ASTM D7305-08a(2013)
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Reflection Density of Printed Matter
Standard Test Method for Reflection Density of Printed Matter
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
6.1 One of the key properties for printing in the lab or on production equipment is the intensity of the color, color balance and uniformity. This test can be used to ensure that the proper amount of ink is transferred to the substrate by obtaining a target density value, in addition to determining whether the print is uniform by measuring the reflection density over a wide print area. This then allows the use of the print for controlled testing of other appearance properties, such as gloss and color, and performance properties, such as resistance to abrasion and chemicals.
6.2 This test can be used to help achieve consistent color reproduction of printed color on flat surfaces.
6.3 Transfer of density readings from one set of inks to another, or from one substrate to another, carries a high risk of producing a color or tone shift. It is not in the scope of this test method to use density readings as digital proof of target points for printing process control.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method describes a procedure for measuring reflection density of printed matter using a reflection densitometer or spectrodensitometer.
1.2 This test method is intended primarily for process colors (yellow, magenta and cyan) and black. With appropriate instrumentation, it may also be used for other colors.
1.3 This test method applies to prints made by any printing process on a flat surface, with reflection density values ranging from just above zero, on the unprinted substrate, through to around 2.5 for very dense prints.
1.4 This test method can be used for prints on paper, film or board but not for those on metal or foil. It can be conducted in the pressroom or laboratory.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
General Information
Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation:D7305 −08a (Reapproved 2013)
Standard Test Method for
Reflection Density of Printed Matter
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7305; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope* Equations, Image Elements and Procedures
CGATS.6GraphicTechnology—SpecificationsforGraphic
1.1 This test method describes a procedure for measuring
Arts Printing
reflectiondensityofprintedmatterusingareflectiondensitom-
CGATS.11-1999Graphic Technology — Certified Refer-
eter or spectrodensitometer.
enceMaterialsforReflectionandTransmissionMetrology
1.2 Thistestmethodisintendedprimarilyforprocesscolors
– Documentation Requirements and Recommended Pro-
(yellow, magenta and cyan) and black. With appropriate
cedures
instrumentation, it may also be used for other colors.
PH 2.17Geometric Conditions for Reflection Density
1.3 This test method applies to prints made by any printing PH2.18SpectralConditionsfortheMeasurementofOptical
Density
processonaflatsurface,withreflectiondensityvaluesranging
from just above zero, on the unprinted substrate, through to 2.3 ISO Standard:
ISO 15790Graphic technology and photography — Certi-
around 2.5 for very dense prints.
fied reference materials for reflection and transmission
1.4 Thistestmethodcanbeusedforprintsonpaper,filmor
metrology — Documentation and procedures for use,
board but not for those on metal or foil. It can be conducted in
including determination of combined standard uncertainty
the pressroom or laboratory.
2.4 Other Standard:
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
DIN 16536-2:1986Testing of prints and printing inks in
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
graphic technology — Colour density measurements on
standard.
on-press or off-press prints
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3. Terminology
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.1 Definitions related to appearance are in Terminology
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
E284.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 reflection density, n—the light-absorbing property of a
2. Referenced Documents
material, expressed as the logarithm of the reciprocal of the
2.1 ASTM Standards:
reflectance factor (i.e. higher density indicates more light is
E284Terminology of Appearance
absorbed). [D = log (1/R) = -log (R)]
10 10
E691Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
3.2.2 reflection densitometry, n—the practice of characteriz-
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
ing the amount of light absorption of materials by measuring
2.2 ANSI Standards:
reflectance and calculating and reporting reflection density.
CGATS.4-1993Graphic Technology – GraphicArts Reflec-
3.2.3 spectrodensitometer, n—a spectrophotometer with ap-
tion Densitometry Measurements — Terminology,
propriate software to convert the measured reflectance values
to reflection density.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 on Paint
3.2.4 process color, n—a color having the main attribute of
and Related Coatings, Materials, andApplications and is the direct responsibility of
absorbing approximately one-third (1/3) the visible spectrum
Subcommittee D01.56 on Printing Inks.
CurrenteditionapprovedJune1,2013.PublishedJuly2013.Originallyapproved
and transmitting the other two-thirds (2/3).
in 2008. Last previous edition approved in 2008 as D7305–08a. DOI: 10.1520/
3.2.5 dry back, n—the reduction in density that occurs over
D7305-08AR13.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
time after printing on paper and other absorbent substrates due
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
to ink penetration into the substrate.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
3.2.6 status T, n—an ISO Reflection Status Density.
the ASTM website.
Available fromAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D7305−08a (2013)
NOTE 1—ISO Reflection Status Density is defined by its Spectral
5. Summary of Test Method
Products (Fig. 1), that is, the wavelength by wavelength combination of a
5.1 The densitometer or spectrodensitometer is calibrated
standard influx spectrum (CIE illuminantA) and the filter-modifed efflux
spectrum. Originally, these modifiers were defined by combinations of and set for the desired spectral response and color.
Wratten filters but today, either more durable materials, such as glass are
5.2 Multiple reflection density measurements are taken in
used or the Spectral Products are computed numerically from tables of
weights and the spectral reflectance factors measured with a spectroden-
specifiedpositionsontheprintinordertodetermineanaverage
sitometer.
result.
The status T spectral products are applicable to the measurement of
artwork for color separation and graphics arts materials such as ink-on-
6. Significance and Use
paper printed sheets, and off-press proofs. StatusTwas originally defined
to closely match the spectral products historically used in evaluating
6.1 One of the key properties for printing in the lab or on
originalartworktobecolorseparatedbutwerelaterapplied,notablyinthe
production equipment is the intensity of the color, color
USA, to the measurement of most other printed graphic arts materials.
balanceanduniformity.Thistestcanbeusedtoensurethatthe
The status E spectral products are also applicable to the measurement
of graphics arts materials such as ink-on-paper printed sheets, and proper amount of ink is transferred to the substrate by
off-press proofs. They evolved from the wider of the two passband filter
obtaining a target density value, in addition to determining
specifications of DIN 16536-2:1986 for the Yellow and the Magenta and
whether the print is uniform by measuring the reflection
Cyan spectral products were chosen to match those of Status T. Status E
density over a wide print area. This then allows the use of the
spectral products have been applied, primarily in Europe, to the measure-
printforcontrolledtestingofotherappearanceproperties,such
ment of graphic arts materials.The narrower passband of theYellow filter
(compared to Status T) produces values that are more similar for all three
as gloss and color, and performance properties, such as
chromatic inks at typical printing densities.
resistance to abrasion and chemicals.
6.2 This test can be used to help achieve consistent color
4. Symbols
reproduction of printed color on flat surfaces.
4.1 Symbols: The following symbols are defined or referred
to in this standard. 6.3 Transfer of density readings from one set of inks to
D reflection density another, or from one substrate to another, carries a high risk of
R reflectance factor producingacolorortoneshift.Itisnotinthescopeofthistest
FIG. 1 ISO Status Density Spectral Products
D7305−08a (2013)
method to use density readings as digital proof of target points 11. Procedure
for printing process control.
11.1 Select the filter on the densitometer to measure the
specific color.
7. Apparatus
11.1.1 If the test sample is a process color, use the appro-
7.1 Densitometer, of which there are two types.
priate status T filter.
7.1.1 Reflection Densitometer conforming to ANSI Stan-
11.1.2 If the sample is black, gray o
...
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