Print & Publishing

Duplex Registration Correction Calculator

What translation corrects measured back-side offsets, and does the offset exceed the entered allowance?

Measured values and planning assumptions
Supported: -1000 to 1000.
Supported: -1000 to 1000.
Supported: 0 to 1000.
Supported: 0.01 to 1000.

Method, formula and assumptions

Translate in the opposite direction to the measured offset. Source-artwork correction divides the printed-space offset by artwork scale fraction. Radial error = sqrt(X^2 + Y^2).

Input definitions and supported units

  • Measured back-side X offset (mm): Measured or assumed numerical value, from -1000 to 1000; signed values are supported.
  • Measured back-side Y offset (mm): Measured or assumed numerical value, from -1000 to 1000; signed values are supported.
  • Allowed radial offset (mm): Measured or assumed numerical value, from 0 to 1000; zero is supported where the stated method permits it.
  • Back artwork scale (%): Measured or assumed numerical value, from 0.01 to 1000; must be positive.

Worked example with answer

Measured offsets +1.5 mm X and -0.5 mm Y at 100% scale need -1.5 and +0.5 mm translations. Radial error is 1.5811 mm, leaving 0.4189 mm inside a 2 mm allowance.

How to use the results

Measure both sides in the same viewed coordinate system after the intended flip. A negative radial margin indicates the stated allowance is exceeded.

Results retain full precision internally and display up to four decimal places. Very small nonzero results use scientific notation rather than appearing as zero. Check the labels before comparing values across units.

Limitations and references

Corrects translation only, not rotation, skew, distortion or feed variation. The calculator does not infer a printer's duplex flip convention.

The method is a self-contained arithmetic, geometric or explicitly stated mathematical model. There are no imported tariffs, empirical presets or equipment specifications; measured values and allowances must come from your own process.

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