In recent years, many printing companies have invested in technologies, workflows and staff. But efficiency alone is not enough. A printing company must comprehensively demonstrate and prove its print quality, and here Process Standard Offset (PSO) certification is an objective marketing aid.

Certification according to Process Standard Offset reconfirms that the manroland Print Technology Center in Offenbach, with its workflows, presses and printcom materials, is capable of complying with the guidelines. Standard-compliant fulfilment of the certification requirements proves that print products or partial print products can be produced in accordance with the guidelines and standards of Process Standard Offset and ISO 12647.

Press and materials do a fine job
manroland has been the first press manufacturer in 2007 to receive full PSO certification, meaning in both prepress and printing. As Sharam Hauck, manroland Project Manager responsible for Process Engineering and Quality Management, says: "The strong competition in the graphics industry requires printers to work in an increasingly standardized manner, and PSO is gaining acceptance more and more worldwide. Seeing that we perform print demonstrations for customers from all over the world, PSO is a good basis for a globally valid standard."

The press used for the tests in the Print Technology Center was a ten-color ROLAND 700 DirectDrive. The materials used were printcom products which are certified and approved by manroland (inks, fountain solution, washing agents and blankets). The Hesse Printing and Media Industries Federation certifies its member companies according to ISO 12647-2:2004. Depending on the nature of the company seeking certification, the tests cover performances for prepress specialists, printers that focus purely on print production, and full-service operations.

Thomas Wegner-Ney from the Hesse Printing and Media Industries Federation, where he is Technical Manager and consultant for training and further education, was very impressed with the print quality. He particularly acknowledged the uniform inking across the width of the sheet and throughout the run achieved with the aid of the ROLAND InlineColorPilot system.