Mercian Labels implements Xeikon Color Control

UK converter Mercian Labels has invested in Xeikon’s dedicated color matching system, Color Control.

The cloud-based tool enables printers to offer repeatable and predictable colors and simulation of custom spot colors, matching to both the full Pantone book as well as to hard copies of previously printed packaging and labels provided by customers.
 

Using Xeikon Color Control printers profile their Xeikon presses and create color tables for specific colors. Having printed a target, the measured values are uploaded to a central server where a new profile is created, together with a library of named colors. This enables printers to have much better control over their output quality and match the output with existing conventional jobs. Furthermore, quality reports as well as an overview of the stability of the production environment, can easily be made available by the press room operator for others.

Color Control also maximizes the gamut of the Xeikon dry toner digital printing technology. The Xeikon system can be profiled for any substrate by uploading the color values of a printed test-chart. Together with a new output profile for the press, the operator will be given a color lookup table. In addition, an on the spot ΔE figure can be accurately given to assess the color accuracy of the Xeikon 3300 digital press installed at Mercian Labels.

‘This is a really useful development enabling us to perform even better when facing color matching challenges from our customers,’ says Dr. Adrian Steele, managing director of the Mercian Labels Group.

‘Nothing will extend the physical limitations of a CMYK color process gamut beyond its theoretical maximum, but using Xeikon Color Control we are really pushing the barriers of color matching to the limit. In one recent case we were asked to match an injection moulded plastic lid and a litho printed carton to that of a color known to be tough to print on a digital engine, even one as good as the Xeikon. Using Xeikon Color Control we quickly determined that we could get to a ΔE of 3 without printing anything on press. Once matched, that is exactly what it did – with a very impressive color accuracy.

'Whilst we may have got there eventually with a lot of expensive operator and press time undertaking iterative testing and assessment under different light conditions, Xeikon Color Control makes color matching of digitally printed labels better, quicker and more consistent. It’s going to make us a lot more effective at color matching which can only be good for our customers.’

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