How to use the Ink Penetration Method?

This article provides details on the usage of the Ink Penetration method for textile applications that utilize an additional special ink to achieve saturation and coverage.

How does it work?

The "Ink Penetration" is a separation method introduced in CalderaRIP V10.2 that generates special ink values based on the underlying CMYK(XX) values. This method is specifically designed for textiles and should only be used with special inks named "Fillup" or "Penetration".

The "Ink Penetration" method balances the amount of primary inks and fill-up inks to ensure consistent coverage throughout the print. Below, you will find various application examples along with the corresponding changes in the preview for each option:

Penetration enabled Penetration disabled Other method enabled

 

"Fill up non-inked areas" enabled

 

"Hide background image" enabled

 

  Good to know

In the example above, we used the “Generate from CMYK data” separation method to test the preview and the output, using two different separation methods.

Manage a Penetration Ink

The Special Inks tab in the ServerAdmin module, available in CalderaRIP V11 and later versions, is designed for managing special inks, such as penetration inks, associated with printer drivers.

1. In the main interface of CalderaRIP, go to the "Settings" tab.
2. Click on ServerAdmin.
3. Select your printer.
4. Click the "Configure" button.
5. Go to the Special Inks tab.
6. If you are creating a new penetration ink from scratch, then click on "New".
7. If you want to edit or verify an existing penetration ink:
   • Select it.
   • Click on the "Edit" button.
8. Verify (or change) the ink type. It should be set to "Fillup":
   
9. Click OK and Proceed:
   • The administration password ("caldera") will be required.
   • Restart the printer driver to make the changes take effect.
10. Quit ServerAdmin.
11. Open the Print Module of your printer.
12. Click on Page Setup:
    
13. You will see, in the last part, a tab(s) corresponding to the newly created or edited penetration ink. Now you can manage the separation method as your production requires, and according to the examples given at the beginning of this article.

Linearize a Penetration Ink

1. In the main interface, go to the "Main" tab.
2. Click on EasyMedia.
3. Select your printer and go through the whole process of the media project until you reach the linearization part.
4. In the Standard Options tab > Printer, verify that the penetration ink is enabled. The Ink Name in the example below is "Transparent"
   

     Info

   Start with the Automatic setting to test the initial results. Modify the value, minimum, and boost settings based on the printed results and conditions.

5. Click OK when you are ready and continue with the calibration and the linearization process.

Useful links

• Custom Inkset (Overview)
• How to add a Custom Inkset? (For Spot Inks)
• ServerAdmin - Configure - Special Inks
• Spot Inks (Overview + all related articles to the left)
• EasyMedia (QuickStart)