However, several customers who use both the 500-Series and the older X-Rite 400-Series have requested a way to better correlate the density data, which can differ due to the technical differences between the two series. As a result, X-Rite has made an update available for the 500-Series that offers a Tx density response, which gives better agreement to older 400-Series models. The results have been satisfactory with newspaper printers, and the following is an excerpt from an internal X-Rite study on the subject.

To understand the solid density correlation from the 500-Series to the 400-Series, a comparative study was prepared. The study used solid density and gray balance density values typical of news printing. The samples evaluated were:

NAA Color|9 ROP Newspaper Color Ink Book Vol. 9 – Litho CMYK solid patches

NAA Color|9 ROP Newspaper Color Ink Book Vol. 9 – Litho 40, 30, 30 gray balance

NAA Color|9 ROP Newspaper Color Ink Book Vol. 9 – Flexography CMYK solid patches

NAA Color|9 ROP Newspaper Color Ink Book Vol. 9 – Letterpress CMYK solid patches

Each of the colors of the density samples was measured only once with ten 400-Series and then with five 500-Series. Each of the dot area samples was also measured once with five 400-Series and then with five 500-Series. The correlation was determined based on a comparison of the averages from each model.

Litho News Correlation Ink Color Solid
Density Gray Balance Cyan 0.00 -.02 Magenta 0.00 -.01 Yellow -0.01 -.01 Black 0.01. On offset litho newspaper printing, our correlation results show that the average solid ink density as measured by the 400-Series products minus the average density as measured by the 500-Series products yields a value of 0.00.

This correlation can vary by color, and ranged from -0.01 to 0.01. The worst case between two individual instruments showed a correlation of 0.03. The average density was 0.85 C, 0.89 M, 0.80 Y, 0.97 K.

On offset litho newspaper printing, our correlation results show that the average gray balance density as measured by the 400-Series products minus the average gray balance density as measured by the 500-Series products yields a value of -0.01.

This correlation can vary by color, and ranged from -0.02 to -0.01. The worst case between two individual instruments showed a correlation of 0.04. The average density was 0.66 C, 0.65 M, 0.66 Y.

Flexo News Correlation Cyan -0.01 Magenta 0.00 Yellow -0.01 Black 0.00 On flexographic newspaper printing, our correlation results show that the average density as measured by the 400-Series products minus the average density as measured by the 500-Series products yields a value of 0.00. The average density was 0.92 C, 0.92 M, 0.78 Y, 1.09 K.

This correlation can vary by color, and ranged from -0.01 to 0.00. The worst case between two individual instruments showed a correlation of 0.03.

The table to the right can be used to correlate solid ink density measurements between 400-Series and 500-Series in flexographic printing applications using newsprint substrates.

Letterpress News Correlation Cyan -0.01 Magenta -0.01 Yellow 0.00 Black 0.00 On letterpress newspaper printing, our correlation results show that the average density as measured by the 400-Series products minus the average density as measured by the 500-Series products yields a value of 0.00. The average density was 0.86 C, 0.86 M, 0.75 Y, 0.98 K.

This correlation can vary by color, and ranged from -0.01 to 0.00. The worst case between two individual instruments showed a correlation of 0.03.s