Proofing has changed and evolved massively in recent years. Today, various approaches are available that can be used to perfectly address different requirements. In this article, we have summarized basic knowledge about proofing and briefly present the approaches – an exciting overview of the evolution of proofing.
Remote proofing the easy way! Contract proofs for all standards
With COLOR TUNER you can easily create contract proofs for any printing standard. You don‘t even have to be a color expert to do that!
The web-based application has an intuitive, wizard-based user interface and combines printer calibration and automatic color matching, which enables users to produce color-accurate printouts at local and remote locations anywhere in the world.
COLOR TUNER provides maximum flexibility and offers many powerful and innovative features such as perfect spot color matching or support for hexachrome and multi-channel profiles.
The application was the first proofing software to be certified by Fogra, SWOP, Sicograf, PPA and 3DAP and is now considered the most widely used high-end proofing software worldwide.
Thanks to its web-based client-server architecture, the application can easily be integrated into any existing workflow.
If you are looking for a packaging proofing system, please click here to learn more about FLEX PACK - the turnkey solution for packaging proofing and mock-up production.
More details:
Contract proofs
With COLOR TUNER you can create color-accurate proofs for all commonly used industry standards.
The software includes a setup wizard, automatic color matching, and printer calibration in a web-based application that enables you to create color-accurate printouts from any location in the world.
COLOR TUNER also supports the Epson SureColor SC-P series of printers with a built-in spectrophotometer. The fastest way to create highly accurate contract proofs, with no color expertise required.
Spot colors
Thanks to innovative features like using CxF/X-4 data in PDF files for perfectly rendering spot colors and the support of Hexachrome and multi-channel profiles, COLOR TUNER once again demonstrated its market position as the industry-leading proofing application.
Integration and connectivity
Thanks to its web-based client-server architecture, COLOR TUNER can easily be integrated into any existing workflow and infrastructure.
The use of inline spectrophotometers enables automated remote color-matching processes without any user intervention.
The direct interface to PantoneLIVE and CXF CLOUD also enables an easy organization, management, and communication of spectral color data.
Spectral color data
Spectral color data is the ideal solution to store and communicate colors with all associated properties. The use of spectral data eliminates modifications caused by exchange color spaces and provides much better color matching results for non-standard printing processes like flexo or gravure printing.
In addition, spot color overprints can be rendered much more precisely.
Proofing papers
High-grade proofing paper is essential to contract proof quality. That is why we have developed a large media portfolio based on the requirements of leading publishing houses and printing companies keeping industry standards in mind, which are specifically geared towards the production of color-accurate proofs.
An unique coating technology gives the papers unique properties, such as better ink absorption, higher color density, greater reproduction of fine detail and shorter drying times than comparable media.
The entire portfolio is produced, controlled, and continuously adapted to the current requirements of customers and markets under special conditions and strict specifications.
Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia/NZ: CGS ORIS GmbH This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Tel.: +49 6182 9626 0 Fax +49 6182 9626 99
North America & South America: CGS Publishing Technologies International LLC This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Tel.: +1 612 870 0061 Fax +1 612 870 0063
A perfectly tuned system - for color-accurate production of packaging proofs and prototypes
Do you need to produce color-accurate packaging proofs and samples efficiently and with ease? Are complex finishing effects also a requirement? Then FLEX PACK is the right solution for you!
The system was developed specially for these applications and offers everything you need to achieve perfect results accurately and cost-effectively.
A huge advantage: FLEX PACK was designed as a complete system. The ultimate combination of extremely powerful software, specific printer hardware, special extended gamut inks, and a large portfolio of proofing substrates are available.
Of course, all components are perfectly harmonized - creating an ideal workflow and optimal results without any effort.
An additional plus: FLEX PACK was developed in close cooperation with leading companies in the packaging industry and has been used successfully worldwide for many years. End-users appreciate the absolute precision, reliability, and enormous flexibility of the system.
FLEX PACK and its continuous development benefits from years of packaging experience in coordination with our many customers and partners within the industry – and so do you: The packaging industry is always dynamic and subject to change. We react to these quickly and competently in order to always give our customers the optimum tools to improve their daily business.
FLEX PACK is available in a variety of different configurations, highlighted in further detail.
FLEX PACK - The software for packaging proofs and samples
The software was specially designed for the characteristics and highest requirements of the packaging industry. It is based on our patented iterative 4D color management technology and contains all functions and modules to produce various packaging proofs and packaging samples immediately, easily, and cost-effectively.
Functions such as pre-flighting, soft-proof, and proof certification are integrated, raster data such as Esko LEN are supported and the program naturally has packaging-specific spot color management that converts spectral data natively and even simulates the overprinting of spot colors perfectly.
Furthermore, cloud-based color databases such as the CGS ORIS CxF CLOUD or PantoneLIVE® are integrated.
FLEX PACK is available in different versions. Below, two of them are described in detail.
FLEX PACK + Roland DG - The proven classic
In this version, FLEX PACK is combined with printers of the Roland VersaCAMM VSi series. Contrary to conventional UV inkjet systems, it works with eco-solvent inks offering a brilliant print image and also white and metallic.
With the specially developed, highly pigmented XG INKS, which also includes orange and green, the color space guarantees that almost all special colors can be exactly reproduced.
The system offers unlimited possibilities for the production of packaging proofs and prototypes: From 'no-label-look' labels to stand-up pouches, bottles with shrink film labels to metal or luxury packaging with complex partial varnishing and embossing in any form that offers the unique look and feel. For any kind of finishing effects, FLEX PACK supports the Roland VersaUV LEF (2)-200/300 and LEC2-330s printers.
To ensure that you always have the right substrate available for any kind of job, we offer a large selection of proofing media that have been specially developed for this purpose and tailored to the special requirements.
Find out more about the broad portfolio of the PackPROOF family and its unique properties. One key element is the PACKProof Transfer Film, as it enables the production of packaging proofs and samples on the original production substrate.
Optionally, the system can be upgraded with additional hardware components, such as media preconditioning, drying systems, or media holders.
We also offer any necessary peripheral equipment, such as laminators, punches, and register devices. The system is fully customizable to your individual needs and requirements.
In this latest addition to the system, FLEX PACK is combined with the Mutoh Value Jet-628 MP or the Mutoh Value Jet-1628 MH, two digital piezo inkjet printers, specifically developed for the special requirements and needs of the packaging industry (further information can be found here).
The 'Direct-to-Substrate-Proofing' solution is a real breakthrough for the industry, as it enables true printing on original substrates – something many customers have been searching years for.
In addition to printing on substrates such as shrink films and other extremely thin flexibles, the new solution is particularly suited for proofing on uncoated label stock or cardboard.
Unlike UV inks, the specially developed multi-resin MP31 inks retain the look & feel and all other physical properties of the substrate, thus making it possible to create a proof or prototype which cannot be distinguished from the final product.
The current ink set contains CMYK, Orange, Green, Blue, and White inks which cover an extremely large color space. The inks have excellent adhesion to coated and uncoated substrates, are non-toxic, odorless, and have unique stretching and shrinking properties.
Ensuring the accuracy of artwork is crucial in the manufacturing of shrink sleeves, allowing for preemptive checks on distortion using the original shrink material.
As such, ‘Direct-to-Substrate-Proofing’ serves as an optimal solution for proofing applications that do not favor the use of transfer films with solvent-based inks or UV ink printing.
To get more information about the substrates or prices, please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Thickness (µm)
Length (m)
Width
PackPROOF Family
PackPROOF Glossy Paper
-
45
24", 30'', 54"
PackPROOF Semi-matte Paper
-
45
24", 30'', 54"
PackPROOF Clear Film
85
50
24" and 44"
PackPROOF Transfer Film
40
30
24" and 48"
PackPROOF Matte Embossing Foil
-
30
24"
PackPROOF Semi-matte Embossing Foil
-
30
24"
PackPROOF Glossy White Adhesive Vinyl
100
40
30"
PackPROOF Matte White Adhesive Vinyl
100
50
30" and 54"
PackPROOF Metallized Pouch Film
65
30
24" and 48''
PackPROOF Transparent Pouch Film
65
30
24" and 48''
PackPROOF White Pouch Film
75
30
24" and 48''
PackPROOF White Metallized Pouch Film
75
30
24'' and 48''
PackPROOF Silver Film
120
30
30"
PackPROOF Clear Adhesive Polyester
75
50
24"
PackPROOF Clear Shrink Classic Foil
70
30
24" and 40"
PackPROOF Clear Shrink Foil
80
30
24"
PackPROOF Semi-matte Cardboard
-
0,61
0,86 m
PackPROOF Transfer Film
The PackPROOF Transfer Film is a breakthrough when it comes to the production of packaging proofs and mock-ups on original printing substrates. It contains a monomeric active layer that can be transferred to almost any stock using a standard laminator at low temperatures.
The film is only a few microns thick, color-neutral, and almost invisible. It has the same ink acceptance properties on both sides.
The thin film, which comes on a stable removable backing layer, is usually printed, then transferred using a laminator. Afterward, the support film is removed. It can be applied to almost all flexible or rigid materials, including sheet metal. Alternatively, the film can be transferred first and then printed.
The PackPROOF Transfer Film is now available in the 4th generation and has been constantly further developed. With the PackPROOF Embossing Foil, either a matte or semi-matte finish can also be achieved. The exact application is explained in our product information, which can be downloaded here (PDF).
Europe, Asia, Africa & Australia/NZ: CGS ORIS GmbH This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Tel.: +49 6182 9626 0 Fax +49 6182 9626 99
North America & South America: CGS Publishing Technologies International LLC This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Tel.: +1 612 870 0061 Fax +1 612 870 0063
An additional plus: FLEX PACK was developed in close cooperation with leading companies in the packaging industry and has been used successfully worldwide for many years. End-users appreciate the absolute precision, reliability, and enormous flexibility of the system.