Digital printing offers a number of advantages over technologies of the past. In fact, given the advancements in printing equipment and recent software and materials, one might think the life of a modern printing professional is fairly easy; though, this is not the case.

与过去的技术相比，数码打印产生了许多优势。事实上，考虑到打印设备和最新的软件和材料的进步，人们可能会认为现代打印专业人士的生活相当容易；然而，事实并非如此。 

Challenges are part of every evolving technology, and many times signmakers feel as though they have more questions than answers as they pursue the latest digital printing best practices. To operate as a printing professional, even in the digital age, requires a thorough knowledge of everything from print media choice to production and finishing. This information must be continuously built upon as technology is always evolving.

挑战是每一项技术发展必经的一部分，很多时候标识制作商在追求最新的数码打印实践时，他们觉得问题多于答案。作为一名打印专业人士，即使是在数字时代，也需要对从打印媒介选择到生产和整理的一切都有全面的了解。随着技术的不断发展，必须不断地构建这些信息。

In this article, the author discusses some of the challenges one might face with digital printing on a daily basis, dispels a few myths related to printing and media, and provides troubleshooting solutions to help maintain efficient, cost-effective operations in the process.

在本文中，作者讨论了人们在日常使用数码打印时可能面临的一些挑战，消除了一些与打印和媒介相关的误解，并提供了故障排除解决方案，以帮助在此过程中保持高效、低成本的操作。 

Myth No. 1: A film is just a film

误解一：薄膜仅仅是薄膜

Choosing the right media for a job can be a challenge from the start. Film technology has evolved over the years and product performance may vary among suppliers and different product lines. While some product lines offer better printing quality than others, regardless of the printer, a general understanding of material functionality is a prerequisite to ensure desirable results in any project.

为工作选择合适的媒介从一开始就是一个挑战。薄膜技术经过多年的发展，在不同的供应商和不同的产品线中，产品性能可能会有所不同。尽管有些产品线比其他产品线提供更好的打印质量，但无论打印机是什么，对材料功能的全面了解是确保在任何项目中获得理想结果的先决条件。 

Print media suppliers have designed tools to help customers make smart choices. These assist with navigating through a wide portfolio of products offered based on application needs; compatibility with inks and cures; and requirements for durability, conformability, and adhesive removability. One can start with similar tools and then reach out to material providers with any questions.

打印媒介供应商设计了工具来帮助客户做出明智的选择。这些帮助导航，通过广泛的产品组合提供的应用程序需求，与油墨和涂料的相容性：耐用性、一致性和可剥离性的要求。你可以从类似的工具开始，然后向材料供应商提出任何问题。 

While ensuring printability may be the key area of focus, one must not overlook the importance of choosing the right permanent, removable, or long-term removable (LTR) adhesive for application. No matter how great a print project looks, the wrong adhesive for the end-use application can cause issues during the installation/removal process and durability could suffer.

虽然确保可打印性可能是重点的关键领域，但我们不能忽视选择正确的永久性、可拆卸或长期可拆卸(LTR)胶粘剂的重要性。无论打印项目看起来有多棒，最终使用的粘合剂不合适都会在安装或拆卸过程中造成问题，影响耐久性。 

Myth No. 2: Newer printers make printing simple

误解二：新打印机使打印变得简单

The technology may have come a long way, but printing remains a challenging part of the digital printmaking process. There are various prerequisites to getting a job right, including knowledge of printer operation, raster image processor (RIP) software, colour management, International Color Consortium (ICC) profiles, and troubleshooting skills, along with a general awareness of printer operation protocols and proper cleaning techniques.

这项技术可能已经取得了长足的进步，但打印仍然是数码打印过程中一个具有挑战性的部分。要做好一份工作，有各种先决条件，包括打印机操作知识、光栅图像处理器(RIP)软件、色彩管理、国际色彩协会(ICC)概要文件、故障排除技能，以及对打印机操作协议和正确的清洁技术的一般认识。 

Incorrect printer settings are a common cause of printing issues when working with films. ICC profiles are designed to simplify the process by providing the ideal printer calibrations for specific media, printer model, ink type, and ink configurations. Yet, ICC profiles must be updated frequently as new technology emerges or further testing shows a different setting yields better results. Print media manufacturers work diligently to keep these profiles updated as quickly as possible. One must check frequently to ensure ICC profiles are up-to-date to avoid encountering any difficulties when printing on films.

进行薄膜工作时经常会出现不正确的打印机设置，这是打印问题的一个常见原因。ICC配置文件旨在通过为特定介质、打印机模型、油墨类型和油墨配置提供理想的打印机校准来简化这一过程。然而，随着新技术的出现或进一步的测试显示，不同的设置可以产生更好的结果，ICC概要文件必须经常更新。打印媒介制造商努力修整，以保持这些档案更新的速度尽可能快。你必须经常检查，以确保ICC的资料是最新的，以避免遇到任何困难。

Myth No. 3: Material providers can be swapped without changing much

误解三：材料提供者可以在不做太多改变的情况下进行交换 

The most common mistake sign shops make when they switch from one media manufacturer to another is not changing the profile and printer settings. Since ICC profiles are specific to printer/ink/RIP/media, it is likely the ink limits colour adjustments, and temperatures will be different from one print media brand to another.

标识店在从一个媒介制造商切换到另一个媒介制造商时，最常见的错误是没有更改配置文件和打印机设置。由于ICC配置文件是特定于打印机/油墨/媒介的，因此油墨可能会限制颜色的调整，而且不同的打印媒介品牌的温度也会不同。 

Encountering image quality or drying issues is the first sign there is a printing problem and is the place to start when troubleshooting.

遇到图像质量或干燥问题是出现打印问题的第一个迹象，也是进行故障排除的起点。 

Very often, when incorrect profiles are used, the drying temperature is set too low. When the film is rolled up before the ink dries, the resulting print can have a mottled look. This typically happens when a film is glossier than products from another brand, but setting the correct (higher) drying temperatures can avoid this issue.

通常，当使用不正确的型材时，干燥温度设置得太低。当胶片在油墨干燥之前卷起来时，打印出来的照片会有斑点。这通常发生在薄膜比其他品牌的产品更有光泽的时候，但是设置正确的(更高的)干燥温度可以避免这个问题。 

Myth No. 4: The print material is always the problem

Troubleshooting effectively is a significant part of the printing process. When one faces a problem during printing, one must be able to determine if the material, printer, or a foreign factor is the reason. Simple diagnostics can help speed things along when issues arise.

有效地排除故障是打印过程中的一个重要部分。当一个人在打印过程中遇到问题时，他必须能够确定原因是材料、打印机还是外来因素。当出现问题时，简单的诊断可以帮助加快速度。 

For example, if there is banding on the print, the first step should be to conduct a head check and cleaning. If the issue persists, one must check the media by rotating the material 90 degrees. If the banding is horizontal, it would point to a printer issue. If the banding remains in the same direction as it was earlier, this points toward the material as the problem. The next step would be to load a different material and test for banding. If one suspects the material is the problem, one must reach out to their print media provider for assistance who can help work through any additional troubleshooting steps while also checking against retained material on their end.

例如，如果打印上有条纹，第一步应该进行头部检查和清洗。如果问题仍然存在，必须通过旋转材料90度来检查介质。如果色带是水平的，它将指向打印机问题。如果色带保持在与之前相同的方向，这就指向了问题所在的材料。下一步将是加载不同的材料和测试带。如果有人怀疑这些材料就是问题所在，就必须向他们的打印媒介供应商寻求帮助，他们可以帮助完成任何额外的故障排除步骤，同时还可以检查他们所保留的材料。

Myth No. 5: The tough part is over when one gets to finishing

误解五:当你完成时，困难的部分就结束了 

Proper finishing depends on who is working with the material. Today, with trimming and weeding equipment gaining popularity, many shops have implemented automation into finishing. Yet, many shops continue to depend on a dedicated staff to handle this function manually. Precise straight-line cuts allow clean installations and create perfectly straight overlaps. Production personnel and installers must work together to align panels, as often, no bleed is given to the installer who, as a result, seams the material improperly.

适当的整理取决于谁在处理这些材料。如今，随着修边设备的普及，许多商店都在装修中实现了自动化。然而，许多商店仍然依赖专门的人员手动处理。精确的直线切割能够清洁安装和创建完美的直线重叠。生产人员和安装人员必须一起对齐面板，因为通常情况下，安装人员不会因为不正确地缝合材料而头疼。

Knowledge of merging different media when laminating the material is crucial. For example, what should be done if a laminate shows diagonal lines running across the film? In this case, one should be able to diagnose the way the lines run across the material from the laminator; this will help provide information on how to resolve the problem. Perhaps, the nip roller is out of adjustment. The laminator rolls must have equal pressure on both sides; otherwise, there will be tracking issues and inadequate pressure on one side of the laminator.

在复合材料时，融合不同媒介的知识是至关重要的。例如，如果层压板显示出贯穿薄膜的对角线，该怎么办?在这种情况下，我们应该能够诊断出这些线从层压机穿过材料的方式;这将有助于提供关于如何解决问题的信息。可能是复合机辊不适应。复合机辊的两侧压力必须相等;否则，将会有跟踪问题和不足的压力一侧的层压机。 

When laminating, one must test each side of the roller by sliding a piece of paper in and out between the rollers, tightening it until it stops moving. This must be done on both ends until the friction is equal. After it has been adjusted, the material can be reloaded and tested. It may be necessary to contact the laminator manufacturer for service as some adjustments on laminators should be completed by authorized personnel only.

在覆膜时，必须测试辊的每一面，在辊之间滑动一张纸，直到它停止移动。这必须在两端同时进行，直到摩擦力相等。调整好后，材料可以重新加载和测试。可能需要联系覆膜机制造商进行维修，因为只有授权人员才能完成对覆膜机的一些调整。 

Digital printing requires skill

数码打印需要技巧

The process of transitioning a project from an art file to a physical print is complex and requires hard work, talent, and knowledge. Producing a quality item that will survive its intended lifespan not only requires the right equipment and media, but also specialized understanding and experience working through its unique challenges. The job is not always an easy one.

将项目从图形草稿转换为矢量打印文件的过程非常复杂，需要努力研究、天赋和技术知识。生产出一种高质量的产品，使其在预期寿命内继续存在，不仅需要正确的设备和媒介，而且还需要专业的理论和经验，以应对其独特的挑战。这工作并不总是容易的。 

Ryan Allen is regional technical specialist for Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions in North America. He holds a degree in graphic design and has more than 12 years of experience in design and print production. He previously owned print and wrap shops.

莱恩·艾伦（Ryan Allen）是北美艾弗里·丹尼森（Avery Dennison）图形解决方案的区域技术专家。他拥有平面设计学位，拥有超过12年的设计和打印生产经验。他以前拥有打印和包装店。