Last month #45 presented three proofing resolutions for the New Year that I promised to expand upon in subsequent golden nuggets. Resolution #2 stated that you should “€œProve to customers your proof meets the desired standard of quality.” In other words, we need to certify proof quality. In #46 we discussed using process control to find the sweet spot of your proofing system, and then not only keep it there but continually improve the system. It stands to reason that once you have put the process discussed in #46 in place you now have proofs that consistently conform to a known quality level. Now it is time to let the world know that our proofs are certified to be consistent and repeatable based upon objective factual information.
The most important part of a certification system is the label we attach to the proof that either contains a snapshot of the quality data or even better yet points the proof viewer to a web-site where very detailed information about this proof is easily obtainable. The label also needs to contain an overall Pass/Fail status for instant evaluation by the viewer of the proof.
The process of certifying a proof is important, because a proof that is signed off as being ok by the end customers is a contract. Your internal customer for that proof, your pressroom, now has to match the proof in order to live up to the terms of the contract. The pressroom will check that certification label to make sure that the proof is within the standards established by the process control system. When proofs are consistent and repeatable it is much easier to consistently and repeatedly match them on press. Also, when they are having difficulty matching the proof on press they are more likely to focus on the press rather than blaming a proof that conforms to standards they have matched time and time again in the past.
Next time we will discuss making proofs that are an even closer match to your press.
Last month #45 presented three proofing resolutions for the New Year that I promised to expand upon in subsequent golden nuggets. Resolution #1 stated that you should “Increase productivity by decreasing time wasted to re-print bad proofs.” Sounds simple and guess what, it actually is.
First, you must start measuring the color bar you output on every proof with process control software like ColorMetrix that allows for analysis of the historical data utilizing a built in trending module or exported data into an application like excel. By doing this over a period of time (a week at minimum, but a month would be better), you will be able to determine the normal variation of your proofing process. Not every proofing system has the same normal variation, nor do any two similar proofing systems have identical variation. Once you know what the normal variation is you can begin to set reasonable and achievable tolerance levels for you proofing system.
Next, you may not care for the tolerance levels that the previous step of this process is directing you to set. That is OK. We now have meaningful historical data which will allow us to make process improvements. Instead of someone saying that I don”€™t like that inkjet proofing paper vendor xyz is providing, you can dig into the database and see that in fact the inkjet proofing paper vendor xyz is providing has a delta E variation beyond what you are willing to accept over a months time. The key is that you will be making process changed based upon objective fact, not subjective opinions.
The process changes you make will continue to improve the ongoing process, resulting in fewer and fewer defective proofs. Each defective proof you are no long making has a cost savings associated with it. When you add up all these little cost savings you can quickly calculate the return on investment (ROI) of your hard copy color proofing process control software solution. In our experience the entire cost of the system is recovered in less than one month in many cases.