Output Methods
Output Method / Machine / Paper ▸
Output Method : Here, you set the type of imaging source for your printing device, such as a file, plate, rubber block, etc. ‘Digital Print’ indicates that this layout will be used either to print on a digital printer or to first create an image on a film using an imagesetter or digital film printer, followed by a transfer to make a plate, block, or silk screen stencil. The ‘CTP Output’ mode is used for directly creating printing plates using a CTP machine.
Printing Machine : Here, you configure the printing machine to be used for printing the layout. You can choose from the built-in printing machine presets or create a custom preset by inputting your printing machine configurations if you cannot find a matching preset in the available list. It's essential to create new presets for each plate size. Easily generate a machine preset by entering the plate size, the starting margin of the imaging area from the bottom edge, and the minimum non-printable area required on the paper edge for the specific printing machine.
Plate Width / Height : Specify the width/height of the printing plate used with this printing machine. This field is only necessary for CTP mode.
Leading Edge Margin : Specify the distance from the bottom edge of the printing plate to the starting point of the printable area. This value is crucial for accurately positioning the final printing image on the plate. This field is only necessary in CTP mode.
Non Printable Area Height : A small area along the leading edge of the paper where the printer cannot print, as this space is used for the machine to grip the paper and move it inside the printer. Sometimes referred to as the paper gripper margin, gripper margin, or simply the gripper.
Signature Position on the Plate : Set the position of the signature on the plate. Choose 'On Gripper Side' for regular jobs and 'On Paper Centre' for work and tumble and perfecting jobs. You can also set a custom distance value from the bottom edge of the plate. Ensure that you select the same paper size in the layout and during printing.
Signature Align To : Choose the method for aligning the signature on the gripper margin. In the default mode, the bottom trim mark of the signature is positioned just above the non-printing gripper margin, with all bottom marks being printable. In 'Trim Marks to Gripper Margin' mode, the bottom trim mark of the signature is precisely placed on the minimum printable gripper area. 'Trim Marks to Bottom Paper Edge' mode positions the trim mark of the signature exactly on the paper edge.
Note: For creating a new printing machine, you need to setup plate gripper and non printable area height values. Check with your technical person for the correct specification of your printing machines.
Auto PDF Output Size : This option adds a margin of a specified size around the crop area of a signature. This margin will be used for outputting the layout, regardless of the printing paper size selected in the layout. It is particularly useful for outputting to film image setters or printing through digital printers, providing flexibility to position the layout freely during printing.
Slug Area Margin : This option adds a margin of a specified size around the crop area of a signature. This margin will be used for outputting the layout, regardless of the printing paper size selected in the layout. It is particularly useful for outputting to film image setters or printing through digital printers, providing flexibility to position the layout freely during printing.
Printing Paper Size : This field specifies the printing paper used for the final printing. In CTP mode, it is utilized to position layouts on the printing plate, while in Digital mode, it determines the PDF size when the 'Auto PDF Output Size' option is not enabled. You can select presets for standard sizes or enter values manually. Additionally, auto-generated suitable sizes can be chosen using the popup menu on the right side of this control in the signature settings window.
Paper Size Options Menu : Set paper sizes for the layout automatically. There are few auto size options also available in a popup arrow menu. They are self explanatory and named as ‘Suitable Paper Size’, ‘Trim Size’ and ‘Trim Size + Bleed’, ‘Trim Size + Slug Area’. There are few settings also available for the automatic selection named ‘Use Minimal Slug Area’ and ‘Search on Favourite Paper Sizes Only’.
Custom Total Crop Area (For Gang Run) : Allows you to manually set the effective total crop area for a signature. When creating layouts using gang run mode with different-sized pages, it is often necessary to resize the signature. This option enables you to specify the final crop size and the required slug margin around the layout pages. The coordinate origin of the Crop area box is always defined as the bottom-left corner of the signature.
Crop Size Options Menu : Set the custom crop size for the layout. There are few auto size options also available in a popup arrow menu. They are self explanatory and named as ‘Get Total Crop Sizes’, ‘Get Total Crop Sizes with Bleed’ and ‘Get Total Crop Sizes with Slug Area Margin’.
Auto Custom Crop Size : Automatically adjusts the custom crop size for gang-run jobs. When enabled, the custom crop size updates automatically when the page size or gang-run settings change.
Clip Area Margin: : This field enables you to specify the clipped slug margin around the custom crop area you entered in the 'manual crop area' field.
Front & Back Print Alignment : Allows you to reposition the entire contents of a signature. This option can be used to align front and back signatures on a digital printing machine. 'Shift X' values move the signature horizontally, and 'Shift Y' values move it vertically from its default positions.
Reset to Defaults.. : Discard all individual pagination settings including page numbers gaps and marks etc. and reset the layout to defaults.
More tips on plate & signature elements..
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