May 18, 2006, Boston, MA -- On June 15th, Boston Print Buyers will present a special breakfast session for print manufacturers on the GRACoL 7 guidelines and recommendations from 9 to 11 am at the Millennium Bostonian Hotel. The mission of the GRACoL (General Requirements and Applications for Commercial Offset Lithography) Committee of IDEAlliance is to help promote better communication between print buyers and print suppliers and to improve processes to maintain printing as a competitive force in the communications marketplace. GRACoL produces guidelines and recommendations to implement the ISO 12647-2 printing standard with metrics, methods and characterization data for commercial offset printing. Over the past two years, the GRACoL Committee has conducted expert research based on digital imaging, spectrophotometry, and computer-to-plate (CtP) technologies and developed a new set of state-of-the-art process controls designed to facilitate the ability of a printer to deliver a closer visual match to a proof while providing faster time-to-market, quicker make-readies, and lower costs. This BPB program will feature a tutorial as well as a panel presentation by top national experts on GRACoL 7. Printers who attend this seminar will learn: •How the new GRACoL process was developed. •Why new metrics will benefit everyone: creatives, prepress, printers and print buyers alike. •What new requirements print buyers will be asking for from their printers. •How printers can get up-to-speed on their own shop floors. Information from the Experts The program will begin with a technical overview of the GRACoL 7 methodology delivered by our presenters Gerry Gerlach, Dianne Kennedy, and John Sweeney. Gerry Gerlach, co-chair of the GRACoL Committee Gerry is co-chair of GRACoL and a member of the DISC committee. He began his career as a professional photographer. He is proficient in a variety of areas, including portraiture, sports, photojournalism, theater, and studio work. Dianne Kennedy, the IDEAlliance GRACoL Program Manager. IDEAlliance is a not-for-profit membership organization that has been a leader in information technology since 1966. IDEAlliance advances core information technologies to develop standards and best practices that enhance efficiency and speed in all facets of content creation, production, management, and delivery – digitally and in print. Currently, Ms. Kennedy serves as Program Director for the IDEAlliance print media initiatives including SWOP, GRACoL and the Print Properties Committee. John P. Sweeney, Integrated Color Solutions, Inc. (ICS) John joined ICS in 2004, after serving as Director, Color Measurement Systems at Graphics Microsystems, Inc. He currently serves on the SWOP, Inc. Board of Directors, is a member of the GRACoL and SNAP committees. A Reputation for Programming Excellence Boston Print Buyers is recognized by industry leaders like Daniel Dejan, National Print & Creative Specialist at Sappi Fine Paper, who said, "The events the BPB has sponsored with Frank Romano’s state-of-the-industry presentation, Mike Graff on color management, and now GRACoL 7 couldn’t be more timely, more beneficial or pertinent to not only the print production and print buying community, but the creative community as well as our printing partners." The GRACoL team will be presenting to an audience of print customers on June 14th at a BPB dinner program. “GRACoL 7 is as important to printers as it is to buyers,” noted BPB founder Margie Dana. “So it made sense for us to offer a program for printers, while the experts are in town. We’re delighted that they responded enthusiastically, and that BPB can build bridges in this way.” Register today! Preregistration is required, as seating is limited. The fee to attend this session is $50, including a continental breakfast. Please register online at the following link: http://www.bostonprintbuyers.com/events/event-06-06-2.html. For more information, email BPB at [email protected] or call 617-730-5951.