Paper Structure Simulation
Use this advanced proofing feature to simulate the structure of materials with visible patterns such as recycled paper, corrugated cardboard, and textile on proof media.
Where can I activate the option Simulate Paper Structure?
- You can activate the option at the project level. The paper structure simulation will be automatically embedded within each proof profile created for this project, including dynamic profiling. You will find the option in the Proofing Condition group.
- You can also add a paper structure simulation directly to an already existing proof profile. Recalculation of the profile is not required. To do so, click the Edit button next to the profile name in the Finalize group and go to the Proofing tabbed page.
Paper structure simulation activated in the project.
After activating the option Simulate Paper Structure, you will need to select a Paper Pattern File. GMG OpenColor will embed the selected Paper Pattern File into the calculated profile. GMG ColorProof will print the proof without any additional file required.
Where can I find Paper Pattern Files?
The paper patterns are stored as *.pap files and are installed together with GMG ColorProof. Default path:
C:\Users\Public\GMG\ColorProof\Papers
Paper pattern sample files
| File name | Preview | Description |
|---|---|---|
| NewsLight.pap |
|
Examples for a newspaper texture. |
| Newsprint.pap |
|
Where can I get a paper pattern for my printing condition?
You can create your own custom paper pattern in an image editor of your choice, for example, Adobe Photoshop. GMG ColorExperts will also create custom paper patterns for you as a chargeable service. Please contact your local sales partner for more information.
Paper patterns are contone TIFF images, which will be saved with the file extension ".pap". They contain 5 channels—CMYK and an alpha channel.
The alpha channel creates the paper structure itself by controlling the brightness of the proof. You can capture the structure of a substrate sample using a high resolution scanner, for example. At a tone value of 50% in the alpha channel, the color value in the proof will be printed as it would be without paper structure simulation. Values below 50% will turn the printed colors brighter. Values above 50% will turn the printed colors darker.
The proof profile needs a paper tint for the alpha channel to have an effect. If the proof profile has no paper tint (CMYK=0,0,0,0), you will not see the pattern from the alpha channel in the proof.
Example: 1 is the original textile. 2 is the printed proof, with a paper structure simulation using only the alpha channel to simulate the weaving pattern. You can see that the alpha channel makes the proof brighter in some areas and darker in other areas.
With the CMYK channels, you can create an additional color pattern, which is generally not required, so you can leave the CMYK channels empty.
The document must be saved as a TIFF with the option LZW Image Compression selected. (ZIP and JPEG are not supported.) The maximum file size supported is 1.5 MB.
Advanced paper structure simulation settings
| Available options | Description |
|---|---|
| Simulation Intensity (%) | Intensity of the simulation. The intensity is only applied to the CMYK channels of the *.pap file, the alpha channel remains unaffected. This option will have no effect if you are not using the CMYK channels in the pap file. |
| Rotate Pattern (90°) | When this option is selected, the first printed pattern area uses the orientation from the pap file. When the next pattern area is printed, the CMYK color channels will be rotated by 90°. The rotation is repeated for each pattern area. The alpha channel will not be rotated. This option will have no effect if you are not using the CMYK channels in the pap file. |
| Increased Contrast for Cardboard | When this option is selected, the pattern defined in the pap file will be used to simulate a cardboard structure. |