Inkjet proofing system from Gimle

Gimle has announced AbsoluteProof EXTRACHROME, an inkjet proofing system capable of simulating Opaltone and other N-Color processes using Multicolor ICC profiles.

‘Ever since the Opaltone process was introduced to the printing industry, proofing has been a major problem - only achievable with the most expensive and time consuming specialized proofing solutions. Finally, using AbsoluteProof EXTRACHROME, the industry can rely on affordable Opaltone proofing with InkJet printers,’ the company said in a statement. 

The packaging industry is rapidly moving into multicolor printing processes such as Opaltone (CMYK RGB), Hexachrome (CMYK OG) and other ink combinations, which generate huge savings. Affordable InkJet proofing has not been available for these customers because their workflow commonly requires the use of special colors that are outside the gamut of standard ink jet printers. AbsoluteProof’s unique multicolor engine with an EXTRACHROME ink set was developed to deliver the brilliant and saturated hues demanded by the packaging industry. AbsoluteProof EXTRACHROME exponentially expands the capability of standard EPSON Stylus Pro wide-format professional printers, enabling them to achieve accurate simulation of multicolor workflows cost effectively and efficiently.

Opaltone and Hexachrome are only two of the possible combinations, however multiples of other combinations exist. AbsoluteProof now offers support for up to 10 color combinations using N-Color ICC profiles.

For the third time, AbsoluteProof raises the bar and sets the worldwide industry standard for multicolor digital inkjet proofing. Gimle developed the world’s first practical Hexachrome ink jet proofing solution in 2002, developed the world’s first inkjet proofing solution to match over 93 per cent of Pantone colors in 2004, and now offers the first InkJet solution to achieve accurate color representation of the Opaltone and other multicolor printing processes.

’The practices in the packaging sector are changing rapidly world wide. Multicolor tools such as CREO Spotless, Esko InkWizard, Gretag Macbeth and X-Rite’s support of Multicolor, and the opportunity to increase profitability, there is no wonder why this is taking place,’ commented Hugo Kristinsson, CEO of Gimle. ’We work very closely with the Packaging sector and they appreciate our development efforts in providing cost-effective solutions to meet their needs. We are very pleased to deliver this much needed solution to the market.’

Lida Jalali Marschke, founder of the Color Management Group and ColorManagement.com, stated: ‘Our packaging customers using N-Color and 7 color profiles would not be able to match the colors of their approval on an InkJet printer without using AbsoluteProof with Extrachrome inks. The industry has needed an affordable solution that will provide the gamut necessary for customers routinely using a multitude of "special" spot and Pantone colors formerly "out of gamut" for inkjet proofers. AbsoluteProof is easily added to a packaging customer's portfolio of proofing tools. Companies using the AbsoluteProof Extrachrome Epson solution will have an edge on competitors who continue to use time consuming and very expensive proofing systems.’

AbsoluteProof is a high-quality Mac OSX, low-cost digital proofing application with licensed PANTONE color libraries that delivers RIP integrity and color integrity, It can take input files directly from the plate or imagesetter RIP as well as design applications. AbsoluteProof then recombines and color manages the information before sending the output file to the printer. In a multicolor workflow, AbsoluteProof gives a precise simulation of how the job will reproduce on the press, showing trapping, halftones, brilliant saturated colors, overprints, fonts, etc. In fact every file attribute that is matchable on a press.