Digital colour communication

As a development partner of Saueressig Group, ppg > flexofilm has implemented an innovation that improves uniform reproduction in the long term, even for demanding spot colours.

Often there are large gaps between the colour fan of a design agency, the perception of the marketing, the colour management workflow of the prepress and the realisation of the colour in the printing process. A simulation of final results by the common proofing methods can only close this gap to a limited extent. The difference between the actual conditions in the design, repro and printing process and the technical basis of the simulation possibilities is too large. This repeatedly leads to time-consuming adjustments during print approvals. Of course, these processes have evolved steadily over the years. Nevertheless, it is not unusual that colour specifications have to be met whose technical basis has little in common with the actual prerequisites of production conditions. The challenge is therefore to reproduce the effect of spot colours on different systems as uniformly as possible so that all those bearing responsibility in the course of a project process have a valid basis for decision-making.

The c.INKTEC technology from Saueressig significantly reduces the gap between the technical simulation of colours and real production conditions. In contrast to conventional processes in which special colours are reproduced in the proof on the basis of general standards, c.INKTEC enables the integration of production-related colours into the system. Specifically, the formulations of the spot colours are worked out especifically matching properties of the respective presses and substrates. In a figurative manner, all the ingredients of a cooking recipe are dosed in such a way that the dish leads to the same taste in different kitchens.

Exemplary implementation

A1: Solid and calculated halftones of the spot colour in the conventional standard
A2: Proof of the design in conventional standard
A3: Separation of the spot colour in the conventional standard
A4: First print without adjustments on the press in conventional standard

C1: Printed c.INKTEC colour grit based on real printing conditions
C2: Proof of the motif after c.INKTEC optimisation
C3: Separation of the spot colour after c.INKTEC optimisation
C4: First press proof without adjustments to the press with c.INKTEC solution

The printed grit is then stored as a data set for simulation in proofing processes. This results in a much more practical simulation of the final colour effect in the proof which is particularly advantageous for any extension of a product range in which the same spot colours are used. The digitised colours reproduce the final colour impression much better already in the initial proofs and the formulations can be used directly on the production press. In addition, the information can be made available worldwide to all service providers involved via the Saueressig c.CLOUD.

Customers who already rely on c.INKTEC not only save valuable time, but also material and energy resources. If you are interested, please do not hesitate to contact us. For further informations, watch the video below or click on this link.