GMG releases ColorProof 5.6

GMG ColorProof 5.6 is configured for accurate proofing of optically brightened media. Until recently, GMG said, measuring devices and the light in viewing booths had not been subject to any standards regarding how they measured or illuminated print media that contains optical brightening agents to increase ‘whiteness’. With recent revisions of those ISO norms and anticipated update to ISO 12647-2:2013, several changes have been made to address the color matching problems caused by OBA enhanced media. GMG ColorProof 5.6 provides new proof standards, full support of the new M0/M1/M2 measuring conditions, and the new enhanced proof paper ‘GMG ProofPaper semimatte 250 OBA’ to achieve highest quality and a good proof-to-print match.

Further, GMG ColorProof 5.6 has new features designed to make it work more efficiently with workflows and in multi-site operations. For example, GMG has created new smart hotfolders and job ticket hotfolders with an XML interface that allow operators to use one hotfolder for multiple printing standards and provide an easy connection to external workflow systems.

GMG has also made it easier to operate centralized color management that oversees multiple locations or remote sites. These companies must organize and distribute their color profiles to many facilities. Usually, there is one main site, where a production or color manager creates all color critical assets and is responsible for their usage on all locations. To reduce the manual effort, GMG has designed a file distribution system that can connect to multiple installations and download new or altered color management files automatically, or on-demand—from a source location to one or more target locations.

To accelerate the ripping process, PDF files can be ripped in parallel. While GMG ColorProof 5.6 licenses include one RIP, users can purchase additional RIP instances according to their hardware configuration, so reducing the delay between ripping and printing jobs.

ColorProof 5.6 can even re-assign jobs to different printers for continuous productivity. The new option has been integrated to automatically move pending jobs from one printer to another compatible printer. This eliminates a backlog of files that are waiting for the printer to be attended to.

Birgit Plautz, director of the Graphic Arts business unit at GMG, said: ‘With the popular adoption of optically brightened papers, a problem arose. The papers improved image appearance and tended to be cost-effective to purchase. However, they were out of conformance with proofing standards. Users will find that GMG has conducted a lot of research and testing into helping customers who print with optically brightened media to achieve color consistency.

‘We have also added features to connect and work even better with pre-press workflows, and operate more efficiently with RIPs and printers. For example, print facilities with existing systems in place will find that they can use a new hotfolder interface system (API) to easily plug GMG ColorProof 5.6 into their workflows.

‘ColorProof has always been noted for its exceptional color accuracy. ColorProof 5.6 makes the process even easier.’

ColorProof 5.6 is available immediately through the company’s global network of resellers.