FQC/SWG Updates: A Look at Summer 2015 and What’s Next

Flexo Quality Consortium FQC LogoThe summer of 2015 has not been very active for the Standards Working Group (SWG) and the July meeting was canceled as it overlapped with the Forum 2015 planning meeting. The ISO TC 130 held its spring meeting in mid-May in Bologna, Italy. 

Working Group 1 – Terminology

Continues to work on and further expand the documents on Terminology related to graphic reproduction, including pre-press function, on-press activities and post-press processes.

  • ISO 5776, Graphic technology – Symbols for Text Proof Correction. This standard has finally been published.

Working Group 2

The working group had a relatively quiet summer in 2015.  The following prepress data exchange group projects have reached completion since the meeting in Bologna:

  • ISO 12641-3, Graphic technology – Prepress digital data exchange – Color targets for input scanner calibration. Currently out for CIB ballot to update the version number, title and introduction and normative reference with a due date of 2015-03-30. No technical changes will be made; FDIS will be the next stage.
  • ISO 12641-2, Graphic technology – Prepress digital data exchange – Advanced targets for scanner calibration. Currently a new project; a working draft is in preparation.
  • ISO 17972-2, Graphic technology – Color data exchange format (CxF/x) – Part 2: Scanner target data. The CD ballot was approved; the resolution of comments and DIS ballot is in preparation
  • ISO 17972-3, Graphic technology – Color data exchange format (CxF/x) – Part 3: Output target data. The standard is in ballot to skip the CD stage and move to DIS ballot
  • ISO 17972-4, Graphic technology – Color data exchange format (CxF/x) – Part 4: Spot color characterisation data (CxF/X-4). Has been published
  • ISO 18619, Image technology color management – Black point compensation. The DIS ballot was approved 2015-07-21 with no negative votes and the publication draft is in preparation
  • ISO 18620, Graphic Technology – Tone response curve adjustment. The second CD ballot has been approved and the standard is moving to a DIS ballot this fall
  • ISO 19445, Graphic Technology – Metadata for graphic arts workflow – Part 1: XMP metadata for image and document proofing. Currently in DIS ballot phase and will not close until September 15, 2015
  • ISO 20616, Graphic technology – File format for quality control software and metadata. In Bologna it was proposed to split this standard into two parts. A short internal ballot was conducted and it was approved. The two new standards will be:
    • ISO/PWI 20616-1 Graphic technology – File format for quality control and metadata – Part 1: Print requirements exchange
    • ISO/PWI 20616-2 Graphic technology – File format for quality control and metadata –Part 2: Print quality exchange

The project leader for both documents will be Elie Khoury. ISO/TC 130 requests its secretariat to undertake the steps necessary to implement this resolution

  • ISO 19593, Graphic technology – Use of PDF to associate processing steps and content data. Approved the CD ballot with comments and will be balloted as a second CD in the fall
  • ISO/PWI 15930-2016, Graphic technology – Harmonization of ISO 15930 with ISO 16612-2 and ISO 32000-2. This harmonization is still in progress. Progress was discussed in Bologna.
  • ISO/PWI 16612-3, Graphic technology – Variable data exchange – Part 3: Use of PDF/X-4 for content substitution. Currently a working draft being developed via bi-weekly teleconference
  • A task force, in collaboration with the PDF Competence Center and chaired by Martin Bailey, is actively meeting via bi-weekly teleconference to create a set of PDF/VT Application Notes

Working Group 3 – Process Control and Related Metrology

Convenor, Dr. Kraushaar reported the following activities to the ISO TC 130 Plenary meeting.

  • ISO 12646, Graphic technology – Displays for color proofing – Characteristics and viewing conditions. The concerns from U.S. experts have been resolved. The document is sent to IS/CS for final publication
  • ISO/DIS 14861, Graphic technology – Color Proofing using electronic displays. The concerns from US experts have been resolved. The document is sent to IS/CS for final publication.
  • ISO 12647-6:2012/AMD 1, Graphic technology – Process control for the production of half-tone color separations, proofs and production prints – Part 6: Flexographic printing. The DAM ballot passed and the amended document has be submitted for publication. There is now no longer any ISO standard on the color of flexographic inks. The only standard is on the color of primaries as printed on the job substrate
  • ISO 12647-7:2007, Graphic technology – Process control for the manufacture of halftone color separation, proofs and production prints – Part 7: Off-press proofing processes working directly from digital data. The second CD ballot was approved but there were questions about the need for additional annexes and the standard is moving to a third CD ballot
  • ISO/TS 15311-1, Graphic Technology – Requirements for printed matter utilizing digital printing technologies for the commercial and industrial production – Part 1: Parameters and Measurement measures. There were many additional comments on this draft technical specification and as a result a 2nd DTS ballot will be conducted
  • ISO/PWI 15311-2, Graphic Technology – Requirements for printed matter utilizing digital printing technologies for the commercial and industrial production – Part 2: Commercial Production Printing. After discussion at the meeting in Bologna, it has been determined that a revised version of this standard should be issued as a DTS ballot
  • ISO/PWI 15311-3, Graphic Technology – Requirements for printed matter utilizing digital printing technologies for the commercial and industrial production – Part 3: Large Format Signage Printing. This standard was submitted for a ballot for termination and that has been approved
  • ISO/PAS 15339-1, Graphic technology – Printing of digital data – Part 1: Basic principles. The opposition by the DIN to publication of this standard as a PAS was rejected by ISO
  • ISO/PAS 15339-2, Printing from digital data across multiple technologies – Part 2: Characterized reference printing conditions. The opposition by the DIN to publication of this standard as a PAS was rejected by ISO
  • ISO/PWI 20654 Spot color tone value. A draft CD was shown at the meeting in Bologna and will be sent out for ballot in the fall of 2015
  • Two presentations were made at the meetings in Bologna, one my Paul Sherfield of the UK and the other by Noriaki Matsubara of Japan concern the level of errors encountered in spectrodensitometers (colorimeters). This prompted ISO TC 130 Working Group 3 to initiate a working group to draft a new Technical Specification on how to assess the performance and inter-instrument and inter-model agreement of instruments that are in conformance with ISO 13655. A draft TS should be ready for presentation to the working group at the fall meetings in Seoul, Korea in November

Working Group 4 – Media and Materials

Convenor, Dr. Berthold reported the following status information to the TC 130 Plenary session in Beijing.

  • ISO 2846-1 Graphic technology – Color and transparency of printing ink sets for four color printing – Part 1: Sheet-fed and heat-set web offset lithographic printing. The substrate for ink testing is no longer available. All parts of ISO 2846 except Part 1 (shown here) and Part 2 (Coldset inks) have been withdrawn. This standard is no longer of relevance to the flexographic industry
  • ISO 2846-2 Graphic technology – Color and transparency of printing ink sets for four-color printing – Part 2: news printing. It is proposed to change this standard by adding a test using a more modern newsprint substrate
  • ISO 12636 rev Graphic technology – Blankets for offset printing. This standard is being revised even though it has received very little support from the industry. It was allowed to expire because the WG4 could not find anyone interested enough to prepare a ballot and revision
  • ISO/WD 12040 rev Graphic technology – Prints and printing inks – Assessment of light fastness using filtered xenon arc light. This standard is fairly important to packaging printers the US should take an active role in helping revise this standard

Recent Ballot Results 

ISO/PAS 15339-1 Graphic technology – Printing from digital data across multiple technologies – Part 1: Principals 

  • ISO has rejected the opposition by DIN and this PAS will stand as balloted

ISO/PAS 15339-2 Graphic technology – Printing from digital data across multiple technologies – Part 2 Characterized Reference

  • ISO has rejected the opposition by DIN and this PAS will stand as balloted

Printing Conditions

ISO 12647-6 Amd 1  Graphic technology – Process control for the production of half-tone color separations, proofs and production prints – Part 6: Flexographic printing

  • This amendment has passed and will be published

ISO 2834-2 Graphic technology – Laboratory preparation test prints – Part 2:  Liquid printing inks 

  • This ballot passed and the standard on the preparation of liquid ink test prints is approved

ISO/CD 15953 Graphic technology – Use of PDF to associate processing steps and content data

  • This standard has passed and will progress to a DIS.

ISO/DIS 12632, Graphic technology – Ink, paper and labels – Requirements on hot alkali penetration and resistance

  • Passed and has moved to FDIS stage

If you would like to review and comment on any of the upcoming ballots on these standards, please contact FTA Director of Education Joe Tuccitto.

About the Authors: Jean Engelke is the chair of FTA’s Flexo Quality Consortium. She has earned an AAS in Graphic and Design Technology, a BA in Printing Management, an MBA, and an MA in Industrial Engineering Management. Jean started her career teaching Printing and Paper Science at Western Michigan University. She has held positions in R&D, engineering and global product marketing with Appleton Papers, Alcan Packaging and Eastman Kodak Company. Currently she is the Business Development Manager – Packaging Group for RR Donnelley.

Dr. Danny Rich obtained a master’s degree in physics in 1977 from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, VA. In 1998, he joined Sun Chemical Corp. to direct the Sun Chemical Color Research Laboratory in the Daniel J. Carlick Technical Center in Carlstadt, NJ. He has been awarded the Nickerson Service award from the Inter-Society Color Council in 1999, the National Printing Ink Manufacturers award for Technical Achievement in 2008, a Thomas Alva Edison award for innovation by the Research Council of New Jersey in 2008, the Robert F Reed Medal from the Printing Industries of America in 2013, the Mattiello Memorial award from the American Coatings Association in 2015.