Printing FAQs

Q. What is a Mellow Colour ISO 12647 Proficient Printer?

A. A printing shop information Company that has received training in the practical implementation of ISO 12647
and operation of the PrintSpec Colour QA System. They all have an appointed ‘Colour Champion’ and a color QA team focused on creating a culture of continuous improvement through the measurement and analysis of color. They use printing equipment and consumables combinations that have been optimized to meet the targets and tolerances of the ISO 12647 Specification – plus the demanding grey balance appearance targets of the Mellow Colour PrintSpec System. They all use D50 lighting in color critical areas for viewing prints and proofs. Their color measurement instruments are regularly calibrated and certified by the manufacturer, and they are visited every six months by a Mellow Colour specialist for revision training and review. In other words, these printers put a lot of resources into producing consistent standardized color appearance conforming to the ISO 12647 Specification.

The ISO 12647/2 certification scheme requirements were published by the BPIF (British Printing Industries Federation). These set out what printers and print management companies need to do in order to gain certification against the ISO 12647/2 international standard for offset lithography. Now that the requirements have been published, certification bodies will be able to conduct audits of companies against the standard and certify that companies have the necessary
systems in place to ensure compliance against the standard.

Q. Can any printer use FSC certified paper?

A. All printers that purchase paper will have a range of papers available to them including those that are FSC certified. If a printer is not registered as being FSC approved then they will not be able to include the FSC logo mark on printed materials. So if you are involved in buying print and want to help the environment, make sure that your print provider is a registered FSC supplier.

Q. Do FSC based publications cost more to produce?

A. The cost implications for using FSC papers are no different than those involved in printing on non-certified stocks. Thee are numerous brands and grades of paper available – all at different costs, however, FSC papers enjoy widespread use and are therefore priced in exactly the same way as other paper stocks.