Tuebingen, Germany (September 10, 2005) – GMG, supplier of high-end color management and proofing solutions, today announces the introduction of GMG ColorServer, a software solution providing automatic color space conversions, scaling, sharpening, separation and optimization of pixel and PDF image data. GMG ColorServer is available October 1 as a stand-alone solution, GMG ColorServer Pro, as well as GMG ColorServer Separation, a plug-in to GMG ColorProof, GMG DotProof and GMG FlexoProof, Increasing digitization in prepress has required a way to automatically convert data from an existing color space to a different, target color space. The printing process, inks used, reproducible color space, individual dot gain, and paper all play a decisive role in color space transformation. Consequently, manual conversion of data to a different color space involves both a great deal of technical knowledge and investment in time. Many print jobs prepared for a specific press are printed on a completely different machine because of short-term press schedule changes. Advertisements appearing in an offset-printed magazine today often must be available tomorrow for a magazine produced on a gravure or newspaper press. Very often, supplied RGB image data needs to be scaled, sharpened, and separated for the right CMYK color space. GMG ColorServer, with automatic hotfolder technology, provides a number of easy-to-use functions supporting these requirements and more: Fully automatic color conversions: One of the outstanding functions of GMG ColorServer is fully automatic CMYK color conversions from one standard (such as ISO, SWOP, GRACoL, or in-house standard) to another. This function is very important, since an image file can only be printed perfectly if it is optimally prepared for a specific printing process. An advertisement prepared for gravure printing cannot be produced on an offset press without color conversion. It also ensures that image data received from different suppliers have a uniform color appearance. 4D color management from GMG ensures identical printing results: GMG ColorServer was developed by GMG in collaboration with leading gravure printers and is based on GMG's 4D color management technology. The software computes original and target values directly in CMYK – without the detour via the LAB color space. This means properties of the black channel in the original data are retained in their exact proportions in the transformed, target CMYK color space, ensuring the visual impression of the output remains identical. An ICC-based approach does not lead to the desired result. The CIELab conversion color space used in ICC processes is three-dimensional and lacks information about the black channel generation (fourth color) required for an accurate color conversion. RGB-to-CMYK conversions: The increasing use of digital cameras and RGB-based workflows is driving more and more RGB data use. However, the RGB data supplied is often in unedited form, meaning the resolution has to be scaled to the final size and the file sharpened in accordance with the changed resolution. The data is then subsequently separated into the required CMYK color space. GMG ColorServer’s hot folder technology handles this procedure fully automatically. RGB data placed in a hotfolder are scaled, sharpened and separated in accordance with the parameters assigned to the hotfolder. RGB data optimization: GMG ColorServer can optimize RGB data, converting data from one RGB data space to another: Adobe 98 RGB, ECI RGB or sRGB. PDF-to-PDF conversion: In addition to the handling of pixel data, it is also possible to manipulate PDF files for both CMYK-to-CMYK and RGB-to-CMYK conversions. When converting PDF files from one color space to another, the RGB images within the PDF file can be automatically scaled, sharpened, and separated. It is no longer necessary to revert to image and layout applications during the document creation process. Gamut Mapping: Gamut Mapping ensures optimum conversion of colors during transformation from a large color space (e.g. offset) to a smaller one (e.g. newspaper), preserving the overall color impression. Adjustment of total ink application: The total ink application can be adjusted, while retaining the separation parameters for the respective printing process, such as from 350% for offset coated papers to 240% for newsprint. This ensures printability using different printing processes on a wide variety of materials. GMG ColorServer Pro provides all of the above functions, while the GMG ColorServer Separation plug-in module offers RGB-to-CMYK conversions for both pixel and PDF data—meaning that RGB data embedded in PDF files are separated into the required CMYK target color space. In addition to unsurpassed quality, the major advantages of GMG ColorServer lie in dramatic acceleration and complete automation of work processes by very accurate, high-speed color transformations via hotfolder technology. This results in large, uninterrupted cost savings. Working with standard profiles – delivered by GMG – means production can be started immediately using reference profiles extensively tested and certified by GMG. Of course, custom GMG ColorServer profiles for CMYK-to-CMYK color space transformations can also be generated by users themselves or authorized GMG resellers. Wide range of applications and industries The flexibility and versatility of GMG ColorServer is demonstrated by the diverse customer base that includes agencies with their own prepress departments, repro houses and prepress businesses, printing companies of all types, as well as newspaper, periodical and book publishers. “GMG has taken its color management expertise—particularly in profiling, scaling, and gamut mapping—and is offering a turnkey tool for prepress departments to take the guesswork and expense out of converting images,” comments Jim Summers, president of GMG Americas. “Given the variety of image sources as well as the output needs—different presses, print technologies, and color gamut—there truly is a need for a solution that handles these issues for prepress operations quickly and painlessly. GMG ColorServer helps resolve these problems.”