User Manual

Creating a Total Area Coverage Limit

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In this article, learn

  • what is meant by a Total Area Coverage Limit,
  • how to set a Total Area Coverage Limit, and
  • what steps must be taken to do so.

1. Introduction

Excessive Total Area Coverage — that is, the sum of the total ink amounts across all channels — can lead to several problems in print production. These problems include inadequate drying properties, ink bleeding, poor adhesion to the substrate, and a loss of print quality. Total Area Coverage is expressed as a percentage and is calculated as the sum of the individual color channels. In a CMYK color configuration, a value of up to 400% can therefore theoretically be reached.

To avoid these problems, a Total Area Coverage Limit (abbreviated as TAC) is defined in the Profiling Project. This involves setting a threshold value that specifies the maximum permissible total area coverage for the respective printing system. The calculated profile is taken into account in all subsequent profiling steps — particularly during characterization.

Pre-Linearization, Linearization, and G7 Linearization

Total Area Coverage Limit is the next step in the Profiling Project after Pre-Linearization (optional), Linearization of Additional Colors (e.g., neon colors) (optional), Linearization of Additional Fluids (e.g., white) (optional), as well as Linearization (optional) and G7 Linearization (optional). All settings made in the preceding steps affect the subsequent steps.

2. Creating a Total Area Coverage Limit

The Total Area Coverage Limit is divided into two steps – printing the Print Chart is an optional step:

  • Printing the Print Chart – this step is optional. The Print Chart is printed on the reference printer defined in the Profiling Project and is used to visually assess the optimal TAC value for the respective printing system.
  • Creating a Total Area Coverage Profile – in the final step, the desired limit value for the Total Area Coverage Limit is set and the profile is calculated. The default value is 400%.

2.1. Prerequisites

To create a Total Area Coverage Limit, the following requirements must be met:

  • A new Profiling Project has been created.
  • The Total Area Coverage Limit option was enabled when the project was created (in the Advanced tab, which is only available in Expert Mode).
  • Pre-Linearization was performed, provided this step was enabled when the project was created.
  • The Linearization of Additional Colors –when enabled –has been performed and completed.
  • The Linearization of Additional Fluids –when enabled –has been performed and completed.
  • The Linearization and the definition of the Transitions have been completed, and the Linearization Profile has been created.

Standard Mode vs. Expert Mode in the User Interface

The Expert Mode [4] is available in the user interface for each step. The user interface changes depending on whether Expert Mode is enabled or not.

For each step, the option to follow detailed guidance by following the instructions in the status bar [2] is provided. To access additional settings or return to a previous step, the Expert Mode has to be enabled. Both modes cover all necessary substeps.

2.2. Step-by-Step Guide

To create a Total Area Coverage Limit, follow these steps:

  1. Open the relevant Profiling Project and navigate to the Total Area Coverage Limit [1] step.
  2. The status bar [2] displays the current status and instructions for the next process.
  3. Basically, all you need to do in this step is specify the desired Total Area Coverage Limit. When desired, you can optionally print a Print Chart for the Total Area Coverage Limit to visually assess and determine the appropriate Total Area Coverage Limit. However, Expert Mode [4] must be enabled for this.
  4. To print the Total Area Coverage Limit Print Chart, click on Print [3].

Figure 1: The Total Area Coverage Limit step in Expert Mode

  1. This opens the Print Measurement Template Chart – Total Area Coverage Limit dialog.
  2. Enter all the required parameters in the dialog, and then click the Send to Printer [Printer Name] command.

Detailed Description: Print Chart for the Print Chart

For a detailed description of all options in the Print Chart dialog, see the article Printing the Measurement Template Chart.

Custom Configuration of the Total Area Coverage Chart

When a Total Area Coverage chart up to 400% does not make sense or is unsuitable, you can configure your own Total Area Coverage chart and output the chart on the printing system.

To do this, switch to Expert Mode and create a new Total Area Coverage Chart in the "General" tab. For instructions on how to do this and details on the specific parameters available to you, see the Article Creating and Managing Print Charts.

Figure 2: The Print Measurement Template Chart - Total Area Coverage Limit dialog in Standard Mode

  1. This will take you back to the overview of the Total Area Coverage Limit step.
  2. The next and final step is to create the Total Area Coverage Profile. To do this, click on Create Total Area Coverage Profile [5].

Figure 3: The Total Area Coverage Limit step in Expert Mode

  1. This opens the Create Total Area Coverage Profile dialog.
  2. In this dialog, enter the desired Total Area Coverage Limit.
  3. Confirm the dialog by clicking Create Total Area Coverage Profile [6].

Detailed Description: Create a Total Area Coverage Profile

For a detailed description of all options in the Create Total Area Coverage Profile dialog, see the article Creating a Total Area Coverage Limit – Setting Options.

Figure 4: The Create Total Area Coverage Profile dialog

Article update: $PRODUCT_NAME_WORKFLOW 2.2.0 – 07/2026

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