GMG will be displaying ProductionSuite v2, a 2013 InterTech Technology Award and 2013 FTA Innovation Award recipient (GMG OpenColor) at PRINT 13 (Booth 4837, September 8-12, McCormick Place, Chicago).
GMG ProductionSuite v2
One of the highlights at the GMG booth is a PRINT 13 Must See Em: ProductionSuite v2, an update of the most complete production solution for wide-format printing. GMG ProductionSuite offers the entire range of functions required for wide-format production. GMG ProductionSuite is modular, comprising of a variety of software modules covering prepress-preflight, PDF file editing, job preparation-colour management, RIPping, printing and cutting. It currently supports over 1,000 large and wide format printers and cutters. With additional functions, such as industrial cutting, true shape nesting, and variable data printing, GMG ProductionSuite fulfills some of the more unique requirements of wide format production.
New features include a very easy-to-use version of SmartProfiler to accurately profile any combination of printer, media, inks, etc.; more powerful Layout tools, including easy ways to perform true-shape nesting and combining print jobs; and a new interior decoration option for the digitized creation and printing of textiles and wallpapers.
GMG SmartProfiler is a wizard for calibrating and profiling all supported print devices without requiring expert colour management knowledge. With the automated SmartProfiler colour management, printers get guaranteed quality and repeatability—even with spot colours. While an expert can deliver acceptable colour results with many colour management solutions, using GMG ProductionSuite v2, anyone can produce identical and exceptional colour results, right out of the box.
GMG is also releasing GMG ProductionSuite-Focus Edition, an entry-level price version of GMG ProductionSuite intended for print shops that wish to bundle a complete workflow—instead of solely a RIP—at the time of purchase of a new digital printer.
GMG OpenColor: Precisely predict the colour appearance of printed inks
Another highlight at the GMG booth is GMG OpenColor, the recipient of a 2013 InterTech™ Technology Award and a 2013 Flexographic Technical Association Technical Innovation Award. GMG OpenColor is a proofing technology that precisely predicts the colour appearance of printed inks, particularly ‘overprints’—inks printed on top of each other. This allows the previously unattainable ability to assure a proof will accurately simulate a printed result.
A continuing trend in package printing is the increasing complexity of jobs and the use of multi-colour printing. Many jobs require different combinations of inks, substrates, screening, and other variables. One of the most difficult challenges facing a converter is accurately and reliably communicating colour to the supply chain, from the brand manager to the printer. To understand colours by mixing them, every combination would require a specific test chart with the different combinations. It is costly to go to press with colour fingerprint charts, making plates, and spending time testing rather than earning money on a job. GMG OpenColor resolves this complex packaging problem and provides better results, with less information. With OpenColor, users do not have to print combinations of overprints. They can print the single colour patches—e.g. colour control strips—and combine the colour and substrate properties in the software.
There are a few new GMG OpenColor features being launched at PRINT 13. The most important is the ability to import a number of measurements, but allow OpenColor to average the data. This is helpful, for example, when someone wishes to import data from sheets during different times of a press run, averaging differences that could occur over time. Users can also adjust dot gain of measurements in order to compensate faulty print conditions. The inefficient alternative would be to re-plate and rerun new sheets. A huge advantage for prepress companies in flexo is also the ability to define a target dot gain for a spot colour or for a complete characterization data set to normalize the proof condition. Finally, operators can easily correct the substrate white point and add dot gain correction to the profile without recalculating the profile itself. This is helpful, for example, to match visually substrate simulation if a ‘by the numbers’ match is not good is enough.
Kayell Australia
www.kayellaustralia.com.au
