Tune2Print Software to Optimise Digital Images Enclosed in PDF Files
This white paper explains how Océ Tune2Print works. This is a software tool to enhance the images in a PDF file automatically, without user interaction.
It enables users to deal with the often variable quality of digital images, which is the result of widespread use of digital photography and low-cost desktop scanners. It also eliminates the need for individual image correction and retouching using a software application, which is time-consuming and requires some expertise. This white paper is part of a set of white papers to explain the Océ technologies and applications.
Enhancing digital images in print files Traditionally, images were optimised by a professional lithographer. Looking at the individual images, the lithographer determined the adjustments that had to be made to the images to give the best possible print results.
With the introduction of digital photography and low-cost desktop scanners, digital images can be supplied by anyone. As a result, the images that are enclosed in print files are of varying quality. Sometimes they can be very good, but often they need to be ‘retouched’ to get an acceptable print. This can be done manually, using applications like Adobe Photoshop, but it requires a lot of time and the right expertise to do so.
Océ Tune2Print allows the images in a PDF file to be enhanced automatically, without the need for user interaction.
How does Tune2Print work?
A key aspect of the Océ Tune2print software is the automatic analysis of each image with respect to a number of parameters that relate to print quality. Based on this analysis, the parameters of the enhancement algorithms are set.
This means that the image-enhancement algorithms used by the software are not applied as a batch job, with fixed settings for all images. The process of first estimating a number of imagequality parameters, and then enhancing an image based on this analysis, is comparable to the way professional lithographers work: they fine-tune the enhancement algorithms for each individual image. As a result, the enhancements will rarely have a negative effect on print quality
PDF: Supporting Document Interchange in the Collaborative Engineering Environment
1.”Electronic paper” and web-enabled document
interchanges
Adobe’s Portable Document Format (PDF) is rapidly gaining acceptance as a global standard file format for electronic document distribution, printing and archiving. Files in the PDF format serve as reliable “digital masters”: they are easy to exchange, view and print. Key to this acceptance is the fact that Adobe PDF files will consistently reproduce in full—both on-screen and when printed. The “look and feel” of the original document is maintained, including all the formatting, fonts, colours, embedded images and graphics of the file created by the original application. But unlike the original application file, the PDF document is platform-independent: it can be shared, viewed and printed by anyone using the Adobe® Acrobat® reader, which is freely available. To create PDF files, Adobe offers the complete Adobe® Acrobat® software package.
“Electronic paper”: a new class of documents While PDF was becoming widely used, the Internet was also gaining worldwide acceptance. Since then, the convergence of the web and PDF technologies has led to the widespread adoption of PDF as a reliable, universal standard for document display, printing and delivery via the Internet. Largely as a result of the acceptance of both PDF and the web, a new class of documents—“electronic paper”—has emerged. These are changing the nature of business communications, combining the benefits of the familiar printed page with the power of digital technology.
Initially PDF provided an integrated “view & print” solution for the office environment. This has now evolved and broadened in scope to “view & distribute”. Documents from any source can be converted and “captured” in PDF form, and can be viewed and reproduced correctly by anyone, anywhere, with any mainstream systems and printers. Throughout their use, PDF document files retain all the knowledge and content embedded in the original document, which is why they are ideal for enterprise-wide use.
Xerox Users Migration Scenario's
Océ White Paper: Xerox Users Migration Scenario's
Xerox Migration Strategy - Document Production
The Xerox Migration Strategy - Document Production targets replacement of Xerox Docutech 6100 series by Océ VarioPrint 2100 series (VarioPrint 2110/2100; mid to high volume) and Océ VarioPrint 5000 series (very high to ultra-high volume). This white paper focuses on the VarioPrint 2100 series.
Figure 1 shows the growth path Océ can offer to Xerox customers:
• Coexist: An Océ VarioPrint series is added to the Xerox DigiPath/FreeFlow Makeready workflow
• Replace: The complete Xerox DigiPath/FreeFlow Makeready and DocuTech workflow is replaced by Océ workflow
Customers will benefit most with the replacement scenario. In this way
• They move from proprietary (RDO) to open systems working with market standard formats (PDF and XML)
• They have maximum productivity gains throughout the complete workflow, from submission, acceptance, preparation, production up to finishing and archiving.
However, the replacement scenario is not in all cases the best strategy. The coexist scenario is preferred in case of:
• Sites with multiple DocuTech printers with different contract termination periods
• Large DocuTech sites, where Océ has to prove that the Océ VarioPrint is a solid replacement for the Xerox DocuTech
Media Facts, Hints and Tips for Media on Océ CPS Systems
Printing performance—and as a result the quality of finished documents—is strongly related to the media used. For this reason, media selection and use play an important role in meeting the everincreasing quality demands on professional colour printing.
This white paper provides an introduction to media properties and selection criteria, together with some tips in relation to the Océ CPS series colour printers.
This white paper is part of a set of white papers to explain the Océ technologies and applications. See also the white paper ‘Direct Imaging colour printing’.
1 Basic properties of paper
In the process of making paper, a lot of variables are used to produce specific types of paper. Adjusting these variables results in different properties of the paper that is produced.
1.1 Grain direction
The grain direction of a paper is the direction in which most of the fibres lie. During the papermaking process, the majority of the paper fibres are aligned in parallel. Depending on how the paper is cut to its final size, it will be either long grain (with the grain parallel to the longer dimension of the paper), or short grain (with the grain parallel to the shorter dimension of the paper). The standard is long grain for A4 and short grain for A3 paper. This is also the best grain direction for the paper path of the Océ CPS series printers when using A4 and A3 paper.
1.2 Stiffness
Stiffness refers to the rigidity, or bending resistance, of paper. Thicker papers are usually stiffer. In general, paper with a low gram weight is more likely to ‘bunch up’ or wrinkle in a printer, causing jams and misfeeds. Runnability can usually be improved by feeding lightweight paper with the grain direction the same as the feed direction. This reduces the chance of wrinkling because of a higher stiffness. When feeding heavier paper, the grain direction should be opposite to the feed direction. This results in lower stiffness and better runnability.
1.3 Weight/thickness
In most paper specifications, weight is a very important consideration. Heavier sheets are often thicker because they contain more fibres. These papers may be too thick or rigid to pass through the paper path of certain printers. They may also crack or blister when folded (even if scored).
Océ and Its Reuse and Recycling Practices A Class
This year Océ was nominated for 2 awards in the British prize for Green IT, one of which was for reuse:
“Reuse creates a constant stream of parts and units. The ability to reuse materials is an integral part of the Océ sustainability strategy. Not only does reuse save precious resources, it also minimizes landfill waste. Océ products are typically built for long, intensive use under difficult circumstances. Designers at Océ develop products with a total life cycle in mind. When a lease period for a machine (often between three to five years) comes to a close, a machine does not end up on the scrapheap, but is rejuvenated ready for reuse. Parts and modules are designed that are not type-specific and can be used in a broad range of different printing systems. These components are suitable for reuse as service parts and in new machines. Complete machines can also be refurbished and returned to market.”
Océ went on win the Editor’s Choice in the Green IT awards:
“Brian Wall, Editor of Green IT magazine, commended Océ for its sustainability ethos, which he pointed out had been running within the company long before the environment had become such a hot topic in the world. At the awards ceremony, he said: ‘Océ is a company that builds in sustainability and its staff apply that to how they deliver solutions to their customers. Océ deserves recognition and, in this case, the accolade of ‘Editor’s Choice’.”
Also, in early 2010 Océ was nominated for the Dutch national prize for sustainable innovation, Ei van Columbus (Columbus’ Egg). Every two years, small and large companies, social institutions, governments and educational bodies compete for this prize. Océ has been nominated in the category of “Sustainable Production” for “design for reuse”. Océ is being recognized for its work today, while it has been a leader in its attitudes to people, planet and profit, long before receiving accolades at an international level. For the purposes of this white paper, the Océ products we mainly refer to will be printers. Indeed, a large portion of Océ output is in the form of prints or paper, but neither illustrate Océ’s reuse and recycling practices.
Halftone Screens Related to Quality Modes
In the colour mixing scheme of the Océ CPS800/CPS900, five classic halftone screens are selectable to optimise print quality for each document. A new dynamic colour mixing scheme has been added in the Océ CPS800/CPS900 Platinum. This reduces the graininess of lighter colours, minimises halftone screen visibility and improves sharpness.
This white paper describes the halftone screen selection, its effect on print quality and how to make the right choice for specific documents.
This white paper is part of a set of white papers to explain the Océ technologies and applications. See also the white papers ‘Selection of colour mixing schemes’, ‘Direct Imaging colour printing’ and ‘Océ Direct Imaging and Copy Press’.
1 Quality modes and halftone screens
Halftone screens create regular toner patterns on the paper, like the halftone screens in a newspaper. The fineness and size of the pattern determine the reproduction of details and uniformity. The screen selection enables users to optimise their documents for detail reproduction, uniformity, graininess or sharpness. The Océ CPS800/CPS900 R1 and R2 digital colour printers therefore offer five different quality modes, selectable by five halftone screens.
An extra quality mode has been added in the Océ CPS800/CPS900 Platinum digital colour printer. This mode consists of the dynamic colour mixing scheme with a fixed halftone screen for each colour. This new quality mode minimises the graininess in prints, reduces the visibility of halftone screening and enhances the sharpness and reproduction of details. This white paper describes the resulting six quality modes for the Océ CPS800/CPS900 Platinum.
Halftone screening is performed by the image-processing hardware in the print engine. A halftone screen mode is selected for all colours and for the complete document. The halftone screens differ in angle and frequency. The screen frequency is defined as the number of screen lines per inch (lpi). The screen angle is defined as the angle between the screen lines and the direction of the paper transport. Zero degrees means a screen line along the direction of the paper transport.
CMYK Colours Defined as K-only Printing K-only Data With Black Toner Only
1 Meaning of K-only data
In traditional full-colour offset printing, device CMYK data is used most of the time. These CMYK values directly represent the proportions of inks (cyan, magenta, yellow and black) used on top of each other in the print engine. This CMYK data is therefore directly related to the device-dependent inks used. For example to get reddish colours, magenta and yellow ink layers are used on top of each other. If a little cyan or black is added, the colour becomes darker.
A neutral colour can be achieved by mixing cyan, magenta and yellow ink layers. An alternative neutral colour can be achieved by using a single layer of black ink only. This means there are two traditional ways of generating a neutral colour. One of these is by using ‘CMYK’ data, meaning cyan, magenta, yellow and black inks, and the other is by using ‘K-only’ data, defined only by black ink with no cyan, magenta and yellow inks.
2 Advantages of K-only data
If CMYK data is used, the definition of the inks needs to be known and the correct inks must also be used. Neutral colours can be achieved by a mixture of cyan, magenta and yellow. Neutral colours are sensitive to the exact ratio of cyan, magenta and yellow inks and the colour definitions of these inks. In practice, the correct definitions or inks are not always used, and therefore the desired neutrality is not achieved.
Canon imageWARE Remote Technology/Security Whitepaper
About this Whitepaper
This document is intended for IT administrators who would like to study the security features, system architecture and network impact of Canon U.S.A.’s imageWARE Remote service.
This document is NOT confidential.
About imageWARE Remote
imageWARE Remote is a service developed by Canon Inc. that is being made available to Canon U.S.A.’s dealers and service providers, enabling them to provide better service to their customers.
imageWARE Remote consists of two components: imageWARE Remote Meter Reading (collects meter reads automatically from enabled imageRUNNER devices) and imageWARE Remote Service Monitor (provides information about device status, error notifications and statistics about parts lifetime and consumables). Both services use the same underlying technology
- either eRDS (embedded Remote Diagnostic System), or RDS Plug-in (imageWARE Enterprise Management Console Remote Diagnostic System Plug-in) to capture device information and transmit such information to a server managed by Canon Inc. via the Internet, where it is accessible by the service provider via a web interface (the Canon Inc. Universal Gateway or “UGW”).
The RDS Plug-in solution requires imageWARE Enterprise Management Console to be installed as a base operating platform and this requires a server to host the software.
The eRDS solution on the other hand does not require any additional hardware or software since the solution is already embedded within the imageRUNNER device.
Once activated, eRDS/RDS Plug-in will submit both meter readings and service information to the UGW. However, depending on the business model selected by the Service Provider, the UGW will allow for access of meter reading only (imageWARE Remote Meter Reading) or both meter reading and service information will be made available (imageWARE Remote Service Monitor).
Trends in Scanning and Plotting: What’s New—and Next
Forces Driving the GIS Evolution
The history of a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) dates back approximately 50 years to a time when thematic maps were either drawn or plotted onto translucent film. Long before the use of computer-generated digital maps were widespread, sheets of film were physically laid on top of each other, communicating more information than was ever possible with one single paper map. Creating film overlays depicting landforms, vegetation patterns or road structures was cumbersome and had limitations, even though the potential uses of geographic information were limitless. As GIS technology evolved to a digitally-based system, government agencies and universities were the initial adopters using mainframe computing systems. Today GIS usage is broadening as systems are increasingly PC-based.
GIS is being used by many organizations to save time, money and support better decision-making. For example:
Economic development can be facilitated by analyzing detailed demographic data: Economic Development departments for cities and states can assist businesses in their location planning by providing information about urban characteristics such as demographics, utility infrastructure and economic incentive zones. Mapping the multiple data sets to create a “Commercial Property Outline” saves time, money and supports better decision making.
Océ Driving Productivity
Executive Summary
Intense competition. Demand for immediate results. The steady growth of digital media. The print industry is in a state of flux and has been for some time. But even as market consolidation continues and customers use ink on paper in concert with alternate channels like email and the Internet, print is an important medium that is here to stay. With increasing competition for printed pages, how do commercial print shops and in-plants compete, survive, or even thrive in the new world of print?
Clearly, print providers can no longer rely on the same old solutions to handle the rising tide of new expectations and requests for increasingly complex jobs. Personalization is becoming a requirement in more documents as business shifts from a market-centric to a customer-centric model. Integrated marketing components are finding their way into
traditionally transactional documents. And customers are looking for instant turnaround on everything from quotes and proofs to production, reprints, and delivery.
Efficiency and productivity have taken center stage as critical requirements for success, and modern print providers must look beyond traditional tools, services, and cost-cutting measures to ensure their place in the future.
