This article provides a step-by-step guide for users of 240 Tech / OvalJet printers in Direct-to-Garment (DTG) workflows with CalderaRIP. It outlines the necessary steps to help you set up your DTG production effectively.
About the printer drivers
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OvalJet-DTG |
OvalJet3 |
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- Drivers are connected through the Nexio automation engine.
- The output from the first driver, along with its settings, is transferred to the second driver to generate printable output files.
- Profiling interactions are conducted with the Ovaljet-DTG driver.
- Ovaljet drivers support all sizes, resolutions, and output file settings.
- Please ensure you have the latest driver versions from the CalderaDock or WorkSpace.
About the DTG Workflow patch
- The “DTG workflow” patch connects the two Ovaljet drivers, which is essential for proper configuration.
- After installing the "Ovaljet3" and "Ovaljet-DTG" drivers, the "DTGworkflow" calpatch must be installed too:
Click here to download - The DTG workflow patch is compatible with CalderaRIP V13.1 (or later) and supports recent versions of macOS and Linux.
- Once the DTG calpatch file is run, a DTG QuickConfig will be added to the "Ovaljet3" driver. This QuickConfig ensures smooth operation through Nexio.
Info
When the DTG workflow patch is executed, it checks for an existing QuickConfig. If one is found, it will not create a new one, respecting the current QuickConfig in the driver.
Configure the DTG Workflow
Once the DTG workflow patch is installed, you can customize several variables through the files that were installed with the patch, such as output location, file naming, second-stage driver, and XML ticketing.
/private/etc/dtgwatch.conf
- The FINAL_DEST directory determines the output location for print-ready files.
- If the incoming files to the Ovaljet driver do not have unique names, set the PREPENDID value to 1. This allows CalderaRIP to generate unique names, preventing job overwrites.
- Setting APPENDRES to 1 will append (tag) the output resolution to the filename.
- If MAKEXMLTICKET is set to 1, an XML job ticket will be created. However, if it is set to 0, an XML ticket will still be generated when creating a swatch that does not use the DTG workflow.
Warning
If the output location is changed, ensure that the user has full read and write access to the output directory. On macOS Catalina and later, operating system permissions may restrict output to certain folders, such as network shares.
/private/etc/printersync
- SRCDRV The stage 1 driver where profiling will be done.
- DSTDRV The stage 2 driver, where media sizes and names will be cloned, and linearisation curves and ink limits moved during profiling.
/etc/tiffchoke.ini
The DTG workflow patch includes a configuration file named tiffchoke.ini. This file enables adjustments to the choke of the white layer, controlling how the spread and choke are managed. It utilizes edge detection to optimize color and white balance adjustments for improved results.
Info
The TIFF choke is effective only when there is color layered on top of white. If the image contains only white or only color, the TIFF choke will have no effect.
Manage profiles with EasyMedia
EasyMedia is the CalderaRIP wizard-based module that allows you to manage ICC profiles, guaranteeing accurate and consistent color reproduction.
Existing profiles can be imported using the EasyMedia module. The OvalJet 3 printer requires a media calpatch to be loaded on both stage 1 and stage 2 drivers.
Profiles must be loaded into each driver because the linearization stage takes place in the Ovaljet3 driver. Ovaljet2 profiles are compatible with the Ovaljet3.
EasyMedia will allow the management of profiles by exporting and importing existing profiles.
A media calpatch for both the Ovaljet-DTG and the Ovaljet3 drivers is needed to achieve the correct output.
Continue through each driver and import the corresponding media .calpatch.
These same steps are taken for exporting the profile.
Linearization and profiling with EasyMedia
The two Ovaljet drivers are synchronized together, but some setup needs to be done manually when building the profile.
For more information, see the dedicated article: DTG Workflow Linearization in EasyMedia
Color Configuration
Embedded Profiles
Honoring embedded profiles is set by default. So, any color profile that is attached to the file will be honored.
Default Profiles
These are the profiles that will be used if the file does not have an embedded color profile.
Rendering Intents
The intents control how out-of-gamut colors are handled by applying a set of rules. These rules are to control how out-of-gamut colors will be reproduced on the printer.
OvalJet Color Configuration
Embedded Profiles
Honor embedded profiles will be selected. Since this is selected, the attached color profile will be honored during output. Honoring the embedded profile will help with color accuracy.
Default Profiles
When a profile is not attached to a file, CalderaRIP will use the profiles that are selected here. Selecting different profiles here will affect the outcome.
Rendering Intents
With the OvalJet, we want to produce excellent, pleasing, punchy, and beautiful colors. For this, we will set our rendering intent to Colorimetric. Setting the intent to Colorimetric will allow CalderaRIP to try and achieve all colors that are outside of the gamut.