The Assn. for Suppliers of Printing, Publishing and Converting Technologies (NPES) is publishing an ISO Committee TC130 release that regards ISO/PAS 15339 graphic technology, which relates to printing for digital data across multiple technologies, as a publicly-available specification that defines how to use color characterization data to define process-color printing. Characterization data defines the expected relationship between CMYK, electronic-data input and colors on the final print. The ISO committee said the ISA PAS 15339 system comprises two parts – Principles; and characterized reference printing conditions (CRPC1-CRPC7) — and provides numerous, process-independent color gamuts. It is available worldwide.
Dave McDowell, chairman of the ISO steering committee, said the TC130 characterization data is essentially a step above color profiling, because it eliminates print-process variables. “If we want to make printing a manufacturing process, it has to be interoperable. There have to be common references that people can work to,” he said.
NPES supports and administers the activities of the U.S. Technical Advisory Group (USTAG), which provided input and leadership for the TC130 development. More information is available at www.npes.org/programs/standardsworkroom.aspx
The Big Picture magazine s Kiersten Wones helped prepare this report.