BALTIMORE (May 3, 2007) – Vertis Communications today announced the IDEAlliance SWOP and GRACoL proofing certification of its Vertis Color Communicator II continuous tone digital inkjet proofing system. As the first marketing service provider to achieve this, Vertis is certified to produce proofs for both commercial and publication printing utilizing the CGS ORIS Color Tuner rip software, Vertis semi-matte proofing paper, and Vertis-branded Epson K3 inks. "Vertis always listens to what our customers need. We actively participate with global industry standards initiatives so we are constantly at the leading edge of premedia technology," said to Steve Smiley, director of color technology at Vertis Communications. "Now we have taken the unprecedented step to certify our proofing system, Vertis Color Communicator II, so that we can provide our customers with the assurance that they are receiving the highest quality proofs at the lowest cost." In 1999, Specifications for Web Offset Publications (SWOP) introduced a certification procedure and accompanying certification mark for off-press proofing systems. Certification of these systems was, for the most part, based on a human evaluation of visual similarity from proof to press sheet. These early certified systems only provided for proofing on the traditional SWOP No. 5 groundwood proofing stock. While SWOP proofing remains a gold standard in the industry, new digital workflows and recent advances in printing and proofing technologies required a radical update in both the specifications and the program. SWOP, working within the technical infrastructure of its parent, IDEAlliance, responded to this challenge by launching a new proofing system certification that is, for the first time, meteorologically based, conforming with the new ISO 12647-7 proofing standards. This new IDEAlliance proofing systems certification program has raised the bar on proof quality and improved the visual match from proof to press by requiring color management technology with tighter tolerances than ever before. With Vertis Color Communicator II proofing systems located throughout its facilities, customers’ facilities, and other managed locations around the world, the technology is available to all Vertis customers and print partners.