Imation Logo

Printing and Publishing
 Go To | Matchprint | Matchprint III Film |

3M™ Matchprint™ III Negative Color Proofing Films Product Info

[ Download the PDF version of this file. (83K) ]

Proof Types

  • SWOP®
  • Commercial
  • Lo-Gain
Sizes
  • From 10" x 12"
    (254mm x 305mm)
    to 25" x 57.5"
    (635mmx1460mm)
Bases
  • Publication
  • Commercial
  • Low-Gain
  • Other stocks using the Matchprint™ transfer process

Custom Colors

Custom colors are available for use as a fifth or sixth color and include:

  • red
  • green
  • blue
  • brown
  • orange
  • light grey
  • dark grey
  • light blue
  • beige
  • rubine
  • yellow
  • pink
  • purple
  • metallic gold
  • metallic silver
  • opaque white

 
Description

Matchprint™ III negative color proofing films are part of a negative-acting, single-sheet proofing system.

Production of a Matchprint™ III proof involves three steps for each color: laminate, expose and process.

When complete, a Matchprint™ III proof is composed of four color layers laminated to a sheet of Matchprint™ base material. A proof may be transferred onto many stocks used on press using the Matchprint™ transfer process.

A completed proof has a glossy finish. Deglossing is an optional step that uses lamination to produce a matte finish on proofs.

 
Proof Production Step 1: Laminate

Matchprint™ III negative color proofing films are bonded to Matchprint™ base using either the Model 447 Laminator, Model 2220 Laminator or Model 2635 Proofer. Proofs larger than 25 inches by 38 inches (635mm by 965mm) require the Model 447 Enhanced Auto-Laminator.

Make sure the laminator ready indicator is lit, then laminate the color sheets, coated side down, to the base material.

The recommended color laydown sequence is yellow, magenta, cyan, black

After each color is laminated, peel away the polyester carrier sheet. See Handling Considerations.

Color Laydown Sequence

A completed Matchprint™ III negative proof is composed of four color layers (yellow, magenta, cyan, black) laminated to Matchprint™ base material or other stocks using the Matchprint™ transfer process.

Which Side is Coated?

Except for some small sizes, all Matchprint™ III negative proofing films have edge printing that is right-reading with the coated side down. To determine the coated side of a color sheet without edge printing, hold the sheet with longer edges vertical. With the clipped corner or notch(es) on the left side of the top edge, the coated side faces away. An alternative method is to use a piece of pressure sensitive tape on a corner of the sheet. When peeled away, the tape removes color from the coated side.

 
Proof Production Step 2: Expose

1. Register the color separation film, emulsion side down, to the first laminated layer of the proof, and place the materials in the vacuum frame. For example, place the yellow color separation film, emulsion (dull) side down, on the first layer (yellow) laminated to the Matchprint™ base material.

2. Place a Matchprint™ negative color element or UGRA scale on a non-image area at the bottom center of the proof. For optimum exposure
control, use a 10-step gray scale (0.15 density difference between steps) together with the Matchprint™ color element or UGRA scale. Invert the
10-step gray scale so it is wrong-reading on the proof.

3. Expose the proof using the exposure value determined by the exposure optimization procedure. See Exposure Optimization.

Exposure Tips

  • Use a properly maintained vacuum exposure frame.
  • Use a combination bulb that has a strong spectral output between 350 to 380 nanometers. Maintain and replace bulbs according to manufacturer's recommendations.
  • To maintain consistent exposure, place the exposure control targets in the same place on the proof, or "working position," for all exposures.
Exposure Guidelines for Matchprint™ III negative color proofing films
Matchprint™ III
Color proofing film
Gray Scale Reading
(with scale wrong reading)
Microline Resolution
(while holding dot resolution at 2% - 98%)
SWOP Solid step 5 for C, M, Y,
Solid step for K
Matchprint Color Element UGRA Scale
Commercial Solid step 5 for all colors 6 - 8
for all colors
8 -10
for all colors
Lo-Gain Solid Step 5 for C, M, Y,
Solid Step 7 for k
6 -8 fo C, M, Y,
4 - 6 for K
6 - 8
for all colors

 
Proof Production Step 3: Process

  • Process the Matchprint™ III negative proof, color side up, immediately after exposure.
  • Process the proof using either the Model 2430 Proofing Processor,
    Model 2425 Proofing Processor or Model 2635 Proofer.
  • Matchprint™ III negative color proofs are processed with Color
    Proofing III Developer which is available premixed and ready to use
    or as a concentrate for use with the Model 2570 Developer Mixer.
  • Before laminating the next color layer, carefully stain the register marks on the yellow layer with the Matchprint™ III Registration Dye Marker (#77-9803-9009-8) to make them more visible.
After processing the first color, repeat the laminate, register, expose and process steps for each additional color until the proof is finished.

Deglossing is an optional step, performed after the proof is complete, that uses lamination to produce a matte finish on the proof.

Before operating a laminator or processor, consult the Operator's Guide for correct operating procedures and important safety information. Before handling or using any chemical product, be sure to read the Material Safety Data Sheet for health hazard data, precautionary information and suggested first aid.

Processing Accessories

The following accessories are available for use with the Model 2430 processor or the Model 2425 processor:

  • Model 2570 Water Recirculator
  • Model 2571 Developer Mixer
  • Model 2572 Disposal Unit
Developer

Packaging options for Color Proofing III Developer include:

  • 2.5 gallons
  • 5 .0 gallons
  • Dry concentrate for use with the Model 2570 Developer Mixer.

 
Exposure Optimization

It is necessary to determine proper exposure values for each color layer of a Matchprint™ III negative proof. Perform exposure optimization when you set up a Matchprint™ proofing system, use a new lot of material, replace an exposure bulb or change any piece of proofing equipment. With the variety of films, equipment and methods in use today to produce color separations, it is important to include your films along with commonly used exposure targets when optimizing exposures.

Recommended target elements for setting exposures:

  • A minimum of ONE 10-step gray scale with 0.15 density difference between steps such as the Imation™ Transparent Sensitivity Guide. Place the gray scale(s) wrong-reading on the proofing material.
  • A hard-dot scale which includes microline patches and 2% and 98% tint areas, such as the Matchprint™ color element or UGRA scale.
  • Production film, using your standard screen ruling and output device, that shows 2%, 3%, 25%, 50%, 75% 97%, 98% tint areas (at a minimum) and solid areas. The Matchprint™ Digital Press/Proof Target, available through your Imation sales representative, includes these elements.

How to determine proper exposure:

  • Refer to the Exposure Guideline Table in the Expose section for the gray scale reading recommended for your Matchprint™ proofing films. As a starting point, find the exposure value for each color layer (in proof position) that produces the recommended gray scale reading ­ with the scale wrong-reading. Be sure to mask areas for subsequent gray scale exposures.
  • Adjust exposures as necessary for each color layer to achieve
    optimum resolution of the highlight and shadow dots on your films.
    If microline resolution is the choice for monitoring exposure, use the
    values listed in the Exposure Guideline Table as a starting point.
  • Determine the acceptable exposure range. Once optimum exposure is identified for each color, perform an exposure series to determine the acceptable exposure range on either side of that point that holds the desired resolution.
  • For hard dot film, such as the Matchprint™ color element or UGRA scale, the acceptable gray scale range can be wider than plus or minus 1.0 step, depending on the color. For soft dot film, the acceptable range most likely will be different from hard dot film and depends on the quality of the finished film. It is important to identify the acceptable exposure for the films you will be using to make your proof.
How to Maintain Optimum Exposure:

Some gray scale fluctuation is normal with Matchprint™ III negative proofing material without affecting image quality. Because of gray scale fluctuation, it is important that operators do not overcontrol exposures. Knowing when to adjust exposure is important to minimize overcontrol. Use this rule of thumb:

If the gray scale varies one step within the established range on a given color, DO NOT adjust exposure.

Adjust ONLY if an upward or downward trend in the gray scale reading is established, or after a third consistent exposure, either high or low. Then, adjust to the center point. Exposure Target Elements

Place test proofs and targets in the same location in the exposure frame for each exposure. Run each test proof through the processor in the same direction. Expose each color according to recommended gray scale readings and check highlights, shadows and microlines.

Gray Scale Example

The illustration shows a Solid Step 5 with the scale wrong-reading.

Disregard any ghost steps. A gray scale step is considered solid when the density of the step is equivalent to the solid density of the color.

 
Handling Considerations

Do . .

  • Handle Matchprint™ III negative proofs under yellow, or equivalent,
    lighting.
  • Store color sheets and base material in a flat position at all times.
  • Store unexposed color sheets in a light-tight container, in a flat position, at a temperature no higher than 80°F (27°C), with a relative humidity of less than 50%.
  • Save the clear polyester carrier sheet you peel from the Matchprint™ color films for use as a slip sheet during shipment of Matchprint™ proofs. Heat and pressure during shipping can cause image transfer if the image side of proofs is not properly protected.

Do not . .