(Muncie, IN)   CS Kern, a leading print and marketing communications provider, recently enriched its color services by adopting G7 standards.  
G7 is a revolutionary process based on principles of digital imaging, spectrophotometry, and computer-to-plate (CTP) technologies.  The G7 process control methodology was developed by IDEAlliance to prescribe how to use the most modern technology, techniques, process controls and standards to reliably produce high-end commercial printing with a close visual appearance from proof to press and from press to press.

This new methodology utilizes the existing ISO 12647 Standards (International Organization for Standardization for sheet-fed offset and web-offset heatset) as the basis for good printing.  The goal is to specify a simple calibration process that will help printers reliably achieve a close "visual match" from proof to press. G7 breaks from tradition by focusing on colorimetric data for gray balance in the mid-tones rather than on densitometric aims, i.e. dot gain, for each color. G7 is named for its gray scale calibration technique and the 7 ISO ink colors it requires and is a trademark of IDEAlliance.

CS Kern applied La Crosse Litho Supply's ColorLink Color Assurance Program to achieve G7.  CS Kern President C. Steven Kern commented: "CS Kern has been producing topnotch offset printing for more than 15 years.  We've invested in equipment and technologies that our competitors' haven't."  He added: "As a result, we're proud to say we are the best, cleanest, and most service-oriented printer around.  To stay that way, we enlisted La Crosse Litho Supply to provide us with the tools and expertise to achieve G7 standards."

CS Kern began in 1987 as a small but ambitious two-man graphic design operation.  Today CS Kern is a respected regional media provider with three distinct divisions – CS Kern (print and mail), Kern Creative Group (web technology and design) and Tony Frederick Photography.

The La Crosse Litho Supply ColorLink Color Assurance Program produces accurate and consistent color from prepress to the press room.  The program offers software (known as Color Analysis Toolkit), hardware and a consulting mechanism to enhance color management capabilities.  Matt Fehn, Director of Technology for La Crosse Litho Supply, LLC, worked with CS Kern to enhance their color management capabilities.  Fehn developed the Color Analysis Toolkit software and possesses over a decade of experience in training and sales, and currently oversees the in-house Technical Staff.

As a result of their extensive G7 training, CS Kern is now qualified as an IDEAlliance "Master Printer".  This designation signifies that CS Kern has been trained to print to the new G7 methodology and can produce a press sheet to GRACoL (General Requirements for Applications in Commercial Offset Lithography) aims within acceptable tolerances.  In other words, the color from every CS Kern proof will match GRACoL industry standards.  This qualification mark also denotes that CS Kern uses the most modern technology, techniques, process controls and standards required to produce high-quality commercial printing.

As a "Master Printer", CS Kern will be listed on the GRACoL (General Requirements for Applications in Commercial Offset Lithography) and IDEAlliance websites in a Master Printers database with a link to their website and contact information.