Anatomy

of a
Trap
What is trapping?
What is trapping?
"The intentional overlapping of
colors along common boundaries
to prevent unprinted paper from
showing in the event of
misregistration in prnting."
– Frank J. Romano
Pocket Guide to Digital Prepress
Why is trapping
needed?
Why is trapping
needed?
To compensate for human and
mechanical errrors in the
PRINTING PROCESS.
Trapping is not needed for jobs viewed on a monitor
or printed to a copier
How does trapping
work?
 Background

A
Object

On any printed page you will have many elements that

are defined as either an object or a background.
 A
If misregistration occurs on the printing press the white space
shows through and is unacceptable.
Some type of compensation must be made in order to
eliminate the defect that misregistration brings to the job.
 One method of compensation is to
EXAMPLE 1 - Bad
Overprint.
Overprinting is when one color is
printed over the top of the second color.
Commonly, black/dark colors overprint
lighter colors. In the process of over-
printing there is not an open space for
the object to fit into on the background.
Trapping is not needed.
There are certain situations where
overprinting is good. Example 2 shows
small text printing on a light background.
This technique eleminates the worry of
misregistration which would make the
type difficult to read.
Some cases overprinting does not EXAMPLE 2 - Good
work. In Example 1, the overprint color 3 Agricolae lucide iocari incredibiliter
does not retain its' original color. adfabilis apparatus bellis.
3 Plane tremulus chirographi adquir-
eret ossifragi. Matrimonii amputat
laratus bellis.
 The default of trapping EXAMPLE 1 - Good

applications is to apply a
knockout.
A knockout creates white space
or a "hole" in the background the
shape of the object. When the
second color is printed on top of
the first color, there is not a
background color to interfere and
we can see the correct color.
If knockout is applied to small
text and misregistration occurrs
the text will not be ledgible.
Trapping is a must when using
knockout.
3 Agricolae lucide iocari 3 Agricolae lucide iocari 3 Agricolae lucide iocari
incredibiliter adfabilis incredibiliter adfabilis incredibiliter adfabilis
apparatus bellis. apparatus bellis. apparatus bellis.
3 Plane tremulus chi- 3 Plane tremulus chi- 3 Plane tremulus chi-
rographi adquireret rographi adquireret rographi adquireret
ossifragi. Matrimonii ossifragi. Matrimonii ossifragi. Matrimonii
amputat laratus bellis. amputat laratus bellis. amputat laratus bellis.
EXAMPLE 2 - Bad
 Trapping compensation is made by creating a
Choke, Spread or Centerline trap.

The trapping default is to Spread the lighter color under the darker
color. This helps minimize the possiblity of a third color appearing
where the trap is applied. There may be some elements on the page
that would not use a Spread but instead benefit from a Choke or
Centerline trap. Most printed jobs will use a combination of
spreads, chokes and centerline traps in one job.
Choke - "A trapping option in which the knock-
out area of the background is slightly reduced, caus-
ing an object placed in front to print over a portion
of the background."
Robin McAllister, Pathways to Printing; Trapping

a.k.a.: crimp, shrink, skinny, squeeze

Spread - "A trapping option in which the knock-
out area of the background is slightly enlarged when
printed so that it overlaps the knockout area of the
background."
Robin McAllister, Pathways to Printing; Trapping

a.k.a.: fatty, phantom, trap, swell

Centerline - A trapping option that
enlarges each color at the boundry by
half of the trap amount. For example:
if the trap amount = 1 then each color
would enlarge by 0.5.
Photo manipulation programs, such a
PhotoShop, work with raster (bitmap/pixel)
images. This type of image is also known as a
continuous tone image.
Continuous tone images separate into four images. If misregistration occurs
you do not see white space between the images. Trapping is not needed for
continuous tone images.
Bezier curves
points

Drawing programs, such as Illustrator, create vector based images.

The images are made up of lines and shapes that are mathmatically
described in the PostScript language.
 Knockout

In a vector based image each color is a mathmatically defined shape that fits together to
make up the entire image. Because the shapes fit like cut pieces of paper, the fit on the
printing press will benefit by adding trapping to the image.
 CMY Spot

Some designs can be converted from Spot to CMY and eliminate the need for trapping.
Colors that contain comon elements or bridge colors do not need trapping. There must
be at least 20% commonality in the colors.
 CMY Cyan Magenta

This graphic shows that when it is

converted into CMY there is no
longer a need for trapping.

Yellow
Gradients can cause their own problems. How does the
trapping engine decide how to trap this object? The
advanced applications use a "Sliding Trap". This makes
minor adjustments in the trap so there is not an abrupt
shift in the trap placement along the gradient edge.
Can the desktop
operator setup
trapping on a job?
"Trapping is rarely completely automatic;
someone with an understanding of the
process needs to make decisions and use
the trapping software properly."
– Frank J. Romano
Pocket Guide to Digital Prepress
Each desktop application has its' own method
of trapping. The next few screens will show
some of the differences in the programs.
Consult your application Users Guide for
additional detailed information on trapping.
Quark's trapping is on by default. Setting the
Trapping Method, in Preferences, to "Knockout All"
turns trapping off.
With Quark trapping, each element(background and object) must be selected
and the style applied. If the operator does not perform this task, the applica-
tion uses default settings according to what is selected in the Preferences. To
view Trap Information go to View then Show Trap Information.
Using trapping in Illustrator requires that all the elements to be trapped
are selected. In the Pathfinder window select Trap from Options.
This will bring up the Pathfinder Trap window that will allow you
to set the parameters of trapping for those elements.
When you return to the active window the trap will be seen on the
object as a stroke.
Further investigation will show the line used for trapping. If you look at the
Attributes window you will see that Overprint Stroke is checked and the
Stroke window will show the width of the trap set in the parameters window.
 In Design uses a built in trapping engine. When using In Design trapping,
separations must be sent from the desktop. If the RIP is doing the trapping
the file must be sent composite.
For using In Design trapping you must first create a Trap Style for the
document. These are custom settings for the document and press conditions
In the Trap Style Options,
select New Style.
Set the specifications for yor coument and
printing press conditions. Refer to the User
Guide for more detail of each specific setting.
By selecting the new trap style, then choosing
Assign Trap Style in the Options pallette, you
can assign that style to the document or specific
pages within the document. Trapping does not
occur until the document prints.
Even though PhotoShop is a
raster based program, it does
carry the ability to trap. You
must start by making sure your
image is in CMYK color mode.
Once converted, select Trap...
from the Image menu.
The trap window will allow you to
apply a numeric value.
How much trap
do I need?
 Printing Method Substrate Trap

Sheetfed offset Gloss coated 0.25 pt

Sheetfed offset Uncoated 0.25 pt

Web offset Gloss coated 0.30 pt

Web offset Uncoated commercial 0.40 pt

Web offset Newsprint 0.45 pt

Flexography Coated 0.45 pt

Flexography Newsprint 0.60 pt

Flexography Kraft 0.75 pt

Screen printing (wet on wet) Fabric 0

Screen printing (dry) Paper, fabric, other 0.45 pt

Gravure Gloss coated 0.25 pt

– Frank J. Romano
Pocket Guide to Digital Prepress
Who in my workflow
would be responsible
for trapping?
 Analog Workflow

Type- Plate
Design Layout Camera Stripping Press
setting making

In an Analog workflow the trapping

process was performed in the darkroom
by the camera person producing contact
films that were grossly over-exposed or
under-exposed.
 Digital Workflow
In a Digital Workflow the trapping can be applied at several different stages: within the desk-
top applications, through proprietary trapping software and/or through In-Rip trapping.

Prepress
Desktop Design, Image acquisition, and layout CTP Press
?

the file can be put the file can be

The desktop operator can apply trapping
through a proprietary trapped through In-
to the file within the applications,
trapping Rip trapping,
such as Illustrator, InDesign or Quark
software,such as such as MTRAP
OR
TrapWise or Itrap
OR
 Digital Workflow

Prepress
Desktop Design, Image acquisition, and layout CTP Press
?

The desktop operator can apply trapping to the file the file can be put the file can be trapped
within the applications, through additional through In-Rip trapping,
such as Illustrator, InDesign or Quark trapping such as MTRAP
OR software,such as
TrapWise or Itrap
• ALL files must be trapped including the files that OR • Most In-Rip trapping pro-
are placed inside of the page layout file. grams use trap zones. The
• More files are being prepared by novice desktop this type of software trapping software detect
users so trapping must be added before output can be areas where trapping has
very expensive already been applied and
honor those traps and then
add additional trapping if
needed.
Test your knowledge

Does the job need trapped?

 Trapping Knowledge
Leads DTP
1
Aegre quod incredibiliter quin-
fragilis quennalis saburre
syrtes imputat quadrupei.
circum- Rures agnascor cathe-
grediet dras, utcunque matri-
incredi- monii fortiter vocificat
biliter perspicax fidu- pretosius suis.
cias. Gulosus oratori Umbraculi fermentet
optimus verecunde satis adlaudabilis fidu-
amputat apparatus bel- cias, quamquam aegre
lis, quod bellus umbrac- adfabilis oratori pes-
uli circumgrediet simus neglegenter
adlaudabilis ossifragi, praemuniet pretosius
quamquam catelli vix fiducias. Aegre quin-
spinosus miscere satis quennalis syrtes cir-
perspicax zothecas. cumgrediet tremulus
Pompeii iocari appara- catelli. Chirographi
tus bellis. Catelli vere- conubium santet
cunde conubium santet umbraculi.Agricolae
optimus adlaudabilis praemuniet fiducias.
quadrupei, quod rures Suis optimus fru-
vocificat ossifragi, galiter amputat rures.
utMedusa lucide ampu- Plane gulosus chi-
tat satis perspicax rographi spinosus
syrtes. conubium santet quin-
Saburre aegre fortiter quennalis rures, sem-
praemuniet cathedras, per Caesar amputat
quamquam saetosus cathedras. Pretosius
saburre lucide cor- zothecas insectat parsi-
rumperet fragilis rures, monia saburre.
Monochrome Jobs In
Need Trapping?
Aegre quod incredibiliter quin-
fragilis quennalis saburre
syrtes imputat quadrupei.
circum- Rures agnascor cathe-
grediet dras, utcunque matri-
incredi- monii fortiter vocificat
biliter perspicax fidu- pretosius suis.
cias. Gulosus oratori Umbraculi fermentet
optimus verecunde satis adlaudabilis fidu-
amputat apparatus bel- cias, quamquam aegre
lis, quod bellus umbrac- adfabilis oratori pes-
Saetosus ossifragi uli circumgrediet simus neglegenter Saetosus ossifragi
imputat cathedras. adlaudabilis ossifragi, praemuniet pretosius imputat cathedras.
Perspicax apparatus quamquam catelli vix fiducias. Aegre quin- Perspicax apparatus
bellis vocificat fiducias. spinosus miscere satis quennalis syrtes cir- bellis vocificat fiducias.
Apparatus bellis cor- perspicax zothecas. cumgrediet tremulus Apparatus bellis cor-
rumperet pretosius Pompeii iocari appara- catelli. Chirographi rumperet pretosius
quadrupei, ut utilitas tus bellis. Catelli vere- conubium santet quadrupei, ut utilitas
apparatus bellis aegre cunde conubium santet umbraculi.Agricolae apparatus bellis aegre
libere circumgrediet optimus adlaudabilis praemuniet fiducias. libere circumgrediet
Augustus. Agricolae quadrupei, quod rures Suis optimus fru- Augustus. Agricolae
lucide iocari incredi- vocificat ossifragi, galiter amputat rures. lucide iocari incredi-
biliter adfabilis appara- utMedusa lucide ampu- Plane gulosus chi- biliter adfabilis appara-
tus bellis. Plane tremu- tat satis perspicax rographi spinosus tus bellis. Plane tremu-
lus chirographi adquir- syrtes. conubium santet quin- lus chirographi adquir-
eret ossifragi. Saburre aegre fortiter quennalis rures, sem- eret ossifragi.
Matrimonii amputat las- praemuniet cathedras, per Caesar amputat Matrimonii amputat las-
civius apparatus bellis, quamquam saetosus cathedras. Pretosius civius apparatus bellis,
semper umbraculi pes- saburre lucide cor- zothecas insectat parsi- semper umbraculi pes-
simus spinosus rumperet fragilis rures, monia saburre. simus spinosus
 Loose Registration
Headlines Trap Issues
Aegre quod incredibiliter quin-
fragilis quennalis saburre
syrtes imputat quadrupei.
circum- Rures agnascor cathe-
grediet dras, utcunque matri-
incredi- monii fortiter vocificat
biliter perspicax fidu- pretosius suis.
cias. Gulosus oratori Umbraculi fermentet
optimus verecunde satis adlaudabilis fidu-
amputat apparatus bel- cias, quamquam aegre
lis, quod bellus umbrac- adfabilis oratori pes-
uli circumgrediet simus neglegenter ossifragi imputat cathe-
adlaudabilis ossifragi, praemuniet pretosius dras. Perspicax appa-
quamquam catelli vix fiducias. Aegre quin- ratus bellis vocificat
spinosus miscere satis quennalis syrtes cir- fiducias. Apparatus bel-
perspicax zothecas. cumgrediet tremulus lis corrumperet preto-
Pompeii iocari appara- catelli. Chirographi sius quadrupei, ut utili-
tus bellis. Catelli vere- conubium santet tas apparatus bellis
cunde conubium santet umbraculi. Agricolae aegre libere circum-
optimus adlaudabilis praemuniet fiducias. grediet Augustus.
quadrupei, quod rures Suis optimus frugaliter Agricolae lucide iocari
vocificat ossifragi, amputat rures. Plane incredibiliter adfabilis
utMedusa lucide ampu- gulosus chirographi apparatus bellis. Plane
tat satis perspicax spinosus conubium tremulus chirographi
syrtes. santet quinquennalis adquireret ossifragi.
Saburre aegre fortiter rures, semper Caesar Matrimonii amputat las-
praemuniet cathedras, amputat cathedras. civius apparatus bellis,
quamquam saetosus Pretosius zothecas semper umbraculi pes-
saburre lucide cor- insectat parsimonia simus spinosus
rumperet fragilis rures, saburre. Saetosus deciperet syrtes,
 Complex Color Jobs
Require Trained Operators

Aegre quod incredibiliter quin-

fragilis quennalis saburre
syrtes imputat quadrupei.
circum- Rures agnascor cathe-
grediet dras, utcunque matri-
incredi- monii fortiter vocificat
biliter perspicax fidu- pretosius suis.
cias. Gulosus oratori Umbraculi fermentet
optimus verecunde satis adlaudabilis fidu-
amputat apparatus bel- cias, quamquam aegre
lis, quod bellus umbrac- adfabilis oratori pes-
uli circumgrediet simus neglegenter ossifragi imputat cathe-
adlaudabilis ossifragi, praemuniet pretosius dras. Perspicax appa-
quamquam catelli vix fiducias. Aegre quin- ratus bellis vocificat
spinosus miscere satis quennalis syrtes cir- fiducias. Apparatus bel-
perspicax zothecas. cumgrediet tremulus lis corrumperet preto-
Pompeii iocari appara- catelli. Chirographi sius quadrupei, ut utili-
tus bellis. Catelli vere- conubium santet tas apparatus bellis
cunde conubium santet umbraculi. Agricolae aegre libere circum-
optimus adlaudabilis praemuniet fiducias. grediet Augustus.
quadrupei, quod rures Suis optimus frugaliter
vocificat ossifragi, amputat rures. Plane
3 Agricolae lucide iocari
utMedusa lucide ampu- gulosus chirographi
spinosus conubium incredibiliter adfabilis
tat satis perspicax apparatus bellis.
syrtes. santet quinquennalis
rures, semper Caesar 3 Plane tremulus chi-
Saburre aegre fortiter
amputat cathedras. rographi adquireret
praemuniet cathedras,
Pretosius zothecas ossifragi. Matrimonii
quamquam saetosus
insectat parsimonia amputat laratus bellis.
saburre lucide cor-
rumperet fragilis rures, saburre. Saetosus
 See
you
there!

island Hopping Tours

1234 Main Street, My Town, My State 12345
References:

• Adobe InDesign 2.0 User Guide; Adobe Systems, Inc., 2001

• GRACoL - General Requirements for Applications In Commercial Offset

Lithography, 2002, version 6.0; IDEAlliance

• Pathways to Print; Tapping; Robin McAllister, Delmar Publishers, 1997

• Pocket Guide To Digital Prepress; Frank J. Romano, Delmar Publishers, 1996

• The Complete Guide to Trapping, Second Edition; Brian P. Lawler,

Hayden Books, 1995