PRINT OFF for Sim process

[Dottonedan]

Participants needed for SIM PROCESS PRINT OFF.

I am wondering if we can get at least 3 people/shops with different presses to print my same set of separations. I had always wanted to see the differences. I'd like to see the results of my seps from 3 different shops.  We could do this 2 ways.

#1, For a TIGHTER comparison, have All three shops use the same number of screens/colors, mesh count, angle and dot shape. 7 colors on an auto.


#2, All three shops intended to be of different calibers. Meaning, 1 shop is a 6 color manual. Another is a 8 color auto and the 3rd is a 12 color auto.

I start out taking my mutli colored art file and separating it down to 12 colors, then 8 and then 6.
In this case, we know the 6 color on a manual is not going to match up to a 12 color done on an auto...but we've all wondered how well or how much different is that 6 color going to be from the multi colored auto.  Will it look 10% better or 40%?  What would be the difference with the 2 colors added and on an auto? 10% better or 60% better?

It would be an interesting experiment.  What test would you like to see?  Please vote in the POLL above and then we can try to get some shops to actually print for this experiment.

Once we have printed them, each printer can get a copy sent to each other and we can post pics.

[prozyan]

I personally think it would be more educational and informative for shops of varying size to take on the project.  If just shops with access to an auto, then it just becomes a basic print contest, especially if the equipment is somewhat equal.  While it is interesting to explore why one shop might be able to produce a superior print to another shop, it really isn't much more than an average run of the mill print contest.  However, if multiple shops take the challenge, ranging from manual to auto, then it is not only a print contest, but also something that could be used to point out the differences (aside from the obvious ones) between manual and auto shops.  It might even be fun to have each shop detail the process, going from set up and run time, so those differences can be explored as well. 

Great idea, Dan.   

[Big Frank Sports]

I print on a Manual machine and would like to see how it would print that way. An auto is in my future but won't be an 8 screen or higher due to money at the moment.

What I would love to see is how this all can be printed on a manual.

Frank

[tonypep]

I'm game..........might be interesting to compare and contrast std plastisol vs discharge. Depends on the seps though.
tp

[blue moon]

I say lets not stop with three! We can have more than one entry in each category. This is not a competition, but an evaluation.

The results can be analyzed and reported back. It would be a compare and contrast type of thing. So it might be a showcase for some, but a learning opportunity for others. There is always something to learn . . .

Anybody entering would get an honest feedback on how they are different from the others.

[killergraphics]

I would like to see how my Brown auto would compare, but I only have 6 opaques.

I could do the 6 color manual though.

[Denis Kolar]

I'm in for manual (If there is a newbie category:))

One color on white LOL

[inkman996]

I only have a 6 color auto but would love to try it. Biggest issue I see tho is color matching, we here do not use a mixing system, I think frm what little I know about sim is you need to mix colors. Correct?

[Dottonedan]

I only have a 6 color auto but would love to try it. Biggest issue I see tho is color matching, we here do not use a mixing system, I think from what little I know about sim is you need to mix colors. Correct?

Yes, or you can order the specific mixed pms inks from your ink supplier. It's more expensive but you can get PMS colors.
Why not mix your own inks?  Pierre has one of the more simpler mixing systems (if I can do it, you can) and it was pretty cheap I think.

P, chime in.

[tonypep]

Wilflex among others has the PMS colormatching in a free download. You just need to invest in the primary mixing colors and a rather cheap Acculab scale. No Brainer.

[inkman996]

We never had the need for mixing here since we never did sim or anything like that. A mixing system is something I want to upgrade to in time especially if the work requires it.

[blue moon]

I only have a 6 color auto but would love to try it. Biggest issue I see tho is color matching, we here do not use a mixing system, I think from what little I know about sim is you need to mix colors. Correct?

Yes, or you can order the specific mixed pms inks from your ink supplier. It's more expensive but you can get PMS colors.
Why not mix your own inks?  Pierre has one of the more simpler mixing systems (if I can do it, you can) and it was pretty cheap I think.

P, chime in.

I use Unimatch for my sim process and color matching. You can get a test kit from them with all the colors, some white and soft hand extender for $250 or so. It comes with a book with all the formulas and 14 different colors. You can download the software from their web page.
Many others offer similar systems, I just don't know if they have a sample starter kit that comes with everything  you need.
I went to Harbor Freight and bought the scale (good for 0.1g accuracy) for $15, so for under $300  you cna have a everything you need.

On the other hand, some basic colors can be mixed from the stuff you have in stock, just ask Matt (baloonguy)!

[Clark]

We never had the need for mixing here since we never did sim or anything like that. A mixing system is something I want to upgrade to in time especially if the work requires it.

We only run about 1-2 sim process a week, but very rarely does a job come in here that doesn't need several pantone matches.  It's so rare we use standard colors anymore, I've thought about just buying 5's of every MX base color and mixing every color for every job.  Would sure take up alot less room for ink!

[Orion]

CLark don't buy 5's of every MX color. We rarely use the magenta, violet, green, flo red and flo purple. Might want to get those in gallon containers, something to think about.

[Big Frank Sports]

Just to make it interesting - 230 mesh vs 305 mesh on a manual

frank