Finnish company becomes first flexo printer to achieve Pantone Certified Printer status

The Pantone Certified Printer program reviews and analyzes every aspect of a printer’s color operations – from pre-flight, file preparation and proofing, to ink formulation, mixing and process control in the pressroom.

The initial certification audit of Pyroll Packages was conducted at the company’s facility in Joensuu, Finland, one of 10 locations it operates across the country. Pyroll Packages plans to continue this program in 2018. To boost its overall performance and meet certification criteria, Pyroll Packages has added the following X-Rite products to its Joensuu site: ColorCert Suite, including ColorCert Master, Pressroom and ScoreCard serve; an X-Rite eXact handheld spectrophotometer; InkFormulation software; NetProfiler; and PantoneLIVE, a cloud-based architecture that enables digital specification and communication of Pantone standards to all stakeholders in the global supply chain.

On-site training and help with the creation of standard operation procedures was provided to ensure smooth implementation of all recommended new processes.

The certification was carried out by X-Rite solutions architect Mark Gundlach and Maxim Siniak, international technical support and application expert at X-Rite, together with Flexolahti, a certified Pantone partner and packaging repro house, and X-Rite dealer KTA.

Pyroll Packages’ certification confirms the company’s ability to consistently achieve the most stringent customer color requirements, efficiently and cost effectively. The Pantone Certified Printer program requires annual recertification to ensure continued performance at peak levels.

Pyroll Packages CEO Mikael Svennas said: ‘Our goal was to establish a more stringent color management program, expanding beyond visual evaluation to using instruments and digital standards. The Pantone Certified Printer process was very thorough, and we learned a great deal.

‘In addition to the process improvements we will achieve as a result of the audit, we will also be able to leverage Pantone’s brand recognition adding even more credibility to our market position.’

Kai Tornikoski, managing director at Flexolahti, commented: ‘We’ve seen X-Rite and Pantone solutions become the de facto standard in Finland with great results. We were pleased to work with X-Rite color experts to help Pyroll achieve this prestigious status and to further elevate awareness of the importance of a formalized color management program.

‘In an environment where supply chains are complex, deadlines are tight, and errors and rework are not acceptable, Pantone Certified Printer status gives Pyroll’s customers peace of mind that their packages will be produced as expected, giving them faster time to market and improved shelf appeal.’

Siniak commented: ‘In addition to an improved ability to better communicate with brands and standardize color processes, this certification also provides a way for printers and converters to transform their entire production process, from file reception to ink formulation and final output. It offers a distinct sales and marketing advantage. The Pantone Certified Printer program is the one certification program that can fundamentally change how a printer or converter does business, improving quality, productivity and very important profitability.’