Long-term goal of color safety
Control means The Visual Print Reference test form is an instrument based on ISO standard 12647-2. It was developed in Switzerland.
rocky. In order to clear the biggest obstacles out of the way, the
Setting up color management workflows in agencies,
prepress companies and print shops developed test forms with which
which PDF/X-3 or PDF/X-plus compliant documents in the print output
can be tested. By printing out such a test form on
a proof or the transfer of the data to a rip, which can be the
documents into output data, the output system can thus be based on
its suitability for data exchange. In addition
the use of a test form provides information as to whether the user is able to
Standard prooft and/or prints.
A well-known representative of this type of test form is the 2002
developed Altona Testsuite (ATS). The ATS, which has since gained a high reputation
is considered an important test instrument. It is a
Joint project of the German Printing and Media Industries Federation (bvdm;
Wiesbaden), the European Color Initiative (ECI), Ugra (St. Gallen)
and Fogra (Munich). With the Visual Print Reference (VPR),
created by the VSD association (Berne), in turn the Ugra, Quality &
More (Teufen), P/B/U Beratungs AG (Rümlang) and others.
specialists from technical commissions, has been available since the end of last
year, a Swiss alternative or supplement is now available.
Similarly equipped ...
Both test forms see themselves as a reference for color management systems up to
for printing, each based on the ISO standard
12647-2:2004. For this purpose, in addition to control elements on both test forms
delicate subjects. Like the Altona test suite, the
Swiss equivalent from a CD-ROM with PDF-X-plus or -X-3 files,
for testing output devices that print from digital data
(proof systems) as well as conventional (e.g. offset printing,
newspaper printing) and digital printing systems. Both
systems are reference prints on different papers as well as
corresponding instructions are enclosed.
... and yet different
In addition to other production methods for the prints attached in each case and
other paper grades are listed on the Visual Print Reference according to
Co-initiator Eddy Senn, P/B/U Beratungs AG, also developed the test form with
referenced RGB images: "Image data in both color spaces
enable the reliable assessment of the CMS workflow, from saturated
Colors and, above all, skin tones."
Control elements
With digital test forms - in contrast to pure control wedges
- output devices or visual assessments. In addition
Preference is given to delicate subjects with skin tones or subjects that are
difficult to reproduce due to high blue or red components,
used.
Both the Altona test suite and the Visual Print Reference are
thus ideal, complementary tools for the calibration of a
color management workflows and are suitable for securing standards
(e.g. ISO standard 12647-2 or PDF/X-3).
More information:
www.altonatestsuite.de
www.vsd.ch
Jürgen Franck
