The Special Inks tab in the ServerAdmin module, available in CalderaRIP V11 and subsequent versions, is designed for managing special inks associated with printer drivers. This interface enables you to add, modify, and delete special ink configurations, as well as oversee global ink and spot color associations.
Special Inks (This Driver)
The upper section of the tab displays a list of special inks associated with the current printer driver. Each entry in the list includes the following attributes:
- Name: The identifier for the special ink.
- Ink Type: The classification of the ink.
Adjacent to the ink list, four action buttons are available:
- New: Opens a window to create a new special ink entry.
- Duplicate: Creates a copy of the selected special ink entry.
- Delete: Removes the selected special ink entry from the list.
- Edit: Opens a window to modify the selected special ink entry.
New/Edit buttons
When you select "New" or "Edit," a new window appears with the following fields:
-
Name: This is how the specific spot color tab will be named (in Page Setup).
Info
In the previous example, the spot color "Orange" is identified by the letter "O" on the printer controller. However, the exact naming convention used to reference the color may vary depending on the printer model. For example, some printers may use "Spot-1" or "1" instead of a letter.
To ensure accurate color identification, refer to your printer's documentation or perform tests to determine the correct naming convention for your specific printer. - Ink type: Select one from the pull-down menu (varnish, fillup, etc., or unknown).
- Color Name: Enter the name of the spot color in the original file that you want to associate with this spot color.
- Information: Enter the driver-specific details required for this spot color, such as experimental or controller settings.
- Preview Colors: Four numeric fields corresponding to the CMYK color model, allowing you to specify color values for each component.
Restore Default Inks
Located below the ink list, the "Restore Default Inks" button allows you to reset any changes made to the special inks. This action will delete all unsaved modifications and revert to the default ink settings.
Ink/Spot Color Associations (Global)
The lower section of the tab is dedicated to managing global ink and spot color associations.
This section mirrors the functionality of the upper part, featuring the same action buttons (New, Duplicate, Delete, Edit) but excluding the "Restore Default Inks" button.
You might be interested in reading:
- What is CustomInkset? (N-Color in CalderaRIP)
- How to add a Custom Inkset? (Includes the process for both process and spot inks)
Special Inks management in older versions
In previous versions of CalderaRIP, you could not directly edit special inks within the software. Instead, if you are using a version 11 or before, you need to manipulate the colorant file for each printer driver to create, duplicate, or edit special inks.
For instance, if the default ink set is changed from varnish to two whites, you can rename the page setup tabs for white and varnish separation:
Follow these steps to edit special inks for your printer driver:
Step 1: Stop the Printer Driver
- Open the Settings Tab in the ServerAdmin.
- Select the printer you wish to modify.
- Click on the Stop Server button to halt the printer driver from running.
Step 2: Access the Colorant File
- As an administrator (for example, using CalderaTools on Linux), navigate to the following directory: /opt/caldera/lib/DRIVERS/RES/
- Locate the colorant file for your specific printer. For example, for the Durst-Rho-600 printer driver, the file will be: Rho-600.colorants.txt
Step 3: Edit the Colorant File
- Open the Rho-600.colorants.txt file in a text editor.
- Identify the sections for the tabs you want to rename. For example, change the names of the "White" and "Varnish" tabs to "White_Under" and "White_Over."
Recommendation
Avoid using spaces in tab names; use underscores instead.
Step 4: Save Changes
- Save the changes to the Rho-600.colorants.txt file.
- Restart the printer driver in the ServerAdmin to apply the changes.
- Open it again to see the newly renamed tabs:
Info
If you require a more detailed tutorial or assistance with mapping the new spot colors to your printer, please refer to this article. While it is based on DGen/DGI printers and their penetration inks, the process is similar.