VIGC launches Quality Perception Benchmark for print jobs

Brand owners no longer have to use control strips for quality benchmarking thanks to a new product fromthe Flemish Innovation Center for Graphic Communication.  The unique image-based Quality Perception Benchmarking Service enables users to make objective comparisons of print jobs, such as different versions of packaging.
 
It is based on seven parameters that are relevant to visual perception of quality. Measurements are made on printed images, which means control strips are not necessary.  This is seen as a significant step forward in benchmarking the quality of print jobs.
 
‘Comparing and assessing the quality of multiple print jobs can be very difficult because most quality benchmarking systems are based on control strips, which get cut off in the finishing stage,’ said Eddy Hagen, managing director and trend watcher at VIGC.
 
Fons Put, senior consultant at VIGC, explained: ‘We had to perform a quality benchmark on finished print jobs, so we couldn't start with the traditional measurements like density or the colors of CMYK solids in CIELab.  We needed to go for other parameters that are important for image perception, such as dynamic range.’
 
The new measuring methodology looks at the differences in parameters between multiple samples, like density or print contrast, and the VIGC has tested and refined the methodology over the last two years, in the course of a consulting job for one of its members.
 
A crucial factor in the VIGC Quality Perception Benchmark is that all tested parameters relate to printing parameters.  In its assessment report, the VIGC shows not only whether samples conform or differ, but also what could cause the differences, and which printing parameters are probably different.