Tuebingen (February 9, 2006) - GMG is the first manufacturer to receive FOGRA certification for halftone printing for its GMG DotProof proof printing systems with the Epson Stylus Pro 4000 (on GMG ProofPaper semimatte 250) and the Epson Stylus Pro 4800 (on GMG ProofPaper semimatte 250 and GMG ProofPaper gloss 260). GMG ColorProof (contone proof) with the Epson 4800 already having been certified by FOGRA in the summer of last year, the GMG halftone proof is now also certified to ISO 12647-2 and ISO/WD 12647-7:2006. The certification procedure was based on offset printing conditions to ISO 12647-2:2004 (60 lpcm screen, positive platemaking, paper type 1). FOGRA certification encompasses elaborate measurements according to the stringent FOGRA-cert criteria for proof printing systems. The proofing systems are assessed on the basis of such criteria as "Color to ISO 12647-2:2004, "Color drift (fading), "Repeatability, "Reproducibility, "Homogeneity, and "Gloss to ISO 8254-1 (Tappi). An assessment was additionally made in relation to the screen frequency and screen angle used. The assessment was based on 1-bit data supplied by FOGRA, and a practical print as a reference. Among other things, this print includes motifs that are critical as regards moiré. The screen parameters of the color-accurate (contract) proof print were measured under a microscope and resulted in a very good match with the original 1-bit data of the imagesetter RIP. Particularly in conjunction with the new GMG ProofPaper semimatte, the Epson output devices permit high-quality contract halftone proofing. GMG DotProof uses a technology optimized for the GMG ProofPaper that enables optimum reproduction of the screen dots. Typefaces are reproduced more exactly because of the sharper dot, while images become more brilliant as a result of better definition and enhanced detail rendition. Starting with the new version GMG DotProof 4.1.8, a higher resolution (1440 x 720 dpi) is possible with the new Epson inkjet printers of the x800 Series, and the new "enhanced DotProof" function is also available, resulting in a further improvement in the quality of proofs in halftone proofing. In addition, the following proof printing systems for contone proofing have been certified by FOGRA in recent weeks: "GMG ColorProof o4 with the HP Designjet 130 nr and GMG Proof Paper semimatte 250, "GMG ColorProof o4 with the Kodak Veris, Veris Pro PressWhite Semi-Matte 250 proof paper, and the new inks Veris ProPack-GA Plus Ink. "We are delighted about the certification of GMG proofing systems with various inkjet printers, and are particularly proud that GMG is the first company to have received certification for halftone proofing. The world's first FOGRA certification for halftone proofing confirms the leading technological role that GMG plays in the production of contract proofs," said Robert Weihing, Managing Director of GMG. "We are also very pleased about getting other proofing systems certified by FOGRA quickly and without difficulty - namely the HP Designjet 130 nr and the Kodak Veris."