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ISO News
ISO TC 130 represents the international standardization body for the printing industry. International experts active in terminology, prepress, press and materials met in Fort Worth [Texas] this May.
Prepress (WG2)
PDF/X is getting variable
A substantial part of the discussion (alongside the weekly telephone conferences) within WG2 comprised the methods for the use of the PDF-format for the exchange or identification of all content elements necessary to create a variable data printing job stream as intended by the sender. A new part 2 of ISO 16612 (part 1 is known as PPML) has been published as a DIS (Draft international standard) - closing January 14, 2010. It is called PDF/VT where “V” stands for variable and “T” for transaction” and comprises two conformance levels (PDF/VT-1 and PDF/VT-2).
PDF/X
As soon as PDF/X-4 and -5 have been published there are comments from the packaging industry (mainly addressed by the Ghent working group) to amend ISO 15930-7 in order to facilitate a more interactive behaviour of optional content groups). There was agreement to start a revision of PDF/X-4 and X-5 in order to both add the additional optional content requirements (loose restrictions of OCCD usage) and to fix some small bugs.
Longer term work has also been initiated to consider spot colour identification, updating the normative reference from PDF 1.6 to ISO 32000-2, black point compensation and the ability to use multiple output intents within a single file.
(New) test images
The ISO 12640-family defines test images and elements for different purposes. The first part defines the known CMYK test images (“ISO girl”) where the second part deals with sRGB and XYZ images. Part 3 of this Standard defines CIELAB-test images (16-Bit TIFF) and is now available at www.beuth.de. In addition new standardized images for colour spaces with an extended gamut were discussed. Test images rendered for AdobeRGB are defined in part 4 will be published shortly. Scene refereed images (usually comprising a high dynamic range) are subject of part 5. A CD draft of the document is in preparation and is anticipated within the next few months.
Future colour data exchange
X-Rite has proposed that one or more ISO TC 130 standards be based on CxF3 similar to the approach used with the PDF/X standards. The proposed standards will include profiles of data elements required for a variety of application areas. The committee is gathering information relating to data elements needed for various processes.
Process control and related metrology (WG3):
The committee discussed the following eleven working items:
Viewing cabinet assessment - ISO 3664:
This standard has been published. Anyhow it should be mentioned that the more stringent tolerance for the UV-content (from MIUV 4 down to MIUV 1,5) has been shown problematical. Potential issues involved are subject of a new research project where we would like to invite all people that are interested for active participation.
Colour measurement for surface and self luminous colours: ISO 13655:
The new standard now comprises 4 different measurement modes:
- “M0” – makes provisions for light source A instrument (“de-facto standard in the graphic arts)
- “M1” – makes provisions for illuminant D50 (“rich UV”).
- “M2” – makes provisions for UV-cut measurements
- “M3” – extends “M2” by provisions for measurements using polarisation filters.
It is therefore possible to unambiguously identify the correct measurement conditions within any process standard (e.g. ISO 12647-2) in order to facilitate the individual tasks such as the definition of the solid coloration.
Criteria for Contract proofing (ISO 12647-7)
The “Contract Proof standard” is published and available for purchase at www.beuth.de. Anyhow there are some concerns and comments that will be collected and discussed at the next meeting. Based on this an informed discussion is possible to start a revision of that standard.
Criteria for “Validation Print” (ISO 12647-8)
The heated discussion has continued in Beijing. Anyhow the ballot of the new work item project was approved and an editing committee will resolve final comments before that document will be send to ISO to be balloted as CD.
Minimum requirement for displays (ISO 12646)
The document has been finally published in summer 2008. Late comments from the US to be incorporated as an amendment (ISO 12646:2008/DAmd 1) have been discussed and are part of the amendment which is published.
An all-new standard for Softproofing systems (ISO 14861)
Since the document is still in the NWIP-ballot only philosophical (general) have been discussed. The german delegation is currently asked to provide comments to the standard. Here the results of the recently finished Fogra research project will be included.
An all-new standard for digital production printing (no ISO number yet)
After a discussion of the huge range of digital production printing use cases the working group decided to start work an a new work item proposal tentatively termed “Requirements for printed matter utilizing digital printing technologies for commercial and industrial production”. The project editor will be A. Kraushaar. First input will be used from the results of the Fogra digital printing working group and a document from IDEAlliance that specifies requirements for digital production printing certification.
ISO 12647-2
The first results of an ongoing research project, aiming for a complete revision of ISO 12647-1/2/3, have been presented in more detail. The group discussed the new concept and in parallel a process agnostic (independent) paper. Based on a heated debate (quite charismatic and less constructive) the group discussed to prefer the agnostic approach as a visionary way forward. This was actively supported by the paper manufacturers.
Reactivation of ISO 12647-6 flexography
An updated document has been circulated and it is out for ballot. It dramatically leaves the original structure of ISO 12647-1 but the contributors argue that this is the only way to mimic industrial practise.
ISO/TS 10128
The technical specification ISO/TS 10128 “Methods of adjustment of the colour reproduction of a printing system to match a set of characterisation data” has been published but as expected is often wrongly referred to as an ISO standard. Anyone should keep in mind that this is no ISO standard at all, just a technical specification.
Certification activities
Different countries offer nowadays certification schemas according to ISO 12647-2. Many countries presented their programme and a new task force was created (headed by Wilco deGroot) to address both the collection of available documentation and to work on a requirements for harmonizing the present approaches.
Media und Materials (WG 4)
Laboratory method for the simulation of chemical ghosting (ISO WD 12705)
This project based on research performed at Fogra was accepted as a Working Draft already in 2008 but criticized by Sweden and the US for its visual assessments. Fogra continued in searching for new measurement procedures for the evaluation of chemical ghosting during a recent research project. Unfortunately no reasonable method could be identified so far. Therefore it was decided in Beijing to transform this project into a Technical Report and to describe just the testing procedure for the preparation of ghosting samples. The necessity of the laboratory test method somewhat surprising was questioned by parts of the delegates with the argument of the periodical occurrence of chemical ghosting.
Measurement procedure for the radii of printing cylinders
The Swedish representative presented a measurement procedure for the determination of flexo sleeves diameters already during the last meeting in Ft. Worth. These sleeves require modified measurement devices compared to hard surface cylinders. Now a very detailed document (containing specific drawings) was presented and discussed. It was argued to specify requirements in a more general sense and to avoid the specification of the device itself. In addition the scope of the future Standard is extended to determine the radii of printing cylinders in general with specific Annexes for special use cases with respect to surface quality and ranges of radii.
Four colour ink sets for lithography (ISO 2846-1)
During the regular systematic review of this Standard the paper supplier Scheufelen terminated the supply of the testing paper APCO II/II described in the Annex of this document. The identification of an appropriate substitute or an alternate procedure of testing therefore becomes necessary. The use of test boards for testing of lacquers was suggested by parts of the US delegation. An evaluation at Fogra resulted in picking and colour differences of printed samples and in addition there are large gloss differences according to the presence of varnish on the suggested substrates.
The experts regard the change of the conditions of colour measurement to measurement condition M2 in ISO 13655 (colour measurement with uv-filter) and subsequent redefinition of colouration aim values as an appropriate way to both keep the possibility to use remaining APCO II/II stocks and enlarge the variety of tresting substrates. Fogra offered evaluations if funds are available.
Four colour ink sets for gravure and flexography (ISO 2846-3 and -5)
Improved colour specifications for both International Standards were announced. Due to the lack of sufficient data the progress is limited.
Blankets
The Japanese delegation suggested to mention the difference of the swelling properties of conventional and UV-inks and the introduction of more than one measurement during the detertmination of the compressibility of offset blankets during the systematic review of ISO 12636. They will prepare a document for the next meeting.
Characterization of optical and surface properties of printing substrates
The desire to develop an International Standard aiming to the communication and evaluation of fluorescence, colour, gloss and further surface properties was raised by the paper industry via the French delegation. A preliminary work document will be prepared for the next meeting.
Plenary meeting ISO TC 130
The 2009 plenary meeting prepared future expansions of areas so far not covered by TC 130 besides the adoption of the resolutions responsible for the work already in progress.
The possibility to create a new working group dealing with post press requirements was resolved. National standards for post press are already existing in Brazil and China and there are numerous industry agreements in Switzerland and Germany to be considered as possible input into the future work. China agreed to lead and support the new working group.
An additional new working group will be formed to deal with the development of an International Standard focussing on a management system for the production of security relevant documents, supported by INTERGRAF the society of the national European Printers Associations and initiated by the Netherlands. The Netherlands will also lead and support this working group.
Sustainability and climate protection are key issues in today’s world and the printing industry will also contribute to those goals. TC 130 resolved to form an expert group to check the possibility to unify already existing methods for the evaluation of carbon footprints of media products and to evaluate a common project development together with ISO TC 207 (environmental management).
The next meetings of the working groups of TC 130 will take place between April 19th to 24th 2010 in St. Gallen, Switzerland and the Autumn meetings will be held together with the plenary meeting between October 11th to 16th 2010 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
NA 017 Printing and Graphic Technology Standards Committee
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