Extend Colors to Extend Reach

Obviously, both ink and equipment manufacturers have critical roles to play in the adoption and use of extended color systems. Whatever system is used, the extra inks must be formulated to interact correctly with the other inks in the set. They also have to trap correctly and have the right opacity. "SGS is not an ink manufacturer or expert in this domain," Thomson says. "We typically recommend that the printer engage its ink manufacturer, and suggest the extended gamut inks be made as 'process inks' rather than line color inks. On the equipment side, the ability of the press to hold registration [within certain tolerances] is paramount."