Digital Proofing System Gains Certifications

GMG has been granted Idealliance SWOP and GRACoL certifications for its Colorproof digital proofing system driving the new HP Z2100 inkjet printer with an internal spectrophotometer.

GMG has been granted Idealliance SWOP and GRACoL certifications for its Colorproof digital proofing system driving the new HP Z2100 inkjet printer with an internal spectrophotometer.

The certification has also been granted for Colorproof in conjunction with the Epson series 800 (4800, 7800 and 9800) printers for all 3 paper types - SWOP 5 publication, SWOP 3 high end publication and GRAcOL 1 commercial.

GMG said it is the first company to receive certification on the HP Z2100 printer and was the first company to receive certification for all three possible characterisation data sets.

GMG was the second company to receive certification based on the new SWOP data set requirements, it added.

Until a review this year, all SWOP tests were based upon one paper type and were visually evaluated, commented GMG.

There were very large tolerances and almost all applications were approved.

Those and other factors demanded that SWOP re-evaluated and updated the certification programme.

As part of Idealliance's commitment to support the update of SWOP specifications, the print properties committee initiated a series of research and development efforts to provide a scientific basis for modernizing SWOP and GRACoL.

SWOP's adoption of the G7 methodology strengthened the association's ability to determine the closeness of a visual match numerically.

Following the G7 methods using spectrophotometry and CTP, the outcome was a new visual appearance-based SWOP specification, designed to enable printers quickly and accurately to replicate the visual appearance of imagery from proof to press.

Proofing systems must now conform to the new specifications, explained GMG.

Although Colorproof SWOP certification for Epson printers was still valid, GMG said it wanted to assure its customers that the proofing system was certified to the most recent specifications.

Along with renewing its SWOP certification utilising Epson series 800 printers to SWOP, certification of Colorproof, along with the HP Z2100 is a noteworthy accomplishment, it believes.

The HP Z2100 is claimed to be the first inkjet printer to feature an integrated measuring instrument.

Together with Colorproof, the first proofing software to support the new printer, and now SWOP certified, the Colorproof and HP Z2100 combination is said to offer the user advantages.

Automatic Colorproof calibration, monitoring and recalibration of the HP Z2100 is claimed to ensure that every proof leaving the printer meets new, more demanding, SWOP 2007 specifications.

The proof can be repeated at any time, even on a different HP Z2100 at any other location, which are prerequisites for increasingly important remote proofing.

Robert Weihing, GMG's chief executive officer, said: "Idealliance SWOP, along with GRACoL, continues to be one of the industry's forerunners overseeing industry specifications, helping those in the graphic arts supply chain to achieve consistency and maintain quality.

Many printers rely on SWOP-certified proofing devices.

We continue our support of Epson printers, ensuring that our customers are guaranteed to meet SWOP specifications." He continued: "And now, proofing to SWOP is extremely simple with Colorproof and the HP Z2100 with its built-in spectrophotometer, even by users with little colour management knowledge.

With Idealliance SWOP and GRACoL certification, this system provides a very attractive option for printers searching for easy-to-use remote proofing systems.".

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