Jiayi Zhou

Abstract

With the trend of sustainable printing in the print industry, reducing ink usage is considered a win-win solution for printers who are seeking sustainable printing strategies, and in the meantime, a way of cutting costs. This research focuses on ink-saving strategies for process printing using color management technology in the prepress stage. Two ink-saving methods are discussed in this research. First method is reducing the AIC (Average Ink Coverage) in graphic design. A case study is carried out and verifies the rule that high AIC requires more ink usage than low AIC does. However AIC and ink usage are not committed to a linear relationship; instead, AIC variance, as a result of different graphic designs, will be amplified in terms of ink usage variance during the printing. Graphic design significantly affects the ink usage. The second method is processing images that have same graphic designs, with optimized GCR (Gray Component Replacement). The result is high GCR results less AIC and ink usage; normal GCR results higher AIC and ink usage. AIC variance, as a result of different GCR levels, will be diminished in terms of the ink usage variance during the printing. GCR affects ink usage within a certain range. GCR does affect the ink usage, but not as significant and direct as graphic design does.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Offset printing--Equipment and supplies--Environmental aspects; Printing ink--Environmental aspects; Printing ink--Costs

Publication Date

8-1-2012

Document Type

Thesis

Department, Program, or Center

School of Print Media (CIAS)

Advisor

Sigg, Franz

Comments

Note: imported from RIT’s Digital Media Library running on DSpace to RIT Scholar Works. Physical copy available through RIT's The Wallace Library at: Z245 .Z46 2012

Campus

RIT – Main Campus

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