The Process Standard Digital (PSD) Colour Data helps to objectify colour communication – particularly for brand managers – by a digital-only, third-party certification. As a result, printing companies can prove to buyers that they meet any relevant standards without bias, such as Fogra (ISO), G7 or JapanColor.
The certification is based on Fogra’s PSD Print Check. Here, physical print samples are measured and evaluated according to a variety of criteria, such as sharpness of detail and uniformity. The PSD Colour Data, on the other hand, only covers colour accuracy. Based on the established Fogra MediaWedge, print-service providers can receive verification for a specific print job. The whole process is quick and easy. The entirely digital, fully automated workflow saves time mostly carried out manually. With this Fogra certification, the colour accuracy requirements of global print buyers and leading brand manufacturers are met and, in some cases, exceeded. This is all achievable within the tolerances specified in the PSD.
This new approach allows the colour measurement to be carried out in-house. A print no longer has to be sent in for certification. However, the high quality of a Fogra test remains. Specific requirements must be met by the measuring technology used. The measurement can then be carried out either manually or completely automatically.
“This new approach allows the colour measurement to be carried out in-house”
After printing the Fogra MediaWedge in a specific print combination, the measurement can be carried out using a hand-held device. It must be calibrated and maintained according to the manufacturer‘s specifications. Next, the colour measurement data is sent to Fogra for examination.
“The certification is based on Fogra’s PSD Print Check”
It is even easier with an automated workflow. All steps must be digitised to achieve accurate results because only then can the full performance capacity be seen. In terms of PSD Colour Data, the measurement technology is already integrated into the press. In this way, the data can instantly be made available to Fogra.
However, a number of prerequisites must be met. Without a pre-qualified system, this automated process is not possible. The manufacturer must have a Validation Printing System certification carried out for a printing press. Papers with varying degrees of gloss and brightener are specifically selected. The Fogra MediaWedge is measured and evaluated after printing for each case. Fogra then examines the measured values and print samples in the laboratory. If the measurement of all prints – according to PSD – comes to the same quality levels as the separate evaluation, the press is certified accordingly. Using this method, the built-in measuring device is also qualified. If all conditions are fulfilled, the user can transmit their data at the press of a button.
HP was the first major manufacturer to introduce this certification in all sheetfed presses. But Fiery, CGS, ColorGate and others also plan to implement it in printing presses or evaluation software.
“PSD Colour Data has been fully implemented into the HP Indigo cut-sheet presses”
After receiving the measurement data, it is read into Fogra and automatically evaluated. A fully digital routine was developed for PSD Colour Data certification. If the test is successful, the print-service providers will receive the result by A, B or C classification.
“The user can transmit their data at the press of a button”
The result is an independently tested and certified colour accuracy for a specific print combination. The certificate can then be communicated to the customer. In addition, there is the option to have the customer‘s name included in the protocol. As a result, it can be proven – for the customer‘s specific order – that the consistency and quality have been neutrally measured and evaluated.
Fogra Research Institute for Media Technologies