Print simulation

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title: "Print simulation" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["printing"] topic_path: "general/printing" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Print_simulation" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

Print process simulation uses interactive simulation software to reproduce the operating conditions of complex multi-colour printing presses that often cost several million dollars. Simulators are available for different printing process technologies (offset Sseetfed, heatset and coldset web offset, flexographic and gravure packaging), and include their consumables (like inks, plates, paper and other substrates) and where pertinent, in-line packaging operations (such as folding, cutting, and label creation).

Simulation in education and training

Press operators get hands-on experience in quality control and problem solving, without the costs, dangers, or unstructured training associated with learning on actual presses. A wide variety of printing conditions and problems are covered that are used for training, skills assessment, performance enhancement, and process analysis. Simulation is a means of presenting infrequent problems before they happen, so that they can be recognized when they do occur.{{cite conference | conference = 43rd annual conference of the International Circle of Educational Institutes for Graphic Arts, Technology and Management | location = Norrköping Sweden | title = Development of knowledge and press-test based Heatset training simulator | url = http://www.hdm-stuttgart.de/international_circle/conferences/11norrkoeping/abstracts/view?get_id=18-herman | format = abstract | conference-url = http://ic2011.itn.liu.se/index.php?s=conference | author1-first = Peter | author1-last = Herman | author2-first = Laurent | author2-last = Grimaldi | author3-first = Gerd | author3-last = Carl | publisher = International Circle of Teaching Institute for Polygraphic industry | date = September 19–23, 2011 | accessdate = March 8, 2013

Printing simulation

Typical systems include monitoring and cost analysis that allow the training process to correlate with, versus the waste, cost, and time on a real press.{{cite web | url = http://whattheythink.com/news/49610-press-simulation-wide-variety-uses-transcontinental-mexico/ | title = Press simulation shows wide variety of uses at Transcontinental Mexico | date = 9 Mar 2011 | accessdate = 8 Mar 2013

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9d/Simulator_connected_to_industrial_console.jpg" caption="A print simulator integrated into a real press control console. The different screens show (from left to right):
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  1. the pressroom (access to the machine and environment)

  2. the printed copy: high contrast, small display

  3. the printed copy: lower contract, large display

  4. a real operator interface to a process control system]]

, it was estimated that over 2000 print simulators were installed worldwide. Users include technical schools, universities, printing companies, and their suppliers,{{cite journal | title = Confronting the skills problem | page = 247 | date = Apr 2004 | journal = Print & Paper Online Magazine | title = Training Generation Y to Work | url = https://blogs.wsj.com/informedreader/2007/03/04/training-generation-y-to-work/ | date = 4 Mar 2007 | accessdate = 8 Mar 2013 | newspaper = Wall Street Journal

Simulators from Sinapse are used alongside real presses in the EuroSkills and WorldSkills competitions to select the best printer.

In 2013, the print simulation cloud-based learning system DLMS won a PIA (Printing Industries of America) Intertech Award: Language-independent, it automatically analysed and compares training results from different countries, in different languages. This DLMS was used at worldskillsLeipzig 2013 to analyze and compare results from contestants using simulators in more than ten languages.

References

  • RIND Survey, January 2012, "Simulated press problem focusses on tackling production problems"
  • What They Think, March 9; 2011, "Press Simulation shows wide variety of uses at Transcontinental Mexico"
  • Quebec Imprimerie, N0 211, 2011, "Au dela de la formation sur presse"
  • http://www.sinapseprint.com/IMG/pdf/Case_study_Quebecor_ST_Cloud.pdf
  • Wall Street Journal, https://blogs.wsj.com/informedreader/2007/03/04/training-generation-y-to-work/
  • GATF World, May/June 2003, "Using SHOTS"
  • New Heatset Simulator Generation - newsletter1

References

  1. http://www.flexography.org
  2. http://www.worldskills.org
  3. http://www.sinapseprint.com
  4. "Innovative Technologies Earn 2013 InterTech™ Award".
  5. Sinapse Print Simulators. (23 July 2013). "WSL 2013 Print Media Technology".

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