How to Print Accurate Color Across Packaging Substrates
Packaging printers must reproduce accurate color across multiple packaging substrates to ensure brand integrity on the shelf. A solution from X-Rite can facilitate this process from brand color identification through final quality control.
Challenge
Accurate packaging color is necessary for brand identity on the shelf but printing consistent color across different packaging substrates can be a challenge.
- Incorrect color can damage brand loyalty
- Color is difficult to match between transparent and translucent packaging types like labels, films, and blister packs
- Physical color references and standards can discolor over time, leading to incorrect specifications
- Sending representatives on-site for print inspection and approval is expensive and causes delays
- Substrates and ink are expensive and hard to source
Solution
Digital color solutions enable packaging printers to understand brand color requirements and efficiently formulate, produce, and control packaging color. By implementing an end-to-end digital workflow that includes digital standards, a spectrophotometer, ink formulation software, and quality control software, package printers can confidently print color in a range of transparent, translucent, and metallic packaging like labels, films, and metallic foils.
Results
- Improve brand color communication and quality
- Know what is achievable before going to print
- Achieve accurate color on multiple substrates
- Quickly formulate ink and reuse leftovers for a more sustainable process
- Catch color drifts early and validate printed color is in tolerance
- Quickly train new operators
- Achieve consistent color globally, between suppliers
How it Works
- The brand digitally communicates product color and acceptable tolerance.
- The printer uses InkFormulation software to create an ink recipe that will achieve accurate color on the chosen substrate.
- Throughout the run, the printer uses the eXact 2 to measure samples and review the device touchscreen graphical interface for quick pass/fail assessments.
- Measurements from the eXact 2 are also viewed within the ColorCert software for more detailed actionable feedback, when needed and results are stored for future review and to generate scorecards to share with internal quality teams and brand customers.
Featured Products
A non-contact handheld device that offers video preview and capture with zoom-magnification capability and Wi-Fi software integration. More than just a color measurement tool, eXact 2 is the driving force behind an integrated workflow to evaluate and manage color and leverage industry standards for process control. Connects with PantoneLIVE, ColorCert, and InkFormulation software for a powerful end-to-end color formulation solution.
eXact 2 Xp offers all features available on eXact 2 and is optimized for extruded flexible films. For ink and quality control labs, eXact 2 Xp offers enhanced quality control functionality with the ability to store sample measurements for data tracking and program multiple user profiles on each device. Connects with PantoneLIVE, ColorCert, and InkFormulation software for a powerful end-to-end color formulation solution.
eXact 2 Plus is the most versatile and powerful non-contact handheld spectrophotometer on the market. The Plus model includes all features of eXact 2 and eXact 2 Xp, plus adds the ability to evaluate metamerism, opacity, and absolute and relative color strength for maximum performance and efficiency. Connects with PantoneLIVE, ColorCert, and InkFormulation software for a powerful end-to-end color formulation solution.
InkFormulation Software is part of an end-to-end color workflow that gives ink suppliers, printers and packaging converters flexibility and control over recipes and assortments, improves basic material handling, simplifies definition of the right ink film thickness and helps reduce hazardous waste. It also makes it easier to use leftover inks and press returns, reducing overall ink inventories.
Quality assurance software that enables printers to provide brand owners with real-time scorecard data that confirms compliance with brand specifications, including spot color matching, and CMYK production to both G7 and PSO target values.
A cloud-based architecture to digitally specify and communicate color standards between brands, ink rooms, and printers to ensure accurate and repeatable color in a wide variety of substrates, printing technologies, and ink types. Connects with InkFormulation Software and eXact 2 to share digital color standards.
An innovative web-based platform that provides the data you need to achieve optimal performance, whether you own one X-Rite device or an entire fleet. It provides real-time insight into your color measurement devices to reduce manual management, ensure optimal performance, and streamline the service process. Stay connected to your devices so you can have confidence in every measurement.
Achieve Color Success
A digital color solution from X-Rite enables packaging printers to produce consistent brand color across different substrates and prove color compliance.
