New Uncoated UV Dataset and Profile

Printing United Alliance just released a new dataset and profile for UV curable inks on Uncoated paper, it’s called “Alliance_UC_UV”. This is significant as it fills a void in the current North American specifications. We currently have Character Reference Print Condition #3 (CRPC3), aka GRACoL2013UNC_CRPC3, which is for traditional solvent-based…

How to Install ICC Profiles in Mimaki RasterLink version 7

When you purchase a Mimaki printer, it comes with their RIP software RasterLink 7. Once you get the software installed and your printer configured, you’ll need to download some ICC profiles. These define the color space of the particular printer, mode, ink set, media, etc. and you can’t print without…

3 Reasons Why You Should Have a Spectrophotometer

If you’re a designer, printer, or photographer, you’ve probably heard of a spectrophotometer. This nifty device might sound like something out of a science fiction movie, but it’s actually a powerful tool that can make a world of difference in your creative work. Whether youā€™re working with colors on-screen or…

Understanding Measurement Modes

M0, M1, M2, and M3 in Spectrophotometry for Printed Materials by Bill Owen – Alder Color Solutions When measuring color data from printed materials using a spectrophotometer, choosing the right measurement mode is crucial for achieving accurate and meaningful results. Spectrophotometers oftencome equipped with several measurement modes, typically designated as…

Color Management from Capture thru Print

A Recent Success Story Recently we were asked to visit a client regarding consultation for their print production workflows, specifically related to on-going process control. They are a worldwide home decor brand that sells direct to consumer. They have over 1,000 designs to choose from, all of which are printed…

Proofer Challenge! Let’s see what you’ve got.

Proofing these days is pretty much exclusively done using inkjet printers, coupled with RIP software. Calibrations and Profiles are created with a spectrophotometer to achieve an optimal print condition and then defined for each media and print conditions. The color space/profile of the target/reference is also chosen in the color…

My presentation and perspectives from the American Packaging Summit.

Last month I attended the American Packaging Summit in Chicago. It’s a really interesting and different kind of event. Brands of all sizes attend to network, hear about emerging technologies, and talk with vendors in the industry about specifics. Alder Color Solutions sponsored the event this year and I had…

PrintFactory Success Story – 43% Ink Savings!

by Bill Owen – Alder Color Solutions Alder Color Solutions is proud to share this success story about our client Parrott Printing in Knoxville, Tennessee. We were able to demo PrintFactory with Parrott Printing and prove out the benefit of transitioning from another competitor’s RIP. Using a Barbieri LFP QB,…

Difference Between IA ECG B1C and IA ECG B1C X ICC Profiles

Investigating the differences (primarily GCR) between the 2 ICC profiles IDEAlliance released in August of 2021 in their updated ECG Characterization Target and Kit. By Dan Gillespie ā€“ Alder Color Solutions ā€“ Director of Technical Services As part of the “Idealliance ECG Beta Characterization Data Set Fileā€ download there are…