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Basic ColourModule

Basic Colour Module

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INTRODUCTION 3

HISTORY OF RICOH COLOUR COPIERS 4

COLOUR MARKET 6

COLOUR THEORY 10

COLOUR COPIER WORKFLOW 15

RICOHS STRENGTHS 19

Basic Colour Module

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In the early 1980s, the demand for more accurate, clearer and more attractive information expanded. One of the requirements was the need for colour copiers.Ricoh has responded to this need with colour copiers since 1985.

Carefully looking to the market needs, Ricoh has introduced colour copiers with the newest technologies, meeting the needs of the market. Many of the technologiesare still used, not only in Ricoh colour copiers, but as well applied in the colourcopiers of our competitors. Since colour copiers are at the front-edge of the tech-nology improvements, only a few manufacturers produce colour copiers. As a tech-nology driven company, Ricoh has always been in the front line of those.

Introduction

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The Color 5000 Bird of Paradise (1985) was Ricohs first colour copier. This purecolour copier (no black toner) was never introduced outside the Japanese market.

In 1989, Ricoh introduced its first colour copier, the NC100, in the European market.The model was marketed as a 2-in-1 machine; a black-and-white copier which couldalso produce colour. The technology used in this machine was analogue: the scanner of the copier was also used to expose the drum. Because of its analoguetechnology, the copier could not be used as a colour printer. In colour the NC100produced 4 copies per minute, in Black & White (BW) 24 pages per minute (cpm).

NC stands for New Colour.

Its successor, the NC305 (1992), was an upgraded version with improved speedand image quality.

Ricohs first digital colour copier was the NC8015 (1990). At the time the fastestcolour copier in the market (15 cpm). It was equipped with a unique 4-Drum System.This technology is now used for higher-speed colour copiers.

Its successor was the NC8115 (1992). This machine had an improved image quality,and could be connected to a network. These models were not sold in every countryin Europe.

The NC5006 (1993) was Ricohs first digital colour copier which was heavily promotedto be used as copier and printer (via a colour controller). Due to this connectivity,Ricoh opened other colour markets it could not approach before. The biggestadvantage of this copier was its flat paper path, enabling many different paperstocks (e.g. OHP transparencies, thick paper, labels). This feature is still one ofthe strongest points of the current colour model line.

The introduction of the Aficio Color 5000 series, which replaced the NC5006,enforced Ricohs colour penetration. It used the same technology as the NC5006,but had some major improvements (quality and paper latitude).

The introduction of the Aficio Color 2000 series in 1996 meant the opening of the general office segment for laser colour copiers. This machine had a similarsize and all features which a BW machine could offer (document feeder, sorter,stapler, duplex), but on top of that, colour capabilities. This brought colour copyingand printing into the standard office.

Ricoh Colour Copiers (History)

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Ricohs Colour Copiers (Current Product Line)

In 1999 Ricoh has replaced its product line by introducing 3 brand new series (5 models): Aficio Color 3000 series (3006) Aficio Color 4000 series (4006 / 4106) Aficio Color 6000 series (6010 / 6110)

The 3000 and 4000 series are targeted to replace the 2000 series. They offerincreased speed (6 vs 3 cpm) and higher image quality (600 vs 400 dpi).

The 6000 series is targeted to replace the 5000 series. This series also offersincreased speed (11 vs 6 cpm) and quality as well as improved paper latitude.

The introduction of the Aficio Color 3000, 4000 and 6000 sets a new standard in colour copiers. Superb quality (600 dpi), wide paper latitude (biggest printablearea, A3 oversized) in combination with lower prices, will strengthen Ricohs nameas standard when it comes to colour.

Ricoh Colour Copiers (History)

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Colour Market Today

Colour is used to enhance and add impact to: Presentations Proposals Reports Desktop Publishing

Colour Sells !

With so many business people using computers, its natural that they want to producedocuments as they appear on their colour monitors.

Colour in your document improves retention, creates longer-lasting impressions and improves the chance of getting the customer to take action. Another aspect is that colour will reduce the chance of making mistakes.

The type of documents printed in colour depends, of course, on the type of company,but studies have shown that larger companies use colour in their presentations,whereas smaller companies use colour in their marketing documents.

Colour in the Office

Outsourced Colour Production In-house Colour Production

Outsourced Colour Production at a copy shop offers more professional results.Copy shops have high-quality products and the knowledge required. On the otherhand, it requires more time, there is no security on the contents of your documents,and it can become expensive.

In-house Colour Printing can offer the flexibility and security, however with the current colour printers available in the office (inkjet), it is time consuming (slow speed), it offers modest quality, and the consumables are expensive.The newest range of colour copiers offers high speed, high quality and flexibility,while the cost per page is lower than an inkjet!

Colour Market

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Colour Output Products

Roughly speaking a customer can select from 2 technologies: Inkjet LaserWithout going into the technology itself, inkjet is attractive because of rapidlyfalling prices and technology improvements, whereas laser offers higher speedand lower cost-per-page.

The decision on which technology to buy depends on the customer's requirements: Image Quality (only text, or text and photos) Speed (ripping and printing speed) Productivity (single page documents, finishing capabilities) Cost-per-page (consumables)

Many customers who have an inkjet machine have discovered the limits of thistechnology when it comes to a combination of speed and image quality. Besides this, the consumables are expensive resulting in high cost-per-page.

The laser copier is, in this situation, the best solution. Next to higher speed incombination with high image quality, the cost-per-page is much lower.

Although the initial price of colour copiers is higher than that of the Inkjet, an earlybreak-even point on the Total Cost of Ownership (depending on the volume) willbe achieved since the consumables are much cheaper.

Colour Market

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Market Segmentation

Based on the customer requirements, the colour market can be divided into 3 segments.

Production SegmentThe major requirements for this segment are high speed and good quality. Short-run printing and 'print for pay' (like copy shops) are the typical kind of busi-nesses in this area. Unit-wise this market is small, but volume-wise (clicks) it isthe biggest market. The Aficio Color 6000 series is targeted in the lower part of this segment.

Specialised BusinessThis segment requires high quality with precise colours. The paper type (thickness)and format (size) also becomes important. Advertising agencies are a typicalexample of companies belonging to this segment. The Aficio Color 6000 seriesoffer the highest needs of this segment.

General OfficeThe requirements for this area of the market are flexibility (different users), and easy operation (non-experienced users). It should support functions commonto black-and-white copiers. Unit-wise this market has the highest potential. As part of the colour market it shows the biggest growth (unit-wise). The Aficio Color 2000 series has opened this colour copier market and with the new Aficio Color 3000 and 4000 series, Ricoh will enforce its position.

Colour Market

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Speed Segmentation

To monitor the copier market (market share), market research companies have divided the market into segments based on the speed (copies per minute)of the machines.

In the time that colour copiers were sold in much smaller numbers, all colour copierswere seen as one group.)

Nowadays, this market has also been split into segments, based on the speed of machines (in colour). Category 1 < 5 cpm Category 2 5 < 8 cpm Category 3 8 - 12 cpm Category 4 12+

The following products are for the different segments: Aficio Color 3000 series Category 2 Aficio Color 4000 series Category 2 Aficio Color 6000 series Category 3In segment 1, most inkjet-based colour copiers can be found (slow speed!). With the replacement of the 2000 series, Ricoh does not have a machine in cate-gory 1. Also for segment 4, Ricoh does not currently offer a colour copier.

Trends in Colour Market

The chart shows the colour copier forecast for the coming years. It shows a veryhealthy growth on a yearly base.

The request for colour output devices is not only increased by the lower price levels,but as well by the increasing level of network computing (sharing printers) andInternet (downloading e.g. operating manuals). This trend has just started!

Here colour copiers can play a major role. They can not only copy in colour, butas well in black and white (higher speed). And with the optional colour controllers,they turn out to be really multifunctional products, not only replacing inkjet (speed& quality), but black-and-white copiers and printers as well.

Colour Market

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How Do We See?

In order to perceive colour, you need 3 things: light source an object your eye (detector)

A light source shines its light on an object. Part of the light is absorbed by the object,the other part is reflected into the eye. The light enters your eye and stimulatescolour sensors in the back of your eyes. Three types of sensors differentiate thevarious colours. The sensors relay an impulse to the brain. Your brain registersthe image. Because the image is created in the human brain, the same object isseen differently by each person: each person experiences colours differently.

What is Colour?

Colour is a form of light.

What is light, and where does it come from?To answer this question, we have to go back to the smallest part we know: the Atom

An atom has a nucleus which is surrounded by electrons in orbit (like the moon andthe earth). The electrons surrounding the nucleus can absorb energy, but alwayswant to get back to their neutral energy level (get rid of the extra energy). The energy they absorb comes from other electrons (atoms) surrounding the atom.They release the extra energy by giving it to another electron. This radiant energy(known as photon) traveling from one electron to another is what we see as light.One photon is invisible for the human eye, but normally it is not just one photon,but trillions. Photons travel with the characteristics of a wave.

Colour Theory

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Wave Characteristics

A wave has 2 characteristics: Wavelength Amplitude

The wavelength (the length of one wave) defines the colour. Thinking of the rainbow,the longer the wavelengths, the more the colour tends to go towards red. The shorter the wavelength the colours tend to go in the blue/purple.

The amplitude of the wave is a representation of the intensity of the colour. The higher the amplitude, the more intense the colour. The lower the amplitude,the weaker the colour.

White Light & Rainbow

In 1666, Sir Isaac Newton discovered that if sunlight shines through a prism, thesunlight (white light) is split into the colours we see as the rainbow. He concludedthat white light is actually a mixture of all colours. (211)

The prism works in 2 directions:If you place in one direction different colour sources, and focus all light beamsonto a single spot, it will appear as a white spot.

Visible Spectrum

The human eye is only sensitive for a small fraction of the total spectrum. The visiblespectrum ranges from violet via blue, green, yellow, orange to red (rainbow).Waves beyond this range (Ultraviolet, Infrared) cannot be seen with the humaneye. Still these waves are used in our daily life. Think about the microwave inyour kitchen, or the remote control of the TV. Both use radio waves beyond thevisible spectrum.

Colour Theory

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RGB Colour Space

If we divide the visible spectrum into 3 parts, we get the 3 primary colours: Red, Green and Blue.If we mix these main three colours, we are still able to produce white light. Red,Green and Blue are called Primary Colours. By combining these primary colours(RGB), all colours of the rainbow can be created. Red + Green = Yellow Green + Blue = Cyan Red + Blue = Magenta Red + Green + Blue = White No Light = Black *

The mixture of the primary colours is known as the Additive Colour Theory. The more colours you add together, the lighter it becomes.

* for this reason black is called no colour

CMY(K) Colour Space

We talk about the CMY(K) Colour Space when dealing with objects which reflectand absorb different colours like toner and ink (not light sources in contrast with the RGB colour space).In this colour space Cyan, Magenta and Yellow are the main colours. By mixing themyou can produce whatever colour you wish. Cyan + Magenta = Blue Magenta + Yellow = Red Cyan + Yellow = Green Cyan + Magenta + Yellow = Black No colours = White

No colours will result in the colour of the paper (background) which is white paperin colour copiers.

The mixture of these colours is known as the Subtractive Colour Theory. The more colours you subtract out of it, the lighter it becomes.

Colour Theory

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CMY / CMYK

In theory, the mixture of cyan, magenta and yellow results in black. In practice,the result is not pure black, but muddy brown. Toner (or ink) is not able to mixperfectly, resulting in this muddy brown colour.

To solve this problem, black ink (or toner) is added to the cyan, magenta and yellowink. Known as adding a key colour, the letter K represents black, to prevent confusion with blue (in RGB).

The first analogue colour copiers used only CMY toner to reproduce colour imageson paper. The current digital colour copiers all produce coloured images with CMYKtoner. Some cheaper Inkjet printers on the market still produce CMY colour images.

Complementary Colours (opposite colours)

As can be seen from the slide, with the red colour, you can create all coloursexcept cyan. The same is true for green vs. magenta, and for blue vs yellow.This is known as complementary colours. Red Cyan Green Magenta Blue Yellow

Absorbing and Reflecting

If a light source shines on an object, the object will absorb certain colours andreflect others: The surface will absorb its complementary colour, while reflectingthe other colours.

E.g., if you shine white light on a yellow surface, it will absorb its complementarycolour (blue) while reflecting the others (red and green).

If you shine white light on a green surface (yellow + cyan = green), it will absorbthe complementary colours of yellow toner (=blue) and cyan toner (=red), and reflect the green light.

Colour Theory

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Can You Read the Text (example 1)

Light source: Sun (White light)Object: White A4 sheet with red textDetector: Your eye

The white light strikes both the white paper as well as the red text.

The white paper will reflect all light (=white), and the red text reflects only the red text.

The image produced in your eyes/brain is a white sheet with the letter A in red.

Result: Yes, I can read the text.

Colour Theory

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Steps in the Colour Copier

A colour copier is in fact a colour scanner connected to a colour printer.The colour scanner uses an exposure lamp to scan your original. In other words,it is working in the RGB Colour Space (Additive Colour Theory).The colour printer is using Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black toner. In other words,it is working in the CMYK Colour Space (Subtractive Colour Theory).

Somehow RGB data has to be converted into CMYK data. In the next couple of slides, we will explain this part of the colour copier process.

Colour Scanning

In the scanner of the colour copier, 2 processes take place Divide the original into many small areas Measure from each area the value of Red, Green and Blue

During the first step, you have to think of placing a raster over your original, anddividing it into many small areas. The size of each area is a measure of resolution(dpi or dots per inch). The smaller the areas, the higher the resolution. The standardin the colour copier market is 400 dpi; however the latest Ricoh colour copier familyhas a higher resolution of 600 dpi.

The second step in scanning is measuring from each area the value (intensity) of red, green and blue (from no colour to maximum). The range of this value isknown as Greyscale or Colour Depth. The standard in colour copiers in the markettoday is a value between 0 and 255 (256 steps) from, e.g., no red to max red.256 steps is also known as 8 bit (binary).

The scanning process converts the original into RGB data.

Colour Copier Workflow

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Colour Conversion

The original placed on the copier glass is now scanned and stored as RGB datainto memory of the copier.Since the print engine of a colour copier uses CMYK toner, the RGB data has tobe converted into CMYK. This process is done in 2 steps: RGB -> CMY CMY -> CMYK

To convert the RGB data into CMY data, the theory of the ComplementaryColours is used: Red Cyan C = 255* - R Green Magenta M = 255* - G Blue Yellow Y = 255* - B* 255 (8 bit) represent the maximum value of your greyscale (colour depth).

Out of the red data, we retrieve the cyan data etc.e.g: R = 250 C = 5 (255-R)

G = 50 M = 205 (255-G) B = 150 Y = 105 (255-B)

CMY - CMYK Conversion

Now that we have converted RGB into CMY data, we still have to calculate the blackvalue out of this. Although different processes are available, in colour copiers only 2 (similar) processes are used: Grey Component Replacement Under Colour Removal

During the Grey Component Replacement (GCR) the equal amount of CMY canbe replaced by Black. This will reduce the total amount of toner used, and reducethe paper curl (the thicker the toner layers, the more the paper tends to curl, whichmay cause paper misfeed) The disadvantage of GCR is that in practice imagesare perceived as cold.

In Under Colour Removal (UCR), the equal amount of CMY will be replaced by only a percentage of Black. The higher the percentage, the more black is usedincreasing the sharpness. The lower the percentage, the more colour toner isused, the nicer the colour image looks. In Ricoh colour copiers, the user is able to adjust the level of UCR (user tools).

Colour Copier Workflow

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Image Creation in the Copier (Development Cycles)

The CMYK data, which is calculated for every single dot, is now sent to the laserunit of the colour print engine to develop 4 planes (black plane, cyan plane, magentaplane and yellow plane).

For each colour, an additional development cycle has to be made (that explainswhy a colour copier seems slower than a black-and-white copier). How the imageis placed on the paper depends on the design of the copier.

3 different techniques can be used to create the image on paper: Single Drum + Transfer Belt Single Drum + Transfer Drum 4-Drum

The first and second techniques are similar, and found in lower-speed copiers (< 15cpm). The last technique is used in high-speed copiers (like our NC8015 & NC8115).

Single Drum + Transfer Belt

This system is used in most of Ricohs colour copiers.

One colour plane (e.g. black) is developed on the drum and transferred to a transferbelt. The second colour plane (e.g. Yellow) is developed on the drum and transferredon top of the previous black colour plane. The third colour plane (e.g. Cyan) is developed on the drum and transferred on top of the previous 2 planes. When the last colour (e.g. Magenta) is developed, and transferred on top of theother planes (on the transfer belt) the actual picture is ready to be transferredonto paper. Paper is fed into the machine and the total image is transferred fromthe belt onto this sheet of paper.

The biggest advantage of this system is a Flat Paper Path. Paper does not haveto bend, enabling many different paper stocks (types, sizes and thickness). The thicker the paper, the stiffer it is, making it difficult to bend.

Colour Copier Workflow

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Single Drum and Transfer Drum

Although this system is similar to the previous system, the main difference is thepaper path. Paper is fed into the machine and clamped around the transfer drum(cylindrical drum). The first colour plane is developed on the drum and transferredonto the paper (which is clamped around the transfer drum). The second colourplane is developed on the drum and transferred onto (on top of the first colourplane) the sheet of paper. The third colour plane is developed on the drum anddeveloped on top of the paper. After the last colour is developed and transferredon the paper, the paper is released from the transfer drum and fed out of the copier.

The disadvantage of this system compared to the previous one (=Ricoh) is thatyou are more restricted with your paper latitude. For thick paper it is more difficultto bend and stay on the transfer drum. As well the total paper path is much longer,making the chance on a misfeed bigger. Most competitor colour copiers still usethis system, which makes the Ricoh colour copiers more applicable for specialpaper (like thick paper, OHP transparencies, labels, stickers, etc).

4-drum System

In this system, 4 development sections are placed next to each other (one for eachcolour). Each development section creates its own colour plane, almost simulta-neously on each of the 4 drums. Paper is fed into the copier, and while passingeach unit, the image is transferred from the 4 drums onto the sheet of paper.

The advantage of this system is that it allows higher speed (>15 cpm); howevermaintenance costs are higher as well (4 drums instead of 1). Ricohs NC8015and 8115 used this technique.

Colour Copier Workflow

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Unique Advantages (for Ricoh Colour Copiers)

If Ricoh colour copiers are compared to the competition, 2 major advantages arealways very well perceived by the customers: User Friendly Flat Paper Path

Most of Ricohs colour copiers are equipped with a full-colour LCD touch panel. In these LCD touch panels, the functions and features for a basic copy job aredisplayed. More complex functions are placed under drop-down buttons. This feature is perceived as very user-friendly.

The technology of a Flat Paper Path inside Ricoh colour copiers creates anotherbig advantage. Since paper does not have to bend, restrictions to paper are less(compared to the competition). E.g., sticker labels will peel off when bent, causingjams. Advantages of this flat paper path are: less paper misfeeds (shorter and flat paper path) more standard paper sizes (A6 - A3+, Aficio Color 6000 up to A3++) thicker paper (up to 256 g/m2 for the Aficio Color 6000) more different types of materials (thick paper, OHP transparencies, labels) (much) higher productivity with thick paper / OHP transparencies

Ricohs Extension Solution

In cooperation with In-Tryk (Danish company) Ricoh has developed an applicationkit for salespeople, which takes full advantage of the flat paper path. Thanks to theflat paper path, as well as high toner quality (does not dissolve because of ultra-violet light), In-Tryk has found in Ricoh a partner for its application kit.

Coming from the screen print industry, In-Tryk has a lot of experience in printing on anything (except paper for machines similar to Priport). With this in mind, as well as knowing the disadvantages of the industry (very expensive for lowquantities, slow and dirty), they looked for a solution. After testing many colourmachines, Ricohs colour copiers showed the best result. Together with Ricoh, In-Tryk has created the Extension application kit, which shows many examplesused in the screen print industry, but offered at much lower prices.

Ricohs Strengths

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Extension Kit

The Extension application kit consists of: Sample materials: stickers, labels, and many others Examples to show how samples can be used Mount-it Software: application to correctly position a design on sample materials Calculation model to determine the price of a job

The Extension application kit can be used in many different ways: To sell colour copiers To give salesman new ideas (markets) To sell the kit itself To sell the different print materials (others than papers)

It is an application which can only be used on Ricoh colour copiers (flat paperpath required). It will convert the salesman from box mover to solution provider.

Ricohs Strengths

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Basic ColourModule

Glossary

Glossary

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Basic Colour Module

4-Drum System

In the 4-drum system, 4 development sections are placed next to each other (one for each colour). Each development section creates its own colour plane, almost simultaneously on each of the 4 drums.Paper is fed into the copier, and while passing each unit, the image is transferred from the 4 drums onto the sheet of paper.

Additive Colour Theory

By mixing the primary colours (RGB), all colours of the rainbow can be created. The more colours you addtogether, the lighter it becomes. Thats why it is called the Additive Colour Theory.

Amplitude

The amplitude of the wave is a representation of the intensity of the colour. The higher the amplitude, the more intense the colour. The lower the amplitude, the weaker (darker, closer to black) the colour.

Analogue Copy Technology

In an analogue copier, the scanner light of the copier is used to expose the drum (data is not stored in memory).Because of this, the copier cannot be used as a printer.

CMY (K) Colour Spacel

A colour copier works with both the RGB colour space (scanner unit) and the CMY(K) Colour Space. In this colour space, the mixing of Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black will produce whatever colour you want(Subtractive Colour Theory).

Complementary Colours

Complementary colours are colours which do not contain any similar colour. Complementary colours are Red & Cyan, Green & Magenta and Blue & Yellow.

Cpm

Copies per Minute. This is the indication of the speed used for a copier.

Glossary

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Basic Colour Module

Extension Solution

An application kit for salespeople containing all kinds of materials (stickers, labels, etc.) to copy/print on. This application takes full advantage of the flat paper path of Ricoh colour copiers (flat paper path required).

Flat Paper Path

With this technology, paper does not bend inside the copier, and the total paper path is shorter. This reduces the chances of paper misfeed, and allows higher paper latitude (thicker and bigger paper as well as different materials).

Grey Component Replacement

Grey Component Replacement (GCR), is one of the ways to convert CMY into CMYK data (calculating the black).The equal amount of CMY will be replaced by Black. This will result in higher sharpness, but colder colours.

Inkjet

Inkjet is a(nother) way to reproduce an image on paper (next to laser). Generally speaking, inkjet offers lowerquality and lower speed compared to laser, but the initial price is (much) lower.

Laser

Laser is a way to reproduce an image on paper. Compared to other forms, laser is the best solution where speedand high quality are required. Important to know is the low running costs (compared to the other techniques).

RGB Colour Space

We talk about the RGB colour space if we deal with a light source (lamp, sun, scanner, etc.). By combining theprimary colours Red, Green and Blue (RGB), all colours of the rainbow can be created. This colour space usesthe additive colour theory.

Single Drum and Transfer Belt

A system used in colour copiers to create an image on paper. In this system, the image is created on a beltbefore it is transferred to the paper. The quality of the image is less dependent on the used paper, and allows a flat paper path.

Glossary

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Basic Colour Module

Single Drum and Transfer Drum

A system used in colour copiers to create an image on paper. In this system, the image is directly on the paper.The paper needs to be clamped on the transfer drum before the copy cycle can start. The paper path in this system is longer, and the paper has to bow, which makes this system less suitable for thick (stiff) paper.

Subtractive Colour Theory

In the CMY(K) Colour Space, the mixture of the colours Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black enables us to createany colour of the rainbow. The more colour you add, the darker the resulting colour will be. This is known as thesubtractive colour theory.

Under Colour Removal

Under Colour Removal (UCR), is one of the ways to convert CMY into CMYK data (calculating the black). The equal amount of CMY will be replaced not totally by black (GCR) but by a percentage. This will result inwarmer colours but less sharpness.

Wavelength

The wavelength (the length of one wave) defines the actual colour. Thinking of the rainbow, the longer the wave-lengths, the more the colour tends to go towards red. The shorter the wavelength the colours tend to go in theblue/purple.

Additional Items

Absorption

If a light source shines on an object, the object will absorb certain colours and reflect others. The surface willabsorb its complementary colour, while reflecting the other colours. E.g., if you shine with white light on a yellowsurface, it will absorb its complementary colour (blue) while reflecting the others (red and green).

CMY CMYK

In theory, the mixture of cyan, magenta and yellow results in black. In practice, the result is not pure black,but muddy brown. Toner (or ink) is not able to mix perfectly, resulting in this muddy brown colour. To solvethis problem, black ink (or toner) is added to the cyan, magenta and yellow ink. Different methods can be usedfor the calculation (UCR & GCR).

Glossary

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Basic Colour Module

General Office Market

One out of the three segments in the colour market. The requirements for this area of the market are flexibility(multipurpose users) and easy operation (non-experienced users). As part of the colour market it shows thebiggest growth (unit-wise).

K-colour

This is the K in CMYK. Known as adding a key colour, the letter K represents black, to prevent confusionwith blue (in RGB).

Production Segment

One out of the three segments in the colour market. The major requirements for this segment are high speed andgood quality. Short-run printing and 'print for pay' (like copy shops) are the typical kinds of businesses in this area.Unit-wise this market is small, but volume-wise (clicks) it is the biggest market.

Reflection

If a light source shines on an object, the object will absorb certain colours and reflect others. The surface will absorb its complementary colour, while reflecting the other colours. E.g., if you shine with white light on a yellow surface, it will absorb its complementary colour (blue) while reflecting the others (red and green).

Segmentation

To monitor the copier market (market share) and compare individual machines, market research companieshave divided the market into segments based on the speed (copies per minute) of the machines.

Specialised Business Segment

One out of the three segments in the colour market. This segment requires high quality with precise colours.The paper type (thickness) and format (size) also become important. Advertising agencies are a typicalexample of companies belonging to this segment.

CoverIndex1. Introduction2. Ricoh Colour Copiers (History)3. Colour Market4. Colour Theory5. Colour Copier Workflow6. Ricoh's StrengthsGlossary