Esko (www.esko.com) takes its packaging supply chain color management offerings to the next level through a partnership with X-Rite/Pantone, the global leader in color science and technology. Visitors to the Esko stand at drupa 2012 (Hall 8b, stand A23) will experience a color management workflow that encompasses the entire packaging supply chain and ensures first-time-every-time color integrity.

“Market research consistently reveals that consumers use the color and shape of a package to recognize and select the product they want when shopping,” says Geert De Proost, Director Software Engines for Esko. “That is why brand owners are so concerned about an accurate representation of package colors. For the same reason, we decided to implement support for PantoneLIVE™ from X-Rite/Pantone in our workflow. PantoneLIVE delivers an end-to-end solution that, for the first time, addresses the needs and requirements of every single discipline within the packaging supply chain. This means that the brand manager will see an accurate representation of on-press color early in the design process, while converters can be assured of first-time-right color proofing and easy-to-match color on press. This sets the right expectations from the beginning of the process and has the potential to significantly reduce time to market.”

Accurate and consistent color data throughout the packaging supply chain

Esko's Color Engine, the central color database to manage color and device profiles, is the enabling technology to support the PantoneLIVE color management process across the prepress packaging workflow. The combination of PantoneLIVE spot color profiles with Esko’s unique and patented spectral ink model provides absolute accuracy and predictability for spot color simulation. This is a winning combination at the basis for a breakthrough color workflow in the packaging supply chain.

All supply chain stakeholders can access the Color Engine from within their preferred application:

• For designers, Ink Manager and Esko Viewer are PantoneLIVE-enabled plug-ins inside of Adobe® Illustrator® and Adobe® Photoshop®.
• For prepress professionals, PackEdge, ArtPro, Automation Engine and WebCenter all connect to the same color data for editing, previewing and proofing purposes.
• FlexProof creates accurate and achievable hardcopy inkjet proofs, either locally or remotely, based on PantoneLIVE spot color profiles.
• Brand Owners can use the PantoneLIVE portal to manage digital brand color standards.
• Printers and converters will access the exact same color references to use in X-Rite Ink Formulation Software.

The Esko Color Engine is the central color management software that brings about consistent color across the packaging and print supply chain. In combination with the PantoneLIVE color database, the Color Engine Pilot provides the perfect tool set for creating and maintaining critical brand colors, creation of spot color profiles and other color conversion settings. The Color Engine maintains consistency throughout the production environment by ensuring that every application and operator works with the same color critical data.
”PantoneLIVE delivers color DNA based on real ink, on real substrates with real printing processes for predictable, repeatable results,” explains Dr. Sonia Megert, vice president of the Pantone digital business unit at X-Rite/Pantone. “We are very pleased to have Esko, the leading packaging workflow software provider, endorse and recognize the value of PantoneLIVE. Esko plays a key, strategic role in the digital ecosystem that surrounds PantoneLIVE.”
“This is the first time that the same digital ink specification can be used throughout the entire packaging supply chain,” concludes De Proost. “It guarantees consistent color reproduction from design through production, a goal that has been difficult to achieve in the past. Integration of Color Engine in PantoneLIVE changes the game. We are excited to support PantoneLIVE's end-to-end color workflow at drupa 2012.”
For more information about Esko's Color Engine, visit www.esko.com/colorengine; for more information about PantoneLIVE, visit www.pantone.com/live or see PantoneLIVE press release.