Kodak RP 30 - Manual (Page 135)

Tests
Introduction
Before the start of production, the printer and paper processor must be carefully
calibrated to produce only the highest quality prints.
The purpose of the printer calibration is to align the individual elements of the
KODAK PROFESSIONAL RP 30 Laser Printer – print engine, paper, and paper
processor – with respect to each other. The result of a successful calibration is the
neutral appearance of the grayscale on the last test print.
You can perform tests for the RP 30 Laser Printer before or during production. For
example, a Paper Balance (PBL) test is required when paper with a new emulsion
number is inserted.
This chapter provides details about these tests.
Printer Tests
Overview
MBL
The Master Balance (MBL) is the means to keep the production stable and uniform.
This provides consistent, every day compensation for chemical fluctuations and/or
changes in the paper process.
The MBL is printed on the “master” paper, which is the paper that is used most
frequently in the lab. The MBL then calibrates the master paper directly. Based on
the changes determined on the master paper between the last and the current MBL,
all other paper styles are adapted. Therefore, any change in the MBL influences all
paper configurations.
PBL
The Paper Balance (PBL) test compensates for the differences among the various
paper types and widths, and provides for uniform rendering of the colors on all paper
emulsions in use.
The PBL calibration only applies to the paper on which the PBL is printed. Other
paper styles are not affected. Every paper configuration (for example, every
individual cassette code) used for production must be calibrated.
The PBL consists of two steps:
1. The working point of the laser and the maximum densities are determined for the
paper. Usually this step is only required once, when the PBL is determined for
the first time. For this purpose, the test print’s graded densities and halo print
are exposed.
2. The PBL test print is used to adjust a neutral grayscale. Several cycles are
usually required.
KODAK PROFESSIONAL RP 30 Laser Printer 5-3