Catherine Haynes returned to the microphone to “demystify” G7 and EG. She distributed several print samples to use as visual examples of 4-color and EG print. While attendees studied the samples, Catherine examined some of the myths associated with G7 and EG:
- “G7 is a form of color management”: G7 does have an impact on color appearance, but is really a calibration process
- “G7 only applies to ISO targeted inks”: G7 qualification has three levels (grayscale, targeted and colorspace)
- “G7 is the same as GRACoL 7”: G7 is a methodology, while GRACoL is a specification or guideline; both reference ISO standards
- “With EG, I can hit 100 percent of the Pantone library”: EG’s gamut capacity is dependent on inputs and process control; a realistic expectation is 80 percent
- “Investing in the proper inks, anilox and press will allow me to print EG”: “You can’t just buy the ingredients for a cake, throw them in a bowl and expect a cake to come out,” Catherine said. Optimization and process control are the keys, but EG is a joint endeavor for the pressroom, prepress supplier, plate maker and ink room
- “EG means I will be building spot colors from seven process colors”: Tools for EG allow a production artist to specify separation protocols to optimize color builds
Following Catherine’s presentation, APR’s Richard Black, a former recipient of the FTA President’s Award and the official emcee for the event, noted that EG printers can match 100 percent of a Pantone library—the recently released Pantone 7-color process color book.
After lunch, Colordyne Technologies’ Taylor Buckthorpe hit digital printing head on. He gave an overview of his company’s standalone digital presses, which use water based inks. On the topic of substrates, Taylor said it’s not a limit of substrates, nor is it a limit of coating technologies, it’s finding choices that match what a printer needs. For flexo printers, Colordyne’s 3600 Series Retrofit was cited as an option to add on to existing equipment. The machine can achieve 1,600 dpi by 1,375 dpi. Examining consumable vs. durable print heads—Colordyne’s heads are consumable—Taylor noted the more frequent replacement still yields a lower cost over a two to three year period, due to durable print head costs being markedly higher. Consumers, Taylor reported, have seen success using his company’s machines on existing business of less than 5,000-ft. and those with high versioning or multiple SKUs. The end result is opening a printer up to take on more business and be more productive. “It’s all about putting the right piece of work on the most efficient piece of equipment,” he noted.
The final presentation of the day came from APR’s Tim Reece, who sought to introduce to attendees a new means to cleaning anilox rolls. He began with a look at existing cleaning methods and noted they leave things (resins) behind in the “clean” cells. Laser technology, Tim said, is either what everyone will be using or wanting to be using in the future. Highlighting the technology’s features, he said it does not use caustic chemicals, is easy to set up and train staff to use, has no waste, can clean any chemistry and has no lpi limitation.
The remainder of the APR March Madness Open House featured demonstrations of the Bobst M5 press, along with machinery and equipment from many of the presenters, held in various labs within APR’s facility.