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How to use the Sandwich Quality Mode?

Updated

The following information applies to various HP Latex models. Please refer to your printer's specific documentation for details on compatibility.

The "Sandwich" mode allows you to print one or two additional layers of ink on the top or bottom of either side A or B, depending on your production needs:

Sandwich mode uses CalderaRIP’s Multilayer Manager, however, some limitations apply.

  Info

If you are using an old version of your printer driver, pay close attention to the page size because both sides must be the same size. You can use templates to ensure consistent sizing. This limitation has been improved in recent versions.

 

Pre-requisites

In this article, we will use:

  • A PDF file (City_WINTER_WhiteSpot.pdf) that contains a "White" spot
  • We will print this file on a substrate named "My custom film", which is compatible with the "Sandwich" quality modes.

  Info

To be able to use the "sandwich" quality mode from the Print Module of CalderaRIP, you first need to create a new substrate or custom media using a printer panel. If you do not know how to do this, or which qualities are compatible with which media, please refer directly to your printer's documentation or HP's support site. 

 

Sandwich quality modes

There are 2 "sandwich" quality modes compatible with these printers:

  3 layers (3L) 5 layers (5L)
Configuration
  • Side A configuration: Color / White
  • Side B configuration: Color
  • Side A configuration => Color / White
  • Side B configuration => Color

  Info

Using this mode, the printer will generate a Black layer in between the 2 White layers.
The Black layer number 3 and the White layer number 4, are created automatically by the printer based on the White data used to print layer number 2.
Result
(Layers order)
 
  • 3. Color
  • 2. White
  • 1. Color
  • Substrate
  • 5. Color
  • 4. White (managed by the printer - same as layer number 2)
  • 3. Black (managed by the printer- based on layer number 2)
  • 2. White
  • 1. Color
  • Substrate

 

Steps to use a Sandwich Quality Mode

There are 4 steps to follow to be able to print a job with the "sandwich" quality mode (3L or 5L) using the Print module of CalderaRIP:

 

Load the file (Optional, if not already done)

  1. Open the FileManager module.
  2. Load the PDF file City_WINTER_WhiteSpot.pdf to CalderaRIP:Fileman_650px.png

 

Layers management configuration

  1. Launch the Print module interface.
  2. Select the Media named "My custom film".
  3. Select a supported Resolution (e.g. 600).
  4. Select Layers management as below (1) and click on Add (2) to generate the "sandwich" print sequence: 01.Add_layer_copy_650px.png02.Add layer Sandwich.png

 

Side A Configuration: Color 1 / White

  1. Select the Layer 1-1: Sandwich (Side A) (2).
  2. Select the Quality compatible with Side A (SA) (1).
  3. Drag & Drop the file (Side A) from the ImageBar to the Print module.
  4. Then, select the Page Setup (3).
  5. In the Main tab, configure your Image size and position (4) (5): 03.SideA main tab copy 2.png
  6. In the White tab, Enable Separation and choose any Method (e.g. Use a Spot Color (1)):

When Auto-detection mode is enabled. As soon as a "White" spot is detected, the separation Method will be set to "Use a Spot Color" by default.

White_tab_650px.png

 

Side B Configuration: Color 2

  1. Select the Layer 1-2: Sandwich (Side B) (1) and the Quality compatible with Side B (SB) (2). 
  2. Drag & Drop the file (Side B) from the ImageBar to the Print module.
  3. Select the Page Setup (3).
  4. In the Main tab, configure your Image size and position (4) (5): 05.SideB main tab copy 2.png
  5. In the White tab, Disable Separation (1): 06.SideB_white_tab_copy_650px.png

 

Printing process

  1. Launch the printing process. Click on Print: Print process copy.png
  2. You can check the current running process, using the Spooler.
  3. The "Optimizing process" starts automatically as soon as you hit the Print button and it is visible in the Spooler: 08.SideB_spooler_computation_650px.png
     
  4. Job is processing... 09.SideAB spooler processing.png
     
  5. The Job has been printed and it is finished. Details about Sandwich quality mode Side A are visible.
  6. You can use the arrows under the job preview to choose Layer 1-1 or Layer 1-2. 10.printed_job_-SideA_spooler_650px.png
     
  7. The job has been printed and it is finished. Details about Sandwich quality mode Side B are visible. You can use the Arrows under the job preview to choose Layer 1-1 or Layer 1-2. 11.printed_job_-SideB_spooler_650px.png

 

CutContour cases

If your File contains a CutContour, follow these steps: 

  1. Select the Fill a Contour method. In the Contour field, select CutContour:

     
  2. If you want to print white on the whole layer: select the Full Page coverage method.
     
  3. If you want to print white only where there are colors: select Generate from CMYK data as the method and Generate where there is some ink computation. Using this method you will keep transparent parts:

     
  4. Then, set the printing configuration of your side B and select a quality that has an SB suffix plus the side B in the multilayer selection.
  5. If the combination you have selected does not have a profile, menus will turn RED.
     
  6. Drag and drop your image from the Image Bar to your Print module.
  7. Open the Page Setup window and go to the White tab to disable the white.
  8. Go to the Spooler to see the status of your MultiLayer printing.

 

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