QuadTech Brings Vendors Together to Link In- and Off-line Color Control Systems

SUSSEX, WI—May 29, 2012—QuadTech Inc., with consultation from ColorConsulting S.r.l., announces a breakthrough technology cooperation with Huber Group that incorporates X-Rite solutions. This effort ties together in-line spectral data obtained from QuadTech, ink formulation data from X-Rite, and ink dispensing technology from Huber Group.

The color control process begins with customer-defined color targets, typically supplied by the Pantone color standard library, a Color Exchange Format (CxF) file, or color samples. These targets are manually evaluated off-line, using the industry standard X-Rite SpectroEye. A spectral color curve is obtained and loaded into X-Rite’s InkFormulation software, which then formulates an “ink receipt.”

A Huber Group Color Database provides data to the ink dosing machine, which then prepares the ink can. After successful quality control by means of a draw-down, the ink goes to press.

The color targets then are loaded into QuadTech’s Color Measurement System with SpectralCam. Obtaining the color target data occurs simultaneously with live color measurements taken at full press speeds. Any color deviations are automatically captured and reported in ∆E values. A new color CxF file can be sent back to the InkFormulation software.

Randy Freeman, QuadTech’s vice president and general manager of packaging, asserts, “This is really an historic development for the package printing industry. We’re combining the advantages of in-line and off-line color measurement to significantly reduce press downtime and waste. We’re harnessing the strengths of the world’s most advanced and proven color technology companies to share data in a common format, which will give printers confidence that their color quality is well within targets, and consistently high.”

About QuadTech
QuadTech Inc. is a worldwide leader and innovator of performance proven press control technology. Founded in 1979, QuadTech sells its automated auxiliary control systems in more than 100 countries to the web offset newspaper and commercial markets, packaging and converting markets, and publication gravure market. Headquartered in Sussex, WI. QuadTech is a subsidiary of Quad/Graphics, one of the largest and most technologically advanced printers and multichannel solutions providers in the world.

Source: QuadTech.