WORKFLOW: In Gray We Trust: G7 Certification

Despite initial controversies, proponents of GRACoL's “G7 method” are finding that elusive sense of trust has finally begun to materialize. “When someone claims to be able to make printing easier, people are naturally skeptical,” admitted Don Hutcheson, color management guru and G7 creator. “But when they try it and find it actually works, then word gets out.”

Years of painstaking effort by IDEAlliance's GRACoL (General Requirements and Applications for Commercial Offset Lithography) Committee have resulted in an ideal characterization of sheetfed lithography: the TR006 data set. Representing the typical capabilities of high-quality shops, TR006 contains a wealth of information about dot gain, densities, print contrast and more—but its characterization of gray balance caused all the excitement.

What's so thrilling about gray? The ability to achieve neutral gray from a combination of cyan, magenta and yellow is a cornerstone of print reproduction. Output free from unwanted color casts is key to customer satisfaction, whether rendered on an offset press, inkjet proofer or computer display.

Don Hutcheson, an outspoken advocate for a standardized definition of gray balance, has leveraged TR006's CMYK values into a new discipline for matching color from proof to press: the G7 method. This approach values gray balance as the key indicator of print quality, over more traditional process controls such as density and dot gain.

“Printers are finding they can match the proof quicker, with shorter makeready times,” says Hutcheson, “so long as they make sure to use GRACoL proofs.” Providing that assurance is IDEAlliance's Proofing Systems Certification Program, a single source for vendors to prove their systems are capable of SWOP and/or GRACoL 7 proofing.

This new approach has been accompanied by intense debate. NAPL's Ray Prince, MAN Roland's Hal Stratton and others were quick to decry G7's abandonment of traditional run control measurements, such as solid ink density and dot gain. “Over the last year, we've changed the way we teach G7,” admits Hutcheson. “We start off with CIELAB (gray balance measurements) to make sure we've got a good gray, then we switch the pressman's instrument over to density so he can maintain those CMY values throughout the run.”

IDEAlliance can also place its stamp of approval on humans. After awarding the distinction of “G7 Expert” to more than 30 consultants worldwide, the organization has moved to certifying printers who are implementing the principles of G7. Launched in February, the G7 Professional Certification Program provides training on production techniques for proofing, prepress and press operation.

“G7 is the core of the latest SWOP and GRACoL specifications,” Hutcheson says, “Moving to a standard gray balance allows everyone to go with a common set of profiles.” Through certification of proofing systems, consultants and now end-users, IDEAlliance is demonstrating that G7 is a method that can earn everyone's trust.

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