Premedia & Printer Requirements | Quality Control Best Practices

09 May 2023

Similar to other print parameters monitored throughout a press run, Digimarc Barcode should be validated at regular intervals. For example, variables like color, ink density, dot gain, registration and image quality can potentially impact Digimarc Barcode performance. Digimarc provides a toolset to the printer along with best practices for validating and verifying Digimarc Barcode in print production.

Watch the Printer Quality Control video series to gain a deeper understanding of how to use Digimarc tools to perform the required quality control checks and data validation when printing jobs with Digimarc Barcode.

NOTICE: Digimarc Barcode applies product codes to individual design elements and color separations. Do not mix with similar files or plates, even on comparable jobs with common elements, as this may create a data accuracy problem in which multiple GTINs could be present, causing the package to scan improperly.

PROOFING AND PREPRESS

• The final 1-up plating file is run through Digimarc Verify – Desktop (Mac and Windows) and a generated enhancement report is then made available for prepress and print production QC analysis and approval.

• The Digimarc Barcode signal pattern can become visible in flat design areas and in spot color applications, thus impacting the visual appearance of certain colors. Digimarc Barcode does not impact the ∆E measurement taken from the color control strip, so these colors should be held in tolerance. Digital or physical proofs representing the intended ICC profile, Reference Print Condition, and/or CXF Spot Color spectral data of the target print environment are required to gauge the potential design impacts.

• When using common printing plates, it is important to include the Digimarc Control Icon (DCI) into the print control targets of the job for visual confirmation after platemaking and mounting to ensure that no elements are inconsistent between plates. Check out the Digimarc QC Details Legend page for more information.

• Digimarc Barcode artwork information and specifications are added to the legend of the contract proof provided to the print production. Digimarc has defined a Digimarc QC Details Legend, which is intended to be used for contract proofs. The Digimarc QC Details Legend defines separations and basic details important to successful printing of Digimarc Barcode.

• The Digimarc Verify – Mobile app (iOS and Android) can be used with the Enhancement Report to QC printer proofs to confirm/verify data accuracy between the traditional 1D barcode (EAN/UPC) and Digimarc Barcode. The Enhancement Report includes a map of Validation Points, or areas which should be scanned with the Digimarc Verify app.

• Digimarc Verify - Desktop also features Application Ratings, an easy-to-understand, 5-star rating system that offers guidance about the package’s suitability for a specific use. By using Digimarc Verify to scan the artwork enhanced with Digimarc Barcode, you can understand the expected scanning performance for a variety of use cases.