G7 Certification and What it Means to You
G7 Certification was developed by IDEAlliance. This organization has been developing, educating and validating best practices in printing and publishing for more than 40 years. They developed the G7 specifications and oversee printer certification.
G7 specifications ensure quality by helping to ensure grayscale reproduction across multiple devices, processes and media. Traditionally, gray balance has been loosely defined as the relationship between cyan, magenta and yellow percentages needed to match the color of a black ink tint with the same density. Theoretically, this black ink tint is a neutral gray.
Before G7 specifications, printers faced challenges. Black ink tints are often non-neutral and substrate color can affect the gray scale, as well.
G7 specifications provide a precise definition of gray balance that takes paper color into account called GRACoL standards. The GRACol standard is similar to the SWOP standards used in the publication market, but was specifically developed for commercial offset. Using the GRACoL method, Lithographics creates a consistent proofing process and measures appropriate screen values on plates to generate consistent color on press.
G7 methodologies benefit you, our client, in multiple ways, including :
- Consistent color from proof to press.
- Consistent color from sheet to sheet, and from job to job.
- Shorter make-readies.
- Reduced waste as a result of better process control.
- A “greener” process overall.
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