Print quality measurement and process control can help you achieve accurate color across print and packaging applications. Today we'll share the essential tools you need to design, formulate, and print predictable color. We’ll also walk you through the ideal process to achieve color consistency across packaging substrates throughout multiple print runs.
How to Choose the Right Technology for Print Quality Measurement
Whether you're printing on corrugated board, metallic foil, plastic film, or some other substrate, these tools can help you achieve ensure each printed image is on target.
1 - Physical References
The Pantone Formula Guide, sometimes called a swatch book, is a popular tool in design and print firms around the world. By flipping through this book, designers can select inspiration colors and share them with others as a visual representation of design intent.
Although some printers also use the Formula Guide as a color reference in production, it is not the best choice. For starters, these guides are printed, and every print process has some inherent variation. They can also get dirty during use and fade as they age. That means a color that looks one way now is likely to shift over time, which can cause issues in production. While this slight variation is okay for color inspiration, it is not the best way to judge color accuracy in production.
2 - Digital Standards
Digital standards are the best choice for use in production because digital data is very specific and provides a precise target for everyone in the production chain.
PantoneLIVE is a cloud-based repository that stores 2334 Pantone Colors from the Formula Guide, each of which includes spectral color data for both a full strength solid and tints. PantoneLIVE also contains Dependent Standards. These colors have been reproduced with the closest match possible on multiple substrates using different printing processes and ink systems.
Here’s why dependent standards are beneficial.
Here, a white virgin board coffee cup and a brown Kraft paper sleeve both need the same printed logo, but it is very difficult to reproduce the same clean colors from the white cup on the brown board. In the past, it was up to the press operator to establish the closest match on both substrates. However, not every press operator makes the same decisions when trying to create a match, which leads to variation between runs.
PantoneLIVE solves this problem with different Dependent Libraries – one for virgin board, and another library for brown Kraft. Both libraries include the Pantone digital standards that provide the closest achievable match on those substrates. This gives the designer a realistic expectation of what these colors will look like on white paper and brown Kraft, the ink manufacturer a clear target to create the recipes, and the press operator a realistic goal to hit on press.
PantoneLIVE Dependent Standard Libraries
Here are a few of our PantoneLIVE Dependent Libraries.
These are just a few examples, and we continue to add new Dependent Libraries all the time. For example, in July 2022 we partnered with Sun Chemical to release a new Eco-Kraft corrugated packaging library to help brands and converters can set achievable expectations for producing color on recycled corrugated board used in food, e-commerce and other packaging applications.
If you have a unique situation that might benefit from a PantoneLIVE Dependent Library, please let us know It might be something we can add to our list.
3 - A Spectrophotometer
To evaluate ink recipes and confirm press color is on target, you need a spectrophotometer. eXact 2 is our newest spectrophotometer for measuring color on print and packaging. It includes an onboard high-resolution camera for video targeting technology and zoom, a two-taps or less touch-screen interface, Wi-Fi connectivity, and integrated scanning wheels. It also has embedded PantoneLIVE so you can access thousands of the latest standards from the device
There are three eXact 2 models, and this blog can help you decide which is best for you.
How to Use Print Process Control in Production
1 - During Design
When creating a new design, designers can select inspiration colors from the Pantone Formula Guide. Then, using an Adobe Illustrator plug in, they can import Pantone Master Library colors (which represent the colors in the Formula Guide) and Dependent Library colors (which represent Formula Guide colors on specific substrates) right into Illustrator to visualize how the design will look in print.
2 - During Formulation
When formulating recipes, ink manufacturers can use X-Rite's InkFormulation Software to create the closest match, even reusing leftover ink. InkFormulation Software fully supports PantoneLIVE, so recipes can be built using the same Master or Dependent Library colors specified by the designer.
3 - Throughout Pre-Press and in the Pressroom
Pre-Press and Press Operators can use the new eXact 2 spectrophotometer to take accurate measurements and inspect patches using video targeting.
eXact 2 uses a high-resolution display that is 30% larger than previous generations to easily find the measurement area and quickly zoom to inspect or capture an image to include in an audit trail. eXact 2 comes with Pantone Master Libraries, plus direct access to the Dependent Libraries, right from the device. With this on-board functionality, press operators can compare against thousands of the latest standards to meet customer color needs across a large variety of paper, film, and paperboard substrates.
eXact 2 also integrates with Color iQC and ColorCert quality control software so press operators can verify the exact colors that were used during the design and formulation phases. ColorCert job results are displayed instantly on the device, minimizing the need to go to another computer and helping you hit color standards fast. eXact 2 also integrates with InkFormulation Software to simplify ink workflows and accelerate color development through better match performance and reduced proofing.
Learn More
Our Color Experts are happy to answer your questions and help you choose the best color measurement and quality control products for your print quality needs. We also offer many learning resources on our website to help you measure color and establish print process control. Here are a few to get you started.
- Color Management in Print and Packaging | Blog: Better understand your role in the process and arm you with the knowledge to educate your clients so that future files received reflect the correct color intent.
- Fundamentals of Print and Packaging | Workshop: Our two-day Fundamentals of Print and Packaging workshop will teach print professionals how to implement measurement-based process control using the X-Rite eXact and software.
- The Fundamentals of Print Process Control | Workshop: This hands-on workshop reviews the Print Process Control software with eXact and X-Rite software.
- X-Rite Print Excellence Program | Print Quality Program: The X-Rite Print Excellence Program empowers printers to consistently achieve colors without rework and earn brand business. Learn how you can become a Verified Printer.
