11.06.12
Spear, a provider of labels to the global beverage industry, announced that it has achieved G7 Master Printer status, which is a benchmark for exceptional print processes from proof-to-print.
G7 Master Printer qualifications are granted by IDEAlliance, a non-profit organization that specializes in developing “standards and best practices to enhance efficiency and speed information across the end-to-end digital media supply chain – creation, production, management, and delivery of knowledge-based multimedia content – digitally and in print." Master status is presented to physical facilities that continually use the G7 Proof-to-Print Processes and use modern technology, techniques, and press controls to ensure close visual match on printed products. G7 is both a definition of grayscale appearance and a calibration method for adjusting any CMYK imaging device to simulate the G7 definition.
To become certified at their corporate headquarters in Mason, OH, USA, Spear had to go through a qualifying process that includes optimizing all ink sets and print conditions, printing a fingerprint to evaluate the necessary curve adjustments and then reprinting after adjustments are made. This is followed by a certification from an outside registered source. The detailed print process displays Spear’s excellence in print/color management.
“The G7 qualification has delivered a win-win to Spear and our customers. Using this methodology allows our customers to use more standardization with their pre-press suppliers reducing costs and improving time to market,” says Doug Bartlett, director of graphics at Spear. “On our end it has given us a tool to more accurately calibrate our printing processes, reducing set-up time and related waste. It also improves consistency in our print process within a run and from run to run, delivering a more consistent product to our customers”.
Currently Spear is exploring G7 qualification at two other US locations, totaling three facilities that will meet the Master Printer status.
G7 Master Printer qualifications are granted by IDEAlliance, a non-profit organization that specializes in developing “standards and best practices to enhance efficiency and speed information across the end-to-end digital media supply chain – creation, production, management, and delivery of knowledge-based multimedia content – digitally and in print." Master status is presented to physical facilities that continually use the G7 Proof-to-Print Processes and use modern technology, techniques, and press controls to ensure close visual match on printed products. G7 is both a definition of grayscale appearance and a calibration method for adjusting any CMYK imaging device to simulate the G7 definition.
To become certified at their corporate headquarters in Mason, OH, USA, Spear had to go through a qualifying process that includes optimizing all ink sets and print conditions, printing a fingerprint to evaluate the necessary curve adjustments and then reprinting after adjustments are made. This is followed by a certification from an outside registered source. The detailed print process displays Spear’s excellence in print/color management.
“The G7 qualification has delivered a win-win to Spear and our customers. Using this methodology allows our customers to use more standardization with their pre-press suppliers reducing costs and improving time to market,” says Doug Bartlett, director of graphics at Spear. “On our end it has given us a tool to more accurately calibrate our printing processes, reducing set-up time and related waste. It also improves consistency in our print process within a run and from run to run, delivering a more consistent product to our customers”.
Currently Spear is exploring G7 qualification at two other US locations, totaling three facilities that will meet the Master Printer status.