Norwell, MA (June 14, 2005) – GMG Americas, the US office of GMG, a Germany-based company specializing in high-end color management and proofing solutions, announces it received high color management rankings at the 3rd annual IPA Color Proofing RoundUP held during the IPA Technical Conference, June 7-9 in Rosemont, IL. Thirteen vendors entered 27 submissions for evaluation. GMG scored first among all entries in the colorimetric match to a GRACoL-derived characterization data set, first and second in the visual match among inkjet-based solutions costing less than $79,000, and first among all entries in colorimetric match to spot colors. The process was led by the Proofing RoundUP leadership team, a group of independent industry experts including Abhay Sharma, Western Michigan University; Tom Collins, Quad Graphics; Ray Cheydleur, X-Rite; Steve Smiley, Vertis and Florian Suessl, MetaDesign as well as a panel of judges from leading printers, publishers, service providers and agencies. The RoundUP consisted of a number of tests that were specially designed to provide end-users the best possible information about the color capabilities of commercial proofing systems. Submitted proofs were judged for colorimetric accuracy, visual image quality – hardcopy and softcopy, spot color and PDF/X compatibility. This year’s roundup examined a range of proofing system characteristics including: 1. Colorimetric Test: This part of the test was based on a colorimetric (CIE L*a*b* DE) correlation of each vendor entry (proof sheet) to the IPA RoundUP Characterization Data Set (press sheet) based on a modified GRACoL data set and the ECI 2002 target layout. Graphs were published ranking vendors according to their delta E score (a measure of color difference). 2. Visual Image Quality: For each system, the visual matches (1-10 rating scale) between proofs and the IPA RoundUP Press Sheet images were assessed by the expert panel of judges. The results of this test were demonstrated in a simple bar chart, with the vendors ranked according to the average score awarded by the judges. Another graph was used to show the correlation between visual and colorimetric results. 3. Spot color testing (colorimetric and visual): Numerical evaluations were made and results plotted for each vendor comparing the average delta E values for a series of spot color solids and tints using Pantone referenced values. Visual results in tints and highlights of an image were also evaluated by a team of color experts, and ranked on a scale of 1-10. 4. PDF/X Compatibility: Participants were asked to proof specialized test pages from the Altona Test Suite to assess RIP capabilities, overprint correctness, spot-color and color management support, focusing on: RIP and output intent profile, testing the capability of the proofer RIP to automatically detect the output intent profile and use it for proofing, for PDF/X-1a and PDF/X-3; and correct color conversions, the capability of the RIP to apply all color conversions as defined in a PDF/X-3 file. “We are very pleased with our IPA Color Proofing RoundUP test results and thank the association for another excellent event. The RoundUP continues to be an extremely helpful forum for member companies to make objective decisions about which proofing solution will best fit their premedia environments. For GMG, the event results are similar to those reported by third parties in many other proofing events around the world. GMG ColorProof consistently scores either first or among the top solutions based on colorimetric and/or visual tests. It confirms for our customers that they can comfortably rely on GMG ColorProof for consistent contract-quality digital halftone and continuous tone proofs,” remarks Jim Summers, GMG Americas president.