Colour Accuracy
Colour accuracy is a key issue for printers and designers alike. Since late 2004, Kodak Nexpress digital production colour presses have been licensed by Pantone, Inc. Pantone’s license was issued after a long testing process between Nexpress and Pantone. This is a collaboration which continues to this day. Pantone’s licensing of Kodak Nexpress presses is significant.
The Kodak Nexpress Intelligent Colour Solution (ICS) with the fifth imaging unit can achieve an extended colour gamut. It can simulate 86% of Pantone Matching System (PMS) colours. The results achieved with this combination are impressive. They are beyond those achievable from standard four-colour process printing. The standard gamut of the Kodak Nexpress is 20% more than traditional offset lithographic printing. Using the Fifth Imaging Unit with ICS software to introduce a red, green, or blue dry ink increases it further. Overall, the Nexpress SE series offers printers and designers a significant improvement in the reproduction of spot colours.
This technology allows for more accurate reproduction of custom and difficult to match colours. When it is important to achieve a critical colour match with personalisation the Kodak Nexpress SE series can deliver.
In order to become a Pantone-licensed device, the Kodak Nexpress had to pass rigorous tests.
According to Kodak & Pantone, these tests were to measure its ability to reproduce four colour combinations accurately. The tests were for both spot colour and repeated outputs to ensure consistency and accuracy.
The process included three key areas:
- Mapping out the correct values for colours
- Measuring printed targets
- Testing to create the best possible representations
As part of our commitment to quality in print, Lemon Press have assessed the Kodak Nexpress for colour accuracy. We are confident in its ability to deliver the printed outputs that both we and are customers expect.
The suite of print management tools, incorporated into Print Genius, help ensure a consistent quality and colour accuracy that is unrivalled in digital printing.
If you would like to know more about colour accuracy in digital printing or would just like some print samples then please contact us on 01527 510262 or email info@nulllemonpress.co.uk
ISO 12647 is an international standard that sets guidelines for reproducing colour throughout the reprographic and printing process.
The standard is designed to instil confidence and allow print managers and publishers to state how they want their project to be reproduced. It is designed to eliminate misunderstandings and keep the workflow running smoothly from pre-press through to printing.
Implementation of the standard will show an improvement in colour consistency, and less waste, as all elements of the process are brought together.
For more detailed information on ISO 12647 visit www.bsi-global.com
