Offset Printing
New technology demonstration: Virtual Press Approvals using measured color data
Friday 17. October 2008 - On-site press approvals can be a thing of the past with GMFs Final Print Assurance (FPA). The web-based color management technology, being introduced at Graph Expo, employs measured Color Data for comparative statistical analyses of a contract proof and a press pull in a real-time virtual collaboration venue.
Developed by GMF Flexo Prepress, a leading prepress and color management firm, Final Print Assurance takes virtual collaboration beyond simple proofing, emulating an on-site press approval, plus analyses during the print run from anywhere at any time.
Print buyers, designers, prepress and converters analyse established color standards from the approved proof and the pull, not a PDF of the proof or a monitor calibrated to match the press sheet.
This gives print buyers complete control of their color management with consistency, repeatability and accountability ensured across global suppliers.
“Final Print Assurance was born out of the frustrations experienced by end users who were not able to monitor their colors consistently without having to spend weeks going to press approvals,” says Greg Platt, president of GMF Flexo Prepress. “Final Print Assurance offers a virtual platform from which to measure color consistency throughout a press run and from run to run – 24/7. In an era of travel bans and green initiatives, this technology can save print purchasers hundreds of thousands of dollars, by eliminating travel time and costs, and significantly reduce a companys carbon offsets.”
GMF Flexo Prepress has partnered with Zerofootprint to allow print buyers to calculate the environmental benefits of eliminating an on-site press approval using the Final Print Assurance Calculator
Customized to the printing press and the users global color standards, Final Print Assurance shows the Color Data of the proof and the press pull, with color difference defined as Color Tolerance values and as a tone curve for comparison against the tolerance standard specified.
Rather than viewing the full footprint of the press pull, critical areas of the job can be selected for color comparative analyses with the proof. Color sample comparison assures that established standards are within specified tolerances, showing the actual readings and indicating if they are “in spec” (green light), “questionable” (amber light) or “unacceptable” (red light). The user notes appropriate comments concerning the action to be taken by the printer to correct any unacceptable variances. The proof and press pull are also superimposed for checking such detail as language and spelling, and bar codes for defects and certification requirements. The approved pull can become the color standard for subsequent runs of that job.
The contract proof and press pull are scanned by the printer under the same conditions, eliminating reflection, which could contaminate the Color Data. The monitor used for the comparative analysis is calibrated to represent the press condition, and the proof and pull are viewed together within the same color space.
Final Print Assurance
is web-based and independent of workflow system
is color standard independent, supporting all standards
supports remote press approvals in all printing environments (flexo, litho, gravure)
uses measured Color Data for accurate color comparison
measures unlimited colors, including Opaltone (Expanded Gamut) and PMS specials
performs comparative statistical analyses of color segments of contract proof and press pull,
virtually instantaneous
replaces subjective judgment with statistical data
guarantees quality assurance within print runs, from one print run to the next, and between all
print suppliers irrespective of geographic location or print platform
is a client/server based system, allowing multiple users to view, collaborate and annotate the
contract proof and press pull in a seamless environment
provides real-time chat between CPC, designer, converter and other collaborators
has on-line inspection tools to indentify out-of-spec print runs
archives print run history
cuts approval time, eliminates travel costs
offers unique, affordable, real-time color measurement control
has been developed by GMF Flexo Prepress Inc., a leading prepress and color management
supplier, to reduce the time, money and frustration required for press approvals.