APTech, the Association for Print Technologies, today announced that the availability of Data Set Development - December 2025. The document was authored by the Committee for Graphic Arts Technologies Standards (CGATS).
This document describes the methods used to produce a characterized print condition (CPC). A CPC describes the color behavior of a printing device. A CPC can be used in 2 ways: as a “color management reference”, allowing that specific printing condition to be simulated on another output device and; as a set of numerical “aim values” to be used as a target for determining compliance. CPC aims may be used to gauge overall compliance and may also be used as process control aims during the print production process.
CPC data can further be compared to industry-standard reference data, such as GRACoL and SWOP, to understand how close a print condition is to an existing industry standard. In some cases, printers may be using print processes or substrates that cannot meet acceptable tolerances for any existing industry-standard references. In these cases, users and organizations may wish to nominate their CPC to become a CRPC (Characterized Reference Print Condition).
This document outlines the key steps to create a new CPC dataset, and includes the additional requirements for establishing the new CRPC dataset.
The documented is available a free download on APTech's Standards Development Website https://www.printtechnologies.org
About Committee for Graphic Arts Technologies Standards (CGATS)
The goal of CGATS is to have the entire scope of technical work for printing, publishing and converting technologies represented in one national standardization and coordination effort. CGATS provides a vehicle for other industry organizations that have specifications to work under the CGATS "umbrella" to move their work into the standards arena, and have the work developed and approved as an American National Standard. The result of these joint efforts is the development of an CGATS American National Standard. APTech supports and administers the activities of the Committee for Graphic Arts Technologies Standards (CGATS).
About Association for PRINT Technologies
Association for PRINT Technologies is a member-driven association that along with its independent subsidiary, WhatTheyThink, is a premier source of print industry news and analysis; media production; specialty events; and educational content on all facets of today's print industry. APTech is ANSI-accredited to support national and international standards development for the print industry, including B65, CGATS and US TAG to ISO/TC 130.
Those interested in becoming part of national or international graphic arts standards development, please visit https://www.printtechnologies.org/membership
