Pressroom

Heidelberg builds its colour certification team to meet rising demand

Sunday 31. August 2014 - A stronger and more regionally focused colour certification team has been formed by Heidelberg to undertake the growing number of ISO 12647-2 certifications and to implement pressroom wide Print Colour Management projects.

Heading up the colour certification team is product manager Paul Chamberlain. He has created press and prepress pairs for each area of the country who will work together on projects. In the North the pair is Jonathan Smith and Neil Blakely; in the Midlands Mark Barrett and Mark Harris; and in the South Stuart Baker and Neil Hathaway.
“By using the mix of press and prepress skills we can ensure seamless results. All are trained to manage Print Colour Management work and all are certified to handle ISO 12647-2,” says Paul Chamberlain.
Already 22 UK printers hold ISO 12647-2 certification which gives them entry into the Heidelberg Colour Club. Those renewing (which happens every two years) become Elite Members. Mr Chamberlain predicts that number will rise by 50% over the next 12 months.
ISO 12647-2 certification is seen as a key sales tool but Mr Chamberlain is keen to encourage printers to undertake broader PCM audits and projects as well because this ensures every press, not just the one required for certification, operates to optimum predictable standards. New colour packages to suit various requirements, applications and budgets are due to be announced in the next few weeks.
“There are several new certification standards covering measurement, view and illumination and ISO 12647-2 2013. At our open house this autumn (12-13 November) we will run presentations to de-mystify those changes and to explain Heidelberg’s approach to implementing colour programmes that enhance quality, reduce waste and increase overall efficiency,” says Mr Chamberlain.