Sun Chemical EskoArtwork and GMG Join Forces to Deliver Integrated Spot Color Workflow for Labels and Packaging
SmartColour(TM) Ensures Consistent Brand Color in Prepress and Proofing
PARSIPPANY, N.J. - Sun Chemical today announced that its partnership with EskoArtwork is extended to further integrate access to the Sun Chemical SmartColour(TM) database in a workflow where EskoArtwork pre-production tools and GMG proofing solutions are combined. This collaboration among three industry leaders offers a deeper, more integrated end-to-end color workflow in the label and packaging industries.
SmartColour, a database of real ink-on-substrate color results, including leading brand-owner color specifications, saves time and money by eliminating the need to fingerprint spot colors on production presses in order to obtain accurate color results on proof. The EskoArtwork Color Engine connects to the SmartColour database and manages SmartColour ink information, using the full spectral ink profile data to calculate spot color overprints. Under the new partnership, GMG will integrate the EskoArtwork technology to connect its ColorProof proofing solution to the SmartColour Engine.
At any stage of the packaging pre-production process, from design to print, SmartColour ink profiles can be used to communicate color information more efficiently: preview spot inks on screen and produce color-accurate inkjet proofs. Brand color accuracy is achieved without the expense of spot color press trials, and without erroneous color expectations.
Benefits for Packaging Professionals: Improved Color Consistency and Reduced Cycle Times
This innovative cooperation is sparked by growing customer demand for increased integration between different workflow components. As EskoArtwork and GMG have a large common installed customer base, customers will now have access to a central spot color repository. The result is system wide color consistency and a smoother and realistic spot color rendition in a mixed workflow. The new collaborative solution also supports the increasing demand for remote proofing to meet brand owner requirements for shorter design cycles.
This new color offering is a unique and true multivendor solution. It gives users realistic expectations of the printed result throughout the supply chain and avoids delays and increased costs due to color miscommunication. SmartColour spot ink definitions assigned in a packaging job, including brand owner color definitions, will be automatically recognized by the GMG proofing solution. Production jobs stored electronically contain a reference to SmartColour data so that recurring jobs are processed quickly and consistently.
During Labelexpo Americas, SmartColour technology integrated with the recently launched EskoArtwork Suite 10 will be on display in the EskoArtwork Stand #5202. The EskoArtwork and GMG integration for the SmartColour database will become available in towards the end of 2010.
About GMG
GMG is a leading developer and supplier of high-end color management software solutions, founded in 1984 and located in Tuebingen, Germany. With more than 25 years of experience in the graphic arts industry, the GMG brand is synonymous with a guarantee for high-quality solutions for everything to do with color. GMG's goal is to provide complete solutions for standardizing and simplifying the color management workflow in order to achieve consistent colors on all media types and with any printing technology. Today, more than 10,000 systems are in use among customers around the globe. These span a wide range of industries and application areas including advertising agencies, prepress houses, offset, flexo, packaging, digital, and large-format printers as well as international gravure printers. GMG is represented by branches and authorized dealers the world over. For more information see www.gmgcolor.com.
About EskoArtwork (www.esko.com)
EskoArtwork is a global supplier and integrator of innovative solutions for packaging, commercial printing, sign and display finishing and professional publishing. Its products and services help customers raise productivity, reduce time-to-market, lower costs and expand business.
EskoArtwork is the worldwide market leader with pre-production and collaboration software for packaging buyers, designers and manufacturers. The CDI flexo computer-to-plate imagers, Kongsberg short-run converting and signage finishing systems complete the portfolio for the packaging, label, signage and display industries.
The company also provides a range of workflow solutions for the commercial printing and publishing market, as well as the Enfocus suite of PDF tools for graphic designers and print production professionals.
EskoArtwork employs around 950 people worldwide. Its global sales and support organization covers Europe, the Americas and the Asia Pacific and is completed by a network of distribution partners in more than 40 countries.
EskoArtwork is headquartered in Gent, Belgium, and has R&D and manufacturing facilities in five European countries, the United States, China and India. The consolidated full year financials ended for 2009 with revenue of EUR 145 million and an EBITDA of EUR 23 million.
For more information, visit www.esko.com or contact:
North America
Tim Zula
Director, Mktg. Communications
Tel: +1 937 535 6060
timothy.zula@esko.com
About Sun Chemical
Sun Chemical, a member of the DIC group, is the world's largest producer of printing inks and pigments and a leading provider of materials to packaging, publication, coatings, plastics, cosmetics, and other industrial markets. With annual sales of more than $3.5 billion, Sun Chemical has over 10,000 employees supporting customers around the world.
Sun Chemical Corporation is a subsidiary of Sun Chemical Group Coöperatief U.A., the Netherlands, and is headquartered in Parsippany, New Jersey, U.S.A. For more information, please visit our Web site at www.sunchemical.com.
