Graphic designers, repro houses, printers and converters face an ongoing challenge: how to maintain colour fidelity throughout the entire process of design, production and printing. Fortunately, advancements in colour management devices, cloud-based software and proofing systems are simplifying these accuracy and reproducibility challenges.
Esko’s technologies enable perfect colour reproduction consistently in every print job across various locations, thereby strengthening brand consistency and increasing operational efficiency.
One major hurdle in colour management is the reliance on manual processes. These disconnected steps mean that despite the best efforts of brands and their suppliers, there is no clear, guaranteed picture of how colour is produced and delivered to the shelf. Esko’s Equinox solution addresses this by providing a digital, automated approach that reduces human error and increases reliability.
Esko’s Equinox is a prime example of how technology can ease colour conversion. By extending the traditional CMYK range with additional colours, Equinox achieves more vibrant and accurate results. This predictable colour conversion means that designers and printers can identify if colours are out of gamut before conversion, making it easier to decide when to use extended gamut, CMYK or spot colours.
Inconsistencies in colour are another significant challenge. Without a consistent, repeatable process accessible to all stakeholders, colour discrepancies can arise. AVT’s (part of the Esko Group, and represented/distributed in South Africa by Beswick Machinery) SpectraLab XF addresses this by providing advanced inline spectral colour measurement. ‘This system measures both colour targets and in-image colours with high precision, adhering to set tolerances and absolute colour values,’ says Riaan Hopley, web fed product manager at Beswick Machinery. ‘It detects spectral colour measurements reliably, even for small patches at high speeds, ensuring uniformity across different printing processes and maintaining brand integrity.’
The demand for shorter packaging runs for targeted campaigns and product variations is increasing, adding complexity and cost. Esko’s Colour Preflight for Automation Engine meets this demand by finding the fastest and most cost-effective way to print jobs on a digital press while maintaining brand colour expectations. This tool simplifies the editing process, eliminates manual colour matching work and speeds up the entire workflow, thus enhancing press efficiency and increasing capacity.
By incorporating these cutting-edge technologies, Esko is transforming how colour management and control are executed in the print and packaging industry. As the industry continues to evolve, innovations that set new standards for colour consistency, efficiency and brand integrity will undoubtedly play a crucial role in meeting the ever-growing demands for high-quality, reliable colour reproduction.
