Colour Graphic Services (CGS) may not be one of the larger exhibitors at PrintEx but, as usual, the booth (I11) will be packed with expert advice and technologies on colour management for all processes.
"I am delighted to confirm that the managing director of Mellow Colour, Alan Dresch, will once again visit and be available on our booth. This time Alan will be running demonstrations of Mellow Cloud and Mellow Analytics, as well as PrintSpec," CGS' 'Colour Doctor' David Crowther said.
Backing up the precision colour control that CGS is renowned for, the latest Just Normlicht ISO 3664:2009 LED viewing system will be shown. LED is making rapid advances as a longer-lasting and more reliable light source for assessing critical colour.
Of course, no display of colour management expertise would be complete without spectrophotometers and densitometers and, as Techkon's dealer in Australia, CGS will be showing the full range including SpectroDens, SpectroPlate, SpectroDrive and to pocket-sized DENS. By the time PrintEx comes around, Crowther will have completed calibration and servicing training at Techkon's German HQ, becoming the only local Techkon Service Partner capable of carrying out calibration, service and repairs on spectrophotometers within Australia and New Zealand. This will eliminate the need for Techkon sensitive colour measuring devices to be returned to the factory for such attention.
"I am delighted to have been approved for the course," Crowther says.
"It elevates our service to customers another notch and also gives me a more detailed understanding of the technology built into Techkon colour measuring devices."
Another feature of CGS's display is the return of 'Free Colour Health Checks' whereby users of digital printing (e.g. Xerox or HP Indigo), offset litho and wide format devices can print out a special colour test forme and have it measured and analysed with Mellow Colour's PrintSpec on the stand for a free report and advice on where colour problems might be occurring.
"We introduced these at the last PrintEx and they proved so popular, Alan and I struggled to keep up with the demand but we are fully prepared for a busy measuring and reporting programme in August," Crowther says.
Closed-loop colour control for offset presses will also be a feature, using Printflow software, of which Crowther has established several sites with leading printers in Australia.
"Printflow can deliver new life to older presses with automated, closed- loop colour control and also is a feature on newer presses where proprietary closed-loop systems may be quite expensive. Local support is also a major advantage," Crowther says.
CGS' overall colour consultancy and training should not be overlooked, with many Australian and New Zealand businesses benefitting from courses conducted onsite and in classroom environments by Crowther. His latest accreditation is as an SGIA Qualified Digital Colour Professional for the wide format sign and display sector.
As Crowther notes: "Print processes may change and evolve but the need for good colour management remains a constant. The variables are still there in inks, substrates, Rips and workflow software, viewing conditions, file types, standards such as ISO and in-house special standards, curing methods such as heat and UV and even secondary transfer of colour as used in dye sublimation. In fact, there are probably more variables today than ever before but the good news is that, with measurement and calibration at every stage of production, accurate colour can be achieved and repeated."
David Crowther extends a warm welcome to all printers, whatever the process, to visit Colour Graphic Services on booth I11 at PrintEx and experience the proven rock-solid way to perfect, repeatable colour. Crowther concludes, "It's not a cost factor; colour management delivers less waste and re-dos, lower ink usage and more efficient workflows. Let us demonstrate this to you at PrintEx."
For more info visit Colour Graphic Services and on stand I11 at PrintEx.
