X-Rite Announces PantoneLIVE Private Cloud for Printers and Converters

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., March 16, 2016 – X-Rite Incorporated, a global leader in color science and technology, and its subsidiary Pantone LLC, today announce the PantoneLIVE™ Private Cloud, a secure, cloud-based repository that allows packaging converters and commercial printers to easily store and share existing proprietary color libraries across the color supply chain. The new offering is part of the PantoneLIVE ecosystem designed to digitally communicate color, accurately between brand owners, designers, premedia, ink suppliers and printers. It removes any ambiguity when communicating color specifications across the workflow process. This enables converters and printers to deliver consistent color and meet customer expectations each and every time.

“In addition to the Pantone® Matching System (PMS), many converters have invested time and resources developing their own color libraries and standards for specific customers,” said Adrián Fernández, Vice President, PantoneLIVE, X-Rite Pantone. “Leveraging the benefits of the PantoneLIVE model to streamline color specification and communication, we are now enabling printers to publish proprietary colors in a private cloud infrastructure. This makes color data easily available at all phases of production and across multiple locations. No matter the color standard used, converters can be sure that everyone is using the same reference data.”

All colors published in PantoneLIVE Private Cloud are available for selection within PantoneLIVE enabled prepress systems such as GMG and Esko. The ability to digitally communicate and share color means more accurate proof generation. Having color references stored in a secure online repository significantly reduces press side approvals times. Now everyone in the color supply chain or across different production locations can work with the same specified, pre-validated and achievable brand color. Press operators no longer have to spend extra time and materials trying to reach unachievable color.

To help customers move to the PantoneLIVE Private Cloud, X-Rite has developed tools and professional services designed to manage color libraries and workflows. The new PantoneLIVE Rationalization Service analyzes and consolidates a printer’s existing color library to improve color accuracy, increase production efficiencies, reduce ink stocks and avoid wasteful duplication of color.

X-Rite will demonstrate PantoneLIVE Private Cloud and related professional services at drupa 2016, May 31 through June 10 at the Düsseldorf Fairgrounds in Hall 8b A23. Attendees can speak with X-Rite color experts to learn how PantoneLIVE can improve efficiencies regardless of their role in the packaging supply chain, to deliver fast return on investment (ROI) and increase customer satisfaction.

For more information about PantoneLIVE visit http://www.pantone.com/pantonelive or http://www.xrite.com/packaging.

About X-Rite
Founded in 1958, X-Rite, Incorporated is a global leader in color science and technology. With its wholly owned subsidiary Pantone, X-Rite employs more than 800 people in 11 countries. The company’s corporate headquarters are located in Grand Rapids, Mich., with regional headquarters in Europe and Asia and service centers across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and the Americas. X-Rite Pantone offers a full range of color management solutions used by manufacturers, retailers, printers, photographers and graphic design houses to achieve precise management and communication of color throughout their processes. X-Rite Pantone products and services are recognized standards in the printing, packaging, photography, graphic design, video, automotive, paints, plastics, textiles and medical industries. For further information, please visit www.xrite.com. For the latest news, information and conversations, connect with X-Rite on LinkedIn, Vimeo, Twitter, and Facebook.

About Pantone
Pantone LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of X-Rite, Incorporated, has been the world’s color authority for nearly 50 years, providing design professionals with products and services for the colorful exploration and expression of creativity. Always a source for color inspiration, Pantone also offers paint and designer-inspired products and services for consumers. More information is available at www.pantone.com. For the latest news, trends, information and conversations, connect with Pantone on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

About PantoneLIVE
PantoneLIVE is a cloud-based solution that enables the universal PANTONE Color language to be accurately communicated across the entire packaging workflow - from design concept to retail store shelves. PantoneLIVE extends the PANTONE PLUS SERIES Color Library, mapping critical color information to packaging-specific substrates. The PantoneLIVE ecosystem is supported by licensed hardware and software that enables each area of a packaging supply chain to access the same PantoneLIVE Colors, in addition to brand specific palettes. This results in consistent and repeatable color across product families, regardless of media or print technology, providing a cohesive brand Approach. While users of any manufacturer's ink will be able to take advantage of PantoneLIVE, Sun Chemical is the preferred ink partner. Esko, a global supplier of integrated solutions for packaging, sign and display finishing, commercial printing and professional publishing, is also a preferred partner supporting PantoneLIVE. Both companies worked closely with Pantone and X-Rite to develop PantoneLIVE. For more information, please see www.pantone.com/live

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©2016 X-Rite, Inc. All rights reserved. X-Rite is a registered trademark of X-Rite, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. PANTONE®, PantoneLIVE and other Pantone trademarks are the property of Pantone LLC. PANTONE Colors may not match PANTONE-identified standards. Consult current PANTONE Color Publications for accurate colors. All other trademarks or registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Pantone is a wholly owned subsidiary of X-Rite, Incorporated. Licensed under Sun Chemical Corporation [Sun Chemical’s patented technology enables the communication of a consistent, digital description of the desired appearance of a product] -U.S. Patent Nos. 7,034,960; 7,202,976; 7,268,918; 7,417,764 (and their foreign equivalents). Adobe and Illustrator are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated in the United States and/or other countries. © Pantone LLC, 2016. All rights reserved.