Find in this article the settings specific to the HosonSoft driver.

To learn more about creating and editing printers, read this article.

To learn more about creating and editing presets, read this article.

Specifications

HosonSoft website

Output method

Print file format

Generated print files are in PRN format.

Driver history

Peripherals configuration

Printer peripheral with a file output method

Output folder

Click the folder icon to select the folder where generated print files are saved.

You can save output files to local folders, removable drives, and network locations. On Windows, network output folders must use mapped drive paths, such as Z:\Images\Output. UNC paths are not yet supported for output folders.

Preview format

In addition to the print file, you can generate a preview file. This lets you preview the image and enables the controller to display an image thumbnail.

You can choose between:

• BMP
• PNG
• TIFF

Width/Height max size

Set the maximum preview-file size in pixels. The value applies to the longest side of the image, whether width or height.

Printer peripheral with TCP/IP output method

Hostname or IP address

Enter the hostname or IP address of the workstation running the printer controller. Using the IP address is recommended.

Data port

Enter the data port used by the workstation running the printer controller. The default port is 9100, but it can be changed on the workstation.

Inkset peripheral

CustomInkset

The driver includes a default inkset, representing the printer’s minimum supported ink configuration. 

If your license allows it, you can customize this inkset by adding, removing, or rearranging inks across channels to create a configuration that matches your setup. Click Edit to open the Ink Channel Configuration wizard.

Ink Channel Configuration

Available in Caldera Direct-to-X RIP v2.3.x (and later).

The Ink Channel Configuration window allows you to define and verify the mapping between software-defined ink channels and the physical printhead configuration:

• Channel Mapping: Add, remove, or drag inks to match the order of the printer’s physical ink channels. Up to 13 ink slots can be configured. Each slot represents a numbered position and displays the assigned ink with a colored drop and label (for example, C, M, Y, K).

• Ink Order Check: A verification pattern can be printed to confirm that the configured ink order matches the actual printer output. The panel on the right shows the currently selected:

    Info

  Printing a test target requires an existing device with a preset.

  • Printer
  • Media
  • Preset 
  • Print test target: Once your device is set up, click this button to generate the ink order check pattern using the active configuration.
• Actions:
  • Save: Apply the current ink channel configuration.
  • Cancel: Close the window without saving changes.

Possible Error Message

• Ink mismatch: Displays a warning if the inks defined in the preset do not match the current ink configuration. The message specifies the missing slots and indicates which inks will be used to print the verification pattern.

Main settings

At the preset level.

Resolution X/Y

Set the horizontal and vertical resolution of the output print file in DPI.

Colors

Available color modes depend on the inkset configured at the device level.

Color separation

If you are using extra inks, this setting defines the ink distribution strategy between standard and extra inks. No need to define a color profile (see info below).

Select a strategy that combines ink distribution with black distribution.

Ink distribution

• Standard separation v4.1: Standard distribution

Black distribution

• GCR1 (Gray Color Replacement): For gray colors, if the black ink rate is less than 20%, it is replaced with a combination of cyan, magenta, and yellow ink. Often used with a printer that does not contain gray ink.
• Black only: Neutral colors are made up of black ink only. Used with a printer that contains black ink with a nice density and very neutral.

Bits per plane

Set the color depth of the output print file based on the number of ink drops. Higher values can produce deeper colors.

This setting is linked to Tone type; some combinations are not compatible.

Tone type

 Select the tone type required by your printer:

• Halftone: The RIP converts the image from contone to halftone. Select this option if the printer cannot perform this conversion.
• Contone: The printer controller converts the image from contone to halftone.

Bidirection

• On: Prints in both directions. This is faster but may be less accurate.
• Off: Prints in one direction. This is slower but may be more accurate.

Passes

Set the number of nozzle passes needed to print a series of images. More passes can improve print quality but increase printing time.

Speed

It is recommended to leave this value at 1, which corresponds to the printer’s normal speed. Higher values can reduce print accuracy.

Other settings

See: Configure a preset

Tips & Tricks

On the HosonSoft controller, there is no Print mode associated to the print file 

Each controller allows you to define a "valid" list of resolutions and overwrites the number of passes according to it.

1. On the HosonSoft controller, go to Advance > Rip Print to display the list of accepted resolutions.

   

2. In parallel, on Caldera's software, go to the HosonSoft printer driver and open the preset you are using.
3. Check if the defined resolution exists in the list of accepted resolutions on the controller.
4. The HosonSoft controller does not accept Contone mode: also check that you have specified a halftone Tone type and an appropriate number of Bits per plane. 2 bits is the usual.

On the HosonSoft controller, the preview is incorrect

If you try to open a job in the HosonSoft controller before it is completely generated, the preview will be overwritten by the controller and will mostly be incorrect.

Wait for a job to be completely generated before opening it in HosonSoft to avoid blank, incomplete, or badly scaled previews.