Printing Standards and Specifications - part 1


Printing standards and their associated specifications bring an independent, authoritative, and concrete basis for file preparation, proofing, presswork, and output evaluation. They reduce proofing cycles and enable faster approval processes. They also help synchronize expectations between print buyer and print provider.

I'll begin with a few definitions.

A Standard according to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) defines a standard as:
"A document established by consensus and approved by a recognized body that provides for common and repeated use, rules, guidelines or characteristics for activities or their results, aimed at the achievement of the optimum degree of order in a given context."

A Specification is not a standard. Rather, it is a detailed description of the criteria for a piece of work. Specifications for printing can include characterization-data, ICC-profiles, PDF preflight criteria, calibration targets for the print process, etc.

A Method is usually defined as a way, technique, or process for doing something. It is a recipe.

The specifications describe the ingredients needed make the cake. The method describes the steps required to make the cake. There can be many different methods to achieve the desired standard based on the specifications.

The most important standards for print production are:

• ISO 12647 which describes color for different types of presswork (sheetfed, heatset web, coldset web, etc.). Of all of the standards within the Graphic Arts, what is of most importance to most printers and print buyers are contained within the ISO 12647 family.
ISO 12647 is broken down as follows
ISO 12647-1 Parameters & Measurement methods
ISO 12647-2 Offset Lithographic processes
ISO 12647-3 Coldset Offset Lithography on Newsprint
ISO 12647-4 Publication Gravure
ISO 12647-5 Screen Printing
ISO 12647-6 Flexo Printing
ISO 12647-7 Proofing process from digital data • ISO 2846-1 which describes ink color and transparency.

• ISO 3664 defines lighting conditions for viewing color copies and their reproduction with either incident or transmitted light.

• ISO 15930-X  (PDF/X) for data exchange in print production.

• ISO 15076 for the ICC color profile format.

• ISO 12640 for the data format from which ICC profiles are calculated.

The most important specifications for standardized print production are:

PSO Process Standard Offset printing developed by FOGRA / bvdm / ECI
This implementation of ISO 12647-2 is included with most digital proofing solutions used in Europe and is pre-configured with the UGRA FOGRA Mediawedge for verification.
Grey balance target values in PSO are done by comparing K- and CMY-patches with similar grey side by side. PSO does not contain procedures and tolerances for judging grey balance by measurement.
PSO also includes the possibility of a certification for pre-press and printing.

GRACoL/SWOP managed by IDEAlliance
These standards take their basis from ISO 12647-2 but place a higher importance on grey balance during calibration and the press run compared with the PSO. Most proofing solutions for the North American market include the needed setup to produce proofs that represent the GRACoL/SWOP target.

System Brunner
System Brunner is a standardization method for print production. It places a very strong emphasis on grey balance (in combination with TVI and Solids) for controlling and certifying the press run. System Brunner is included with some printing press manufacturer's press control solutions.It can also be combined with PSO, SWOP, or GRACoL.

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