In line color monitoring system
A device and method for use with an image recording device. The device having a background target and a first surface including the background target recessed therein. The device further including a substrate stabilizer configured to move a substrate having an image printed therein in closer proximity to the background target and below the first surface when activated.
1. A method for measuring a transitive substrate, the method comprising:
positioning a background target mounted in a first surface of a substrate stabilizer at a non-imaging distance below a continuous transitive substrate,
wherein the background target is positioned below a portion of the transitive substrate that is less than the whole of the transitive substrate;
further wherein the non-imaging distance is greater than 0.290 inches;
actuating the substrate stabilizer to reposition the portion of the transitive substrate to an imaging distance and maintain the transitive substrate within a distance of no more than about 0.290 inches of the background target, wherein the transitive substrate is not in continuous contact with the background target; and
imaging the transitive substrate with an image recording device while the substrate stabilizer is actuated.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the transitive substrate is maintained within a distance of greater than about 0.00 inches and no more than about 0.290 inches.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the transitive substrate is maintained within a distance of no more than about 0.250 inches.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the transitive substrate is maintained within a distance of greater than about 0.00 inches and no more than about 0.250 inches.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the transitive substrate is maintained within a distance of no more than about 0.1 inches.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the transitive substrate is maintained within a distance of greater than about 0.00 inches and no more than about 0.1 inches.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the transitive substrate is maintained within a distance of no more than about 0.08 inches.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the transitive substrate is maintained within a distance of greater than about 0.00 inches and no more than about 0.08 inches.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the transitive substrate is maintained within a distance of no more than about 0.05 inches.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the transitive substrate is maintained within a distance of greater than about 0.00 inches and no more than about 0.05 inches.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the background target is configured to provide a consistent color measurement reference.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein imaging the transitive substrate comprises measuring a colorimetric value or densitometric value from the transitive substrate.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the colorimetric or densitometric value is measured from a portion of the substrate.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the substrate is maintained in position through a mechanical force.
15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the substrate is maintained in position by a fluid force.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the substrate is maintained in position by a vacuum.
17. The method of claim 1 , wherein the substrate is maintained in position through a combination of mechanical and fluid forces.