T172: Application of the Glossmeter
The importance of measuring gloss is realized
very quickly when the appearance of a production job is suddenly different
than expected or does not match a previous run. What can you do at this
point? Quickly explain to your customer that the look of the newly printed
piece is far superior to the previous run or their expectations? Start
blaming the gloss suppliers, pressmen, press, coater, press speed, paper
or stock? No, you simply explain to your customer that you are going to
get a glossmeter so this will not happen again.
These devices are indispensable quality control tools that work similarly
to a densitometer. A glossmeter is simply placed over the area in question
and activated by pressing a small button to engage the lamp. This functionality
is exactly the same as that of a densitometer. This, technically speaking,
is where the similarity ends. A densitometer is designed to eliminate
the gloss in its interpretation of ink density. It accomplishes this by
nature of its optical geometry. The standard optical geometry of a graphic
arts densitometer is 45°. If you view something at a 45° angle the gloss
influence is minimized or, in some cases, eliminated. Therefore, to read
gloss, new standards for optical geometry help maximize the gloss influence
so a glossmeter can interpret a gloss value and determine if a sample
is deviating from a norm with respect to its gloss.
A printer in the commercial printing or packaging market must read gloss
because it has a profound impact on the appearance of a printed product.
Your colors can be perfect. Ink densities can be exact. The stock and
ink can be the same from run to run. However, if the gloss level is inconsistent
the appearance will be drastically effected.
Also, how many times has a customer or salesman brought in a sample of
a previously run job for you to bid? You may be asked to simply match
the gloss appearance of a similar job or match the exact job that was
run elsewhere. How do you handle this? Standard viewing conditions in
a viewing booth are designed to match color, not determine gloss level.
In a viewing booth the angle of view is supposed to be consistent, but
due to the fact that people are of different heights this angle of view
is always different. Every angle at which you view the sample will produce
different effects. There is a better way. Use a glossmeter to monitor
the gloss level so you can communicate an exact gloss value number to
your suppliers, pressmen, and customers.
The industrialized nations of the world have decided to standardize the
measurement of gloss. Glossmeters that comply with these standards are
readily available to everyone in the industry. The most popular optical
geometry is 60°. The QIP GlossMate 60° is ideal for the graphic arts.
This optical geometry provides the user with a broad range of gloss level
measurement possibilities. Graphic art coating applications, from dull
to bright, fall within the parameters of a QIP GlossMate 60°. This has
been the instrument of choice for most printers.
However, if your customer requests varying gloss levels from time to
time it is best to use an instrument with a three angle optical geometry.
The best optical geometry for very high gloss (above a number 90) is 25°
while the best optical geometry for very low gloss (below a number 40)
is 85°. The QIP GlossMaster 25° 60° 85° has all three optical geometries
built in. This is the answer to your most exacting gloss measurement applications.
All QIP glossmeters can be attached to a computer for downloading data
into any SPC system.
Gloss is measured in all industries where color and appearance are critical.
The paint, plastics, ceramics, paper, textiles, and coating industries
all use glossmeters each and every day. Varying optical geometries that
are optimized for each industrial segment allow for exact gloss value
measurement.
Printers today are investing in glossmeters to provide their customers
with the most consistent printed products possible. The use of a glossmeter
will minimize customer quality complaints with respect to appearance,
minimize make readies, improve productivity, make reruns a snap, and provide
the opportunity to improve profits through better communication. A glossmeter
investment will be justified the very first time you use it.
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