DUSSELDORF, DRUPA - 6 MAY 2004 - Pantone, Inc., the global authority on colour and provider of professional colour standards for the design industries, today launched the Pantone Printer Accreditation Scheme (PPAS), which sets new international quality standards for colour printing for offset lithographic printers. Accreditation under the scheme is based on adherence to strict criteria for proofing and printing in a production environment - for example, in process and spot colour reproduction. By undertaking the scheme, participants can demonstrate to the marketplace that they have the skills to ensure accurate colour proofs and print quality, and the tools necessary to measure and control printing processes - with the end result being the ability to consistently reproduce accurate colour. "This programme ensures that participants adhere to the highest possible colour printing standards and are recognised by their peers and the industry for their effort," said Richard Herbert, president of Pantone. "The PPAS not only builds skills, but allows printers to prove themselves in today's increasingly competitive printing market. We also believe that compliance could lead to increased business from customers who appreciate this verification of quality." The Accreditation Process in Practice The PPAS is administered in Europe by Bodoni Systems, a leading colour management consultancy and distributor of PANTONE Products in the U.K. "Becoming a Pantone accredited printer is easy and inexpensive," said Ian Reid, head of the PPAS in Europe and director of Bodoni Systems. "Although colour theory can be quite complex, this scheme is led by qualified consultants who guide participants through the procedures step-by-step, and in a way that is easy to understand. We believe this programme will ultimately serve to boost the standard of printing in Europe." Participating companies can send up to two employees to a two-day workshop where they are led through a tutorial and given test jobs which assess their skill and ability in process and spot colour printing. The participants then proof and print their tests and return them to Pantone, where they are measured and assessed against objective criteria. Graduates receive recognition in the form of a certificate of accreditation; acknowledgement on Pantone's Web site; and the Pantone Accreditation logo, which can be used on printed stationary and the Web. In addition, graduates receive a discount on all PANTONE Products, any additional training and colour consultancy services, as well as access to Pantone's technical query hotline. The first accreditation course will take place in September 2004. More information on the PPAS can be found on www.pantone.com and by contacting Bodoni Systems on +44 (0) 1895 825776 or [email protected].