Computers and Software > Separation Programs
Ink Seps
xcelr8hard:
Is anybody using this?
https://www.inkseps.com/
I used the search function, but didn't find much.
What are your thoughts? I am just getting into raster seps. I have no experience with any of the automated sep programs.
Thanks,
Butch
Colin:
They make you upload a lossy format file.... Seps from jpegs and png's are sub optimal.
Also, there is nothing special about what they are doing compared to other sep programs. All of them are tools to get you closer to a workable image that you then need to spend time adjusting for best results.
Atownsend:
Looks like you have to use their ink set to make the seps work properly. I don't think that should be necessary... maybe I'm being cynical but it sounds like they want to sell some ink. If their seps were that great, they should work with any ink set so long as you can match the colors in the art. We use ultra seps which plugs into PS, I couldn't be happier. It does 90% of what we need it to do and then some. Even though we use a sep program, we also know our limits. If I know something is super complicated and is going to take me more than an hour or two, I send it out to a pro. Sometimes its best to have another set of experienced eyes look at a sep. You can also learn a lot from this, sometimes I see things engineered in ways that I would have overlooked, or I get an aha moment where, I see how something worked. Saving that time allows you to focus on the variables you can control. RIP / dot gain / density calibration for one, but also making sure the fundamentals of the print are in line, calibrated exposures, tension, EOM, press parameters etc.
zanegun08:
I like all new technologies like this, and web based is cool. I spent last night geeking out on the videos, it would be nicer if it wasn't trying to tie you into their ink system, and if you didn't have to use corel draw. Although while writing this post it seems they have a photoshop importer as well, but not sure if it does the interlocking halftone as they don't have a video on the site.
However, the interlocking haftone feature looks, I wish all rips had a way to achieve that with ease, you can do it in photoshop bitmaps but it is such a tedious process. But printing 100% ink coverage (though you need "perfect registration") seems better than the current industry standard of dots on dots.
The downside is it seems that you can't adjust much compared to photoshop, the separations it exports are greyscale png's so you could take those into photoshop and put them in channels and edit them like that. You can't pick a color not in their range of inks, but you don't necessarily have their exact inks, I bet you could simulate a close print with just using similar pantone colors.
--- Quote from: Colin on September 08, 2017, 08:56:13 AM ---They make you upload a lossy format file.... Seps from jpegs and png's are sub optimal.
--- End quote ---
I don't agree with this, a 300 DPI image at 100% scale I think would get the same results wether it a JPEG, PNG, TIFF, PSD. For one we are taking a 300 DPI and turning it into 45-70/80 LPI as an extreme, what little loss you may have becomes irrelevant once we halftone it and print it on a shirt.
--- Quote from: Colin on September 08, 2017, 08:56:13 AM ---Also, there is nothing special about what they are doing compared to other sep programs. All of them are tools to get you closer to a workable image that you then need to spend time adjusting for best results.
--- End quote ---
The interlocking halftone feature is something that is different than other systems, it's quick, and web based isn't a downside in my opinion as they can keep updating it on their end and you are always using the most up to date version.
It looks cool, we have Ultra Seps, a person who does it manually, but I still prefer to sub out as when we do it in house they always make tweaks and changes, and when we sub out (myseps, dottonedan, netseps), 95% of the time they run great with 0 screen changes and minor ink tweaks compared to our in house person and ultraseps.
As you can see I have tried many things, the inkseps looks cool, if they gave you pantone equivalents to print with instead of using their inks I think they could get more users, and then maybe people would just buy the stock inks if the system works good. I wouldn't want to invest in all the ink to not end up liking the separation system.
Colin:
--- Quote from: Colin on September 08, 2017, 08:56:13 AM ---They make you upload a lossy format file.... Seps from jpegs and png's are sub optimal.
--- End quote ---
I don't agree with this, a 300 DPI image at 100% scale I think would get the same results wether it a JPEG, PNG, TIFF, PSD. For one we are taking a 300 DPI and turning it into 45-70/80 LPI as an extreme, what little loss you may have becomes irrelevant once we halftone it and print it on a shirt.
--- Quote from: Colin on September 08, 2017, 08:56:13 AM ---Also, there is nothing special about what they are doing compared to other sep programs. All of them are tools to get you closer to a workable image that you then need to spend time adjusting for best results.
--- End quote ---
There is loss of detail and info in both your shadow areas and highlites when you convert to a lossy format. Been there, pulled my hair out trying to make it look right... This is why I now shave my head ;) . Lines are not as sharp... things are just fuzzy in comparison when you have an original image and seps to compare it to.
If you are pounding out design after design and don't have a need to care about details, then sure, it will work just fine for you. If you are a shop that cares about the details and gets paid for the details, then its not worth it.
I have worked with jpgs, png is a bit better/cleaner. But oh man...... its like buying a $800 chefs knife and then never ever sharpening it and using it to cut your steak on a ceramic plate.... (shudder)
If you have an option to use an original image, get a program that lets you use that original image.
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