pressSIGN 12, developed by Bodoni Systems, is a G7® Certified software designed to measure, control, monitor, and evaluate color printing processes across various printing methods, including litho, flexo, gravure, screen, and digital. It’s built to help printers meet international standards like ISO 12647, GRACol G7, ISO 15339, SWOP, and Japan Color, while also allowing custom print standards based on CMYK ICC profiles or previously printed sheets. The software aims to reduce make-ready times, improve print quality, and enhance consistency.
Key Features of pressSIGN 12
Color Management and Standards Compliance:
Supports international printing standards and allows customization of print targets using CMYK ICC profiles or prior print jobs.
Automatically adjusts print targets based on the substrate’s white point, improving visual matching for proofs, especially when paper stocks deviate from standards.
Includes PANTONE™ libraries and the ability to create custom color libraries for solid spot colors and tints, with Visual Linear Targeting (VLT) for smooth blends.
Dynamic Density Adjustment (DDA):
Predicts optimal density adjustments to achieve the lowest Delta E (color difference) against the target, guiding operators on precise ink key adjustments for CMYK and spot colors.
Client Types:
Offers four client types: Pro, Standard, Digital, and Trends.
Pro: Provides detailed analysis tools, ink key adjustments, and tonal curve exports, ideal for manual process standardization in web offset, gravure, flexo, and screen printing.
Standard: Focuses on measuring and controlling printing devices with density and tonal curve adjustments.
Digital: A low-cost option for measuring sheets and adjusting digital RIP curves.
Trends: Used in pre-press/production offices to monitor performance, assign jobs, update curves, and generate reports without direct press-side measurement.
The software uses an SQL server-based architecture, allowing multiple clients to connect and monitor printing devices remotely.
Soft Proofing and Reporting:
Features a soft proofing tool to visually check jobs live from the press in pre-press or production offices.
Dynamic reports accessible via web browsers, offering insights into press, operator, and shift performance, as well as wastage tracking.
Tonal Curve Adjustments:
Supports three methods: Tonal Value Increase (TVI), 4CX, or Neutral Print Density (NPD), with export options to various RIP formats or AutoCurves for PDF workflows.
Integration and Compatibility:
Connects to scanning spectrophotometers (e.g., X-Rite Eye-One Pro, i1 Pro 2, Konica Minolta) and third-party closed-loop systems.
Supports macOS 10.12 (Sierra) and Windows (2000, XP, Vista), with minimal hardware requirements (512MB RAM, 1280×1024 monitor).
Allows data sharing via ISO 20616-2 PQX file format for interoperability with other print quality management systems.
Color Bar Generator:
Creates customizable color bars for CMYK and up to 12 spot colors, supporting standards like FOGRA/UGRA media wedge or GRACoL P2P.
Benefits
