Technical Report

Decode test with processed 4 colored prints

Aim : Identify the minimum cell size of color c code, possible to decode from processed 4 colored prints.

Supporting printing companies : Company R & Futaba Kougei Printing

«Used codes and decoding environment»

cell standard : 5 types (27×27mm, 54×54mm, 81×81mm, 162×162mm, 243×243mm)
redundancy level : 3 levels (level 1 [10% restoration), level 2 (20% restoration), level 3 (30% restoration)]
cell size : 5 types (0.1×0.1mm, 0.125×0.125mm, 0.15×0.15mm, 0.175×0.175mm, 0.2×0.2 mm)
(この内, 0.15mm及び0.2mmにおいては冗長レベル2及び3も含む)

• RGB based Color C Codes are converted into CMYK as below

All 8 colors are printed under CMYK contact print

importing device : scanner [CANON SCAN LIDE 90] (resolution : 600dpi)

«Futaba Kougei Printing»
Print : AM screen print (number of lines : 65L, 175L, 200L)
Paper : 2 types [coated paper] [matt coated paper]
Data : CTP

«Company R»
Print : FM screen print (10μ)
Paper : 2 types [coated paper] [matt coated paper (new age paper)]
Data : CTP

Table of test results for laser print (process_FM10_080830.pdf) 16kb

* The table only consist of the results of company R (FM10μprint)
* The document is in Japanese

«Conclusion»

• Cell size 0.2 mm mostly suit to decode.
• Cell size 0.175 mm were readable in 50% probability.
• Cell size 0.15 mm with redundancy level 3 were readable in 60% probability.
• Concerning paper types, a drastic difference was not seen. However, coated paper is more suit to decode.
• Testing with contact print made further expectations for the possibility to print with AM print. (= numbers of lines would not be a concern)
• In current status, the limit of the minimum cell size to decode is 0.15. (cell sizes 0.125 mm or smaller cannot be decoded)
• The cells are more visible in press compared to ink jet prints. Possibility to print downsized cells in press may increase.