Grand Rapids, MI – FineEye Color Solutions announced today it has been named the exclusive worldwide distributor for the Voglesong COLORef 1.0, a new ISO-compliant and NIST-traceable Color CRM (Certified Reference Material) used to verify the performance of spectrophotometers, colorimeters and densitometers that are used for color measurement throughout the print production process. The new CRM, readable  by a full range of scanning and point measurement devices, offers the same color characteristics, precision and durability as the BCRA (British Ceramic Research Association) Ceramic Tile Set, yet Voglesong COLORef  will cost only $300.

Graph Expo visitors can get a firsthand demonstration of Voglesong COLORef 1.0 in booth 124 at Chicago's McCormick Place, reports John Sweeney, Vice President, Business Development for Grand Rapids, MI-based FineEye Color Solutions.  The four-day show takes place October 3-6.

"This is a must-have verification tool for every print operation today," declares Sweeney. "Spectrophotometers are ubiquitous - in prepress, proofing, the ink room, and the pressroom - and, most importantly, in the hands of customers deciding whether or not your job conforms to their color standards.  The trouble is, different devices from different makers and even different models from the same manufacturer often don't agree!  Which device is right and how do you know?

NIST-traceable and ISO compliant
"That's what Voglesong COLORef instrument verification is all about," Sweeney continues.  "It can be easily read by scanning, strip-reading and hand-held spectrophotometers, and will tell you which ones are accurate, which require recalibration or, perhaps, should be upgraded or replaced.  Device accuracy and repeatability are the keys."

Why trust COLORef?  "Its CRM values are traceable to NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology)," Sweeney points out.  "The specific methodology for putting spectral data on it complies with ISO Standard 15790-2004, so those COLORef numbers are accurate and guaranteed.  It's not only accurate, it is very stable and durable, as well as portable.  The proprietary Voglesong COLORef composition precisely mimics the robustness of British Ceramic Research Association (BCRA) tile sets, but in a far more convenient configuration - and at less than 1/10th the cost - which also makes it a highly affordable validation tool for multiple, remote locations."

Multiple devices and locales, plus the trend toward data aggregation
This cost-efficient CRM is arriving none too soon, Sweeney observes.  "Increasingly, customers are relying on spectral data to communicate color specifications; no more PMS numbers or color chips.  Presses with closed-loop color control incorporate a spectrophotometer that lets them measure, control and report conformance right off the press (provided, of course, the instrument is correct).  And that same spectral data is used by the customer with his hand-held device to determine whether or not completed jobs pass muster.

"Along with the movement to spectral data for every print run, every instrument, every batch of ink and the like, we're also seeing printers aggregating color data from multiple locations into centralized, web-based databases," Sweeney reveals.  "Their people can log in from anywhere, click on a specific press and proofing system, for example, and see what's going on: color, density, dot gain and other attributes.  While customers tighten color specifications, printers try to simplify conformance by standardizing materials and processes in prepress, the ink room, proofing room, quality control labs - you name it.  And when they discover that color measurement devices don't agree with each other …"

"All of this points toward making sure that every instrument your work encounters at every step and every location in the process performs properly.  Voglesong COLORef CRM can pinpoint variations, so they can be properly addressed and corrected, before even one job is rejected due to alleged nonconformity."

How often should performance be verified?  "That's up to the user.  A cross-country truck driver checks his oil and tire pressure more often than my Mother checks her Buick," Sweeney says.  "Spectrophotometers are inherently stable (until they go bad)."  He notes that manufacturers certify their devices, and recommend periodic recertification for which the user pays a fee.  Validating once a week or once a month might be a good routine for ensuring device performance.  "What's important is that it's done regularly."

Distributed by the makers of ICEserver Litho 3.0
Sweeney notes that distribution of the Voglesong COLORef CRM nicely complements FineEye's own ICEserver Litho ink- and color-quality optimizing software, version 3.0 of which is also being featured at Graph Expo.  "You could describe Voglesong COLORef CRM as 'intelligent color verified,'" he observes.  "This certainly fits right in with ICEserver Litho and our claim of 'Intelligent Color Delivered.'

"We are a color technology company," he sums up. "Our 'DNA' is color measurement, color management, color quality and control.  We believe Voglesong COLORef CRM is a vital and valuable tool for this industry, and we're here to serve the industry."

COLORef is available for purchase from FineEye Color's value-added resellers including Fujifilm Graphic Systems, Printing Industries of America, Colormetrix Technologies LLC, and UGRA in Europe.