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...colour quality management in print
PrintSpec™
 Click to download the PrintSpec™ Brochure
 Developed for print buyers, colour separators and printers requiring consistent, and standardised colour appearance conforming to ISO 12647. PrintSpec™ breaks with the traditional practise of matching the proof to the press, or the press to the proof by independently comparing both to pre-defined ISO specified targets for a range of printing conditions. This method of working is only now practical because PrintSpec™ displays print colour measurements and the complex targets and tolerances of the ISO Specification in an uncomplicated and yet sophisticated way. PrintSpec™ clearly shows when colour appearance is in or out of tolerance and provides vital information about the remedial action needed to ‘correct’ an out of tolerance print appearance.
PrintSpec™ generates a comprehensive and inclusive colour report from either the Mellow Colour “ISObars”, or a variety of commonly used colour control strips.
In practise, the user simply chooses the appropriate ISO specified Lab targets for paper type and ink colour, along with tone value increase (dot gain) targets from pull down menus in the PrintSpec™ set-up dialogue. A spectrophotometer is used to quickly capture colour data from the print sample, and a comprehensive colour report is generated displaying just about everything you need to know about colour appearance and how the colour measurements compare with the ISO 12647 Specification.
A summary sheet is provided with pass/fail indication for all ISO tolerances. PrintSpec™ also provides grey balance and density information that allows the “pulse” of the printing process to be monitored, flagging up subtle changes in the process long before they become a problem.
PrintSpec™ includes the critical grey balance targets currently not included in the ISO 12647 specification but essential for matching print appearance from press to press.
TVI (Dot-Gain) compensation data is shown in chart and table form.
PrinSpec™ Reports are invaluable for print appearance validation, for matching print appearance from one device to another, process control, technical troubleshooting and archiving of colour data for trend analysis.
InkSpec™
Click to download the InkSpec™ Brochure
- Match special and spot colours to customer defined or library specifications
- Take charge of special colour ink and spot colour quality control
- Identify performance consistencies on differing stocks
- Adopt a systematic, measurable approach to analysing your colour
In today’s printing industry where competition is fierce, quality, speed and cost can all determine success. Requirements for the accurate reproduction of spot and special colours is increasing, especially for packaging and specialist printers whose jobs often run outside the CMYK colour gamut. InkSpec is a colour quality system from Mellow Colour that addresses the need for greater control and the production of
consistent, accurate and measurable print in this arena.
• SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS • PC 450Mhz or better • 128MB RAM • Windows® XP • Monitor 24 bit Colour 800x600 Minimum • 20MB Free disk space • 2 x spare USB ports • GretagMacbeth™ Spectrophotometer • Microsoft Excel 2000 or later
Printing to the ISO 12647 specification is not difficult to achieve, print appearance on a Matt Coated Wood Free paper for instance is almost identical to EuroStandard, with slightly higher solid ink densities. Most good printers pass through the ISO 12647 specification from time to time - the trick is to do it consistently.
A typical PrintSpec™ hands-on training project consists of ‘tuning’ the pre-press, proofing and printing process so that colour appearance conforms to the ISO 12647 specification.
Mellow Colour also provide on-site colour theory and colour management training courses for occasional and advanced users. Courses can be constructed with a print buyer, design, pre-press or pressroom bias.
You can reach us via email at: alandresch@mellowcolour.com
© 2010 Mellow Colour Ltd
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