Research on printability has increasingly focused on measurement methods that evaluate local paper properties, i.e. methods that deliver 2D paper property maps. These methods measure the local variations of paper properties and thus enable direct comparison to
local inhomogeneity (i.e. print mottle) or defects in the print. A
common approach is to register, i.e. to spatially align, an
image of the printed paper to paper property maps of the printed region. Such aligned maps enable quantitative analysis of interrelations between local paper properties and local print density, e.g. by point-wise correlation.
In the current research project we model the interrelation of local print reflectance to local properties of the
printed paper sample. For this purpose we analyze maps of
different local paper properties, e.g. variations in basis weight, surface topography, ink penetration, gloss and refractive index, which have been registered to maps of local print reflectance. We create statistical models using multiple linear regression, analyzing the degree of redundancy between the local paper properties and their interrelation to local print density. These models identify the key properties of paper causing printability problems.