Frequently Asked Questions - Matchprint Inkjet Proofing System
Matchprint Color RIP v1.0 & 1.1

Matchprint Inkjet Proofing System for HP ColorPro GA

Q: How can I set up a second proofer if the "Add HP DesignJet" is grayed out on the Printer menu?
A: You can only have one printer per Color RIP application. However, you can proof to other printers through the Chooser or Hot Folder.

Q: Does the Matchprint Inkjet software, version 1.1, have a Printer description file for Windows 95, 98, and 2000?
A: For Windows 2000: Use the WIN NT 4.0 Printer Driver found on our site under Download Drivers.

Q: How can I get the Diagnostic Page to print on letter-size paper from Tray 3?
A: If you get the message "TRAY 1 LOAD PLAIN LETTER" insert a sheet of letter-sized paper under the Paper Stop to the rear of Tray 1 and push the paper into the machine until it stops. Press the blue <1> Enter button. Or, press the printer's Menu button until the Paper Handling Menu is displayed. Press the Item button until Tray 3 is displayed. Press the Value button until Plain is displayed, and press Select. The display should read: "Tray 3 Type = Plain."

Q: How do I prevent my Adobe Illustrator file from printing as a negative?
A: From the Print, Adobe Illustrator 8.0.1 menu, press Separation Setup, Select Positive instead of Negative in the image pop-up menu.

Q: Can Matchprint Color RIP v1.1 software proof separated files?
A: The software can proof either separated or composite files. Separated files RIP individually, but recombine to print as a single page. With Separations On, the Color RIP proof will show trap and overprint, Pantone and custom colors, and high-resolution DCS files.

Q: I set up the Printer, Hot Folder, and Spooler to print 8.5 x 11'' paper from Tray 3, but I get the message "TRAY 1 LOAD PHOTO LETTER." How do I get my paper to pick up from Tray 3?
A: For this file, press the Value button on the HP DesignJet Color Pro GA printer to display "USE PLAIN LETTER INSTEAD?" Then, press the blue Ready button. The 8.5 x 11'' base will be picked up from Tray 3. If you want more files to print from Tray 3, after this file has printed, press the Menu button on HP DesignJet Color Pro GA printer to display "PAPER HANDLING MENU." Press the Item button to display "TRAY 3 TYPE = PLAIN*." Press the Value button to display "TRAY 3 TYPE = PHOTO," press Select, then press the blue Ready button. Your next files will automatically pick up 8.5 x 11'' paper from Tray 3.

Q: Does the Inkjet proofing system simulate a rosette pattern?
A: No, the Matchprint Color RIP v1.1 software for Hewlett Packard DesignJet Color Pro GA does not simulate a rosette or moire pattern as a halftone printer does. Proofs should be considered Contone continuous tone.

Q: Why are other colors included when I print either Cyan, Magenta, Yellow or Black at 100 percent?
A: The other colors appear to help you perceive all the colors more accurately.

Q: What is the recommended way to stop a proof while it is printing?
A: Press the salmon-colored Cancel Job button on the HP ColorPro GA control panel and switch off the printer. Select the file to be deleted, pull down the Queue menu, and select Delete.

Q: What does "RIP on the fly" mean?
A: A faster RIP process where the controller software can RIP a PostScript file while the file is still spooling in from a workstation.

Q: Why doesn't the Page Setup in QuarkXpress show the IMHPCPGA.PPD as an option?
A: Within the QuarkXpress Print/Setup menu, Printer Description window, the IMHPCPGA.PPD will appear as HP DesignJet ColorPro GA (Matchprint). If the Matchprint option does not appear, the IMHPCPGA.PPD should be in the System/Extensions/Printer Description folder. If not, use Finder or Sherlock to find the PPD and move it into the Printer Descriptions folder. If it cannot be found, install or copy it from the Matchprint Color RIP CD.

Q: Why aren't my Spot Colors printing from PageMaker?
A: Make sure all colors are checked to print. Ensure "Convert to Process" isn't selected.

Q: Can the HP DesignJet ColorPro CJ printer be used with Matchprint Color RIP software?
A: No, but the Matchprint Color RIP v1.1 software can be used with the HP DesignJet ColorPro GA printer.

Q: RIP Progress or Printing Status Bar Not Moving and "Tray 2 Empty..." message on printer
A: Fill printer's paper tray with appropriate base.

Q: There's a small red icon of a stop sign with a white hand in the lower left corner of my Spooler icon on the desktop. How do I get rid of the stop sign? A: This icon is part of the Desktop Printer. The Desktop Printer allows you to do other work while you're printing. The Matchprint Spooler will appear the first time when from the Chooser, you select a LaserWriter, select your Matchprint Spooler and press Create. The Desktop Printer is used only when you print with Background Printing selected from the desktop applications Print menu.

When you select Background Printing (from the Background Printing menu within the Printer menu within the Print menu of the desktop application), files take longer to spool and require more disk space. Complex documents, such as those you send to the HP DesignJet Color Pro GA through Color RIP, are better sent with Foreground (no spool file) selected. If using an earlier LaserWriter, you might need to select Background Printing within the Chooser.

The stop sign icon in the lower left corner of your Spooler icon means that the Print Queue within the Desktop Printer is stopped. To remove the icon, double click on the Desktop Printer icon, and select Start Print Queue from the Printing menu. Any files in the Print Queue will now be sent to the folder you had originally selected.

Q: How can I print individual colors?
A: From applications that allow you to print individual colors (such as PageMaker), select one or more colors by placing a checkmark in front of each color that you wish to print.

Q: How do I dispose of Kodak Polychrome Graphics base material?
A: Matchprint Inkjet base media may be disposed of as non-hazardous waste in North America, Europe, Japan, and most other countries.

Q: When I try to Add a Printer from the Printer menu, the HP printer does not show up in the window to select.
A: Make sure the printer is a HP DesignJet Color Pro GA. The Color RIP v1.1 software does not support other HP printing devices such as an HP DesignJet Color Pro CAD. The Matchprint Color RIP version 2.0/2.1 software is designed to support the following devices: Canon BJC-8500; Epson Stylus Pro 5000, 7000, & 9000; and the HP DesignJet 2000/2500 & 5000.

Q: What are Matchprint ICC device links?
A: Matchprint Color RIP v 1.1 software uses device links that are an ICC version of the Rainbow Color Tables. Color management software (such as ColorBlind, Logo, Profile Wizzard) is used to create the "Target" or source profile (such as Classic SWOP Commercial) and the destination or HP2500 Device Profile. The software then creates a link that maps the ICC Device Profile into the color space of the ICC Target Profile. Each of the profiles (Target or Device) independently is an ICC profile, but the link maps one to the other creating an ICC device link.

You can also use linearization to adjust the Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black so that each HP2500 proofer is operating at approximately the same levels of ink coverage. If the calibration is done properly, each proofer should have very similar outputs when using the same device link and their updated linearization.dat files.

Q: My PageMaker file spooled, RIPped and was sent to the Job Log as proofed, but it didn't print. There was no error or alert message. What happened?
A: Are you printing RGB color with Separations selected? Either change the RGB color to CMYK or select Separations Off (composite). If you are printing from PageMaker, select the RGB and the CMYK colors to print.

Q: When I try to Add a Printer from the Printer menu, why doesn't my HP 2500CM show up in the Select a HP ColorPro GA Printer window?
A: Check to be sure that the green network light found at the left rear of your HP DesignJet ColorPro GA is on. If you have multiple AppleTalk Zones, make sure you select the appropriate zone. If you had re-named the HP Printer, select the new name. If still unsuccessful, from the Apple, Control Panels menu, select AppleTalk. Ensure Ethernet is selected. Press the Options button and ensure Make AppleTalk Active is selected. If the printer is still not showing up, from the HP Control Panel, press the Menu button until Self Test menu is displayed. Press the Item button until Print Diagnostic Page is displayed. Press Select. This will print three pages. On page two, AppleTalk status should read Ready. The Apple Talk Name should read HP 2500CM1 or the name you had created. If you still cannot select your HP printer, unplug the power cable from the power outlet. Plug the power cord back in, repower the printer, and try again.

Q: When trying to install a new font, I received the error message: "Font format verification failed: F:APPLPSFONTSKAL_____.PFB."
A: Macintosh and PC fonts are not cross-platform compatible. The Macintosh uses Adobe Type 1 fonts. PCs use TrueType fonts. Try saving the files to PostScript with the fonts included from the Macintosh and RIPping on the PC. By including the fonts with the PostScript file, the font information is embedded into the file itself and should print correctly.

Q: Why don't my files that are copied or saved into the Hot Folder go into the Job Queue?
A: There are three primary reasons why your files are not going from the Matchprint Color RIP v1.1 Hot Folder to the Job Queue:

• Active Box Deselected - the Active box within the Hot Folders Options might have been deselected. To get your Hot Folder files to show up in the Job Queue, go to the Color RIP Input menu and select the Hot Folder you created. Click the Active box within the Hot Folder Options field. Now the jobs within the folder will be placed in the Job Queue.
• Incorrect File Format - the file format should be PostScript, CT, TIFF, native Photoshop, or PDF. Renamed Hot Folder - the Hot Folder could have been renamed or the link broken. To see if the Hot Folder you are looking for is available: from the Input menu, select the name of the Hot Folder. If the message (in red) "unable to find location" appears in the lower left corner of the Hot Folder Settings window, you need to add your Hot Folder. Go to the Input menu, select Add Hot Folder, press Choose in the location field, locate and highlight your Hot Folder, and select Choose.

Q: What is a User-Defined Custom Color?
A: A User-Defined Custom Color is a color separation other than Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, or Black that is used by the page designer to print a special custom ink. This color will be reproduced in the Color RIP Software System by mixing the CMYK inkjet dyes to approximate the specified color.

Q: When I open the User's Guide, only a colored page comes up. How do I view the pages?
A: To open the guide, you need to select a language. The Matchprint Color RIP v1.1 User's Guide is available in 5 languages - English, French, German, Spanish, and Italian. Click on the language of your choice.

Q: I made an ICC profile for my Indigo Printer, copied it to the Color folder, tried to proof a file using the profile, but got the message, "Failed to initialize ICC device link."
A: You might have created an ICC profile not an ICC Device link. To fix, use the Indigo ICC profile as the source. Then make another ICC profile of the HP2500GA and use it as the destination. The software you use to create these profiles has to be able to create an ICC Device Link. Place your ICC device link into the sub folder "ICC Device Links."

Q: What is the thickness of the base media?
A: Bases have a caliper of at least 0.006 inches.

Q: I'm trying to proof a file from the Mac that has the Color RIP installed. I selected Printer as the Destination. The file appears to be sent, but doesn't show up in the Color RIP Job Queue.
A: Instead of selecting Printer as the Destination, select File as the Destination and save to a Hot Folder.

Q: Can the controller support proofing of composite and separated PDF files?
A: Yes, the controller can proof both composite and Acrobat Exchange-separated PDF files.

Q: Acrobat File Didn't Print All the Colors
A: From the Acrobat v4.0 Print menu, select Force Language Level 3.

Q: What KPG proofing bases are designed for use with the HP DesignJet ColorPro GA printer?
A: The two bases designed for use with the HP DesignJet ColorPro GA printer are:

• Matchprint Inkjet White Commercial Base - matches the conventional Matchprint Commercial Base and simulates the Commercial #1 printing stock used for some catalog and magazine printing
  
• Matchprint Inkjet Super White Design Base matches the conventional Matchprint Design Base and simulates the brilliant colors of magazine stock

Q: What are the Macintosh system requirements for Matchprint Color RIP v1.1 software?
A: The Macintosh requirements for Matchprint Color RIP Software are:

• Macintosh Power PC G3 and G4, or PowerMac 9600
• Operating System 8.5.1 or higher
• Minimum 128MB RAM
• Minimum 800MB available hard disk space
• CD-ROM drive (locally or via network)
• Recommended: LaserWriter driver version 8.6

Q: What are the PC system requirements for Matchprint Color RIP v1.1 software?
A: The PC system requirements for Matchprint Color RIP Software:

• IBM-compatible PCs with Intel Pentium Pro, Pentium II or Pentium III processors
• Windows NT version 4.0, Service Pack 3 (Server and Workstation) or Microsoft Windows 2000 with Workstation, Service Pack 5
• Minimum 128MB RAM
• Minimum 800MB available hard disk space on the print server
• CD-ROM drive (locally or via network)
• TCP/IP Printing Services must be enabled

If Macintosh workstations are on the network, File Server for Macintosh must be enabled.

Q: The RIP Progress Bar and Printing Status Bar have started, the "Beach Ball" is turning, but neither Progress bar is moving and the printer is not printing. What is my problem?
A: Check the Printer's Digital Display. If it says, "Tray 2 Empty, Load and Press <1>," the printer's Paper Tray is empty. Load a sheet of the appropriate base and press the Ready button. The printer should pick up the base and both progress bars should advance as the print is completed. The printer does not send messages back to the Color RIP to display.

Q: I saved my Quark 4.1 PostScript file to my Hot Folder. Why does it proof at 50%?
A: When you select different printer PPDs in the Chooser and Setup, the file can be reduced. For example, if you had selected the PressReady HPDJCPGA.PPD as the current printer description in the Chooser and HP Design Jet ColorPro GA (PressReady) as the Printer Description in Setup, the image would print at 50%. To get your file to print at 100%, from the Chooser, select your Spooler and press Setup. Press Select PPD. Locate and select the HP Color RIP PPD "IMHPCPGA.PPD." From the QuarkXpress 4.1 Page Setup menu, ensure your Spooler is selected, and then select 13 x 19 paper size. From the Quark Print/Setup menu, select HP Design Jet ColorPro GA (Matchprint) as the Printer Description and select 13 x 19 as the paper size.

Q: How do I reduce my Quark image using the Hot Folder Layout field? The image keeps coming out at 100%. What settings do I need to change?
A: PostScript files from Quark must be reduced in Quark. The Color RIP v1.1 Hot Folder can be set to reduce rasterized files such as TIFFs, but not PostScript files.

Q: How can I get Photoshop images to print with just black ink? Grayscale Mode and CMYK Mode images have a greenish tint to them and RGB Mode a pinkish tint.
A: To print with black ink, proof the files from Photoshop in Grayscale Mode using Uncorrected as the Matchprint Color RIP Color Target. You might also try selecting a different Printer Driver (PPD) than HP DesignJet Color Pro GA (Imation Matchprint) for CMYK, RGB, or Grayscale Mode.

Q: What is the shelf life of base media?
A: All base media in unopened, original packages has a shelf life of 18 months when stored at temperatures from 5 degrees C (41 degrees F) to 25 degrees C (77 degrees F) and relative humidity of zero percent to eighty percent.

Q: Why doesn't my Spooler show up in the Chooser?
A: Check the Input menu from the Color RIP v1.1 application for a Spooler. If there is not a Spooler on the Input menu, select Add a Spooler. If there is a Spooler, go to the Color RIP application, to ensure the Spool icon is not covered by a red "X." If the icon is covered by the red "X," click on the Spool icon or go to the Queue menu and select Resume Spooling. The selection "Stop Spooling" prevents the Spooler from being broadcast over the network. If the Spooler still doesn't show up in the Chooser of the Mac with the Color RIP software, launch QuarkXpress and try again.

Q: Are the inks used in the printer backed and approved by KPG or Hewlett Packard to be within Matchprint color standards?
A: The inks supplied by Hewlett Packard are approved for use with the Matchprint Color RIP v1.1. The Color Targets used by Color RIP are designed to simulate Matchprint proofs. Color management application programs capable of profiling multiple devices and creating a device link can be used to create custom color targets. To save the custom color targets, the device link can be placed into the ICC Device Links folder.

Q: What size image area can I expect from QuarkXpress?
A: The Image Area you can expect from QuarkXpress is 12.5 " by 18.25," Centered, Origin across 0.25," Origin down 0.5." or from QuarkXpress, Tabloid (11" by 17") with Registration Marks Centered.

Q: My PostScript Acrobat v4.0 file didn't print all of the colors. How do I get all four colors to print on the page?
A: To get all four colors to print, select Force Language Level 3 from the Acrobat v4.0 Print menu.

Q: What are the differences between Normal, Econofast, and Best on the HP ColorPro GA's Quality Print menu?
A: There is very little difference visually, but the Econofast will take the longest to print. An 84,628 Kb TIFF required 22:51 minutes on Econofast, 17:38 minutes on Normal, and 17:10 on Best.

Q: How can I simulate a two-color press job from QuarkXpress?
A: From the Quark Print/Document menu select Separations. From the Quark Print/Output menu deselect those colors you do not wish to print. The colors selected to print will recombine and print on a single sheet.

Q: Why is there a Printer Status window available from the View menu when print status information is already available in the Job Queue Printer Status?
A: The View menu's Printer Status window displays the status of multiple printers whereas the Job Queue Printer Status shows the status of a file on a single printer.

Q: Where can I purchase Matchprint base media for my HP DesignJet ColorPro GA?
A: Base supplies are available through your HP Authorized Reseller.