VIGC launches tools to achieve lower TAC

The Flemish Innovation Centre for Graphic Communication, VIGC, is launching two tools to achieve ink savings: the ICC profiles and Max TAC Evaluation Kit.

There was a strong response to the study by the organization that found total area coverage (TAC) of 260 percent – or even 220 percent – is adequate as long as the conversion is carried out with the correct profiles. To ensure the correct profiles are used, the VIGC is to distribute its Max TAC ICC profiles free of charge.

Eddy Hagen, VIGC director, commented: ‘Our test clearly showed that a lower TAC can deliver more than adequate results and enable print service providers to make huge cost savings on inks.

‘However, the conversion to lower TAC must be done using the appropriate ICC profiles. This is why we have invested time in optimizing the ICC profiles during tests. We believe strongly in helping graphic art companies operate more cost-effectively, and will be distributing the VIGC Max TAC ICC profiles free of charge in four different maximum TAC values, and in ICC version 2 and 4 profiles. This will allow print companies to choose the option that best suits their needs.’

Didier Haazen, senior innovation consultant and PDF expert, added: ‘A condition of this way of working, of course, is that the print company receives RGB images e.g. RGB PDFs. Currently this is often not the case. Nearly everyone works with a CMYK workflow, where the conversion from RGB to CMYK takes place early on in the process. There used to be good reasons for this, but with the latest tools this conversion can be reliably accomplished right at the end.’

‘We’ve conducted some tests with RGB workflows and it’s definitely possible, if everything takes place based on the rules of the state-of-the-art. With the new VIGC Max TAC ICC profiles, users will have the option of converting right at the very end of the process to well known target color space (ISO 12647-2 / FOGRA39) with an appropriate TAC,’ concluded Haazen.

Click here for more stories about VIGC on L&L.com.