Software - Colour Management

Four Pees will be demonstrating their products and services on Stand C66 in Hall A4 at FESPA Digital

 

Four Pees, exclusive worldwide distributor of the PrintFactory software suite for banner, sign and super wide format printing announces that the brand new Canon imagePROGRAF iPF8300S and imagePROGRAF iPF6300S are now compatible with PrintFactory and ProofMaster.

The iPF6300S, successor to the iPF6000S, and the iPF8300S have been developed to complement Canon’s large format printer range. The two new models feature higher print speeds and broad workflow compatibility, as well as lowering of the total cost of ownership.

Working with high-speed printers, it is important that their speed is not held back by your RIP software. It is essential that this software allows you to not only RIP fast, but also allows you to get your jobs print-ready in time. This is where PrintFactory comes in, providing state-of-the art job preparation tools to create POS items, posters and banners in just a few clicks. Next to those preparation tools, it allows to preflight, correct and soft proof the print jobs before printing, which drastically minimises reprints and waste. Productivity is improved through the printer’s option to print in ‘fast’ mode, which enables the print speed to be as much as doubled, while still maintaining a level of print quality that rivals that in standard mode. This is a major advantage when producing output such as posters and point-of-sale (POS) display items, where turnaround is time-critical, This feature, in combination with the job preparation tools in PrintFactory, make the iPF6300S, iPF 8300S and PrintFactory combination a true winner.

PrintFactory, more than just a RIP

PrintFactory is the most complete production solution for large format printing. It can print jobs as they are being processed, driving over 600 different printing, cutting and CTS devices. PrintFactory not only increases productivity and operator flexibility, it also allows to produce more efficiently. The advanced colour engine can easily introduce proofing in workflows, reducing waste of expensive production media and ink. With PrintFactory, a predictable and consistent output is generated and colour consistency can be achieved on different machines.

ProofMaster, eligible for high-end proofing

ProofMaster provides a complete quality control solution that allows verifying and correcting incoming files and provides colour accurate proofs. ProofMaster provides effortless setup and allows for out-of-the box contract proofs in line with the ISO 12647-7 and other industry colour standards.

Together with PrintFactory and ProofMaster, the two new Canon imagePROGRAF large format printers provide the perfect balance between quality, productivity and colour accuracy making it ideal for the production, proofing, photographic and in-house print markets. These new additions to the large format range will enable Canon to expand its share of the large format print market and take advantage of the new opportunities offered by the growing demand for large format printing solutions.

PrintFactory software suite and ProofMaster for the Canon imagePROGRAF iPF6300S and iPF8300S printers are available from the 1st of April 2011.

Rotherham’s Bluetree Ltd has guaranteed colour consistency across its diverse portfolio of large format digital printers by centralising colour management with GMG ColorServer and GMG SmartProfiler colour management software. The sign and display specialist has also realised savings on ink costs of around 25% with the GMG InkOptimizer package.

Bluetree runs six digital inkjet machines: a roll-fed Epson Stylus Pro 1180 and Scitex XP2700, a flat-bed Inca Spyder, a Develop Ineo 5501 and two flat-bed HP Scitex FB7500s, and turned to GMG to address colour consistency issues.  By managing colour though a centralised GMG workflow instead of fragmented device-specific RIPs, Bluetree has accelerated its pre-press operations – saving time and money – and can now match corporate colours quickly and accurately, guaranteeing customers same colour results on different output devices and media.

“The bigger the client, the more important correct colour becomes, and either directly or through agencies we have been producing for some very well known national and international brands. So the main thing it’s given us is confidence,” says Managing Director Bryan Shirley.  “With an almost infinite range of variables from artwork, substrate, RIP and output device I can now look a client in the eye and tell him his job has gone through a GMG workflow, making it as close as anyone can possibly get.”

Bluetree had already experienced the reliability of GMG RIPs first hand on one of their output devices and, through dialogue with a number of industry peers, established that GMG is the market leader in colour management.  The power and efficiency of the GMG workflow is evident in Bluetree’s prepress department. Bluetree receives artwork from clients created in a variety of ways in a variety of formats. GMG ColorServer reliably automates tasks such as transparency flattening and CMYK colour conversion so that, regardless of how the original is presented, the RIP receives a quality job resulting in far fewer hold ups.

To complement GMG ColorServer, Bluetree opted for profiling solution GMG SmartProfiler for guaranteed repeatability and maximum production reliability. After the initial set-up of profiles the company need only pick the right media, the right device and the right running speed for the job, before queuing it for output resulting in improved productivity and accuracy.  Bluetree has also taken advantage of GMG InkOptimizer, developed to provide smart ink coverage and ensure that no more – or less – ink is used than required. It allows printers to reduce the amount of chromatic ink used on a job, replacing it with black, yet retain all the image quality. The result is less ink application, lower ink consumption and a reduced burden on the environment.
 
Says Mr Shirley: “Before we heard about GMG InkOptimizer we didn’t think it was an issue, but ink is expensive and savings are worth attempting. The results have been amazing – we estimate it’s knocked around a quarter off our ink costs, with no discernible difference to the appearance of the print.”

Says Ian Scott, Managing Director, GMG: “The industry seems to be waking up to the importance of accurate and consistent colour management for wide-format signs and displays. Companies like Bluetree have integrated colour management to help differentiate their business offering from competitors’, and selling the concept of colour-accurate output will help to retain sales margins. GMG has worked hard to make what was once a time-consuming, difficult to teach and often inconsistent “black art”, into an efficient, measurable and repeatable process – and Bluetree is now reaping the benefits.”

[picture: Bluetree's Managing Director, Bryan Shirley]

Color-Logic, developer of the popular Process Metallic Color System, reports an excellent reception of its new software at the recent Graphics of the Americas exhibition in Orlando.

Commenting on the show, Color-Logic Director of Sales and Marketing Mark Geeves said: “We were extremely gratified by the enthusiastic reception afforded the Color-Logic Process Metallic Color System at the Orlando show. Several exhibitors utilised our software to showcase their printing technologies at the show, and attendees were particularly interested in our ability to print metallic images and special effects on wide-format printers. This was the first commercial showing of our new multiple process software, which now supports offset, flexographic, wide-format, and digital printing.”

 

Sonor Graphics, Incorporated (Sonor) announced today that it has entered into agreement with X-Rite, Incorporated (X-Rite), developer and supplier of colour management hardware and software solutions, to distribute X-Rite's PrintCheck and PressOptimizer software products throughout Canada. Under the agreement, Sonor will serve as master distributor for this line of software, and will provide sales, marketing and pre-sales technical support for these products to X-Rite's Canadian dealer channel.

The X-Rite PrintCheck and PressOptimizer software help commercial printers establish and maintain stable print runs, thereby enabling them to consistently hit standards like GRACoL and SWOP. Print buyers, including brand companies and ad agencies, can then use PrintCheck Reader or PrintCheck Review to confirm that jobs were printed to their specifications.

Brad Moore, Sonor's Managing Partner, said, "We are very happy to add X-Rite as our newest partner. We use the X-Rite PrintCheck software ourselves, as part of our free press audit, available online to all commercial printers in Canada. The software helps identify issues with ink density, grey balance and other factors that contribute to waste, and which increase the time it takes to get jobs on and off press. Often, working with a local reseller, we can reduce a printer's paper and ink consumption, particularly in the make-ready stage, and thereby save him money on every job he prints. The press audit often uncovers issues or opportunities with press consumables like paper, ink, plates, blankets, rollers, and fountain solution that the local reseller can help the printer address."

Josh Nadon, who heads sales for X-Rite in Canada, explained the choice by adding, "Sonor Graphics brings technical expertise and knowledge of how to go to market with this kind of product that we believe will benefit our resellers and add value to our the resellers' customers." X-Rite communicated the new relationship with Sonor to its network of Canadian resellers earlier this month.

For professional contract proofs for offset and gravure printing applications, ColorGATE now offers a new product—CG Isoproof—high-quality proof paper specialties in grammages of 200 and 245 g/m2, both in either semi-matte and gloss quality. With brilliant colour reproduction and finest colour nuances even in dark or shaded areas, the new CG Isoproof media are superior to ISO Coated v2 (ECI), the reference colour space for coated offset paper according to FOGRA39.

CG Isoproof specialties offer neutral paper white and outstanding colour stability with absolutely no optical brighteners; optimum media reference white eliminates the need for any paper simulation. Certified by Fogra Forschungsgesellschaft Druck e. V., all the CG Isoproof formats meet the requirements of ISO 12647-7:2007. Another seal of quality is the "CA approved" label from Color Alliance, a globally active certification cooperation.

This paper is optimised for use with ColorGATE RIP Software using proof technology. Due to its micro-porous surface, it has the best drying characteristics and outstanding resistance to water and ageing. Best possible flatness is guaranteed, even for high ink application.

CG Isoproof is available as roll goods (30 m in length) from authorised sales partners in the following widths: 17 inches (43.2 cm); 24 inches (61.0 cm); 36 inches (91.4 cm); 42 inches (106.7 cm); 44 inches (111.8 cm); 50 inches (127.0 cm); 54 inhces (137.2 cm) and 60 inches (152.4 cm). Product samples (17-inch rolls by 5 m) are also available at a nominal charge.

 

GMG UK, a leading developer and supplier of high-end colour management software solutions, today announces that it has acquired Complete Workflow Solutions (CWS). CWS has become an independent subsidiary company of the GMG Group.

CWS is a leading media production technology company supplying and supporting a range of workflow, digital asset management and IT services. A UK reseller and integrator for Dalim Software workflow and Xinet asset management solutions, CWS will continue to supply these leading technologies as part of the GMG Group.

Following over 14 years implementing and managing IT systems at McCann Erickson, Marcus Wright, Managing Director, founded CWS to provide UK retail, advertising and corporate clients with highly-efficient, fully-integrated and automated prepress production management capabilities. The experienced CWS team includes Spencer Sturgeon as Technical Director and Gary Meadows as Solutions Director.

"There is a huge amount of synergy between GMG and CWS, companies which both supply best of breed technologies," says Ian Scott, MD of GMG UK. "GMG develops sophisticated colour management solutions which ensure consistent colour at every stage of the production process from the digital asset right through to the final printed product whatever the process. Today our clients want colour control to be incorporated into every part of the workflow and CWS complements our solutions with its considerable integration expertise."

"This is a perfect match which strengthens both companies and unites a client base across the full production spectrum," says Marcus. "Our clients will benefit from an expanded set of skills and technologies seamlessly integrated to give them maximum efficiency and quality."

Paul Willems, CEO, GMG GmbH & Co.KG says: "The tremendous success of our direct sales organisation in the UK has enabled them to make this acquisition. Our customers in the UK look to GMG to provide more than just a suite of products, they want total workflow integration, consultancy, support and training. What we learn from this partnership in the UK will have  positive impact on our global business as we continue to expand the scope of our services."

CWS Ltd will continue to operate from its London office with Marcus Wright as MD. For details about the company and its range of technologies and services please visit www.completeworkflow.com.