X-Rite introduces Autura Ink cloud-based formulation platform

X-Rite, a color science specialist, has introduced Autura Ink, a cloud-based ink formulation and quality control platform that enables ink suppliers, printers, and packaging converters to accelerate ink development.

Leveraging X-Rite’s technology from InkFormulation software, Autura Ink provides a secure and centralized platform for all formulation, storage, approval, retrieval and quality control needs for offset, flexo, gravure and screen-printing inks.

‘Autura Ink is built on a serverless and secure architecture that can be easily implemented due to its highly intuitive user interface, minimizing the need for operator training. It integrates with X-Rite spectrophotometers, including the eXact 2 family, and PantoneLive digital standards to create a connected color workflow,’ said Ming-Pong Liu, software solutions product manager at X-Rite. ‘By unifying formulation and quality control in a single platform, customers can fast track ink development, minimize press downtime, and reduce press returns.’

Autura Ink simplifies data sharing between formulation, quality control and PantoneLIVE. Users will no longer need to switch between applications to validate formulas, which is now completed within the Autura platform.

Using Autura Ink, press operators can identify variations in ink and minimize downtime due to mismatched colors. The integrated BestMatch feature allows operators to determine if an ink is within specification or if the recipe needs adjustment.

If the on-press color fails to meet specification, Autura’s Quick Correct feature facilitates the necessary ink formula additions to ensure that the press gets back on color to resume operations quickly, reducing press returns. By promoting the reuse of materials, users can implement a more sustainable approach to print production.

Tailored to specific customer use cases with predetermined settings, companies can create error-proof ink formulation templates in Autura Ink to improve repeatability and productivity. In addition, templates help users efficiently handle diverse formulation requirements without sacrificing quality.

‘As the industry continues to struggle with staffing, Autura Ink makes onboarding easy with a user-friendly interface and preset templates designed to reduce mistakes,’ continued Liu.

The company will be showcasing the Autura Ink live at drupa 2024.