• Login
    • Join
  • FOLLOW:
  • Subscribe Free
    • Magazine
    • eNewsletter
    Checkout
    • Magazine
    • News
    • Exclusives
    • Top Companies
    • Printing Inks
    • Raw Materials
    • Equipment
    • Directories
    • Events
    • Jobs
    • More
  • Magazine
  • News
  • Exclusives
  • Top Companies
  • Printing Inks
  • Raw Materials
  • Equipment
  • Directories
  • Events
  • Jobs
  • Current / Back Issues
    Features
    Columns
    Editorial
    Digital Edition
    eNewsletter Archive
    Our Team
    Editorial Guidelines
    Subscribe Now
    Advertise Now
    Top Features
    The North American Top 20 Ink Report

    Pigment Market Growth Expected, But Challenges Remain Ahead

    The Conductive Ink and Materials Market

    India’s Packaging Ink Market is Thriving

    Environmentally Friendly Inks will Grow Much Faster in 2018
    Breaking News
    Distributor News
    Financial News
    Industry News
    Ink Manufacturers News
    Market Research
    Mergers and Acquisitions
    New Products
    Personnel
    Price Increases
    Printers News
    Suppliers News
    Live From Shows
    Top News
    INX International Debuts AquaTech ION X Ink at FTA Info*Flex

    KBA-Asia Pacific Expands Sales Team for Flexo Presses

    J.S. McCarthy Adds KODAK NEXPRESS ZX3300 Digital Color Press

    Probo Invests in Four Durst P5 Systems

    Heidelberg, Partner Companies Present Latest Technologies for Secure Documents
    Top North American Companies
    Top International Companies
    Conductive Inks and Printed Electronics
    Graphic Arts Coatings
    Inkjet Inks and Toners
    Marking and Pad Printing Inks
    News Inks
    Packaging Flexo Inks
    Packaging Gravure Inks
    Publication Gravure Inks
    Publication Offset Inks
    Screen Inks
    Sheetfed Inks
    Specialty Inks
    UV and EB Inks

    INX International Debuts AquaTech ION X Ink at FTA Info*Flex

    KBA-Asia Pacific Expands Sales Team for Flexo Presses

    J.S. McCarthy Adds KODAK NEXPRESS ZX3300 Digital Color Press

    Probo Invests in Four Durst P5 Systems

    Heidelberg, Partner Companies Present Latest Technologies for Secure Documents
    Additives
    Energy-Curable Materials
    Flushed Colors and Pigments
    Metallics and Special Effects Pigments
    Resins
    Vehicles and Varnishes
    Waxes

    Employee Ideas Save BASF Around €58 Million Globally

    MNYPIA to Honor Shamrock Technologies' Joon Choo as 2018 Man of the Year

    Personnel Changes at BASF

    Live From American Coatings Show 2018

    Evonik Expands Global R&D by Opening Asia Research Hub in Singapore
    Energy-Curing Equipment
    Mills and Mixers
    Testing, Color and QC

    ROSS Opens Online Store

    Harper Corporation of America Receives New ISO 9001:2015 Certification

    GEW Warns Against Potential Patent Infringements

    Harper Corporation of America President Lee Kluttz Earns Commitment to Progress Award

    UV Curing System Market Worth $5.45 Billion by 2023
    Buyers Guide
    Distributor Guide
    European Ink Directory
    U.S. Ink Directory
    International Buyers Guide Companies
    Solvay

    Engineered Mills, Inc. - EMImills

    Sun Chemical Performance Pigments

    ALVAR Resins, Inc/ALREZ, Inc.

    Micro Powders, Inc.
    Nonwovens Virtual Conference
    Industry Events
    Live from Show Event
    Webinars
    Top Events
    Eastern Coatings Show 2019
    • Magazine
      • Current / Back Issues
      • Features
      • Editorial
      • Departments
      • Columns
      • Digital Edition
      • eNewsletter Archive
      • Editorial Guidelines
      • Subscribe Now
      • Advertise Now
    • Breaking News
    • Directory
      • Buyers Guide
      • Distributor Guide
      • European Ink Directory
      • U.S. Ink Directory
      • Trade Associations
    • Printing Inks
      • Conductive Inks and Printed Electronics
      • Graphic Arts Coatings
      • Inkjet Inks and Toners
      • Marking and Pad Printing Inks
      • News Inks
      • Packaging Flexo Inks
      • Packaging Gravure Inks
      • Publication Gravure Inks
      • Publication Offset Inks
      • Screen Inks
      • Sheetfed Inks
      • Specialty Inks
      • UV and EB Inks
    • Raw Materials
      • Additives
      • Energy-Curable Materials
      • Flushed Colors and Pigments
      • Metallics and Special Effects Pigments
      • Resins
      • Vehicles and Varnishes
      • Waxes
    • Equipment
      • Energy-Curing Equipment
      • Mills and Mixers
      • Testing, Color and QC
    • Top Companies
      • Top North American Companies
      • Top International Companies
    • Online Exclusives
    • Slideshows
    • Expert's Opinion
    • Videos
    • Podcasts
    • Blog
    • Infographics
    • Whitepapers
    • Jobs
    • Supplier Microsites
      • Companies
      • Literature / Brochures
      • Whitepapers
      • Product Spec Sheets
      • Videos
      • Jobs
    • Events
      • Industry Events
      • Live From Show Events
      • Webinars
    • About Us
      • About Us
      • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms of Use
    Features

    Ink Manufacturers See Color Management As an Opportunity for Growth

    Ink companies are using their expertise in color to branch out into new services for their customers.

    Related CONTENT
    • The Year in Review
    • Raw Material Supply, Cost Issues Are Major Concerns for Ink Companies
    • Flint Group Completes Next Phase of REACH Registrations Ahead of Dec.1 Deadline
    • Toyo Ink to Feature Kaleido-inspired Attraction at Tokyo Designers Week
    • Pulse Roll Label Products Appoints Mikaela Harding as Product Manager
    Sean Milmo, Ink World European Editor09.11.06
    Ink producers have been operating their own color management systems for several years to ensure
    they can provide printers with the consistency of colors they require.
        
    Now ink companies are using their expertise in the area to offer customers color management services and equipment. Furthermore, they are employing color management as a platform for expansion in the European market.
        
    But they are moving into a crowded market. They are having to compete against specialist color management companies and also services provided by players elsewhere in the supply chain, such as pigment makers and press manufacturers.
        
    In addition a wide variety of hardware, software and systems are available in the burgeoning color management market, which can be bewildering for printers.
        
    There is even concern about the proliferation of standards being applied to manage color in the operation of prepress equipment through to the printing presses themselves.

    Understanding Color Management


    Color management now covers all printing stages from prepress to the finishing steps of the printing process. In the marketing of their color management portfolio, ink makers have to decide which section of the whole printing procedure to target.
        
    “Printers are confused because there is now a lot to understand about color management,” said Erich Frank, head of the technical services center for sheetfed at Flint Group, Stuttgart, Germany. “They need to know issues like how different inks combined with different paper substrates affect colors and also how to achieve color consistency between the prepress and printing areas.”
        
    Ink companies are mainly concentrating on helping printers deal with color quality matters directly influenced by the character of the inks themselves and the nature of the substrates. In this way they can differentiate themselves from the color management specialists such as Pantone, GretagMacbeth and X-Rite, which develop and provide their own equipment and software.
        
    “Being an ink manufacturer, we know more about the inks – that is how to print them properly on a test printer, as well as how to transfer the relevant information into ink formulations,” said Wolfgang Josten, technology director for web offset at Siegwerk Druckfarben, Siegburg, Germany.
        
    The impetus behind the demand for color management services has come from the need among printers to increase quality in an intensely competitive market. Proper control over the use of color can also help reduce printing costs and improve margins at a time of pressure on margins.
        
    Digitalization, particularly advances in digital proofing, has accelerated the introduction of color matching systems into the prepress area. The development of user-friendly spectrophotometers, densitometers, colorimeters and other measuring devices has helped spread color management throughout the printing process.
        
    Effective color management requires integrated systems which measure color along the whole production line. Differences between the inkjet inks in proofing machines and inks on the printing presses necessitate the use of equipment in the print shop which not only monitors color but takes into account characteristics of the ink, paper and plastic substrates.
        
    Press manufacturers provide spectrophotometers, densitometers and other measuring equipment, which are attached to the presses to read the colorimetric values during printing.
        
    Some printers have found that installing color measuring and monitoring equipment is not sufficient. They have decided to overhaul working practices and operating systems throughout their businesses so that color management becomes a matter of complete process control.

    Opportunities for Ink Companies



    Ink companies have found that not many printers know exactly what color management systems they want. Instead, they tend to turn to their ink suppliers for help.
        
    “We are often the suppliers they know best so we are the ones who they will ask first for advice,” said a technical manager at one ink maker.
        
    Flint Group has been concentrating on providing training for staff throughout the production chain in printing companies so that they can all comprehend better the complexities of color management.
        
    “We run different types of training courses to meet various needs,” said Mr. Frank. “The bigger print companies, which have been the first to adopt color management practice, tend to know the most. But the smaller ones are still not very interested in color standardization.”
        
    Siegwerk’s web offset business unit is focusing on assistance with the handling of data about the hue, transparency and color strength of inks on the basis of norms of the International Standards Organisation (ISO).
        
    “This includes comparisons of different ink types as well as different paper grades and their combinations,” said Mr. Josten. “The advantage for printers is that they get information they couldn’t mostly collect themselves. Compliance with international standards is becoming more and more important for our customers.”
        
    A few ink companies are particularly well placed to provide a relatively comprehensive color management service because they are backward integrated into pigment production while they also have lengthy experience in color quality services.
        
    Toyo Ink is using its long-standing reputation as a creator of process color standards as a base from which to extend its ink business in Europe into the region’s sheetfed offset market.
        
    The Japanese company, which has been making pigments in Europe for the local market for many years, has avoided making big inroads into the regional ink sector because it was unwilling to compete with its major pigment customers. Now it has abandoned this policy since many of the big ink makers in Europe, like Sun Chemical, Flint Group and Huber Group, have themselves become backward integrated into pigments.
        
    Within the next few months, Toyo Ink is planning to introduce across Europe its Kaleido offset ink range. By extending the gamut of the four process colors cyan, magenta, yellow and black (CMYK) close to those of the three-color model red, green and blue (RGB), Kaleido bridges the gap between RGB-based prepress equipment and CMYK-centered sheetfed presses.
        
    Kaleido cannot be applied properly without the aid of color measuring equipment and standards. However, this is not a problem for Toyo because it is already a big brand name in color management. Toyo Color Finder is a top digitalized color matching system accessible through global graphics software programs such as Adobe and Quark.
        
    “In Japan and the rest of Asia, we are as well known for our color standard as Pantone is in North America and Europe,” noted Peter Beerten, senior sales manager at Toyo Ink Europe, Brussels. “We’ve had 80 years of experience in color standards and already have a big reputation for our expertise in color among professionals in the European graphics industry.
        
    “Through our Color Finder system, which makes available 1,050 different colors, we can provide efficient color matching from the design stage through prepress to final print because we not only produce the inks but the pigments as well,” he added.
        
    Sun Chemical is helping global brand owners upgrade the efficiency of their systems for management of spot colors in packaging. It believes that its expertise in aspects like the performance of inks on different substrates gives it a distinct advantage over providers of color quality services from outside the ink sector.
        
    “We make the colors through our inks and pigments and we know the substrates on which they are printed and different printing processes,” said Patrice Aurenty, Sun Chemical’s general manager for color management in Europe. “We are not talking just about numbers but what is really happening with the colors. We are also able to do more in the color management field than other ink manufacturers because we have a global reach. We can help ensure that a brand owner’s brochure has the same quality of color quality whether it is printed in Asia, North America or Europe.”
        
    Recently, Sun Chemical has advised a big brand owner on how to rationalize its palette of spot colors for its packaging by reducing them from several thousand colors to just approximately 1,000 colors. Sun Chemical then gathered colorimetric data for each of the colors according to different printing processes and substrates, and has produced the related physical color standards for use across the whole chain.
         
    “We have been able to decrease the size of this brand owner’s palette to an acceptable level,” said Mr. Aurenty. “In this way it has been able to save million of dollars because the standardized data for each color has been communicated down the workflow chain. There are far fewer color rejections, less reworking and increased speed of product launches.”
        
    Sun Chemical has also been advising international standards committees on how to make sure that new standards for process colors will actually work in practice.
        
    “We advised a committee that one part of a standard they wanted to introduce was not achievable because of the nature of inks and pigments,” explained Andy Hadaway, Sun Chemical’s technical manager for color management in Europe. “The committee requested that equal amounts of CMYK colors would give neutral colors. We had to advise that pigment chemistry did not make this possible.”
        
    The knowledge ink companies have about the variables in color quality stemming from different inks, substrates and printing processes give them a unique position in the color management market.
        
    “We can provide the reality check,” said Mr. Aurenty. “We can look at the colorimetric numbers and show that they are not enough to provide the color quality which is expected.”
    Related Searches
    • sun chemical
    • sheetfed
    • flint group
    • inkjet
    Related Knowledge Center
    • Testing, Color and QC
    Suggested For You
    The Packaging Ink Market Continues to Thrive The Packaging Ink Market Continues to Thrive
    Kevin Bergeson – Flint Group Kevin Bergeson – Flint Group
    Flint Group Narrow Web and Xeikon to collaborate at Label Summit Latin America Flint Group Narrow Web and Xeikon to collaborate at Label Summit Latin America
    FTA Annual Forum Takes Deep Dive into Inks and Coatings FTA Annual Forum Takes Deep Dive into Inks and Coatings
    RRD to Exhibit at FFTA INFO*FLEX 2017 RRD to Exhibit at FFTA INFO*FLEX 2017
    Flint Group Demonstrates New Technology at 2017 FTA INFO*FLEX Flint Group Demonstrates New Technology at 2017 FTA INFO*FLEX
    Dover Acquires Caldera Graphics SAS Dover Acquires Caldera Graphics SAS
    Sun Chemical to Present Metal Deco Ink Solutions at Aerosol and Dispensing Forum 2017 Sun Chemical to Present Metal Deco Ink Solutions at Aerosol and Dispensing Forum 2017
    Thoughts on 2016 and Beyond at Pulse Roll Label Products Thoughts on 2016 and Beyond at Pulse Roll Label Products
    Pulse Roll Label Products Appoints Mikaela Harding as Product Manager Pulse Roll Label Products Appoints Mikaela Harding as Product Manager
    Toyo Ink to Feature Kaleido-inspired Attraction at Tokyo Designers Week Toyo Ink to Feature Kaleido-inspired Attraction at Tokyo Designers Week
    Flint Group Completes Next Phase of REACH Registrations Ahead of Dec.1 Deadline Flint Group Completes Next Phase of REACH Registrations Ahead of Dec.1 Deadline
    Raw Material Supply, Cost Issues Are Major Concerns for Ink Companies Raw Material Supply, Cost Issues Are Major Concerns for Ink Companies
    The Year in Review The Year in Review

    Related Features

    • Ink Manufacturers News | Printers News | Suppliers News | Testing, Color and QC

      The Importance of Color

      Color is a crucial influence in the making of buying decisions because of its vital role in brand identification.
      Sean Milmo, European Editor 01.19.18

    • Additives | Energy-Curable Materials | Flushed Colors and Pigments | Graphic Arts Coatings | Ink Manufacturers News | Inkjet Inks and Toners | Packaging Flexo Inks | Packaging Gravure Inks | Resins | Sheetfed Inks | Specialty Inks | Testing, Color and QC | UV and EB Inks
      2017 NPIRI Technical Conference Looks at Packaging, Technical, Regulatory Issues

      2017 NPIRI Technical Conference Looks at Packaging, Technical, Regulatory Issues

      Opportunities for digital printing of packaging, legislative efforts in US and new technologies are also highlighted.
      David Savastano, Editor 11.20.17

    • Additives | Energy-Curable Materials | Energy-Curing Equipment | Flushed Colors and Pigments | Metallics and Special Effects Pigments | Mills and Mixers | Resins | Suppliers News | Testing, Color and QC | Vehicles and Varnishes | Waxes
      The 2018 Buyers

      The 2018 Buyers' Guide

      Ink World’s Annual Buyers' Guide has it all, from additives, pigments, resins, varnishes and waxes to equipment and services.
      09.20.17


    • Additives | Conductive Inks and Printed Electronics | Energy-Curable Materials | Energy-Curing Equipment | Flushed Colors and Pigments | Graphic Arts Coatings | Ink Manufacturers News | Inkjet Inks and Toners | Marking and Pad Printing Inks | Metallics and Special Effects Pigments | Mills and Mixers | News Inks | Packaging Flexo Inks | Packaging Gravure Inks | Printers News | Publication Gravure Inks | Publication Offset Inks | Resins | Screen Inks | Sheetfed Inks | Specialty Inks | Suppliers News | Testing, Color and QC | UV and EB Inks | Vehicles and Varnishes | Waxes
      Ink Industry Gathers for  NAPIM’s 2017 Annual Convention

      Ink Industry Gathers for NAPIM’s 2017 Annual Convention

      Convention covers a wide range of topics, from human resources and manufacturing to emerging markets.
      David Savastano, Editor 05.15.17

    • Additives | Conductive Inks and Printed Electronics | Energy-Curable Materials | Energy-Curing Equipment | Flushed Colors and Pigments | Graphic Arts Coatings | Ink Manufacturers News | Inkjet Inks and Toners | Marking and Pad Printing Inks | Metallics and Special Effects Pigments | Mills and Mixers | News Inks | Packaging Flexo Inks | Packaging Gravure Inks | Printers News | Publication Gravure Inks | Publication Offset Inks | Resins | Screen Inks | Sheetfed Inks | Specialty Inks | Suppliers News | Testing, Color and QC | UV and EB Inks | Vehicles and Varnishes | Waxes
      Regulatory Issues, New Technologies are Focus of 2016 NPIRI Technical Conference

      Regulatory Issues, New Technologies are Focus of 2016 NPIRI Technical Conference

      Attendees learn about latest regulatory rules for inks and food packaging, as well as growth areas such as digital inks.
      David Savastano, Editor 11.21.16

    • Additives | Energy-Curable Materials | Energy-Curing Equipment | Flushed Colors and Pigments | Metallics and Special Effects Pigments | Mills and Mixers | Resins | Suppliers News | Testing, Color and QC | Vehicles and Varnishes | Waxes
      The 2017 Buyers

      The 2017 Buyers' Guide

      From additives, pigments, resins, varnishes and waxes to equipment and services, Ink World’s Annual Buyers' Guide has it all
      09.27.16


    • Additives | Conductive Inks and Printed Electronics | Energy-Curable Materials | Energy-Curing Equipment | Flushed Colors and Pigments | Graphic Arts Coatings | Inkjet Inks and Toners | Metallics and Special Effects Pigments | Mills and Mixers | News Inks | Packaging Flexo Inks | Packaging Gravure Inks | Publication Gravure Inks | Publication Offset Inks | Resins | Screen Inks | Sheetfed Inks | Specialty Inks | Testing, Color and QC | UV and EB Inks | Vehicles and Varnishes | Waxes
      American Coatings Show and Conference

      American Coatings Show and Conference

      This biennial exhibition and technical program provides a platform for industry professionals to highlight research results.
      Kerry Pianoforte, Coatings World Editor 03.29.16

    • Additives | Conductive Inks and Printed Electronics | Energy-Curable Materials | Energy-Curing Equipment | Flushed Colors and Pigments | Graphic Arts Coatings | Inkjet Inks and Toners | Marking and Pad Printing Inks | Metallics and Special Effects Pigments | Mills and Mixers | News Inks | Packaging Flexo Inks | Packaging Gravure Inks | Publication Gravure Inks | Publication Offset Inks | Resins | Screen Inks | Sheetfed Inks | Specialty Inks | Testing, Color and QC | UV and EB Inks | Vehicles and Varnishes | Waxes
      Packaging, Regulatory Talks Highlight 2015 NPIRI Technical Conference

      Packaging, Regulatory Talks Highlight 2015 NPIRI Technical Conference

      Food packaging issues, new technologies are among key topics the ink industry is facing.
      Dave Savastano, Editor 11.30.15

    • Additives | Energy-Curable Materials | Energy-Curing Equipment | Flushed Colors and Pigments | Metallics and Special Effects Pigments | Mills and Mixers | Resins | Testing, Color and QC | Vehicles and Varnishes | Waxes
      2016 Annual Buyers’ Guide

      2016 Annual Buyers’ Guide

      Ink World’s Annual Buyers’ Guide has what you need, including additives, pigments, resins, varnishes, waxes and equipment.
      10.01.15


    • Additives | Conductive Inks and Printed Electronics | Energy-Curable Materials | Energy-Curing Equipment | Flushed Colors and Pigments | Graphic Arts Coatings | Inkjet Inks and Toners | Marking and Pad Printing Inks | Metallics and Special Effects Pigments | Mills and Mixers | News Inks | Packaging Flexo Inks | Packaging Gravure Inks | Publication Gravure Inks | Publication Offset Inks | Resins | Screen Inks | Sheetfed Inks | Specialty Inks | Testing, Color and QC | UV and EB Inks | Vehicles and Varnishes | Waxes
      NAPIM Celebrates 100th Anniversary During Annual Convention

      NAPIM Celebrates 100th Anniversary During Annual Convention

      Celebrates ‘Century of Success: Commitment to the Future’.
      Dave Savastano, Editor 05.20.15

    • Additives | Energy-Curable Materials | Energy-Curing Equipment | Flushed Colors and Pigments | Metallics and Special Effects Pigments | Mills and Mixers | Resins | Testing, Color and QC | Vehicles and Varnishes | Waxes
      International Distributors Guide

      International Distributors Guide

      A select listing of companies that distribute raw materials and equipment used to manufacture paint and coatings industry.
      10.06.14

    • Additives | Energy-Curable Materials | Energy-Curing Equipment | Flushed Colors and Pigments | Metallics and Special Effects Pigments | Mills and Mixers | Resins | Testing, Color and QC | Vehicles and Varnishes | Waxes
      The Buyer’s Guide

      The Buyer’s Guide

      From adhesion promoters to zinc oxide and attritors to waste management services, Ink World’s Annual Buyer’s Guide has everything you may need, as well as important information on suppliers, distributors and trade associations.
      Dave Savastano, Editor 09.01.14

    • Testing, Color and QC
      Ink Companies Ally with Equipment, Software Suppliers on Color Systems

      Ink Companies Ally with Equipment, Software Suppliers on Color Systems

      More high powered branding, changes in shopping patterns and new regulations in sectors like pharmaceuticals are accelerating the need for even more effective color management in packaging in Europe
      Sean Milmo, European Editor 11.15.12

    • Additives | Energy-Curable Materials | Energy-Curing Equipment | Flushed Colors and Pigments | Metallics and Special Effects Pigments | Mills and Mixers | Resins | Testing, Color and QC | Vehicles and Varnishes | Waxes
      The Buyers

      The Buyers' Guide

      From adhesion promoters to zinc oxide and attritors to waste management services, Ink World’s Annual Buyers’ Guide has everything you may need, as well as important information on suppliers, distributors and trade associations.
      Staff 09.27.12

    • Additives | Energy-Curable Materials | Energy-Curing Equipment | Flushed Colors and Pigments | Metallics and Special Effects Pigments | Mills and Mixers | Resins | Testing, Color and QC | Vehicles and Varnishes | Waxes

      The 2011 Buyers' Guide

      Ink World's Annual Buyers' Guide has everything you may need, from adhesion promoters to zinc oxide and attritors to waste management services, as well as important information on suppliers, distributors and trade associations.
      Staff 09.22.11

    Breaking News
    • INX International Debuts AquaTech ION X Ink at FTA Info*Flex
    • KBA-Asia Pacific Expands Sales Team for Flexo Presses
    • J.S. McCarthy Adds KODAK NEXPRESS ZX3300 Digital Color Press
    • Probo Invests in Four Durst P5 Systems
    • Heidelberg, Partner Companies Present Latest Technologies for Secure Documents
    View Breaking News >
    CURRENT ISSUE

    March/April 2018

    • The North American Top 20 Ink Report
    • Pigment Market Growth Expected, But Challenges Remain Ahead
    • The Conductive Ink and Materials Market
    • The 2018 European Ink Review
    • India’s Packaging Ink Market is Thriving
    • Environmentally Friendly Inks will Grow Much Faster in 2018
    • Hammer Packaging is an ‘Engineering Company’ That Produces Labels
    • Hapa Ink Brings Expertise to the Pharmaceutical, Medical Markets
    • View More >

    Copyright © 2018 Rodman Media. All rights reserved. Use of this constitutes acceptance of our privacy policy The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Rodman Media.