Why Embracing Standards in the Printing Industry is Important
CxF version 3, originally developed by X-Rite, has moved to a standard that can be used by everyone to share color data at all steps in the workflow, from brand owner through to production. ISO CxF/X (ISO 17972-1:2015) with additional parts provides a framework for exchanging everything from target data to spot color tone values. It ensures an accurate and efficient exchange of digital standards, measurements, and metadata.
Many companies and products have already benefited from CxF—the communication solution of choice; and now that it is an ISO standard, many more can share the advantages.
Sharing quality data
Known as PQX, Print Quality eXchange was developed by industry volunteers to facilitate transmission of performance data between the print supply chain, allowing brand owners to assess and track relevant production and quality data. PQX uses XML and incorporates CxF/X to carry measurement data plus additional metadata that CxF/X does not directly support.
Initiated as an IDEAlliance® project, PQX falls within a new series of workflow documents started in ISO TC130 and is currently in the testing phase. PQX is a great example of how industry experts are joining forces to do the necessary pre-work before presenting a technical specification or an international standard to the committees for review.
It doesn’t end there
These are just a few of the specifications and standards that are important for printers to understand. And since standards are constantly being updated and refined to support evolving printing challenges, it’s more important than ever to stay informed in order to remain competitive in the market.
You can find out more about what is happening in the world of standards by visiting the NPES workroom and the ISO TC130 list of published and in-process standards.
