1. Before Use

Ensure your computer is connected to the network and remains online.

2. PrintFactory Basic Preference Settings: Language and Unit of Measurement

2.1 Launch PrintFactory RIP Software

On your computer desktop, find and double-click the PrintFactory RIP software icon to launch it.

2.2 Access Preferences

In the upper left corner of the PrintFactory software interface, find and click “Edit”. In the drop-down menu that appears, select and click “Preferences”

2.3 Set the Unit of Measurement

In the “Preferences” window, click the “Unit” tab. From the drop-down options, select “Millimeter (mm)” as the unit of measurement (recommended). You can also adjust the unit according to your usage habits to suit your daily work routine.

2.4 Set the Software Language

In the “Preferences” window, click the “Language” tab. From the language list, select your preferred language.

Note: After changing the language, you must close the PrintFactory software and restart it for the language setting to take effect.

2.5 Confirm and Save Settings

After selecting the language and unit of measurement, click the “OK” button at the bottom of the window to save the settings.

2.6 Restart PrintFactory RIP Software (If Language Was Changed)

Close the PrintFactory software. Return to your computer desktop, find and double-click the PrintFactory RIP software icon to restart it.

3. Media Size Settings

3.1 Select the Printer

In the main interface of the PrintFactory software, find and click the printer icon to select the printer you want to configure.

3.2 Enter Media Size Settings

Click the “Change Media” icon (a white paper symbol, usually representing media or paper settings) above the selected printer.

: Change Media

3.3 Modify the Width Dimension

In the media size settings window that pops up, modify the width dimension.
: Width

Important: The print width should typically be 20mm less than the actual width of the film to allow for edge margin and avoid printing issues at the edges.

Example: For 330mm film, set the maximum width to 310mm.
Example: For 600mm film, set the maximum width to 580mm.

3.4 Confirm and Save Settings

After making changes, click “OK” at the bottom of the window to save the media size settings, ensuring they are configured correctly.

4. Global Color Management and Default Behavior Settings (Reference Configuration)

These settings generally affect the default color handling for all newly added jobs and the behavior after file submission.

4.1 Temporarily Add a Job to Access Settings

Click the “Add job” icon .

In the upper left corner of the PrintFactory software interface. In the file selection window that pops up, click the “Close” button directly (no need to select a file).

Note: This action aims to activate some preference settings that might only be accessible when a job is present. Some PrintFactory preferences only fully activate and display when the software believes you are working on a “job” or have entered the “layout editing” state.

Maximize the PrintFactory Layout window to fit the screen.

4.2 Access Preferences Again

Click “Edit” on the PrintFactory menu bar, and select “Preferences” from the drop-down menu.

4.3 Set Submit Behavior

In the Preferences window, click the “Submit behaviour” tab. From the drop-down options, select “Close”.

Note: This setting determines whether the layout editing page closes automatically after a RIP job is submitted. Choosing “Close” can simplify the workflow, especially when you need to submit multiple jobs consecutively, preventing open windows from accumulating and keeping the interface tidy.

4.4 Set the Default Reference Profile

In the Preferences window, find the “Reference Profile” option. Click its drop-down menu and select “ISO Coated v2 (ECI)“.

Note: The “Reference Profile” acts like a universal “color language standard” for PrintFactory. When your file does not specify a color profile, or when the software needs a generic color conversion baseline, it will use this “Reference Profile”.

Selecting “ISO Coated v2 (ECI)“, a widely accepted industry-standard color profile for printing, means PrintFactory will base its color processing on this high-standard printing color performance. This helps ensure the most accurate color processing possible even when specific file color information is missing.

4.5 Configure RGB Image and Vector Color Handling

Most design files (e.g., photos from cameras, images downloaded from the web, or files created in graphic design software) initially use the RGB color mode.

However, printers typically use CMYK inks. Therefore, PrintFactory must convert RGB colors to CMYK. These settings tell PrintFactory how to handle this conversion.

4.5.1 Click the third tab, “Color”, in the Preferences window.

4.5.2 Under the “RGB” section:

• Click the drop-down menu next to “Image” (which shows “SRGB IEC61966-2.1” by default) and select “None”.

Note: This means for imported RGB images, PrintFactory will not apply a preset RGB conversion by default, relying instead on the subsequent ICC workflow.

Click the drop-down menu next to “Vector” (which shows “SRGB IEC61966-2.1” by default) and select “None“.

Note: Similar to images, this means for imported RGB vector graphics, PrintFactory will not apply a preset RGB conversion by default.

4.6 Handle Embedded Profiles

In the “Color” tab, find the “Embedded profiles” option. Click its drop-down menu and select “Remove“.

Note: This setting determines how PrintFactory handles imported files that contain embedded ICC profiles. Choosing “Remove” means PrintFactory will ignore the profiles embedded within the files and uniformly use the workflow and profiles you set up in the software, avoiding conflicts.

4.7 Confirm All Settings and Exit

Click the “OK” button to save all the above preference settings.

4.8 Calibrator Default Reference Setting

Click the target icon in the upper left corner of the PrintFactory software interface. Click the word “None” next to it. From the drop-down options that appear, select “ISO Coated v2 (ECI)”.

Note: This ensures that when you perform color calibration or curve fine-tuning, the software uses ISO Coated v2 (ECI) as the default reference standard.

4.9 Reference Settings Complete

Global Color Management and Default Behavior Settings (Reference Configuration) are now complete.

5. Interface Tool Panel Settings (White Ink Tool)

5.1 Access the Window Menu

Click “Window” in the upper left corner of the PrintFactory Layout interface.

5.2 Configure Tool Panel Visibility

In the drop-down menu:

• Uncheck “Marks” (if it is checked).
• Check “White”.

Note: This operation will show or hide the corresponding tool panels in the PrintFactory layout editing interface. Checking “White” will make the white ink settings panel visible, facilitating adjustments to spot color (e.g., white ink) parameters.

5.3 Confirm Interface Update

After completing the settings, you will see the white ink settings panel appear on the interface (highlighted in red).

6. Complete All Initial Settings

6.1 Restart the Software for Changes to Take Effect

After completing all initial preference settings, close the PrintFactory software and then reopen it to ensure all changes are fully applied.

6.2 Process Summary

You have now successfully completed the initial setup process for the PrintFactory software!