TIC Heatmap (Ink Density)
Visualise ink density in your PDF using Total Ink Coverage (TIC) analysis to prevent print problems.
TIC Heatmap (Ink Density)
Visualise ink density in your PDF using Total Ink Coverage (TIC) analysis to prevent print problems.
What is TIC?
Total Ink Coverage (TIC) expresses the total ink percentage used at a single print point. In CMYK printing:
TIC = C% + M% + Y% + K%Example: C:80 + M:70 + Y:60 + K:50 = 260%
pie title Typical Rich Black TIC Distribution
"Cyan" : 60
"Magenta" : 40
"Yellow" : 40
"Key (Black)" : 100Why Does It Matter?
High TIC values cause serious problems in print:
| Problem | Description |
|---|---|
| Drying Issues | Excess ink does not dry properly |
| Set-off | Ink transfers to the reverse side |
| Paper Damage | Paper softens and tears |
| Colour Mixing | Colours bleed into each other |
| Extended Production Time | Longer drying wait times |
FOGRA Standard Limits
| Print Type | Good | Warning | Maximum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Offset (Coated) | <280% | <300% | 320% |
| Offset (Uncoated) | <220% | <240% | 260% |
| Digital Print | <240% | <280% | 300% |
| Newspaper (Coldset) | <200% | <220% | 240% |
Rule: Use the limits specified by your print shop. When in doubt, 280% is safe.
How to Read the Heatmap
NowToPrint's TIC Heatmap feature displays ink density using colour codes:
| Colour | TIC Range | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 🟢 Green | <280% | Safe |
| 🟡 Yellow | 280–300% | Caution |
| 🟠 Orange | 300–320% | Risk |
| Red | > 320% | Critical |
Usage
Activating the Heatmap
- Open your PDF in Prepress Studio
- Click the Palette icon in the toolbar
- The heatmap overlay is displayed automatically
- Analysis results appear in the top-right corner
Analysis Results
With the heatmap active, the following information is shown in the top-right corner:
- Max TIC: The highest value in the file
- Average: Overall ink density
- Limit Exceeded: Percentage of critical areas
- FOGRA Compliance: Standards check
Correcting Problematic Areas
1. Rich Black Optimisation
Rich black (100K + CMY) raises TIC. Recommended formulas:
| Usage | Formula | TIC |
|---|---|---|
| Text | 100% K | 100% |
| Small Area | 60C 40M 40Y 100K | 240% |
| Large Area | 40C 30M 30Y 100K | 200% |
2. GCR (Gray Component Replacement)
Removing the grey component from a CMY mix and replacing it with K:
Example: C:60 M:50 Y:50 K:40 (200%)
↓ After GCR Applied ↓
C:40 M:30 Y:30 K:60 (160%)3. Editing Dark Images
In Adobe Photoshop:
- Image → Mode → CMYK
- Edit → Convert to Profile → "Limit Total Ink to 280%"
Professional Tips
Tip 1: Keep TIC below 240% for logos and critical areas.
Tip 2: TIC is critical in large flat areas (covers, backgrounds); you can afford more tolerance in detailed areas.
Tip 3: Always use lower TIC on uncoated paper.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does TIC matter in digital print?
Yes — digital machines also experience toner adhesion and drying issues at high TIC.
Can a file with TIC of 320% not be printed?
Consult your print shop. Some shops can handle high TIC using specialist paper and drying processes.
The heatmap performance is slow — what should I do?
Heatmap calculation can take time for large PDFs. Analyse one page at a time.
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