IDEAlliance Expands Certification Program

IDEAlliance, Alexandria, Va., the certifier of systems, skills, materials and facilities in media production, has announced the addition of wide-format inkjet printing systems to its programs of system validation and certification.

The IDEAlliance Wide/Grand Format Inkjet System Certification Program certifies original equipment manufacturers' roll-fed and flatbed large-format printing systems to established tolerances for quality and efficiency. Systems are evaluated for printing, production and application qualities for a specific ink-and-media combination. Results of the program inform prospective and current large-format users on which systems meet their production and market needs, as well as how to achieve consistent quality from their printing systems.

In the certificate process, suppliers print test forms according to specified criteria. The printed forms are sent to Cal Poly University, where they are measured and compared against tolerances predetermined by ISO standards and those established by the IDEAlliance Print Properties and Colorimetric Committee. Submissions are tested for color accuracy, color gamut, uniformity, repeatability, registration, lightfastness, printing speed and ink consumption. "Our members benefit greatly from this type of independent system validation," said David Steinhardt, IDEAlliance president and CEO.

"IDEAlliance certification programs, which evaluate digital presses, proofing and print production systems and materials, offer considerable intelligence to the industry in the understanding and application of digital technologies in print production."

IDEAlliance is a global community of content and media creators, and their service providers, material suppliers, and technology partners. Through its committees, educational conferences, webinars, training and certification programs, IDEAlliance provides members a forum for information exchange that results in the creation of the media production industry's most valued standards.

For more information, call (952) 896-1908 or visit www.idealliance.org/certifications/inkjet.