In this article, you will learn
- what is meant by Total Area Coverage Limit,
- how to create a Total Area Coverage Limit,
- which steps need to be completed to do so.
1. Introduction
Excessive Total Area Coverage – the sum of the ink amounts across all channels – can cause a range of problems in print production. For example: insufficient drying, color bleeding, poor adhesion to the substrate, and reduced print quality. Total Area Coverage is specified as a percentage and is calculated as the sum of the individual color channels. In a CMYK color configuration, this can theoretically result in a Total Area Coverage of up to 400%.
To prevent these problems, a Total Area Coverage Limit (TAC) is defined in the profiling project. This specifies the maximum permissible Total Area Coverage for the printing system. The resulting profile takes this limit into account in all subsequent profiling steps, particularly during characterization.
Pre-Linearization, Linearization, and G7 Linearization
The Total Area Coverage Limit step follows Pre-Linearization (optional), Linearization of Additional Colors (e.g., neon colors) (optional), Linearization of Additional Fluids (e.g., white) (optional), Linearization (optional), and G7 Linearization (optional) in the profiling project. All settings configured in the preceding steps affect the subsequent steps.
2. Creating a Total Area Coverage Limit
Total Area Coverage Limit consists of two substeps, with printing the Measurement Template Chart being optional:
- Print Measurement Template Chart – this step is optional. The Measurement Template 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.
- Create Total Area Coverage Profile – in the final substep, the desired Total Area Coverage Limit is defined and the profile is calculated. The default value is 400%.
2.1. Prerequisites
Following prerequisites must be met before Total Area Coverage Limit can be created:
- New profiling project has been created.
- Total Area Coverage Limit option was enabled when creating the project (under the Advanced tab, which is only available in Expert Mode).
- Pre-Linearization has been completed, if this step was enabled when creating the project.
- Linearization of Additional Colors has been completed, if enabled.
- Linearization of Additional Fluids has been completed, if enabled.
- 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. Depending on whether Expert Mode is enabled, the user interface changes accordingly.
In each step, you can receive detailed guidance by following the instructions in the status bar [2]. To access additional configuration options or return to a previous step, Expert Mode must be enabled. Both modes cover all required substeps.
2.2. Step-by-Step Instructions
To create a Total Area Coverage Limit:
- Open the respective profiling project and switch to the Total Area Coverage Limit [1] step.
- Status bar [2] displays the current status and indicates the next action.
- In this step, you generally only need to define the desired Total Area Coverage Limit. If required, you can optionally print a Measurement Template Chart for the Total Area Coverage Limit to visually assess and determine the appropriate Total Area Coverage Limit. Please keep in mind that Expert Mode [4] must be enabled for this.
- To print the Total Area Coverage Limit – Measurement Template Chart, click the Print [3] command.
Figure 1: Total Area Coverage Limit step in Expert Mode
- Opens the Print Measurement Template Chart – Total Area Coverage Limit dialog.
- Enter all required parameters in the dialog and then click Send to Printer [Printer Name] command.
Detailed Description of the Print Measurement Chart
For a detailed description of all options in the Print Measurement Template Chart dialog, see Print Measurement Template Chart article.
Custom Configuration of the Total Area Coverage Chart
If a Total Area Coverage chart up to 400% is not meaningful or is even unsuitable for your printing system, you can configure a custom Total Area Coverage Chart and output it on the printing system.
To do this, switch to Expert Mode and create a new Total Area Coverage Chart under the "General" tab. For information on how to proceed and which specific parameters are available, see Create and Manage Measurement Template Charts article.
Figure 2: Print Measurement Template Chart - Total Area Coverage Limit dialog in Standard Mode
- Takes you back to the overview of the Total Area Coverage Limit step.
- Next and final step is to create the Total Area Coverage Profile. To do this, click Create Total Area Coverage Profile [5].
Figure 3: Total Area Coverage Limit step in Expert Mode
- Opens the Create Total Area Coverage Profile dialog.
- Enter the desired Total Area Coverage Limit in the dialog.
- Confirm the dialog by clicking Create Total Area Coverage Profile [6].
Detailed Description of Creating a Total Area Coverage Profile
For a detailed description of all options in the Create Total Area Coverage Profile dialog, see Creating a Total Area Coverage Limit – Setting Options article.
Figure 4: Create Total Area Coverage Profile dialog
Article Update: $PRODUCT_NAME_WORKFLOW 2.2.0 – 07/2026