Lyon, November 28, 2007 - There are many methods for targeting SWOP, GRACoL, and other standard print specifications. To streamline production control processes while still reliably and easily matching these printing specifications, increasing numbers of printing companies are implementing workflows based on the use of Device Link Profiles. Yet some shy away from using this technique, either because of a lack of understanding or hesitation to make changes to customer-supplied files.
This controversial topic is on the agenda at next month's PIA/GATF Color Management Conference, where Elie Khoury, president of Alwan Color Expertise and a world-renowned graphic arts color expert, is planning to speak on the topic.
Printers Know What Is Good for Their Clients
Says Khoury of Device Link Profile advantages, "Printers who claim that they do not want to 'change clients' files' should remember that their RIPs, proofing devices, filmsetters, and platesetters are doing exactly that: changing the client files. The real question is, would printers rather match their clients' dots, or match the colors their clients request - more reliably, consistently and efficiently? Isn't customer satisfaction and achieving the results their customers want the most important criteria?"
The 9th Annual PIA/GATF Color Management Conference
Khoury will make these and other remarks at the upcoming 2007 PIA/GATF Color Management Conference, December 9-11, 2007 at the Point Hilton Tapatio Cliffs resort in Phoenix, Arizona <www.gain.net>. Now in its 9th year, the PIA/GATF Color Management Conference is the only one devoted exclusively to color management technology and best practices for implementation.
A Brief Explanation of Device Link Profiles
Device Link Profiles are an ICC specified mechanism for linking individual ICC device profiles, for example a source and a destination profile, for achieving the color space conversions required in repurposing, proofing and ultimately printing files in an automated way, while preserving rendering intent to the greatest extent possible. Typical device link workflows can include scanner to standard working color space, digital camera to standard working space, digital camera to printer, standard working space to printer, or lithographic press to proofer. Applications for using device link profiles can include converting between different printing processes, process calibration within a printing process, and even the ability to save on chromatic inks by creating special color compositions in the data to be printed (gray component replacement).
In an industry committed to quality standards, Khoury emphasizes that anyone who doesn't employ the most effective techniques to control and optimize color files is courting costly headaches in the long run.  "It's like an automobile manufacturer not performing quality control on the various parts that go into manufacturing a car," he says.  "Production problems are almost guaranteed."
The use of device link profiles, available in products like Alwan's CMYK Optimizer, results in an ISO standardized file and print production process that performs better than a "homemade" process for meeting a standard. The result can be a 30% increase in productivity and the ability to add 5% more net profit to the printer's bottom line; thereby almost doubling the typical profit for most printers.
Combine this profit with a faster route to customer happiness, and you've got a recipe whose success far outweighs any benefit to complex, homegrown solutions.
The 2007 PIA/GATF Color Management Conference session entitled "Pros and Cons of Device Link Profiles as Print Standardization Tools", moderated by Don Hutcheson of HutchColor LLC, will take place on Monday, December 10th from 10:30 a.m. to Noon. For more information about the 2007 PIA/GATF Color Management Conference, contact www.gain.net.