Choosing the Right Color QC Software Package

Brand managers and print providers can take control of their color quality process by implementing a Color QC software solution.  Color QC software solutions are an essential tool in the pressroom to communicate job color standards and tolerances, provide PASS/FAIL feedback for operators, offer recommendations to quickly achieve desired color targets, and provide reporting of job color metrics to internal and external stakeholders such as brand customers.  Press-side and on-press color quality solutions are available in several varieties depending on the print technology being used. However, they all have the common goal of collecting color measurements, interpreting the data into clear, corrective actions for the operator, and ultimately slashing make-ready times in the pressroom.

The new expanded family of ChromaQA software solutions allows printers to choose the right set of features for their color production environment. The three distinct modules available are: ChromaQA Ink, ChromaQA Lite, and ChromaQA Suite.

ChromaQA INK – GLOBAL INK MANAGEMENT
This module is designed for packaging or commercial printers, of any size, that need a more efficient way to store, manage, and share color standards throughout their organization.  ChromaQA INK will save time and money by quickly locating colors for jobs and identifying when new colors and drawdowns must be created for customers.  In addition, the solution allows ink technicians to perform quality control tests on new batches of ink to ensure all colors are within specification before they reach the pressroom.

Screenshot from ChromaQA Ink Module – Easily Locate Your Colors

ChromaQA LITE – SIMPLIFIED SPOT COLOR MATCHING
Aimed at packaging printers who are looking for a more affordable solution that is easier to deploy in the pressroom and ink department, ChromaQA Lite is gaining popularity fast.  It provides a focused feature set that enables press operators to get up to color faster and stay on color throughout the press run.  Designed for ease of use, ChromaQA Lite provides color matching feedback that is easy to understand, actionable, and with clear pass/fail indications while job reporting facilitates communication with both internal quality groups and external brand customers.

Screenshot from ChromaQA Lite Module – Color Information at Your Fingertips

ChromaQA SUITE – EASIER PROCESS & SPOT COLOR MAKE-READIES
This is an enterprise color quality solution tailored for packaging printers who wish to improve the color accuracy of their ink supply chain, shorten pressroom make-readies, and ensure color consistency across each press run.  ChromaQA SUITE is designed for spot colors, 4C process work, ECG jobs, and tracking G7 compliance.  In addition, job reporting, data query, and customized scorecards provide visibility for external brand customers, internal quality managers, and facilitate continuous process improvements.

Screenshot from ChromQA Suite Module – Customizable Dashboard to Get Up to Color Faster