Software - Colour Management

GMG, supplier of high-end color management and proofing solutions, is presenting GMG SmartProfiler, a user-friendly solution for the creation of ColorServer profiles, at Print 09 in Chicago from September 11-16.
 
GMG SmartProfiler is a wizard which allows customers to calibrate and profile different output devices, such as digital presses or large format systems, easily and without profound knowledge of color management. The software is aimed at users who want to create their own profiles and/or calibrate output devices, or who work according to in-house standards, including flexo and packaging print houses who often face these challenges. All the necessary functions are available in GMG SmartProfiler, which will be available as an additional option in combination with GMG ColorServer 4.6 within the next 60 days.

Users, especially in the digital and large-format printing sectors, increasingly expect high color accuracy, repeatability and colors that match those of print media produced by classic printing processes, such as offset or gravure printing. Many digital printing and large format systems operate in hybrid environments, e.g. with digital and offset presses. There is a clear demand that the end product must look identical in all printing processes. Needless to say, the same also applies to companies where several output devices of an identical or similar type are installed.

With centrally controlled color management, companies can greatly increase productivity, production reliability and in particular the color quality of their products. Due to the identical quality of the printed output, flexibility in hybrid production environments is enhanced, because the output system to be used for printing can be selected at the last minute.

The creation of individual profiles and printer calibrations is now extensively assisted by a wizard. The software offers predefined settings for a wide variety of applications. Sources of error are minimized, since the user is guided step-by-step through the core applications of GMG SmartProfiler:

- Profile creation,
- Calibration,
- Creation of new calibrations and linearizations.

The high degree of automation in GMG's color management will help to cut costs, while increasing productivity and achieving consistent colors.

"In recent years, GMG has earned itself a first-class reputation with its trendsetting color management solutions for the graphic arts industry, especially for the traditional proofing business." says Paul Willems, CEO of GMG GmbH & Co. KG. "However, digital and large format printing, as well as flexo and packaging, are growing market segments which will benefit extremely from GMG's outstanding color management expertise. The potential uses for GMG SmartProfiler together with GMG ColorServer 4.6 are as manifold as are digital and large format printing applications, for example. Therefore, there is no doubt that our new solution will set important quality standards in these environments."

GMG, supplier of high-end color management and proofing solutions, is showing version 4.6 of both GMG ColorServer and GMG InkOptimizer for the first time at Print 09 in Chicago from September 11-16. Version 4.6 represents a major upgrade of these two highly successful and popular products of GMG's portfolio. GMG ColorServer color management software provides fully automatic color space transformations while GMG InkOptimizer allows fully automatic ink reduction.

The new versions of both products will be demonstrated on GMG's booth and will be available within the next 60 days. In addition to providing the tried-and-tested functions of the previous GMG ColorServer and GMG InkOptimizer, the major new features of version 4.6 focus on maximum production reliability and increased productivity.

INTEGRATION OF THE ADOBE® PDF LIBRARY
Today, nearly every application can create PDF files, resulting in a wide variety of PDFs with different versions and color spaces being delivered to print houses, repro and prepress businesses, advertising agencies and publishers. Checking and normalizing these files manually is a very time-consuming process. The processing of PDFs is now based on the Adobe® PDF Library, guaranteeing the correct handling of PDF files and therefore full productivity. PDF files can now be flattened, and transparent and overprinting elements yield identical results as in the Adobe Acrobat® reference software. PDF levels with language versions, varnish or die-cutting formes can be specifically excluded from processing.

CONVERSION OF SPOT COLORS TO CMYK
Many designers use spot colors with no thought as to how they are to be realized on the press. Spot colors can now be converted automatically to the CMYK values of the respective output color space, which is a great advantage in terms of time. GMG ColorServer replaces every spot color with the best possible match in the CMYK color space. Conversion is performed using the GMG SpotColor database, exploiting the maximum gamut of the selected color space.

PROFILEEDITOR WITH IMPROVED GAMUT MAPPING FUNCTION New Gamut Mapping algorithms ensure that colors are optimally converted between different color spaces, e.g. when color needs to be converted from a wide color space to a smaller one. Manual retouching of files is reduced dramatically.

NO EXPERT KNOWLEDGE NEEDED FOR SETUP
Besides the intuitive, clearly structured, new user interface, GMG ColorServer 4.6 is shipped with preconfigured hot folders for standard printing conditions. Configurations for all leading printing standards can be imported immediately after installation, meaning GMG ColorServer 4.6 is instantly up and running. The GMG-tested hot folders guarantee every user the best possible color conversions, avoiding errors from the outset and therefore benefiting production reliability.

NORMALIZING TO A COLOR SPACE AND INK REDUCTION IN ONE STEP In version 4.6, GMG ColorServer and GMG InkOptimizer can be seamlessly integrated and configured together in one hot folder. For customers who work both with GMG ColorServer and with GMG InkOptimizer, this means increased productivity, because normalizing and processing in GMG InkOptimizer can take place in a single process step. This reduces the configuration effort, facilitates integration and boosts the processing speed.

SIGNIFICANT TIME SAVINGS
Compared to the previous version, the processing speed has been increased drastically. For example, the speed of PDF conversions is doubled and PDF files are color-managed and ink-optimized within seconds.

"GMG ColorServer and GMG InkOptimizer 4.6 implement features urgently required by the graphic arts industry. The new version enables users to keep color under control, regardless of the printing conditions or media that need to be considered for the creation of printing data," explains Paul Willems, CEO of GMG GmbH & Co. KG. "We are convinced that, in these uncertain economic times, GMG ColorServer and GMG InkOptimizer perfectly fit the needs of the whole industry sector regarding time and cost savings, maximum production reliability and productivity."

GMG, the world's leading color management solutions provider, and BARBIERI electronic, leading manufacturer of color measuring solutions (densitometers and spectrophotometers) for the large format, flatbed and industrial printing markets, announced today a new strategic partnership, with the intent to provide exceptional color management solutions for the large format printing sector. According to the agreement, GMG will offer a special sales bundle including GMG ColorServer 4.6, the latest version of GMG's well-known color management solution for fully automatic color space transformations, available end of October 2009, and BARBIERI's popular spectrophotometer, the Spectro LFP RT.

With the assistance of a new, easy to use, profiling system to calibrate a wide range of print devices, GMG ColorServer and the BARBIERI Spectro LFP RT can be used to achieve perfect color quality. This is especially true for mixed environments with various front-end RIPs for different print systems. All output devices in use at the end user's production site can be harmonized to a dedicated color standard. This is also applicable in so called 'hybrid' production environments melding different printing, such as offset, digital and large format printing.

The Spectro LFP RT is suited for every application where accurate color in digital printing is required. Together with GMG ColorServer, this is the ideal color management solution to meet the demands of industrial digital printing and inkjet printing on every media, including special ones such as cardboard, banners, backlit film, fabrics, silk, plastic plates, wood, stone, and ceramic plates.

The most important features of the spectrophotometer are:

- Automatic transmissive and reflective measurements in one device
- Switchable measuring aperture (2 and 6mm) - 2mm for high resolution prints on media with high quality surface, 6mm for low resolution prints or structured/textured surfaces
- Special optics for UV printer requirements to get most accurate measurements, as UV prints have a unique surface

"The new partnership between GMG and BARBIERI is a great opportunity for both companies to establish high quality color management solutions for the large format production market. As expectations on color accuracy and repeatability are increasing in the digital and large-format printing sectors, we, together with BARBIERI, are delighted to provide customers the benefits of our common outstanding color management and measuring know-how," says Paul Willems, CEO of GMG GmbH & Co. KG.

Wolfgang Passler, International Sales and Marketing Manager of BARBIERI electronic snc, states, "Within this partnership, the outstanding color management knowledge of GMG and the excellent color measuring technology of BARBIERI electronic are combined to create a synergistic force. This results in a new solution that delivers a high level of color accuracy, while the entire color management and printing workflow is simplified."

For an International list of official Barbieri distributors click here. Barbieri devices are distributed in the UK by IGS UK Ltd, www.igsuk.net

GMG, developer and supplier of high-end color management and proofing solutions, announces that, effective today, it has established a subsidiary in Japan. GMG Japan, headed by Kazutami Ando, is responsible for organizing the distribution of the GMG's software solutions, logistics and technical support. In order to get closer to its clients and global industry partners, GMG Japan intends to extend coverage by reinforcing its local distribution networks.

"The Japanese market is the second largest print market in the world. Establishing a new office in Tokyo underlines the significant role this strategic market plays for GMG. Moreover, an expanded local presence will strengthen partnerships with our industry partners", explains Paul Willems, Managing Director of GMG GmbH & Co. KG. "Despite difficult economic times, GMG keeps on investing in strategically important markets ", adds Willems.

"We see exceptional growth potential for GMG in Japan, as the high quality of GMG's color management software and solutions for printing process control perfectly meets the demands of the Japanese graphic arts industry. The new local sales organization is the next step towards further strengthening the position of GMG in this market", says Kazutami Ando, President of GMG Japan.

GMG Japan's new address, effective September 1, is:

GMG Japan Co., Ltd.
Takechiyo Bldg. 4F
1-14-15 Kudankita
Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0073
Phone: +81 (0) 3 6272 6580
Fax: +81 (0) 3 6272 6581

Wasatch SoftRIP's Spot Color Replacement and Color Atlas Generator are helping companies increase sales, develop new clients, and expand their business.

Wasatch SoftRIP has been instrumental in helping Photo ColorGraphix, a wide-format printer in Thousand Palms, CA, improve their workflow and expand their business. When they opened their doors fifteen years ago, Photo ColorGraphix was a commercial photo lab. Over time, their business evolved and they now provide digital printing, finishing, and fabrication services. Recently, they expanded their services to include fine art reproduction and window graphics.

To handle their printing needs, Photo ColorGraphix needed a RIP that was reliable, robust, and easy-to-learn. Wasatch SoftRIP fit the bill on all counts.

Read more about Photo ColorGraphix' success with Spot Color Replacement and the Color Atlas Generator at this web page:

http://www.tech8ripsoftware.com/learning-library/training-videos/

Wasatch SoftRIP is available in the UK and Europe from Tech8

GMG, developer and supplier of high-end color management and proofing solutions, has launched a campaign enabling customers using old i1 measuring devices (Revision A or B) to buy a new i1 at the special price of Euro 699 until August 15, 2009. To take advantage of this offer, old i1 devices have to be returned to GMG via its authorized dealers.

The aim of the campaign is to ensure that as many customers as possible work with state-of-the-art devices. GMG ProofControl, in combination with i1 measuring instruments, has been an indispensable part of daily proof production and verification for years. But only measuring instruments that operate within the specifications of the prescribed standard really fulfill their purpose.

Consequently recertification is an important issue. The factory calibration of an i1 is valid for 12 months, after which X-Rite offers recertification for all spectrophotometers. As a result devices are sent to the X-Rite Service Department, where they are tested and cleaned before being subjected to the same calibration procedure as a newly manufactured unit.

However, with much older Revision A or B devices in daily use, recertification is often not worth while for financial reasons, because the repair costs far exceed the remaining value of the device. In addition, in comparison with first generation devices, new i1 instruments perform measurements twice as fast due to the progress made in sensor development.