Extend Colors to Extend Reach

The adoption of extended gamut printing has been generally slow. Despite persistent wariness among packaging printers, however, Thompson thinks that the various extended gamut methodologies are gaining traction in some circles. "I don't know if I am ready to say 'most,' " he says.

For some that eschew the use of extended color sets, Thompson believes the main obstacles relate primarily to issues of cost and training outlined above. For others, he says, "I think equipment plays a large role. Registration is critical and the press must be able to produce consistent results day in and day out within tight tolerances. With technologies like flexo, there is some potential capital outlay for things like high-line anilox rolls, or new web registration systems. These are very real challenges for some printers in this economy and the margin pressures that exist in today's market." Extended color applications also can be difficult and expensive to produce because of the need for more plates and special inks, especially in short-run applications.