X-Rite Introduces Ink Formulation Software Version 6.3 for Printers and Converters at drupa

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — May 18, 2016 — X-Rite Inc., a global leader in color science and technology, and its subsidiary Pantone LLC, has announced InkFormulation software version 6.3 providing professional color formulation for printers, converters and ink manufacturers. X-Rite’s InkFormulation software is the industry leading solution for ink color recipe creation, storage, approval and retrieval for offset, flexographic, gravure and screen-printing inks. X-Rite will demonstrate its InkFormulation software at drupa 2016.

“Whether creating new recipes quickly based on high-quality match criteria, or repurposing pressroom leftover inks, X-Rite’s InkFormulation is the trusted technology for the packaging world,” said Iain Pike, Product Portfolio Manager, X-Rite Pantone. “In this latest version, we have streamlined the ability to exchange color data between InkFormulation, PantoneLIVE digital color libraries, and quality control software, such as ColorCert InkRoom and Color iQC. This new capability addresses an important need of our customers — the ability to integrate color specification and reporting into supply chain workflows to efficiently monitor print production and make ink corrections in real-time, thereby avoiding costly color errors.”

Critical Interface with Quality Control Software
With improved integration in InkFormulation version 6.3, ink professionals can quickly compare their formulations to a digital color reference stored in the PantoneLIVE ecosystem, a cloud-based repository of color libraries, or as a measured CxF standard. This automatically makes both the formula and reference data available to quality control software for a pass/fail analysis. If corrections are required, data can be fed back seamlessly to InkFormulation Software, where recipe corrections can be made. This speeds up the ink formulation process while reducing the risk for errors and providing added value to customers.

Improved Performance for On-Press Corrections
Ink formulation issues on press can be resolved more quickly, for flexographic and gravure printers. When press-side color measurements do not meet tolerances, and quality control software reports that tolerances cannot be met with the existing ink formulation, reformulation data is immediately sent to X-Rite InkFormulation software. The ink room can make appropriate adjustments and dispense the new formula, speeding up the correction process on press. This minimizes press downtime and keeps print quality high without the need for the press operator to be an ink expert.

New MIS Integration Capability
InkFormulation software 6.3 also features enhanced management information system (MIS) integration. This simplifies data interchange with MIS systems whereby the MIS system can request from InkFormulation software a new material number based on specifications and naming conventions defined in the MIS, or by referencing a multi-color CxF file stored in PantoneLIVE or elsewhere. This request then appears in the ink kitchen as a job with a target color requiring an ink recipe to be defined. Once the recipe is defined, InkFormulation software returns the recipe to the MIS with a bill of materials — a list of ingredients and the percentage for each.

“MIS integration helps to close the loop in a production workflow for everything from estimating to invoicing,” Pike comments, “making it easier to estimate ink consumption by job as well as to reuse existing ink formulations without the need to send a request to the ink kitchen. In addition, all ink recipes required for a given job can be linked to that job, streamlining the workflow even further. This will add significant value at many converter and ink sites.”

New Recipe Set Formulation
InkFormulation software 6.3 allows for the formulation of more than one recipe in the system. The new formulation tab enables formulation and correction of whole jobs coming from quality control software. This new capability will use tags to associate ink recipes to individual jobs.

X-Rite will showcase InkFormulation software version 6.3 at drupa 2016, May 31 through June 10 at the Düsseldorf Fairgrounds in Hall 8b A23.

X-Rite InkFormulation software version 6.3 will be available on a worldwide basis in late June 2016 through X-Rite channels and directly from X-Rite.

About PantoneLIVE
PantoneLIVE is a cloud-based solution that enables the universal Pantone Color language to be accurately communicated across the entire packaging workflow – from design concept to retail store shelves. PantoneLIVE extends the Pantone Plus Series Color Library, mapping critical color information to packaging-specific substrates. The PantoneLIVE ecosystem is supported by licensed hardware and software that enables each area of a packaging supply chain to access the same PantoneLIVE Colors, in addition to brand specific palettes. This results in consistent and repeatable color across product families, regardless of media or print technology, providing a cohesive brand approach.

About X-Rite
Founded in 1958, X-Rite Inc. is a global leader in color science and technology. With its wholly owned subsidiary Pantone, X-Rite employs more than 800 people in 11 countries. The company’s corporate headquarters are located in Grand Rapids, Mich., with regional headquarters in Europe and Asia and service centers across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and the Americas. X-Rite Pantone offers a full range of color management solutions used by manufacturers, retailers, printers, photographers and graphic design houses to achieve precise management and communication of color throughout their processes. X-Rite Pantone products and services are recognized standards in the printing, packaging, photography, graphic design, video, automotive, paints, plastics, textiles and medical industries.

About Pantone
Pantone LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of X-Rite Inc., has been the world’s color authority for nearly 50 years, providing design professionals with products and services for the colorful exploration and expression of creativity. Always a source for color inspiration, Pantone also offers paint and designer-inspired products and services for consumers.

Source: X-Rite.