Proofing Tip Sheet
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DuPont Color Proofing
Cromalin Manual Toning Procedure
®
The most important task in making a
quality Cromalin® proof is the uniform
application of toner to the proof’s
surface. Toner can be applied by two
methods: using a mechanical toning
Applying Toner Before applying toner, be sure the
console exhaust system is turned on.
First apply the toner by gently “pat-
ting,” as with a powder puff, over the
entire proof area in a pattern as shown
Start
First in figure 1.
Cycle
Avoid vigorous patting which could
cause poor toning and may also
End
End
Of
produce excess airborne dust. For best
Of Second results follow the procedures below.
First Cycle
Cycle
And Repeat 1. Dip the applicator into the toner
Toning Pattern
tray and rock the applicator back
Figure 1. Toning Pattern and forth until the pad is fully
loaded. It is important that the
toning pad be fully saturated with
toner. This can usually be achieved
by dipping the applicator into the
toner tray and by rocking the
applicator back and forth several
times. The tray should contain at
least 1/4″ of toner (6.4 mm). The
toner in the tray should be fluffed
as needed using a doctor blade or
stick-like object. Do not allow the
tray to become compacted as it
then becomes difficult to ad-
equately load the pad.
2. Apply toner by patting the applica-
tor over the entire proof surface. If
the proof receptor stock is larger
than 20 × 26 in (508 × 660 mm), it
will be necessary to reload the
applicator halfway through the
patting cycle. After reloading,
continue to pat with the applicator
until the entire surface is covered.
device (Automated Toning Machine) or
by manual application. This tip sheet
will discuss uniform manual toning
procedures.
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 for a second
patting cycle.
4. Reload the pad as in step 1 and,
without using downward pressure,
move the applicator pad briskly in
the pattern illustrated in figure 1.
5. Repeat the toning pattern shown in
figure 1. Positive Cromalin® is
generally given 18 cycles or 9
repeats figure 1. Negative
Cromalin® is generally given 8
passes or 4 repeats of the figure.
6. After the last toning cycle, use the
applicator pad to gently push toner
to one side.
7. Carefully wipe the entire surface of
the proof with Las-Stik® cloth. Do
not apply pressure while wiping.
8. Carefully lift the proof straight up
from the toning console. If the
proof is not moved laterally while
it is lifted, there will be a minimum
of toner transferred to the back side.
9. Before resting the proof on the
work surface, wipe all the edges
and back of the proof with a clean
cloth.
10. Place the proof on a clean surface
and lightly wipe the image area.
11. If visible registration marks are
used, the yellow marks may not be
sufficiently clear to permit accurate
registration. Apply a small quantity
of magenta toner to the marks and
tone only that area.
 DuPont Cromalin® Manual Toning Procedure

Applying Toner (continued)
12. Next, clean the proof with
Cromalin® Las-Stik® cloth. Use no
pressure. Always use a clean area
of cloth when wiping the proof.
Refold the cloth or turn over to
make the next wipe. After the
excess toner has been removed
from the proof surface, remove the
mounting tape and wipe the edges,
front and back of the proof with
clean Las-Stik® cloth.

Guide to Toning Technique
• A minimum of 0.25 in (6.4 mm) of
toner should be kept in toner trays
during application.
• Toners should be stirred frequently
in trays, to prevent packing. A stick,
fork, or the edge of the applicator
may be used to stir the toners.
• Mixing balls should be kept out of
trays, as they tend to cause packing
of toners and subsequent poor
application of toners. The balls may
be removed with a magnet.
• It is important to keep the applicator
fully loaded with toner during
application. Especially in the first
application of toner to the
Cromalin® surface, a poorly loaded
or “starved” applicator will result in
streaks and areas of low toner
density.
• More toner will be absorbed to the
applicator under conditions of high
humidity. Conversely, starving is
more likely at low humidity.
• Pads should be vacuumed at least
once, and preferably twice a day
during use, to keep the applicators
in optimum condition. Any applica-
tor pad which is badly matted
should be discarded and replaced
with a new pad.
• It is important to carry out all cycles
of toning for each color application.
Although the most obvious changes
in proof color will occur during the
first few toning cycles, early
termination of toning will result in
large color variations and lower than
normal color density.
• When toner is first applied, avoid
excessive vigorous patting which
produces airborne dust.

Important Tips • Proof cleaning must be done
without application of pressure.
• Only a fluffed up toner pad can be
loaded with sufficient toner to
achieve optimum density and
uniformity. Applicator pads should
be vacuumed if a heavy cake forms
on the pad. Toner in trays also
should be fluffed to allow ease of
the applicator picking up the toner.
• At least 1/4″ of toner should be
present in uniform depth in the
toner tray. Too much toner in the
tray (1/2″ or more) will tend to cake
over time which makes pad satura-
tion difficult.

For more information about Cromalin® Custom Blended Toners, call

the Toner Response Center at 1-800-898-1926.

Call DuPont. You‘ve got color under control. 1-800-345-9999

Canada: 1-800-387-2122
Mexico: (5) 722-1248
www.dupont.com/proofing

(9808) H-68960 Printed in U.S.A.

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