Positive responses from global test site locations confirm international acceptance and far-reaching appeal of XCMYK.

Alexandria, VA. - Idealliance, the communications industry association representing all facets of the global omnichannel media value chain, reports that its newly released XCMYK dataset and profiles supporting four-color expanded gamut printing are being met with an overwhelmingly positive response from print and technology providers across the globe.

"Having conducted a gamut analysis of the Idealliance XCMYK dataset, and compared it to our industry’s most common targets, including GRACoL 2013 and Fogra 51, we concluded that XCMYK provides a significantly larger color gamut without adding primary CMYK inks," reported Dr. Kiran Deshpande (pictured left), Color and Print Management Specialist for Multi Packaging Solutions Ltd., Leicester, United Kingdom, whose comments are representative of test responses.

"CMYKOGV gamut (Press1) is only 14% bigger than XCMYK gamut. XCMYK is an important tool for print service providers seeking the latest tools and methodologies to better serve their customer’s quality needs," Deshpande continued.

The output space of XCMYK represents an expanded gamut based on 26 dedicated press runs conducted on offset presses using standard IS0 12647-2 compliant inks and non-traditional (e.g., FM) screening, as well as a wide variety of digital devices.

"When anything is released internationally, especially something as advanced as XCMYK, which required collaboration from individuals and suppliers from around the world, it is overwhelming to see such a universally positive response from the world print markets," says Tim Baechle, Idealliance Director of Global Print Media Markets and Technologies.

"The feedback, downloads, reports, data, analyses, and adoption did not just come from one print medium," he continues, "but from offset, digital, inkjet-cut sheet and wide format, and from print service providers, OEMs, creatives, brands, and suppliers."

The XCMYK research project involved significant contributions of press runs, time, labor, and raw materials from printers, manufacturers, and Idealliance volunteers, with total time and raw materials estimated to be valued at more than $350,000.

"Idealliance would like to recognize and thank the 24 organizations involved in the press runs for their incredible and selfless contribution to furthering the industry," says Baechle. "Without global collaboration, moving the needle of this industry is not possible."

The following sites were instrumental in the development of the XCMYK expanded gamut dataset and color profiles. They generously gave their time, expertise, and materials to the XCMYK test runs and created the data used to create the final profiles. Idealliance and the GRACoL Committee thank each of the following organizations for their valuable contribution to the printing industry:

The following sites were instrumental in the development of the XCMYK expanded gamut dataset and color profiles. They generously gave their time, expertise, and materials to the XCMYK test runs and created the data used to create the final profiles. Idealliance and the GRACoL Committee thank each of the following organizations for their valuable contribution to the printing industry:

Idealliance is making XCMYK profiles, datasets, and basic information about calibration and profile use available. To learn more about XCMYK or to download the profiles, datasets, and other information, go to www.gracol.org or contact Tim Baechle at [email protected] or (703) 837-1069.