the most widely adopted type of color measurement instrument for process control especially when dealing with four-color process (CMYK) printing. In the 1990’s, instruments began to be utilized that, while providing densitometric information, were referred to as “SpectroDensitometers.” This has led to confusion by some and has been regarded as hyperbolic marketing by others. This stems…

Should I Use a Color Densitometer or Color Spectrophotometer in My Pressroom?

Should I Use a Densitometer or Spectrophotometer in My Pressroom – this a question we hear all the time from printers across all segments of the industry. While the densitometer has been around for many years and has been widely adopted, there is no doubt that the momentum has now shifted towards using spectrophotometers in the pressroom. Today’s pressroom spectrophotometers (sometimes called “spectro-densitometers”), offer all of the capabilities of a densitometer and also have the…

What are M0, M1, M2, M3 Measuring Mode Settings

The 4 Different Measuring Mode Settings In accordance with the ISO 13655 standard, the “M” series of measuring mode settings were defined in order to standardize illumination conditions where optical brightening agents are utilized in substrates. The following is designed as a quick reference chart of the 4 different measuring mode settings within the “M” series. M0 “Color measuring mode A” spectral luminance factor without polarization filter under a light source that simulates standard illuminant…

Have You Fallen Behind on Your Device Recertifications?

The device recertification process for a densitometer or spectrophotometer ensures that your device is functioning properly and meets our strict international standards. We recommend it be evaluated every 12 months at a Techkon Service Center. This preventative maintenance is critical to keeping your equipment performing at optimum levels and will help avoid sudden and unexpected interruptions on the pressroom floor. Properly maintaining your equipment helps ensure the accuracy of your color measurements while also extending…

3 Reasons Why Packaging Printers Love SpectroDens

When our Director of Marketing asked me for a blog this week titled “3 Reasons Why Packaging Printers Love SpectroDens”, I shot her a curious look (via my webcam) and replied “you must joking”. How can I possibly whittle down all of the pros of the SpectroDens to a list of only 3 things? However, after some quick reflection on this idea, I have decided to give it my best shot. Although, at this point,…

Does Your Pressroom Densitometer or Spectrophotometer Have an Expiration Date?

Does Your Pressroom Densitometer or Spectrophotometer Have an Expiration Date? The short answer to this question is “no”. However, while there is no real expiration date on your measurement device, there are a few important factors to consider regarding the efficacy of older pressroom color measurement instruments. Just consider how the print market has changed and matured over the last 10 years or even the last 5 years. Do you really think your old densitometer…

Quantum Group Chooses the Techkon SpectroDens

Quantum Group states “We elevate digital printing and offset printing and set the standard for color and quality” which is precisely why they continue to invest in the latest printing technology. A look at their About Us page reveals that they started in 1992 as a high-quality commercial sheet-fed printer and are continuing to evolve into a single source communications partner. Quantum Groups’ high-tech presses can execute a complete range of print runs, from small…

An Affordable Scanning Solution for Printers

Techkon recently announced a brand new solution aimed at budget conscious printers looking for a scanning solution that allows them to see a visual representation of the results displayed by ink zone and printing units. The solution utilizes the SpectroDens Handheld & Scanning Spectro-Densitometer in combination with Techkon’s Expresso software and serves a real need in the sheetfed offset market. Techkon has a long history of listening to their customers and coming up with solutions to meet…

Viewing Density Trends with Expresso Mini

ExPresso Mini is a SpectroDENS feature that shows print density trends as a bar graph. Press operators can use this capability to track trends across multiple sheets or across the press width. It is a simple tool to help maintain print uniformity. STEP 1: Use the up/down arrow buttons on SpectroDENS to select the Measurements Function menu on (bottom left menu). Scroll through the menu and select the Expresso Mini function. Expresso Mini displays results…

Densitometer and Spectrophotometer: A Functional Comparison

In deciding on the appropriate color measurement instrumentation, it is essential that you understand the operational characteristics, functional comparisons, and intricacies of both the densitometer and spectrophotometer. This is best communicated in the in-depth instrument descriptions of the densitometer and spectrophotometer below. Densitometer Density is a measure of the absorbance of an ink at specific wavelengths of light. As an example, yellow ink has a maximum absorbance in the blue region, so its density is…

Densitometers and Spectrophotometers

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