Printing Partners Achieves G7 Master Printer Qualification

Indianapolis-based Printing Partners recently enriched its color services by adopting G7 standards. G7 is a revolutionary process based on principles of digital imaging, spectrophotometry and computer-to-plate (CTP) technologies. The G7 process control methodology was developed by IDEAlliance to prescribe how to reliably produce high-end commercial printing with visual appearance from proof to press and from press to press.

This new methodology utilizes the existing ISO 12647 standards as the basis for good printing. The goal is to specify a simple calibration process that will help printers reliably achieve a close “visual match” from proof to press. G7 breaks from tradition by focusing on colorimetric data for gray balance in the mid-tones rather than on densitometric aims (i.e., dot gain) for each color. G7 is named for its gray scale calibration technique and the seven ISO ink colors it requires and is a trademark of IDEAlliance.

Printing Partners applied La Crosse Litho Supply's ColorLink Color Assurance Program to achieve G7. This program produces accurate and consistent color from prepress to the pressroom. The program offers software (known as a Color Analysis Toolkit), hardware and a consulting mechanism to enhance color management capabilities.

As a result of its extensive G7 training, Printing Partners is now qualified as an IDEAlliance “Master Printer.” This designation signifies that Printing Partners has been trained to print to the new G7 methodology and can produce a press sheet to GRACoL (General Requirements for Applications in Commercial Offset Lithography) aims within acceptable tolerances.

For more information, visit www.printingpartners.net or www.lacrosselitho.com.