Implementing Color Matching Quality Control for Indigo Presses

Goal: Establish a comprehensive color-matching quality control system for Indigo Presses utilizing Print Inspector for process control and ChromaChecker Capture for spot color matching.

Note: Process Control vs. Spot Color Matching - Process Control is always a best practice and ensures repeatability using Print Inspector while Spot Matching is a fast and independent process using Color Inspector.

Based on your goal, these instructions can be used for either Process Control or Spot Control independently.

Assumptions:

• Indigo Presses are stable and consistent as reported in Print Inspector.
• Components include: ChromaChecker Capture with Spot Instrument. When doing Spot Matching, the process control can use the internal instrument with ColorBeat and the external for a spot match.
• For ColorBeat implementation, you will need press serial numbers and API keys/secrets for authentication.

Prep Items:

Gather Press Information:

• Collect press serial numbers for all relevant Indigo Presses.
• Obtain API keys and authentication secrets with Print Inspector and ChromaChecker Capture. (see related links below)

Software Installation & Setup:

• Install ChromaChecker Capture software on the designated workstation that has an instrument.
• Calibrate and profile the spot instrument used with ChromaChecker Capture according to manufacturer instructions.

Implementation Items:

Process Color Conformance using Print Inspector:

• Determine Reference Aim: Define the target color appearance. ICC Profile Reference for custom reference or select from Industry Standards such as GRACoL or Fogra.
• Determine Substrate: Identify and document substrates used in production with Substrate Inspector.
• Determine Tolerance: Establish acceptable color deviation limits for each substrate and application.
• Determine Control Strip: ChromaChecker supports all Control Strips - this is provided by the Indigo Press when using ColorBeat or when using Capture Inspector when using an external instrument.

Spot Color Conformance using Color Inspector QuickCheck:

• Determine Reference Colors:
  • Define and create a Master Color Library within ChromaChecker Capture.
  • Include all standard spot colors used by the press.
  • Load a preexisting Color Library or measure and record the spectral data of each color using the spot instrument.
  • Consider creating libraries for both spot inks and process separated simulations.
• Determine Substrate: Populate the Substrate Library using Substrate Inspector
• Determine Tolerance: Use defaults or establish acceptable color deviation tolerances for each spot color on each substrate.
• Determine Measurement: Define whether to measure single colors or a control strip containing spot and/or process colors.
  • Determine the appropriate measurement workflow (e.g., using ChromaChecker Capture, spectrophotometer).

Note: Control Strips can contain spot color reference patches selected from you Color Library. This enables the measurement of spots during the Process Color Check. This would be completed using an external instrument and custom Control Strip defined in Capture Inspector. The other option is to complete a QuickCheck using a handheld instrument measuring any printed color.

Color Matching & Production

Process Color Conformance:

• Roll Out to Suppliers: Projects communicate color standards and simply are shared with the network of printing devices.
• Check Connectivity: Measurements are reported automatically using ColorBeat or instantly when using Capture Software
• Establish Color Quality Check Frequency: Define clear reporting guidelines, including timing, frequency, and the scope of data to be collected and analyzed.

Spot Color Conformance:

• Share Project with Designers for Color Library:
  • By sharing Project with designers they will receive your Master Color Library in a usable format (e.g., Pantone Color Books, ChromaSpot, digital swatch libraries).
• Share Project with Printer Network: Ensure seamless data exchange and communication between the Print Service Providers (PSP)  and Brand Company.
• Establish Color Quality Check Guidelines: Details timing, frequency, for measurements. Chromachecker provides the reporting instantly.

Instrument Baselining: this step can be completed after ensuring connectivity of the system.

• Perform an initial baselining of the spot instrument using Instrument Inspector.
• Establish a regular monthly schedule to ensure the instrument's consistency to the baseline.