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WPC Info:

New newspaper printing process standard ISO 12647-3:2004

The new newspaper printing process standard comes into effect on 1st July 2004! Basis: DIS/ISO 12647-3:2004 Ref.: Newspaper offset (coldset) and proof printing on standard newsprint

The revised version of ISO 12647-3:2004, the standard for the newspaper offset printing process, is largely complete. The most important change is that the existing varying dot gain values for different processes have been replaced by a single, process-independent dot gain. Agencies and ad suppliers can now supply all newspapers worldwide (with the exception of the USA) with a single CMYK data set, separated in accordance with ISOnewspaper26v4.

The existing profiles:

QUIZ (for Germany),

CINCO (for Spain),

CQ2 (for Italy),

KWIK (for the Netherlands)

ICONS (for India) and

ACER (for Latin America)

are no longer valid as of immediately.

The introduction of the process-independent dot gain and corresponding standard newspaper profile on 1st July 2004 will make newspaper houses more customer-friendly. However, the direct further processing/printing of CMYK data separated in accordance with ISOnewspaper26v4 presupposes the conversion/adaptation of the in-house processes at the newspaper operations on the basis of DIS/ISO 12647-3:2004, or the adjustment of the data reception and following aligning of all internal processes. The objective of the standardisation is to obtain consistent colour printing at a high quality level in all newspapers.

The ZMG and IFRA newspaper printing quality initiative (QUIZ), a project supported by the Federal German printing and media association (bvdm), published a standard profile and two special profiles for international newspaper printing for the first time in March 2001. Since then, the concept of connecting printing standardisation based on ISO 12647-3 and colour management has proven successful. Many newspaper houses and ad suppliers support it and have used the published ICC colour profiles for newspaper printing for many years.

IFRA has been able to build on the experience gained from numerous national and international standardisation projects and incorporate its findings into the new ISO newspaper-process standard. Thus the original QUIZ profiles from the year 2001 were continually replaced by new and better adapted profiles.

The name of the new IFRA standard profiles for newspaper printing, valid with effect from 1st July 2004, is:

ISOnewspaper26v4.icc, colour profile

ISOnewspaper26v4_gr.icc, grey scale profile

These profiles have been tested successfully in practice by various newspaper operations. The new standard profile is available for downloading from this web site with immediate effect.

The profiles correspond in principle to the existing standard profiles and the visual results they achieve. All those who to date have used the standard profile Newspaper_QUIZ_22_02.03V2.icm or Newspaper_QUIZ_28_02.03V2.icm should use this profile in the future. It differs from the existing profile by the following details:

* Compensation of a dot gain of 26 %.

* Orientation towards adapted primary and secondary colours of the new DIS/ISO 12647-3:2004.

* characterising data were recorded on a white measuring background.

* Maximum GCR

The maximum total inking of the profile ISOnewspaper26v4.icc is 240 %. The maximum depth in an image is reproduced with

Cyan 59 %,

Magenta 45 %,

Yellow 41 % and

Black 95 %.

The file name V4 stands for: Version 4 of the standard newspaper profile.

From this colour profile, a grey profile was additionally produced that is made available under the name ISOnewspaper26v4_gr.icc. For example, the grey profile can be used for the automatic conversion of colour images into grey scale images in image processing programs, preflight systems or colour servers.

Profile production

The production of the profile is based on the measured colour data from different newspaper printing plants worldwide. For this purpose, in each case prints made with the CMYK testform ISO 12642 with 928 colour patches, also known as IT8.7/3, were measured. Measurement was done in accordance with ISO 12647-1, 5.6, i.e.: 2° viewer, D50 light, geometry 45°/0°or 0°/45°, on a white and black measuring background. The averaged measured data, on which the profile production is based, are available with immediate effect on the ICC web site: www.color.org.

ISOnewspaper26v4.icc was compiled taking into account the specifications and recommendations of ISO 12647-3:2004. A maximum GCR was used for separating in order minimise colour fluctuations in print (see Ifra Special Report 2.16). At the same time care was taken to ensure that no greying occurs in sensitive skin tones. Detailed separation parameters are included in Readme attached to the profiles.

ISOnewspaper26v4.icc is based exclusively on colour measurements on a white measuring background. A black measuring background is, in accordance with ISO/DIS 12647-3:2004, only permissible for process control in print. Targets and tolerances for checking print against black and all additional process parameters are listed in "DIS_ISO 12647-3_2004_e.pdf" (Important: reference values for white backing have been slightly changed). The properties of the white measuring background are standardised. See www.fogra.org for information on which papers and materials are suitable as a basis for carrying out standardised measurement on devices with black measuring table.

Proof printing with ISOnewspaper26v4.icc

We recommend the UGRA/FOGRA media wedge CMYK 2.0 as a suitable means of quality control. This can be used to check a proof, on the basis of target values, for the correct reproduction of the applied process. The media wedge must be measured on a white background in order to obtain the correct reference values. From FOGRA, you can obtain a package consisting of UGRA/FOGRA media wedge CMYK as well as an Excel table with latest target values for colour-binding proof output.

If possible, for measuring data for the production of profiles for proofing instruments, a white background should also be used in order to ensure compatibility with print profiles and colour matching conditions.

Downloading the profiles

Downloading of the standard profile is free of charge and without restriction. No technical guarantee for the smooth functioning of the profiles in the different IT environments can be given. Download at IFRA-Website.