KPG Color Fidelity System to harness color management

At Drupa 2004, Kodak Polychrome Graphics (KPG) will launch a new color management system that enables customers to easily automate critical color management operations from capture to output. KPG Color Fidelity System is composed of three modules designed to provide high quality color transformation of digital image files and ensure predictable color from image capture to print and digital media. A combination of the three modules can be selected depending on the user's requirements.

Color Fidelity System is complementary to most popular graphic arts software and provides a consistent method for the proofing and communication of both RGB and CMYK files. Module one consists of a profiling and conversion camera and scanner software. It allows production and delivery of high quality content in which the color has already been prepared for output. Module I will be available in Summer 2004.

Module two is a color-calibrated viewing and editing workstation with soft-proofing display and support for the editing of both images and pages using industry-standard tools, including Adobe Photoshop and Acrobat applications. This technology is based on the established accurate color viewing technologies of KPG's Matchprint Virtual Proofing System and allows the user to view and edit their work with accurate color on the monitor. Module II will be available in Autumn/Winter 2004.

Module III uses ROOM (Rip Once, Output Many) to provide an accurate color conversion of pages with, eliminating the risk of font substitution, misinterpretation of page element transparencies, and other problems associated with use of multiple RIPs in a workflow. At the same time, Module III enables color accurate 'flattening' of pages and conversion of images and pages using preset settings for printing (e.g. SWOP to SNAP). It provides options to export complete pages (both images and linework elements) mapped to a specified color space and file format. It’s particularly useful for preparing the color of images to print in a different process than that for which they were initially targeted, such as original lithographic files that can be mapped for printing on gravure equipment. Module III will be available in Summer 2004.

‘Effective management of color throughout the production workflow is critical to the success of the final product,’ says Doug Edwards, vice president research and business development. ‘There are often multiple uses for a file in a digital workflow and the end goal is always for the final product to be true to the original color requirements. The Color Fidelity System is a true digital solution that ensures the customer can control the file from capture to output.’