Norwell, MA, USA (June 13, 2006) – Repeating its performance from prior IPA events and at similar events worldwide, GMG was the only vendor to achieve top event scores in all eight hardcopy proofing categories at this year's 2006 IPA Color Proofing RoundUP. The 2006 Color Proofing RoundUP focused on real-world proofing issues that evaluated the press-to-proof matches of major commercially available proofing products and solutions. The objective was to provide graphic solutions providers with a comprehensive review of the options and abilities of today's color proofing products. In prior years classified as a ‘ShootOut', this year's event was classified as a ‘RoundUp', reflecting the elimination of published detailed numeric results. Amongst 29 entries from 13 companies, GMG entries scored in the top ‘Acceptable to Excellent' category for all evaluation criteria. This year GMG entered two ColorProof systems in the event: one with an Epson Stylus Pro 4800 inkjet printer, and one with a Hewlett-Packard DesignJet 130 printer—both using GMG's premium proofing media. The IPA event evaluated systems based on five key criteria. 1. Matching images on the press sheet (visual match): The Epson 4800 entry placed in the highest category of ‘Acceptable to Excellent' and was the only entry to achieve top scores in both the visual and numeric matches across all hardcopy categories. 2. Delta E tests - hardcopy and softcopy (measurement match): Both GMG entries also achieved excellent results, placing in the highest category of ‘Acceptable to Excellent'. Tests evaluated both average Delta E for the entire press sheet, as well as maximum Delta E. GMG was the only vendor with multiple inkjet entries that achieved both the best category of 0–1.5 Delta E average and Delta E: 1.5–3.0 maximum demonstrating a clear advantage in simultaneously achieving excellent visual and numeric results. 3. Multi-channel images: GMG achieved excellent results. The first test evaluated results achieved using a multi-channel color job with cyan, magenta, yellow, black, orange and green separations. Results were evaluated for visual match to the test target. Both GMG entries achieved the highest ‘Acceptable to Excellent' results. 4. Pantone spot colors and spot color tints: GMG achieved best-in-class results with both the Epson and Hewlett-Packard entries in the visual comparison to a printed Pantone spot color book. In the visual match to a solid spot color, both GMG entries also achieved ‘Acceptable to Excellent' results, the only multiple vendor inkjet entry to do so. Similarly, in the visual match to spot color tints, GMG was the only multiple vendor inkjet entry to achieve the highest score of ‘Acceptable to Excellent'. 5. Cost analysis: GMG was the only system selling for $4,750 or less with a cost per proof of less than $2.10. This cost includes the GMG premium proofing media used in all round entries. Procedures for this year's event were significantly different from prior years. All entries were submitted ‘blind'—vendors did not have a press sheet to visually compare results prior to submitting an entry. Also, all submissions were produced on-site at the event. In prior years, vendors were allowed several weeks of preparation before submitting their entries. “We are pleased that, once again, independent evaluations of leading proofing systems have consistently placed GMG at the top, both visually and numerically. The IPA continues to deliver a superior service by providing valuable information to the graphic communication industry. This year's event, with real time production of the actual entries, is much more indicative of real-world applications.” remarks Jim Summers, president of GMG Americas. “We are particularly proud these results were achieved versus all types of proofing technologies, not just inkjet, without benefit of a prior visual comparison – validating GMG's emphasis of its excellent numeric results. Customers can expect to achieve the same results in their production environments, consistently, and cost-effectively, worldwide.”