Colour Process

Cleaning up the NEC SpectraView Confusion Once and For All

There has been a lot of confusion recently surrounding the NEC SpectraView II calibration software and the NEC SpectraView Reference PA series. Both products are part of the NEC colour critical product line, so why the need for product comparisons?

NEC SpectraView Software II vs. basICColor Monitor Calibration Software

The NEC SpectraView II software, for the MultiSync panel product line, was developed for the North American market based specifically on their industry needs.

The NEC SpectraView panel and Profiler 4.1 software based on the basICColor Display 4.1 software was developed for the European market to compete with the EIZO ColorEdge colour critical monitor.

The Australian users have a unique opportunity as they can choose between the two software products options which deliver the same hardware monitor calibration for both the NEC MultiSync 90 and PA series.

The key advantage of the basICColor monitor software is that it surpasses the German printing industry expectations for monitor soft proofing. It also has the added advantage of being able to drive any two monitors connected to the same machine. These attributes ensure that it is the most versatile calibration option.

Current users of the basICColor Display 4.1 monitor calibration software will receive a 50% discount on their purchase of a second and any further licenses from ColourProcess.

For more on the basICColor and NEC MultiSync calibration software

NEC SpectraView Reference PA Series Confusion

There has been some confusion surrounding the NEC SpectraView monitors. The terminology used for the NEC SpectraView Ref PA241, NEC SpectraView Ref PA271 and NEC SpectraView Ref PA301 ensures that all three monitors fall under the specifically assigned European product line. This line was developed to compete against the EIZO ColorEdge product line. To ensure that they are able to effectively compete all monitors in this PA series product line undergo a very tight certification process.

ColourProcess is offering a $50 discount on all published prices for the NEC MultiSync PA series until the end of August.Check out the monitors and prices now at our new NEC Monitors webpage.

ColourProcess will always ensure clients are provided with the products of the highest quality to meet their specific needs from the two product lines.

For more on the discounted NEC PA series

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What has ColourProcess Been Up to Lately?

As promised, in this month’s newsletter Yves Roussange discusses his experience at IPEX 2010. In the first part of our two part newsletter series Yves’s comments on why ColourProcess felt it was an important investment to attend the trade show and the notable event standouts. In addition, ColourProcess recently introduced the NEC SpectraView Reference PA monitor series. Find out more about the latest NEC monitor series available now from ColourProcess, currently with a $50 discount.

IPEX 2010 : Yves Roussange comments on his visit to the event

1. Why did ColourProcess decide it was important to attend IPEX 2010?
“I felt it was important for ColourProcess to attend IPEX 2010 to get a feel for how the market is performing in this difficult economic time. IPEX was being attended by many key players from Europe and further afield and thus it was a good opportunity for ColourProcess to gauge the confidence of those individuals in the industry. It was the first time I had attended an IPEX event compared to the seven times I have attended DRUPA. Thus, I felt it was time to see what IPEX had to offer. The global print industry is still in a period of transformation with no obvious market evolution. I felt it was important to explore this further and IPEX 2010 came at the right time to do so”.

2. Who were the standouts at IPEX 2010?
“The one major stand out at IPEX 2010 was the latest ink jet printer innovation. The B2 format (4 page sheet fit) machine, which sells for over € 1.000.000 (A$ 1,428,570.00) and has a speed capacity of 2,500 sheets per hour is the technology I am referring to. During my free time at the event I spoke to numerous printers about this new technology. Specifically, we discussed the lifecycle of this machine (3 years) and how it would fit into the business model of interested printers.

Unfortunately, there weren’t many interested investors. People are all focused on the possibility of buying the same technology, in four years time (for example) with a 30% reduction in price and a 50% capacity increase. Investors are only thinking about the short term financial outlay without considering the long terms benefits of investing in a superior printing technology. People walk around these trade show events without a purpose, staying in the middle of each aisle choosing not to learn or attempt to understand the future benefits of these technologies. Until this trend is broken, event standouts will remain without investment”.

Next month – Yves Roussange discussed IPEX as an industry turning point and digital vs. offset printing

Latest NEC SpectraView Reference PA Series Monitors Now Available

The latest NEC SpectraView Reference monitors are available to order from ColourProcess. These monitors are the next revolution for soft proofing. The SpectraView Reference PA series monitors included;

> SpectraView Reference PA241W

> SpectraView Reference PA271W

> SpectraView Reference PA301W

ColourProcess is offering a $50 discount on the published price of all NEC PA series items until the end of August. Don’t miss out on getting your own, brand new monitor at a discounted price. Visit our brand new NEC webpage now!

For more on the latest NEC SpectraView Reference PA Series Monitors at a $50 discount

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Correctly converting Microsoft Office PDF files to CMYK for printing

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What Should You be Investing in as the Economy Picks Up?

In previous newsletters the topic of investment choices has been discussed. This months newsletter delves further into software and hardware investments. The latest NEC monitors are now available from ColourProcess. Find out how the two new monitors can enhance your workplace capabilities. A second discussion follows the debate about the increase in companies hiring permanent staff. Is this the direction in which companies should be moving?

Latest NEC SpectraView Reference Monitors PA241W and PA271W Now Available

The latest NEC SpectraView Monitors are now available to order from ColourProcess. They have been added to the current list of monitors sold by ColourProcess.

There are a number of key enhanced features;

• Ultra thin frame to improve horizontal and vertical desktop space for multi monitor applications

• Advanced colour uniformity system monitor – Colourcomp

• Rapid Response and Rapid Motion technology

• Redesigned controls for improved ease of use

• Height adjustable stand

For more on the latest NEC SpectraView PA241W and PA271W

Who Should or Shouldn’t We Be Hiring?

In recent months the media has been heavily focused on Australia’s positive growth progress. One consequence of this positive growth is the dilema surrounding hiring new staff. Is this the most effective way an organisation should be exploring its growth potential?

A recent Desktop Magazine blog titled “4 stages of Recovery” discussed the issue of hiring. With the extended economic uncertainty for the photography and creative industry organisations are hiring increasing numbers of freelance staff. This reduces costs, however the down side in doing so is the challenge presented by the high image quality expectations of the company and clients that the temporary staff have to meet over such a short time frame.

ColourProcess understands the issues associated with using freelance staff and quailty inconsistencies. We also understand that many organisations are not able to hire more permanent staff due to economic uncertainty. ColourProcess has a number of products now available which allows organisations to use freelance staff whilst ensuring consistency with colour quality management.

Workflow technologies allow organisations to develop standardized image quality and colour controls. A freelance photographer is therefore able to put an image through a standardized workflow and create a perfectly specified image for a specific publication. This saves error retouching time. An organisation therefore does not have to hire a permanent staff member to ensure image consistency.

For more on ColourProcess workflow technologies

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ImageBOX

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Which Investments are the Most Important?

It is becoming increasingly difficult to chose what to investment in. In this month’s newsletter we look at the importance of investing in training. Another area of investment, trade shows, is also looked at as ColourProcess’s offers tips for attending trade show events.

The Importance of Training

In last month’s newsletter we introduced the importance of investing in software products to enhance the efficiency of hardware. This month we extend the topic to identify the importance of pairing product installation and training.

After software has been purchased, organisations are continuing to neglect the importance of extensive, specific training. Companies are aware that training is necessary but only offer it at a basic level. This is not enough to ensure that a product is able to function at its full capacity. 80% of all equipment being sold is not utilized to its full potential because of poor installation processes which lack enough specific training.

Eighteen months ago ColourProcess installed a multi-million dollar printing facility with brand new software. The new installation process increased the hardware productivity by 200% as this was paired with extensive product research and training. This was also achieved as the operator, ColourProcess, fully understood the technology and its potential.

ColourProcess understands the importance of updating software and aligning this with specific and extensive training. An organisation that conducts training themselves is unlikely to see their products working above 60% of their potential capacity. ColourProcess are experts in the industry, with over 25 years experience and can offer a superior level of training quality and knowledge.

For more on ColourProcess Training and Support

Are Industry Trade Shows a Must?

As Europe enters late Spring and Summer (if you can call it that) the trade shows begin. It is always difficult to identify which are the most worthwhile shows to attend. What sets one apart from the rest and how can you ensure that you get the most out of attending?

Europe has continued to be the number one destination for trade shows, but other countries are becoming increasingly involved. Australia has a growing number of trade expos in a variety of major cities. Asia is also developing its trade show offering. ProPak Asia is to be held in June in Bangkok, Thailand and the Shanghai International AD & Sign Technology & Equipment Exhibition will be held in the new Shanghai International Expo Center.

To ensure you get the most out of attending a trade show plan ahead. It is important to spend time online, looking at timings and key show exhibitors. Identify the most important show attendance outcomes; networking, purchasing products or to looking at the competition. Think about all of these before attending the show.

ColourProcess is attending a number of key trade shows in Europe in Spring. We consider it an important investment opportunity, allowing us to update our knowledge and  further develop our international networks. It will enhance our client service offering and ensure that we remain at the forefront of market innovation and knowledge.

Next month : IPEX 2010 Trade Show Visit

For more on the latest ColourProcess news

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Print Organisations Philosophies Must Change Before It’s Too Late

This months newsletter discusses two major issues within the print industry. More and more organisations are forgetting about the importance of remaining up to date with the latest industry innovations. Without these, production capacity will not reach 50%. Last months topic of troubling times in the print industry caused a stir, find out more this month.

How Much is Inefficiency Costing You?

This is a very concerning situation. Companies are buying half a million dollars worth of hardware equipment without acknowledging RIP, automation or workflow technologies which will streamline their hardware productivity to reach 100% of its efficiency.

Software products such as RIP, automation and workflow technologies are the brains that drive the efficiency of the half a million dollars worth of hardware equipment. These software products are still not considered to be a main investment choice for business owners.

ColourProcess understands the importance of software investments in achieving 100% efficiency capacity of hardware. ColourProcess offers a variety of software solutions to drive hardware efficiency which would allow you to maximise your hardware investments.

For more on RIP technologies

For more on workflows and automation

Troubling Times in the Australian Printing Industry : Part 2

Last months newsletter introduced the topic; “Troubling Times in the Australian Printing Industry”. Since then we have received some interesting feedback; the majority asking about the direction of the printing industry.

Printers are scared to invest; but it’s more than just that. They are unsure about how they should invest and what they should invest in. With so many directions they could choose to go, offset, digital, inkjet and iPad which one should be the winner?

Printers need to go back to the basics. Rethink from scratch what printing and the industry is all about. They need to consider the longevity of their current investments. They need to identify other companies who are able to complement their products and services until the current cloudy skies clear. ColourProcess is unable to predict the future of the print industry, however for the last two years we have remained focused on innovation and so far it has being paying off for us and our clients.

ColourProcess is the light of innovation in the print industry. With our international networks and long term vision focused on efficiency, we will keep the innovation flame burning.

For more on ColourProcess

For more on the latest thoughts of ColourProcess

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Enhance your Photography Success Part 2

This is the second in a two part blog series discussing our latest photography bundle service. The latest hot topic pits photographers equipment against their knowledge of the game and ColourProcess weighs in. The HeadOn festival is finally here. Learn how you can get free advice and tips from ColourProcess experts.

SpectraView Profiler : ColourProcess’s New Photography Bundle

Last month ColourProcess introduced its latest service, a new photography bundle. The interest in April’s newsletter article pitching the SpectraView Profiler against SpectraView II has fueled further analysis of one of the bundled products superiority.

The best way to explain the difference between SpectraView Profiler and the SpectraView II software for the NEC MultiSync PA241W and PA271W is to discuss the boundaries of calibration.

• The SpectraView II software can only calibrate NEC MultiSync panel hardware.
• The SpectraView Profiler however, can calibrate the NEC MultiSync panel hardware as well as a second display connected to the same computer. Furthermore it can be used on another machine and panel.

By using the same application across your whole studio it will give you the best monitor calibration.

For more on the NEC SpectraViewProfiler

For more on ColourProcess’s latest photography bundle

Latest Equipment vs. Knowledge and Experience

The photography industry is consistently flooded with innovative technologies and equipment. Is it all about having the latest equipment? The recent economic crisis has hit everyone hard especially those in self run businesses. This has caused people in the photography industry to rethink their investment options.

ColourProcess is of the belief that understanding the fundamentals is vital in order to produce the best images. Having the latest technology options is all well and good, but if you do not understand the extent of a products capabilities then the overall process with be functioning at below 50% of its potential.

ColourProcess offers numerous highly innovative photography hardware and software products but believes fundamentals should always come first.

For more on innovative photography software

HeadOn Festival Opens Its Doors

The HeadOn Festival is finally here! The winner of the Portrait Prize and the recipient of an amazing ColourProcess photography technology bundle was announced by Peter Garret on Friday 30th April.

The exhibition of this year’s finest photographs commenced on Friday 30th April and will finish on the Saturday 5th June.

An additional, complementary event is to be held on Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th May at the National Art School in Darlinghurst. The event is a two day seminar showcasing the latest technologies and products for professional and non-professional photographers. The seminar will run, each day, from 10:00am till 5:00pm.

ColourProcess will be attending the two day seminar event offering photographers the opportunity to test out the latest innovations and learn more about the extensive services available at ColourProcess.

For more on support offered by ColourProcess

For more on the 2 day HeadOn Festival seminar

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Converting four colour black text to pure black

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Enhance your Photography Success

In last month’s Photography newsletter we discussed the new photography service now offered.  This is the first in a two part blog series discussing the advantages of using the photography bundle service.

Caldera SnapRIP+ : ColourProcess New Photography Bundle

Caldera SnapRIP+ is a highly innovative software product for photographers who are looking for productive RASTER printing solutions for their Epson, Cannon and HP printers.

A key feature of the SnapRIP+ software is the ability to layout multiple photographic images, whether they are RGB or CMYK, to create a single composite page to a specified paper size. This allows photographers to merge, nest, rotate and combine both RGB and CMYK images with different file formats using manual or numeric positioning.

SnapRIP+ also preservers the embedded ICC profile attached to each image file maintaining its correct colour space.

For more on the new ColourProcess photography bundle

For more on Caldera SnapRIP+

NEC Spectraview Profiler 2 vs. NEC Spectraview II

The difference between the SpectraView Profiler 2 and the SpectraView II lies in the calibration methodology used. The SpectraView Profiler 2 software is based on the advanced technology used for the ” fogra Pre-certified ” SpectraView Reference monitors. The SpectraView II does not adopt this same advanced technology.

When purchasing SpectraView Profiler 2 bundle, through ColourProcess, you are investing in a higher level of colour accuracy and validation processing as well as superior after sales support by colour experts.

ColourProcess introduced the NEC SpectraView monitors to the Australian market in 2007 to compete with the EIZO ColorEdge monitors for the colour critical market.

ColourProcess endorses the SpectraView Profiler 2 over the SpectraView II because the product continues to outperform the colour accuracy of the EIZO ColorEdge monitors.

Advantages of the SpectraView Profiler

• User friendly interface
• 1024 bit grey level calibration
• Best support in Australia
• Easy to manage for IT departments
• Can calibrate both displays connected to your laptop
• 50% discount for each additional license
• fogra Pre-Cert for softproofing

For more on NEC Spectraview Profiler 2

HeadOn Festival Applications Close

Applications to the HeadOn festival portrait prize have now closed.

ColourProcess is the second biggest contributor of the HeadOn Portrait Prize donating NEC SpectraView monitors, SnapRIP+ by Caldera and basICColor products being offered to the winners.

HeadOn Festival is less than a month away starting on April 29th 2010.

For more on Caldera and SnapRIP+

For more on basICColour products

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Enhance Your Printing Efficiency

The third and final part of our printing efficiency blog trilogy looks at the effect of PDF file ink weights on printing efficiency. Our printing efficiency blogs aimed to enhance the understanding of the printing workflow process and the level of colour insight and output associated with PDF files.

PDF Ink Weight Efficiency Issues

A brief example has been included to illustrate this issue appropriately. A 48-page document with an ink weight of 280% up to 360% will have a big impact on the ink distribution, the water balance and significantly influence the stability  of the print run. Excessive ink on a document will also affect the drying time of a job.

By addressing the ink weight of a PDF document at the prepress stage, the press stability and make-ready time will be reduced significantly. This will save time, copy wastage and money. Additionally, it will enhance the quality of the printed document.

How can you increase your press efficiency and save?

• Develop uniformity of ink distribution
• Enhance make-ready time
• Improved print run stability
• Reduce paper wastage
• Convert PDF files into ISOcoated-V2 with optimum ink weight
• Reduce drying time for coated and uncoated stocks

By enhancing your press efficiency it is possible to save a significant amount of ink as well as improve the overall colour quality of prints.

For more on how to resolve PDF ink printing efficiency

For more on InksaverBOX

Troubling Times in the Australian Printing Industry

The Australian printing industry is going through a period of innovation stagnation. The recent news of Pettaras Press falling into the hands of administrators further highlights the fragility of the industry. ColourProcess is determined to maintain its corporate growth identity; “driven by innovation”.  These events may prove, more than ever, that innovation is the key to success.

As the European printing industry drives ahead with comprehensive ISO printer certification and advancing automation systems, the Australian industry is lagging further behind. Unless something changes soon, the gap will extend beyond the point of repair.

For more on ISO printer certification

For more on advanced automation systems

Tip of the Month

Elpical-Claro Layout

HD Video

For more on Elpical/Claro Layout