Spot Layer Tool

Spot Layer Tool
The Spot Layer Tool allows you to use Specialty Inks such as White ink. You can also use this tool for Knockouts. You can access this tool by clicking [Tools] in the Color Correction Tab and selecting [Spot Layer Tool]. Enable Spot Layer Generation [Enabling Spot Layer Generation] activates the available tools. Generation Options Generation Options determine the color of your mask and media. You can also use [Generation Options] to set your Knockout options. Set Mask - The [Mask] is the part of the image that will not be printed, setting the mask color is optional. The default mask color is white. If the image you are printing contains white data, you will need a different background color to use as your mask. To set the Mask Color: Click the Sample box to activate the color picker or use the drop down arrow to pick the color from the preview (Figure 2). Set Media Color - Setting the media color is optional and serves two purposes: If you want to preview the media color in Job Editor, you can set the media color either from the image or from the color dialog menu. If you want the media color from the image to show through the design, you must first define your fill options, then set the media color and define the [Media Color Handling] options as either “Spot Knockout” or “Full Knockout”. NOTE: The [Generation Options] are used in combination with the fill options, except when the [Media Color Handling] is set to “No Knockout”. If you want to auto-generate [Flood Fills], [Underlay Fill Opacity] or [Mask Fill Opacity] it is not always necessary to set a mask or media color to get the desired results. Media Color Handling - If you set a Media Color, you can choose one of three ways of handling that color: No Knockout, Spot Knockout, Full Knockout. No Knockout - If you’ve set a media color to help you visualize your output, choose this option. This will print the image and spot data with no knockout. Spot Knockout - If you select this option, RIP-Queue removes the spot data anywhere the image data matches the media color that you set. Use this option when you want to knockout the spot data but still print the image data that matches the media color. Full Knockout - If you select this option, RIP-Queue removes the spot data and the image data anywhere the image data matches the media color that you set. Use this option when you want to knockout the spot data and the image data, allowing the media to fully show through. Spot Channel This defines which spot channel you are working with and defaults to the first spot channel. Highlight Of A [Highlight] is the auto-generated layer for “Spot2” and it creates a fill in the image anywhere there is no data for “Spot1”. This option is only visible if your media has been configured for multiple spots. To create a highlight, change [Spot Channel] to “Spot2” because that is the one you’re working with and then change the [Highlight Of] to" Spot1". Then use the tools to customize your “Highlight of Spot1”. Flood Fill (Lock Sliders) This option sets the [Underlay] and [Mask fills] to 100% and locks them so that they are the same values. You can adjust the values using the sliders. This option auto-generates a flood fill for the entire image by combining the underlay and mask fills together. When you check this option, the underlay and mask fill sliders lock together and are set at 100%. You can change the opacity for the flood fill by moving either of the sliders. Underlay Fill Opacity This option auto-generates a fill in the selected spot channel where image data exists. The fill will be generated anywhere image data does not match the mask. For example, if your image is on a white background and the default (white) mask is used, this option will create a fill for all non-white data. Mask Fill Opacity This option generates a fill in the selected Spot Channel where mask data exists. The fill is generated anywhere the mask data matches the Mask Color. For example, if your image is on a white background and the default (white) mask is used, this option will create a fill for all white data. Fill Choke/Spread [Choke] reduces the outer edge of the underlay. If the printing image has the spot layer misaligned with the image, use [Choke] to make the spot layer smaller. [Spread] increases the outer edge of the underlay fill. Use [Spread] when you want a deliberate halo around the edge of your image. [Choke] and [Spread] work in tandem. Each mark on the slider represents 1 pixel width of choke or spread up to 10 pixels (+-). The actual preview in Job Editor is exaggerated from what is printed. This exaggerated display makes it easier for the user to see the results from moving the slider. Diffuse Edge This option creates a gradual transition from the underlay to the mask. The effect is a soft edge. Use this option when you want a gradual transition from the underlay to the mask to create a soft edge for the fill. Filter Once you’ve defined your settings, save them by exporting the filter to use on similar jobs. Filters are a global color correction that can be applied to Quick Sets to automate the printing process for multiple jobs that use the same settings.	Figure 1 Figure 2

The Spot Layer Tool allows you to use Specialty Inks such as White ink. You can also use this tool for Knockouts.

You can access this tool by clicking [Tools] in the Color Correction Tab and selecting [Spot Layer Tool].

[Enabling Spot Layer Generation] activates the available tools.

Generation Options

Generation Options determine the color of your mask and media. You can also use [Generation Options] to set your Knockout options.

Set Mask - The [Mask] is the part of the image that will not be printed, setting the mask color is optional. The default mask color is white. If the image you are printing contains white data, you will need a different background color to use as your mask.

To set the Mask Color: Click the Sample box to activate the color picker or use the drop down arrow to pick the color from the preview (Figure 2).

Set Media Color - Setting the media color is optional and serves two purposes:

If you want to preview the media color in Job Editor, you can set the media color either from the image or from the color dialog menu.
If you want the media color from the image to show through the design, you must first define your fill options, then set the media color and define the [Media Color Handling] options as either “Spot Knockout” or “Full Knockout”.
NOTE: The [Generation Options] are used in combination with the fill options, except when the [Media Color Handling] is set to “No Knockout”. If you want to auto-generate [Flood Fills], [Underlay Fill Opacity] or [Mask Fill Opacity] it is not always necessary to set a mask or media color to get the desired results.

Media Color Handling - If you set a Media Color, you can choose one of three ways of handling that color: No Knockout, Spot Knockout, Full Knockout.
- No Knockout - If you’ve set a media color to help you visualize your output, choose this option. This will print the image and spot data with no knockout.
- Spot Knockout - If you select this option, RIP-Queue removes the spot data anywhere the image data matches the media color that you set. Use this option when you want to knockout the spot data but still print the image data that matches the media color.
- Full Knockout - If you select this option, RIP-Queue removes the spot data and the image data anywhere the image data matches the media color that you set. Use this option when you want to knockout the spot data and the image data, allowing the media to fully show through.

Spot Channel

This defines which spot channel you are working with and defaults to the first spot channel.

Highlight Of

A [Highlight] is the auto-generated layer for “Spot2” and it creates a fill in the image anywhere there is no data for “Spot1”. This option is only visible if your media has been configured for multiple spots. To create a highlight, change [Spot Channel] to “Spot2” because that is the one you’re working with and then change the [Highlight Of] to" Spot1". Then use the tools to customize your “Highlight of Spot1”.

Flood Fill (Lock Sliders)

This option sets the [Underlay] and [Mask fills] to 100% and locks them so that they are the same values. You can adjust the values using the sliders. This option auto-generates a flood fill for the entire image by combining the underlay and mask fills together. When you check this option, the underlay and mask fill sliders lock together and are set at 100%. You can change the opacity for the flood fill by moving either of the sliders.

Underlay Fill Opacity

This option auto-generates a fill in the selected spot channel where image data exists. The fill will be generated anywhere image data does not match the mask. For example, if your image is on a white background and the default (white) mask is used, this option will create a fill for all non-white data.

Mask Fill Opacity

This option generates a fill in the selected Spot Channel where mask data exists. The fill is generated anywhere the mask data matches the Mask Color. For example, if your image is on a white background and the default (white) mask is used, this option will create a fill for all white data.

Fill Choke/Spread

[Choke] reduces the outer edge of the underlay. If the printing image has the spot layer misaligned with the image, use [Choke] to make the spot layer smaller.

[Spread] increases the outer edge of the underlay fill. Use [Spread] when you want a deliberate halo around the edge of your image.

[Choke] and [Spread] work in tandem. Each mark on the slider represents 1 pixel width of choke or spread up to 10 pixels (+-). The actual preview in Job Editor is exaggerated from what is printed. This exaggerated display makes it easier for the user to see the results from moving the slider.

Diffuse Edge

This option creates a gradual transition from the underlay to the mask. The effect is a soft edge. Use this option when you want a gradual transition from the underlay to the mask to create a soft edge for the fill.

Filter

Once you’ve defined your settings, save them by exporting the filter to use on similar jobs. Filters are a global color correction that can be applied to Quick Sets to automate the printing process for multiple jobs that use the same settings.

Figure 1

Figure 2