General Requirements for Applications in Commercial Offset Lithography
What’s New With GRACoL: April/May 2012
G7 SHEETFED USERS: FOLLOW BEST PRACTICES AND MAKE SURE YOU USE THE G7 TARGETED QUALIFICATION KIT AND CHECKLIST DURING YOUR QUALIFICATION/REQUALIFICATION.
The GRACoL Committee is currently working on 3 projects
1. New Lighting Standard – ISO 3664:2009
There has been a great deal of discussion about the new lighting standard and best practices for use with the new lamps. We are working on GRACoL Committee recommendations for printers who need a proof to press match.
2. G7 Master Pass/Fail Guidelines
The G7 Master Pass/Fail Guidelines describe detailed pass/fail requirements for pressheets submitted to IDEAlliance and their auditor for G7 Master Qualification. The document is currently in the last stages of editing. If you are a G7 Expert and wish to obtain a copy of this document please request and we will send a copy. This document will be finalized in the next few weeks.
3. An update to the GRACoL section of the SWOP/GRACoL Guidelines. We are working on an update to the GRACoL section of the SWOP/GRACoL Guidelines. The GRACoL section covers items specific to GRACoL sheetfed and web print characteristics.
Other News
SWOP/GRACoL Rewrite Committee Updating SWOP/GRACoL Guidelines
The SWOP/GRACoL Rewrite Committee is currently rewriting and updating the SWOP guidelines. The committee started with several live meetings in NYC as well as conference calls. If you are an IDEAlliance member and are interested in being involved in this please contact jfazzi@idealliance.org.
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IDEAlliance Certifies 9 New G7 PC Experts in March 201 Alexandria, VA, December X, 2011 — IDEAlliance has recently certified 9 new G7 Process control experts, bringing the total number of experts to 46 worldwide in the newest extension of its successful series of G7® Certification Programs, G7 Process Control. G7 Process Control Experts are equipped to deliver IDEAlliance’s new G7 PC Master Qualification Program, designed to help digital and offset print providers, creative studios, and premedia operations achieve outstanding efficiency and predictability through standardization and process control practices.
The new experts are Pierre Urbain, RIT/Alwan, Gerry Gerlach, Integrity Graphics, Jeff Collins, Konica Minolta, Javier Robles, INX International Ink, Jay Ryder, International Paper, Joe Suffoletto, Independent Technical Services, Don Hutcheson, of HutchColor, Mike Rodriguez, and Steve Smiley of Vertis |
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For a list of experts certified to qualify facilities in G7 Process Control, CLICK HERE. |
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G7 Process Control for Professionals The IDEAlliance G7 Process Control Expert and Professional Certification Program is an extension to the current G7 program. For G7 Experts seeking to join the growing list of experts certified to qualify their creative, agency and print provider clients in G7 Process Control, IDEAlliance continues to schedule training events throughout the world. The next G7 PC training is in Boston, MA, in May 14-18, 2012. Details and registration can be found here or by emailing Illeny Maaza or calling 703-837-1070. |
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G7 Process Control for Service Providers The IDEAlliance G7 Process Control (G7 PC) Master Qualification Program is designed to optimize the printing and content creation processes through on-site training, development of custom standard operating procedures, and periodic assessment. Completion of the program provides the creative agency, premedia or print provider with a list of productivity deliverables, reference materials, and quarterly reports on quality. G7 PC provides media production facilities with more efficient production methods, education, and industry recognition in the form of a qualification certificate. |
We are always looking for feedback – please contact us – ron@ronellis.us and send us your thoughts.
Jeff Collins, Mike Eddington, Ron Ellis
In 1996, a graphics arts task force was formed by the Graphic Communications Association (now IDEAlliance) to develop a document containing general guidelines and recommendations that could be used as a reference source across the industry for quality color printing. Since that time, the GRACoL Working Group has developed, maintained and published printing guidelines that have since become de facto standards on many pressrooms. The mission of GRACoL is to improve communications and education in the graphic arts by developing best practices that reflect the influence and impact of new technologies in the workflow of commercial offset lithography. GRACoL is a registered trademark of IDEAlliance.
To search for G7 Expert Consultants or G7 Master Qualified Proof & Print Providers, click on this button:
Top GRACoL & G7 Downloads:
G7 & GRACoL Pre-Qualification Kit for Sheetfed Offset
G7 & GRACoL Qualification Kit for Sheetfed Offset
IDEAlliance ISO 12647-7 Color Control Wedge 2009
G7 Master Pass/Fail Requirements Doc Draft
DEER Printing Guidelines Poster
More GRACoL & G7 Downloads can be found under resources/downloads at the top of the page
The downloads under resources/downloads include the Prequalification Kit, Qualification Kit, Test forms, GRACoL, SWOP and Beta Characterization Data Sets, P2P forms, Tolerance Documents, Production Proofing Guidelines, Press Operators Guide, and other important information.
SWOP & GRACoL SPECIFICATIONS
FOR D50 LIGHTING
Please be advised that SWOP & GRACoL have adopted new Specifications to comply with ISO standards in lighting. Prepress Professionals, Advertisers, Publishers, Printers, and Photographers who evaluate color under standardized D50 lighting in the Graphic Arts Industry are affected by this change.
When is this going into affect?
SWOP & GRACoL have already made the change to include the updated ISO 3664:2009 standard. The lighting manufacturers GTI and JUST Normlicht are now manufacturing their light bulbs to comply to the updated ISO standard.
When do I need to change by?
As an industry we all need to do our part to make the switch together. Therefore SWOP has made the mandate that everyone is using updated D50 light bulbs by January 1st, 2012.
What do I need to do to be compliant with the new ISO Standard?
GTI and JUST Normlicht no longer manufacturer, stock or ship bulbs conforming to the outdated standard. If you are using expired light bulbs in your viewing booths, simply purchase new ones from your normal suppliers and be sure to ask for bulbs that comply with the ISO 3664:2009 Standard.
In some cases the luminaire lens may block enough UV energy as to require replacement in order to comply with the new standard – please check with the manufacturer of your viewing system to verify this.
We recently bought new bulbs, how do I know if they are for the old standard or the new one?
You can tell by looking at the label on the bulbs or packaging they come in.
GTI: Look for the three-character code printed on the bulbs. The important thing you want is that the LAST character of the code is an “E”. The old standard had an “X”. If you do not have an “E” then you need to purchase new bulbs. Source: www.gtilite.com
JUST Normlicht: Look for the imprinted ISO standard ISO 3664:2009. If this is not printed on the bulbs then you must purchase new bulbs. Source: www.just.de/us
What else do I need to do?
Inform your clients, vendors and customers about using the new ISO compliant bulbs. If someone’s light booth is different from yours, there is a good chance that color evaluation may be different. Be sure all light booths are using ISO 3664:2009 D50 light bulbs .
Below are example images of the new bulbs.
