X-Rite Expands PantoneLIVE with New Color Libraries and Software for Packaging Applications
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., December 15, 2016 – X-Rite Incorporated, a global leader in color science and technology, and its subsidiary Pantone LLC, today announced the expansion of its PantoneLIVE™ cloud-based solution for digitally communicating color with the addition of six new color libraries for gravure printing. The company also released PantoneLIVE Visualizer, a new software tool that helps graphic designers, brands and print suppliers better compare, evaluate and visualize colors across multiple substrates and printing technologies.
“PantoneLIVE was created to help share accurate and achievable colors across a package printing supply chain,” said Adrián Fernández, Vice President, PantoneLIVE, X‑Rite. “In partnership with our customers, we are continuously evolving the platform to support a wide range of packaging applications and help designers easily visualize on-screen how color palettes will appear in production. PantoneLIVE now offers over 50,000 Pantone color choices and supports 80 percent of packaging applications. By increasing the depth and scope of PantoneLIVE, designers and brands are able speed up the entire packaging design process and get products to market on average four times faster.”
Six New Libraries Added to PantoneLIVE
PantoneLIVE includes six new libraries for gravure printing technology ideal for flexible packaging and label applications. Two of the new libraries are designed to help brands and converters match color on increasingly popular metallized flexible packaging and label structures. In total, PantoneLIVE offers 28 libraries of Pantone solids and tints that are tailored to specific package printing applications and technologies such as folding cartons, labels, flexo and paper packaging. Expanding the color libraries gives PantoneLIVE users greater choices and flexibility to determine which packaging material and processes will help brands and suppliers achieve the best possible results.
The new libraries include:
- Labels gravure process using solvent ink printed on coated paper with gloss-neutral varnish;
- Flexible packaging gravure process using solvent ink printed on clear film substrate with gloss-neutral varnish;
- Flexible packaging gravure process using solvent ink printed on clear film substrate over white ink with gloss-neutral varnish;
- Flexible packaging gravure process using solvent ink reverse printed on clear film substrate over white ink;
- Flexible packaging gravure process using solvent ink reverse printed on clear film substrate over white ink laminated to aluminum; and
- Flexible packaging gravure process using solvent ink printed on aluminum substrate over white ink with gloss-neutral varnish.
Compare and Assess Color for Packaging with PantoneLIVE Visualizer
To help designers and brands visually show the variability in color that is the result of changes in the base material, printing process and ink types, X-Rite has developed PantoneLIVE Visualizer. Available immediately at no additional cost to PantoneLIVE users, Visualizer delivers an on-screen visualization of Pantone Master colors and achievable PantoneLIVE Dependent colors. The results can be exported into print-ready PDF documents that can be shared across the supply chain to better communicate design intent.
Sometimes, due to the realities of production materials and processes, the desired Pantone Master Standard color cannot be achieved with the target substrate and printing technology. Pantone Dependent Standards are designed to represent desired Master Standards in these cases, and are the Pantone-approved best match to the Master standards. With PantoneLIVE Visualizer, users can now visually compare and assess color selections in a variety of production scenarios.
PantoneLIVE Visualizer works with the X-Rite eXact handheld spectrophotometer allowing users to measure the spectral color data from existing physical materials and objectively compare multiple materials on-screen. Using the spectral data, the software will also convert local color samples to specific PANTONE and PantoneLIVE references for precise color communication across suppliers.
PantoneLIVE Visualizer should be used with a color-managed monitor or printer for best results. When used in conjunction with calibration tools, customers can accurately visualize the impact of printing processes, substrate and even lighting conditions on brand colors in order to make more informed decisions on color selection and print processes.
For more information about PantoneLIVE, visit www.pantone.com/live. PantoneLIVE subscribers download PantoneLIVE Visualizer from http://www.pantone.com/pantonelive-designer-plugin.
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. PantoneLIVE libraries, including the six new gravure libraries, are developed in close cooperation with Sun Chemical, the exclusive PantoneLIVE preferred partner for ink supply.
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.
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©2016 X-Rite, Inc. All rights reserved. X-Rite is a registered trademark of X-Rite, Inc. PANTONE®, PantoneLIVE and other Pantone trademarks are the property of Pantone LLC. 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]. © Pantone LLC, 2016. All rights reserved.
Contact:
Corporate: Europe:
Alicia Libucha Monika Dürr
X-Rite Duomedia
+1 857-205-0919 +49 6104 944 895
alicialibucha@xrite.com monika.d@duomedia.com
