Software to measure open area

[ScreenPrinter123]

In order to really try to mix just what we need for discharge, does a program exist that you can drop an image in at the size you're going to print and it tell you how much open area it is?  It doesn't have to be accurate, in the sense of being "true" - it just needs to be consistent so we can have some consistent standard to operate off of. If none exists (preferably an inexpensive one) what are you people waiting on? Make one!

[ScreenPrinter123]

Right after typing that, I was wondering if there is any feature in illustrator you can use after you've expanded the image since the selection is then precisely the dimensions of the image?

[Rockers]

If I understand your question right you are looking for a software that tells you the actual image and ink coverage, right?
In that case Astute Graphics Ink Quest software might be right for you

http://www.astutegraphics.com/products/inkquest/movies.html

InkQuest - Ink Coverage

It has an ink coverage tool and many more features screen printers need.

Hope that helps

[abchung]

I am not sure about my maths, because I just started working it out after reading your post.

Photoshop:
You can use histogram to find out the number of pixels selected. I just enter help to find where the histogram is.
Then you can divide the number of pixels by your image resolution twice.

For example:
Draw a square (8cm x 8 cm) and fill it black with an image resolution 300/inch (118/cm)
Go to histogram to get the number of pixels selected:  887364 pixels (approximately) (DO NOT FORGET TO REFRESH YOUR HISTOGRAM)
Then I divide 887364 by 118 then by 118 again.
This gives me an area of about 63.6 square cm.
So it is close enough for me.
Then I will go to the mesh chart to work out my ink deposit....

I hope it is correct.
Anthony

[ScreenPrinter123]

Thank you for your responses. We are mainly using illustrator, so I don't know if there is anything comparable in illy that you describe regarding photoshop, abchung?

Rockers - $108 isn't bad for that feature which seems like it would work, but I have to think there is something built into illy to discover the area of each film output. Will keep looking....

Thanks again.

[Rockers]

Try this one then
http://www.telegraphics.com.au/sw/product/patharea

[Gilligan]

Yo, check this out.
http://www.illustrationetc.com/AIbuds/JET_GetInfoScripts.zip

There is a script in there called JET_GetArea.. That might do it.

And there is:
http://www.illustratorhints.com/2010/03/area-of-an-irregular-object/

Don't thank me, think google.

[JBLUE]

Rutland used to have one but it is not very accurate. Learning how much to make comes with experience. Squeegee type, screen mesh, eom, squeegee angle, and off contact to name a few throw that all out of whack. If you could figure out all those variables you might be able to narrow it down. People have tried for many years and it does just not work in the real world.

[ScreenFoo]

Don't forget the substrate--nothing like piling some ink into a 1x1 rib tank...   

Great to nail down the fixed parts though--just to say 'x' amount of area times the run quantity equals so many gallons is a good audit to do every once in a while.

[ZooCity]

Quick and dirty for DC: 

[(length x width)/144] x 0.04= grams needed

Fudge it as you see fit for the art.  Don't forget you need 200-400g, depending on yer press, to work in the screen, evaporation happens and dc is often double stroked. The above usually allows for that and is based off a 15048 mesh.

I'm gonna get all over some of those astute plug ins now that they're offered a la carte.

[Binkspot]

There's an app for the i phone/pad called Ink Calc from the Screen Print Store that that gives a pretty close est of how much ink is needed for an image size and mesh count. It's not dead nuts on but gets you in the ball park. If you enter the L x W of the image it will give you the weight in kg of ink needed for w/b and plastisol, need to double it for a double stroke.

[pwalsh]

In order to really try to mix just what we need for discharge, does a program exist that you can drop an image in at the size you're going to print and it tell you how much open area it is?  It doesn't have to be accurate, in the sense of being "true" - it just needs to be consistent so we can have some consistent standard to operate off of. If none exists (preferably an inexpensive one) what are you people waiting on? Make one!

It’s unfortunate but you’re unlikely to find an accurate “Off-The-Shelf” ink coverage calculator due to the many variables such as type of garment, mesh, stencil profile, squeegee, and press set-up that exist in textile screen-printing.  With that said, the expense of mixing too much ink or the lost production that occurs from having to remix more ink part way through a run are two major issues that make it very important to have an accurate idea of ink consumption. 

From my perspective the most accurate way to get this information would be to conduct a controlled test by printing a 12” x 12” solid square on a range of different garments, with different mesh selections, and using one or two strokes. The garments would be weighed before, and then after printing (but before drying) to determine the wet ink weight.  This information could be entered into a simple matrix to establish the ink usage in grams required per 1 square foot at 100% coverage. 

Calculating the amount of ink for a specific job would just require the operator to review the total print size x the percent area of coverage to determine how many square feet of coverage were in each print.  Multiply this value times the number of garments, and add the amount of ink required to keep the screen flooded and you’d be on the way to an accurate estimate. If I get some time later this afternoon while the Dover race is on I’ll post an example of a spreadsheet ink calculation table.

[Gilligan]

There's an app for the i phone/pad called Ink Calc from the Screen Print Store that that gives a pretty close est of how much ink is needed for an image size and mesh count. It's not dead nuts on but gets you in the ball park. If you enter the L x W of the image it will give you the weight in kg of ink needed for w/b and plastisol, need to double it for a double stroke.

I don't know if this is available anymore, I looked last time you mentioned this and again just now.  Maybe I'm using the wrong term though.

[Binkspot]

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ink-calc-screen-printing/id379058226?mt=8

Maybe?

[Gilligan]

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ink-calc-screen-printing/id379058226?mt=8

Maybe?

They need to fix their keywords/tags, because a search for "ink calk" only found an epson app.

Thanks, though!