Software - Colour Management

BARBIERI is proud to announce the world’s first portable spectrophotometer for professional digital printing. This professional measurement device is built to measure a variety of different media used in professional digital printing including large and wide format printing. Thanks to its independence from a computer it can also be used directly on the printer. The integrated touch display facilitates interaction with the device and gives immediate feedback about the measurement results. It is the ideal tool for all digital print professionals for use away from the desk.

Spectropad is the new portable measurement device for all professionals within digital printing including large and wide format printing. Thanks to its large measurement aperture it is able to accurately measure a wide range of different, reflective media. Banner, cardboard, textiles, canvas, PVC, Fine Art Paper, vinyl and Paper are just a few of them.

This new wireless, battery powered spectrophotometer can be operated without a computer and therefore directly at the printer, even without cutting the media. Jobs can be stored in the device and measurement results (if requested) sent through WiFi to the computer.

The Spectropad is the first measurement device with Barbieri “qb-technology” inside. This new technology is based on D50 illumination and contains the next generation of highest precision spectral core. The D50 illumination used is based on LED technology by Just Normlicht. It fully matches the new measurement condition M1 introduced with the ISO standard 13655-2009. Thanks to the Barbieri “qb-technology” most precision measurement results will be reached.

The touch display makes the operation and job selection a breeze – no matter whether measuring a control bar, a linearization or profiling chart or just a simple spot color. The measurement results will immediately be displayed or sent to the computer for further processing.

With this portable measurement device BARBIERI targets all professionals in digital printing, color management consultants as well as technicians for printer installation. It finally allows using the well-known BARBIERI measurement quality away from the desk or at the customer site.

The new BARBIERI Spectropad will be formally launched and demonstrated at FESPA Digital 2011 in Hamburg (May 24 – 27, 2011), in Hall A1, Booth C30.

Further information can also be found on the Barbieri website.

The full range of BARBIERI colour management and profiling tools are distributed in the UK by IGSUK Ltd, and is available from resellers including Tech8.

 

GMG, a leading developer and supplier of high-end colour management software solutions, and Four Pees, exclusive worldwide distributor of the PrintFactory software suite, have announced the launch of the PrintFactory GMG Edition, an integrated solution combining PrintFactory and the GMG colour management solutions GMG ColorServer and GMG SmartProfiler, at Fespa Digital from 24-27 May in Hamburg, Germany.

PrintFactory GMG Edition bundles the PrintFactory suite for banner, sign and super wide format printing with GMG ColorServer and GMG SmartProfiler to speed up file handling and preparation and to achieve superb colour results. PrintFactory GMG Edition offers a unified production platform to drive all large format production in the most efficient and consistent way.

PrintFactory GMG Edition is the most complete production solution for large format printing. It can print jobs as they are being processed, driving more than 600 different printing, cutting and CTS devices. It has a unique, built-in preflight engine, which makes it possible to check each file that is opened against a set of job specific parameters. If a mistake is detected, PrintFactory GMG Edition allows editing or correcting virtually any object element in the job. PrintFactory GMG Edition also provides a dedicated LFP job preparation environment, making it possible to easily add folds, seams and tunnels, define die cut lines and create tiles and grommets. For recurring jobs, smart templates make the preparation even faster.

Through the integration of the GMG ColorServer colour management software and the GMG SmartProfiler profiling and calibration tool, PrintFactory GMG Edition not only increases productivity and operator flexibility, it also provides for consistent colours and highest production reliability. GMG ColorServer processes any kind of colour conversions, fully automatically, in order to obtain uniform colour standards. GMG SmartProfiler is the user-friendly solution for creating GMG ColorServer colour profiles and printer calibrations for Large Format Printing systems. Thus, GMG ColorServer and GMG SmartProfiler ensure cross-media consistency while maintaining the same colour and print quality.

GMG FlowConnect is the link between the colour management solution GMG ColorServer/SmartProfiler and the PrintFactory workflow, enabling complete seamless integration. The GMG FlowConnect technology enables job ticket-controlled, automatic and flexible handling of jobs. The status of all jobs can be tracked completely in PrintFactory. Once installed, the GMG colour management runs fully automatically in the background. This results in less training as the operators can still work with their familiar PrintFactory environment, and less manual, error-prone work as all colour management tasks are automated.

PrintFactory GMG Edition not only helps users to achieve consistency in colours, but also highest repeatability, either in production environments where several output devices of an identical or similar type are installed, or in so-called hybrid environments, typically operating with large format and offset presses. Users and their customers in the large format printing sectors increasingly expect high colour accuracy and colours that match those of print media produced by conventional printing processes, such as offset. Consequently, GMG ColorServer automatically converts print data to the corresponding output colour space, using ISO Coated V2 as reference standard and thus enabling a visual match with offset in large format industrial print production.

The PrintFactory GMG Edition is available in two customised versions. The first, for Print Shops, is certainly a valuable solution for all kinds of businesses engaged in inkjet-based large format production of indoor communication such as banners, point-of-sales material, displays and small vehicle wrapping. The PrintFactory GMG Edition for Industrial LFP suits in very large format production environments with different printing processes in use producing indoor and outdoor communication such as billboards, point-of-sales material and large vehicle wraps.

Visitors of this year's Fespa Digital can find out more about the GMG/Four Pees integrated solution at the seminar covering subjects such as file preparation, production automation and standardisation in large format printing. The seminar will be held at hall A4 in room A4.2 on May 25 from 10.30 to 12.30. Interested persons can register at http://www.fourpees.com/events/four-pees-and-gmg-seminar/registration.

The PrintFactory GMG Edition will be demonstrated at the PrintFactory booth C66 in Hall A4.

For GMG, a leading developer and supplier of high-end colour management software solutions, the focus at this year’s FESPA Digital in Hamburg will be on the company’s colour management solutions for the large-format printing sector.

Consequently, GMG will be represented at the exhibition booths of Four Pees (Hall A4, Booth C66), HP (Hall A4, Booth C40/41), KIP Deutschland (Hall A3, Booth C60), and Neolt (Hall A3, Booth A50).

The GMG ColorServer and GMG SmartProfiler colour management solutions assist companies in the large-format printing sector in their efforts to meet the growing demands imposed on colour quality and consistency. One of the challenges in this context is to achieve identical colour results on multiple output devices or in mixed production environments, where offset and digital or large-format printing can be encountered together. In these cases, the printed end products are intended to look exactly the same, regardless of which printing process is used.

So that colours have an identical appearance in different printing processes, GMG ColorServer automatically converts the data to the corresponding output colour space. GMG SmartProfiler is used to create the necessary colour profiles and printer calibrations for different output systems. ISO Coated V2 usually serves as the reference standard.

At the HP booth, GMG will be presenting a GMG ColorServer Suite for HP Scitex printers that is tailored specifically to the needs of HP Scitex users. The software package includes the GMG ColorServer/ SmartProfiler colour management solutions, preconfigured hotfolders, and colour profiles for instant use. This permits maximum repeatability in production, and consistent colour results on any printing system and almost any substrate.

In addition, visitors to the exhibition will have the opportunity to gather information regarding further possible applications for GMG’s software-based colour management in combination with a wide variety of digital large-format system solutions. For example, the exhibitors Four Pees, KIP Deutschland, and Neolt will be presenting a wide range of integration options for GMG ColorServer and GMG SmartProfiler. The solutions offer convincing versatility, flexibility and, on the bottom line, outstanding colour quality.

Nature's colours are the focus of new Claro v8, announced today by Elpical Managing Director John de Jong.  Sky blues, grass greens and skin-tones can be made to look much closer to reality than ever before in an automated image correction and optimisation solution. Another important development in this major upgrade is the availability of Claro Settings Assistant, which equips anyone to start using the software immediately.
 
All products in the Claro family are updated to version 8, and available for customer download -- along with Claro Settings Assistant -- immediately.
 
"Concepts such as 'natural'  and 'automation' are very far apart. In Claro, however, we've engineered a way to identify and optimise naturally-occurring greens, blues, and skintones; to achieve true-to-life imagery in an automated solution," says de Jong. "Claro has moved the bar."
 
Claro Settings Assistant, Green Tone Adjustments
 
Claro image optimisation and automated workflow solutions for publishers and large enterprises are in use all over the world; at publishing houses, ad agencies, and commercial and transactional production companies. Worldwide brands using Claro include Meredith Corp., Modern Luxury Media, Sanoma Magazines, BBC and USA Today.
 
How Claro Works

Claro employs its Individual Image Analysis to rapidly analyse a range of parameters on each of the thousands of images it processes, and then modifies individual images for highest-quality and publication-centric results.
 
Operators always have the option to review side-by-side comparisons of originals and Claro-optimised images, and make manual edits if desired, using Claro Inspector for Photoshop.

Claro Settings Assistant, drag and drop interface
 
With the new Claro Settings Assistant, the operator can further customize their specific image optimisation needs without the immediate and direct need for hands-on, expert setup.  Settings can be tested in a desktop environment and exported back to the production server.
 
Also topping the list of new functions in Claro 8 are 1. an optional brightness correction curve that better preserves contrast in images;  2. "contrast in luminosity" mode, which isolates contrast manipulation and therefore protects color and hue integrity; and 3. red-eye reduction.
 
The Claro Product Family
 
The Claro Premedia solution, which integrates with editorial and production systems available all over the world, also automates other image processing tasks such as intelligent file format and colour conversions. Claro Premedia offers a complete, client-server based image optimisation workflow combining productivity benefits of a server solution with the discerning visual capabilities of the human eye.
 
Claro Single gives printers and publishers true server solutions offering 100% hands-off image optimization. As an integration module, Claro Single is easy to plugin to automation solutions such as Enfocus Switch or PuzzleFlow.
 

 

SP Group, the UK’s leading retail marketing services business and one of Europe’s largest POS production specialists, has increased production efficiency and achieved significant ink savings by investing in a full suite of Alwan Color Expertise Technology. The software solution, which was installed by Alwan’s Expert UK Distributor, Colour Engine, comprises Alwan CMYK Optimizer ECO, Alwan Print Standardizer, Print Standardizer Viewer and Alwan Print Verifier.

“Alwan is delivering real cost savings - we are confident of at least 10% savings and above -  but to look at the end result, you wouldn’t have thought we were using less ink as our print looks as good as it has always done,” says Nick Stevens, Technical Director at SP Group.

SP Group has a complicated production set-up with a mix of both digital, Screen Print and litho output. For over two years Nick Stevens meticulously researched and tested all the solutions on the market.
“We needed a solution that would simplify and automate production at SP Group whilst delivering ink savings and reliable, consistent print across all platforms,” says Nick Stevens. “Out of all the products we looked at, Alwan ticked the most boxes and importantly, plugged into our existing Dalim workflow so we were able to avoid the expense and disruption of a whole new installation.”

SP Group produces various retail advertising elements for one campaign on different output devices and it is vital that the quality and colour of the images is consistent even though one element has been produced digitally and the other litho. “The Alwan solution is configurable to all our different processes and we find it fast and easy to maintain,” continues Nick Stevens. “Colour Engine has been really helpful and they really know Alwan well. I would recommend them to anyone as technology partners.”

SP Group production includes one Inca Onset S70; two Inca Colombias; two HP DesignJets; four HP Indigo 5500; three Epson printers for proofing, two Lamdas and a KBA 205 large format litho press.

GMG, a leading developer and supplier of high-end colour management software solutions, announces Version 4.7 of its GMG ColorServer and GMG InkOptimizer colour management solutions, together with an update of the GMG SmartProfiler profiling and calibration tool to Version 1.5. The new versions are characterised by even greater user-friendliness and maximised production reliability.

The GMG ColorServer colour management software performs fully automatic colour space conversion on RGB, CMYK, and mixed data, in order to obtain uniform colour standards. GMG InkOptimizer has already been in successful use for several years for automatically reducing the amount of chromatic ink used, thereby improving printing properties and enabling cost savings.

New wizard prevents errors

GMG ColorServer and GMG InkOptimizer now feature not only a host of newly revised Device-Link colour profiles, but also preconfigured hotfolders for all standard printing conditions. The GMG Hotfolder Creation Wizard helps users to create new hotfolders, using predefined settings provided for all international printing standards. As a result, possible sources of error are already avoided when creating workflows.

Web interface for cross-location colour management

A standard Web browser suffices to enable multiple users to access GMG ColorServer and InkOptimizer simultaneously to convert PDF files and monitor their processing. This makes both software solutions particularly user-friendly and easy to apply.

Ink Saving Report for improved cost control

An Ink Saving Report integrated in the software shows at a glance how much printing ink was actually saved when processing a file with GMG InkOptimizer. Statistics are generated for each job, indicating the quantity of printing ink required for each colour separation, with and without GMG InkOptimizer profiles.

Extended integration of GMG PrintControl for full process control

GMG PrintControl is the easy-to-use solution from GMG for standardizing printing presses and effective process control in the pressroom. Compensation curves for the tone value increase from GMG PrintControl can now be used directly in GMG ColorServer/InkOptimizer, in order to perform even more accurate colour conversion by taking the individual printing properties into account.

Consistent, identical colour results through central colour management

The combination of GMG ColorServer and GMG SmartProfiler gives users of digital printing or LFP systems, for example, completely new capabilities for raising the colour quality and colour stability of their presses to a hitherto unknown level. GMG SmartProfiler can even be used to create custom colour profiles for GMG ColorServer, as well as printer calibrations for various output systems. Different front ends, RIPs, and printing presses no longer have to be individually configured and synchronised, because colour management is handled centrally and entirely by GMG ColorServer/SmartProfiler. The result: consistent, identical colour results on one or more digital or large-format printing systems and in mixed production environments, whereby colour matching with ISO Coated V2 can be achieved

GMG SmartProfiler Version 1.5 offers greater ease of use and dependability than ever before.

Multiple wizards facilitate profile creation

Different wizards assist the user when creating the colour profiles for GMG ColorServer and the printer calibrations, making it possible to obtain high-quality results quickly and dependably. The software offers extensive predefined settings for specific printing presses and a wide variety of applications, e.g. for optimally mapping ISO Coated V2 in the available gamut of a digital or large-format printer. This achieves maximum colour accuracy and production reliability on any and every output system.

Flexible handling of spot colours

GMG SmartProfiler automatically prepares spot colours for optimum rendering on the press. Channels for varnish, die-cutting formes or white-ink printing can be specifically excluded from processing. That guarantees flexible handling of spot-colour channels.

Easy adaptation to changed output conditions

Changes in the output conditions, such as new substrates, printing modes or inks, can be taken into account without any difficulty. GMG SmartProfiler can be used to create new hot-folders for GMG ColorServer as and when necessary, e.g. if a new printer/material combina-tion is added. Matching hotfolder settings are predefined.

Client/Server architecture

GMG SmartProfiler can now be installed on a different computer than GMG ColorServer, meaning that remote applications are also possible.

To be able to cater even more specifically to customer requirements, different versions of GMG ColorServer, GMG InkOptimizer and GMG SmartProfiler will be available from now on. GMG ColorServer comes as a full version for all conventional printing processes, or in conjunction with GMG SmartProfiler as a Digital/LFP version. GMG InkOptimizer is shipped either with a set of profiles for sheet-fed offset printing, or with profiles for web offset and gravure printing.