Myth No. 2: Newer printers make printing simple
Since International Color Consortium (ICC) profiles are specific to printer/ink/RIP/media, it is likely the ink limits colour adjustments, and temperatures will be different from one print media brand to another.
The technology may have come a long way, but printing remains a challenging part of the digital printmaking process. There are various prerequisites to getting a job right, including knowledge of printer operation, raster image processor (RIP) software, colour management, International Color Consortium (ICC) profiles, and troubleshooting skills, along with a general awareness of printer operation protocols and proper cleaning techniques.
Incorrect printer settings are a common cause of printing issues when working with films. ICC profiles are designed to simplify
the process by providing the ideal printer calibrations for specific media, printer model, ink type, and ink configurations. Yet, ICC profiles must be updated frequently as new technology emerges or further testing shows
a different setting yields better results. Print media manufacturers work diligently to keep these profiles updated as quickly as possible. One must check frequently to ensure ICC profiles are up-to-date to avoid encountering any difficulties when printing on films.
Myth No. 3: Material providers can be swapped without changing much
While ensuring printability may be the key area of focus, one must not overlook the importance of choosing the right permanent, removable,
or long-term removable (LTR) adhesive for application.
The most common mistake sign shops make when they switch from one media manufacturer to another is not changing the profile and printer settings. Since ICC profiles are specific to printer/ink/RIP/media, it is likely the ink limits colour adjustments, and temperatures will be different from one print media brand to another.
Encountering image quality or drying issues is the first sign there is a printing problem and is the place to start when troubleshooting.
Very often, when incorrect profiles are used, the drying temperature is set too low. When the film is rolled up before the ink dries, the resulting print can have a mottled look. This typically happens when a film is glossier than products from another brand, but setting the correct (higher) drying temperatures can avoid this issue.
