It is important for you to know the difference between a "media" and a "mode".

What is meant by "creating a new mode"?

The print mode determine options such as resolution, dot pattern, print direction, drying time, cutter on/off, printer HD settings, etc. Every printer has it's own set of mode options, so it's important to check the settings and make your selections within the RIP.

A "mode" and setting up mode options is considered the second step in creating a new media during the regular profiling workflow. "Creating a New Mode" allows you to choose an existing media name in your library and make different mode settings to create a new profile.

Some print mode settings can be controlled within the front panel of the printer. Usually you will need to make sure these settings match to avoid print errors. If you choose to enable an option within the RIP, and the options do not match the software will try to over-ride the front panel settings if possible. If no selection is make in the RIP, and you would rather control the print mode options on the device, the printer will use the settings in the front panel. It is recommeded that you make your print mode selections within the RIP for each specific media to control the variables.

You can also create a new mode for an existing media profile in your library. For example, if you have just finished one media profile for a high-gloss media using 600 dpi and uni-directional printing and you want to make another media profile for the same media, but this time using 1200 dpi bi-directional printing, you would select create new mode and use the drop-down menu to select the same media name. This ensures that the media names are organized together. Another example would be if you are using a manufacturer supplied media profile and you want to configure different mode options for speed or quality, you can select create a new mode and make your desired selections during the profiling workflow.

When you create a profile you are create profiling the print mode for the device - See What is Profiling and why is it important? for more details.  

Back to Profiling Fundamentals.

Back to Media Manager.