Alexandria VA, April 21, 2005. Specifications for Web Offset Publications (SWOP), an industry leader promoting consistency and quality of advertising material in publications for 30 years, today announced the successful SWOP Certification of the following proofing systems: ColorBurst Proofing System for Epson Stylus Pro 4x00 & Premium Paper Semimatte Kodak Polychrome Graphics Matchprint Digital Halftone Proofing System with Device Link Profile (DLP) ORIS Digital Proofing System for Canon W2200 Onyx Graphics PosterShop with HP DesignJet 5500 with Dye Ink Onyx Graphics Production House with HP DesignJet 5500 with Dye Ink Dalim Dialogue - Apple 23 Inch Cinema Display EFI Proofing Solutions using EPSON Stylus Pro 7600/9600 and EFI 9180 Semimatte Proofing Paper In addition, three systems have been re-certified for another two years. These include: Kodak Polychrome Graphics Matchprint Digital Halftone Proof Kodak Polychrome Graphics Matchprint Lo-Gain Negative Proofing System Kodak Polychrome Graphics Kodak Approval Digital Color Proofing System with D2212 Donor Set These proofing systems have achieved certification from SWOP Inc., successfully demonstrating that they are capable of producing contract proofs that conform to SWOP industry specifications say they have achieved SWOP Certification and are authorized to display the Certified System Seal. SWOP – or Specifications for Web Offset Publications publishes the specifications and requirements for those in the production chain - advertisers / ad agencies, prepress service suppliers, publishers and printers - to properly produce the materials (proofs and files) that are used in the manufacture of web offset publications. Since 1975 SWOP has taken a leadership role in helping to set a standard of excellence in the print production of magazines, ensuring quality and consistency to the publishing industry. The SWOP booklet also includes Guidelines for Web Production Printing and General Reference information. Now in its 10th edition, SWOP Specifications have continually raised the bar in magazine print production and serve as a compilation of all the best practices achieved so far. "Recognition as a SWOP certified proofing system proves that the designated system is capable of producing proofs that meet the requirements for contract proofing and is recognized by industry leaders as being able to produce high-quality contract proofs," said Nubar Nakashian, SWOP Chair. "The SWOP seal is widely recognized in publishing circles and has been used as a model for other international initiatives. Our new certified manufacturers may be proud to say they have achieved SWOP Certification and are authorized to display the Certified System Seal." The SWOP certification test requires that manufacturers of proofing systems submit a SWOP Application Data Sheet (ADS) and representative proofs to SWOP. SWOP representatives check proofing systems submitted for certification against the supplied Application Data Sheet (ADS) for quantitative conformance and determine the acceptance of each system’s visual match to a SWOP Certified Press Sheet. The ADS must provide directions for producing proofs as closely as possible to the appearance of the SWOP Certified Press Sheet. Once a system successfully passes this inspection, it is deemed "SWOP Certified," which means it is capable of producing proofs that match as closely as possible to the appearance of the SWOP Certified Press Sheet. Only devices achieving SWOP Certification may display the SWOP Certification seal and make reference to this designation in their literature. This certification process is repeated every two years or more frequently if the proofing system changes. The schedule for SWOP’s quarterly evaluations is published at www.swop.org. In order to output an acceptable SWOP proof, end users of the certified system must replicate the procedures in the Application Data Sheet (ADS). All SWOP certified proofing devices are listed (with a link to their respective Application Data Sheet) at: http://swop.org/certification.html. As a new network group under IDEAlliance, SWOP is collaborating with GRACoL to develop a certification program for commercial printers. The SWOP Certification program is just one of the initiatives that SWOP supports. Aided by a core group of dedicated industry experts, SWOP’s mission is to provide the tools and education needed to further enhance print quality in the publication industry. Tools such as the SWOP Digital Calibration Kit and SWOP Specifications Booklet are available from the www.printtools.org website. SWOP is also partnering with the IDEAlliance Digital Ad Lab and DDAP Association to advance best practices as part of a larger effort to supplement the IDEAlliance mission “to advancing user-driven, cross-industry specifications and best practices for all publishing and contentdriven enterprises.” Additional information on all these programs may be accessed from the IDEAlliance website at: www.idealliance.org.