RE: Xerox’s iGen4 has the colour accuracy to take digital print into packaging, Andrew Tribute, PrintWeek, 27 November 2009

In response to this article I emailed Andrew Tribute to clarify a point.

AT: “the really interesting comment came when comparing colour variance from iGen3 to iGen4: the variance was only one Delta E Colour, variance between offset presses typically measures between three and five Delta E.”

CJ: “I believe that I am correct in saying that digital print is not encompassed within the framework set out by 12647-2. However, as you talk of variance, which is an impressive level produced by the iGen4, is the target Delta E comparable to the one set out for offset? And as such how do the printed results compare to the naked eye?”

AT: “I really cannot answer the question as my quote was taken from the quality control manage of one of the leading and largest photobook suppliers in the world. They  have HP Indigo 5500, Xerox iGen3 and iGen4 presses. His comment was purely on measurement of the results on the iGen4 taking account of page to page repeatability over a run. Since the company does not run any offset they cannot comment on how the output compares. In terms of 12647 digital print is not covered within 12647-2 nor in any of the other iterations of 12647. One day perhaps it will be! Sorry I cannot be of more help.” He adds, “One additional point. The variance of 1 delta E is better than can be achieved by offset however this is not surprising as there are far fewer variables in the digital process than the offset process.”

Well it appears that that day is about to arrive as prompted by this article gleaned from Printspeak.

This lead me to check it out with the ISO and it would appear that ISO12647-8 is ‘under review’ – The dawn of another new era I suspect!