Hainburg (Germany) -- CGS Publishing Technologies International, global leader of color management solutions, digital proofing systems and specially formulated media played an integral role in the GLS Companies becoming the first GRACoL Certified digital printer.

GLS is a graphic communications company located in Minneapolis with 2 locations.  Their slogan summarizes it‘s mission – Integrated Communication Solutions . . .Flawlessly Executed.  GLS is 25 years old with more than 300 employees.  They serve a wide variety of customers including Fortune 500 companies.  GLS provides both offset and digital print along with creative, prepress, fulfillment and distribution services.  

Earlier this year the HP Indigo 5000, 5500 and 7000 became the first digital presses to receive GRACoL Certification from the IDEAlliance.  The certification was achieved with ORIS Press Matcher Pro™ color management software and ORIS PearlDIGITAL 170 proofing paper. The combined system passed exacting tests conducted by the IDEAlliance. The certified system allows HP Indigo press owners to produce certified proofs, as well as, complete production runs on their presses. The mission of GRACoL is to improve communications and education in the graphic arts by developing best practices that reflect the influence and impact of new technologies in the workflow of commercial offset lithography.

Gary Garner, President and CEO of GLS, was returning to Minneapolis from the Dscoop Conference, where HP first announced the GRACoL certification.  He happened to be sitting next to Mike Wolfgang of CGS who was also returning to Minneapolis from the conference.  They started talking about color consistency between offset and digital printing as well as proofing on the HP Indigo press.  Mike explained how ORIS Press Matcher Pro and ORIS PearlDIGITAL 170™ proofing paper imaged on GLS‘ HP 5000 Press could produce GRACoL certified proofs and assures consistency between offset and digital printing.

Gary Garner stated, “This was exactly what I wanted to hear, as a G7 Master Printer becoming GRACoL certified with HP Indigo would allow us to maintain color consistency between our offset presses and HP digital presses. Clearly this supported one of our company’s principles to use the most modern technology, techniques, process controls and standards in our day to day production.“

Mike Farr, Vice President of Manufacturing, went on to say,  ”The two day GRACoL Implementation Service offered by CGS and HP, with on-site consultation to establish certified proof production is an extension of the GLS Company‘s philosophy of incorporating best practices for the products and services we offer our customers.  

Trevor Haworth, President and CEO, CGS Publishing Technologies said,  “CGS is committed to industry standards. Together with HP we have taken a leadership role providing a GRACoL Certified digital printing solutions.  The ability to produce certified proofs on an HP Indigo press provides real advantages to owners of HP Indigo presses like GLS.  ORIS Press Matcher Pro provides the added benefit of assuring consistent color on offset and digital presses once the proof is approved.“

“When HP and CGS pursued this important certification earlier this year, we knew it would offer a tremendous advantage to our customers,” said Jan Riecher, Vice President and General Manager, Americas Graphics Solutions Business, HP. “Together, we created a solution that leverages HP Indigo presses’ unrivaled quality, one that will help leading-edge customers like GLS maximize profit potential in digital and hybrid offset and digital production.”