The HP 1000 Indigo is a sheet-fed CMYK direct-digital-offset printing press. By printing directly from a Macintosh or Windows file, the Indigo eliminates the need for film and printing plates. Trapping is also eliminated due to the Indigo's precise registration capabilities. Unlike other competing technologies, the Indigo uses an oil-based liquid ElectroInk rather than conventional dry-powdered toner to print an image. Fine ink particles suspended in a liquid are precisely deposited and instantly bonded to the paper's surface.
One of the main advantages of the HP 1000 Indigo printing is that every printed piece can be totally different from the previous one. For the first time, 100% variable content printing is now possible--in full color for any application that calls for different individual printed pieces. Printed content can now be controlled by data from a database or direct input from a web site.
The following applications are supported for output from the Indigo:
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Macintosh QuarkXPress PageMaker Illustrator Photoshop Indesign Freehand |
Windows QuarkXPress PageMaker Illustrator Photoshop Indesign CorelDraw |
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Maximum sheet size is 12x18 inches. Maximum image area is 11.6x17.2 inches including crop marks. This allows for a .125 inch bleed on an 11x17 inch page with cropmarks. If creating a document that can be stepped up - supply only one up size and we'll step and repeat it.
An Indigo printer driver is avaiable from iPrint Digital for the Windows platform. All Windows files must be created using the Indigo printer driver to avoid copy re-flow. No special printer driver is required for the Macintosh.
After a file has been pre-flighted and RIPed, a single print can be output as a press proof for approval. Archival of proofed file must be requested when the order is placed. iPrint Digital will archive files at no charge for 96 hours upon request. changes or corrections to the file require a re-RIP at full charge. File alterations can be made by iPrint Digital for an additional charge.
The entire Adobe font library for Macintosh and Windows is supported. Other Postscript Type 1 fonts and Truetype fonts must be supplied with the job.
Basic file pre-flighting is included with each Indigo job and consists of the following: - Verification that all non-supported fonts are supplied before proceeding with the job. - Verification that all imported graphics and images are supplied before proceeding with the job. - Verification that all imported graphics and images are of the proper file format, resolution, and mode. Basic file pre-flighting does not include trapping, knockouts, overprints, layout, alignment, or embedded graphics. These services are available for an additional charge. All jobs should be supplied with a composite laser proof or other proof and including a folding sample.
Imported graphics and images must be in CMYK and provided in TIFF, EPS, formats. Do not pre-separate or set screen angles or transfer functions when saving hi-res. Duotones created with PMS colors must be converted to CMYk and saved as a TIFF or EPS.
The Indigo's default line screen output is 175 lpi at normal resolution. Normal resolution is best for screens, solids, gradients, and most images. High resolution is best for designs with predominately fine type or images with very high detail. Images should be saved at 300 dpi for either resolution.
The Indigo uses the CMYk color model. All spot colors and Pantone colors are converted to CMYK process screen mixes. Please refer to a Pantone Solid to Process Color Chart as a guide.
Subtle blends and gradients tend to show some banding. To avoid this effect, create the blend or gradient in Photoshop using the Add Noise filter and save as a TIFF or EPS file. Set a value between 5 and 15, and check Monochromatic to avoid introducing randomly colored pixels. Optimal results are achieved when the blend or gradient is no more that 2-4 inches in width and has a tonal value of 50% or less.
A slight variation in image positioning can occur from sheet to sheet. All for 1/16 inch variation from front to back.
The Indigo automatically images single pages or item multiple-up. Place crop marks for ganged items such as individual business cards within the document manually. When ganging items that have a bleed, extend the image 1/8 inch beyond the crop marks. Allow a gutter of at least 1/4 inch between all items that bleed. More than 2 items on a sheet will require an additional cutting charge. iPrint Digital can impose items multiple-up for an additional charge. (Refer to figure 1.)
Because the sheet remains stationary on a rotating drum while each color is transferred, the Indigo has near-perfect image registration. Consequently, the need for trapping is almost non-existent. Files are processed as composite Postscript only. Composite Postscript does not consider separate colors as independent, and therefore disregards information used to create traps. Automatic trapping in programs such as PageMaker or QuarkXPress and Illustrator will be ignored by the Indigo. To obtain a denser black when using 100% black that overlays an image or underlying color, use the following formula to create a "custom" black color: 40% cyan, 20% magenta, 20% yellow, 100% black.