GRACoL 7
What is G7?
G7™ is a new calibration method developed to support the GRACoL 7 specification.
The "G" refers to calibrating Gray values, while the "7" refers to the seven primary color
values defined in the ISO 12647-2 printing standard: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black (K),
Red (M+Y), Green (C+Y) and Blue (C+M). Although originally intended for commercial
offset printing, the G7 method is applicable to virtually any CMYK imaging process and
has been successfully tested on a wide range of processes, including coated and
uncoated offset, newsprint, gravure, flexography, dye-sublimation, ink-jet, and
electro-photography, as well as a wide range of AM and FM screening methods.
New Vision Color Specialists
New Vision is pleased to announce that our color specialists are G7 certified GRACoL
expert consultants. They have completed an IDEAlliance certification program and are
among an elite group of professionals who are experts in the new GRACoL press
calibration process.
New Vision helps you achieve high-quality, accurate, and predictable color reproduction.
From input to output, we can close the loop for you through color management products,
services, and consultation. New Vision's color specialists help you select the best
products to fit your work environment. Our goal is to serve those in the printing,
publishing, and photography industries and ensure consistent color control.
New Vision has the industry's best installation, training, and certification programs.
Each color specialist performs an average of 80 installations a year and has over 20
years of experience supporting digital color solutions. By offering product certification
from these specialists, "startup time" often associated with new equipment or digital
solutions is reduced or eliminated.
G7 Calibration / Profiling Summary
A complete G7 calibration and profiling workflow consists of the following steps:
- Prepare the equipment and materials
- Print a calibration target (GRACoL P2P target)
- Compare printed Neutral Print Density Curve (NPDC) to reference NPDC
- Compare printed grey balance to reference grey balance
- Enter correction values into the RIP
- Test the calibration by running a new P2P target
- Print a characterization target to create an ICC profile for proofing devices (optional)
Time, Materials, and Tools Required
Time
The full-press calibration method requires two press runs, each approximately one to
two hours long, with a short break between (approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour) for
plate calibration. Both runs should be scheduled for the same day, with the same
equipment and press crew.
Paper
Approximately six-to-ten thousand sheets of paper will be needed, depending on
run efficiency.
Inks
Like most printing specifications, GRACoL 7 defines ink color according to ISO 2846-1.
However, in practice, it is more important that the inks – when printed on the actual
substrate being calibrated – measure as close as possible to the ISO 12647-2 values
for that paper type.
Targets and Images
A pre-assembled GRACoL 7 Calibration Press Form may be purchased from
www.printtools.org, or you can assemble your own form. You will want to discuss what
targets are required on the Press Form with your New Vision color specialist.
For more information, contact New Vision by phone (1.888.251.6018) and ask to speak
to a G7 color specialist or contact us via .
