Polyflex invests in GMG

Durban-based reprographics company Polyflex has invested in GMG color management software, as it seeks to enhance proofing and predictability of output.

Stuart Baylis (left), head of production at Polyflex, and Gary Martin (right), systems and workflow specialist; in the centre is Digital Distributors’ Danni Pearce

This has seen GMG software, such as DotProof and OpenColor, implemented at Polyflex by Digital Distributors. Polyflex has its headquarters in Durban and regional offices in the Western Cape and Gauteng, plus a presence in five African countries, including Mauritius.

In an industry where there's no room for compromise to ensure CMYK and spot colors print exactly as required, John Panton, technical director of Digital Distributors and CEO of the newly-formed Colorflow Solutions Group, explained that Africa's packaging print specialists, such as Polyflex, can rely on GMG DotProof and GMG OpenColor.

‘Packaging proofing and predictability of output is hugely challenging owing to the myriad print technologies, substrates and print conditions that may be used on a single brand. This requires reference printing or profiles for all these outputs, something that's simply not being done today in the face of technology challenges.’

Among these challenges and common reasons for poorly representative proofs, Panton cites printers having insufficient space to include reference color charts for profiling; and the prohibitive cost and time constraints of profiling.

He continued: ‘As it's not always straightforward CMYK printing, separations and colors are constantly changing. It's challenging to accurately predict the overprint behaviour of spot colors. Additionally, standardized reference printing profiles simply don’t exist for all packaging; and reference printing conditions are used that aren't appropriate for a particular product’s printing process.’

Stuart Baylis, head of operations at Polyflex, added: ‘We are working with some of the world's leading brands, many of which already use GMG technology. When GMG introduced its OpenColor program, we simply had to take a serious look. It answers the particular needs of today's packaging market. Aligning our proofs to our plates speeds up and simplifies the approval process. Brand owners no longer need to spend valuable time on press-side approvals.’

Gill Loubser

Gill Loubser

  • Africa correspondent