X-Rite Announces New G7 Toolkit

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.—X-Rite, Incorporated announced the immediate availability of a new G7 Toolkit designed to help X-Rite customers implement the G7 proof-to-print process control methodology for both offset and flexography. Available as a free download (www.xrite.com/pressG7Toolkit) and directly from X-Rite’s extensive network of resellers, the new toolkit consists of a series of educational and software tools and easy-to-follow guidelines for X-Rite plate readers, spectrophotometers and auto scanning systems.

Included in the toolkit are a series of downloadable MIF (Management Information Format) files designed to bring G7 support to the X-Rite 500 Series handheld densitometers and spectrophotometers. The toolkit also features a complete library of educational ‘how to’ documents with step-by-step instructions on how to use X-Rite products for implementing G7 calibration at every stage of the printing process, from plate measurement, to proof-to-press matching.

About G7
G7 is an IDEAlliance specification that outlines methods to calibrate proofing systems and presses based on principles of digital imaging, spectrophotometry, and computer-to-plate (CtP) technologies. The goal of G7 is to simplify calibration and help printers reliably achieve a close “visual match” from proof to press and from press to press. G7 is intended to be in compliance with the ISO 12647 Standards and has incorporated aim values from ISO 12647 into their process. G7 is unique, however, in that it breaks from tradition by focusing on colorimetric data for gray balance in the mid-tones, image contrast and image weight in a precise and 100 percent colorimetric manner rather than relying totally on densitometric aims, i.e. dot gain, for each color, which alone does not define vital visual metrics of an image.

With G7, widely different printing processes can share not only common gray balance, but also common tonal contrast and image weight, regardless of paper type, ink quantity, screening type or imaging technology. This “shared appearance” concept offers a significant new default compatibility benefit when exchanging files between different imaging systems. G7 is currently being applied to many types of printing including commercial and publication printing, newsprint and even flexo and gravure. For more information on the G7 Process, visit IDEAlliance at www.idealliance.org