Idealliance, the creator of print standards and specifications such as GRACoL, SWOP, and G7 is releasing an Expanded Color Gamut (ECG) characterization target for use in characterizing and calibrating multicolor print processes.

The Expanded Color Gamut (ECG) Characterization Target was created by a subcommittee within the Idealliance Print Properties and Colorimetric Council as a part of the Idealliance Global ECG project. The Idealliance Global ECG is designed to make 7 color process printing as predictable and normal as current CMYK printing specifications such as GRACoL and SWOP. The characterization target will complement a comprehensive Expanded Color Gamut (ECG) Project Kit which contains guidelines, proofing control strips, and other tools for print users.

The characterization Target is a 7-color test chart, which contains a scalable number of patches, ranging from a single page, up to 4 pages. Most users should be able to achieve acceptable results using the one- or two-page chart. The chart was designed with input from across the industry and is optimized for multiple printing processes. The team that has created the test chart included developers from: ColorLogic, Esko, GMG, and Kodak as well as other industry leaders. Team leaders Hanno Hoffstadt, Thorsten Braun, and William Li worked tirelessly together and with others to create prototypes and test candidates for a period of two years. Creation of the chart also included flexo and litho test runs to capture data and understand optimal configuration and patch design. “This chart will help standardize the ECG across the supply chain,” Tim Baechle, CEO of Idealliance said. “It is another example of how Idealliance helps move the global supply chain. It wouldn’t be possible without the expert volunteers from across the industry who work on these projects and we so grateful for their input, expertise and time that they put into this remarkable project.”

Idealliance is now in the final phase of the Idealliance Global ECG project. The deliverables of this final phase will be standardized ECG datasets for litho and flexo. “Our goal for ECG is to do for 7-color what GRACoL did for CMYK,” Ron Ellis, Chair of Idealliance’s Print Properties and Colorimetric Council said. “These standardized ECG datasets will help designers, brands and creatives work with ECG in a global supply chain”. Idealliance has an international membership who have volunteered to print and supply test data for the creation of the Idealliance Global ECG dataset. Idealliance will collect approximately 30 test datasets from around the world for analysis and possible inclusion in the final Idealliance Global ECG dataset.