IBM puts hardware and software vendors together in open colour initiative

28 October 2004

Hardware vendors Kodak, Lexmark, and Océ, and software application developers, COPI, DocuCorp International, Elixir Technologies, Exstream Software, GMC Software Technology, MPI, ISIS Papyrus, Printsoft and Metavante have all signed on to the initiative, which seeks to present itself as the premier variable data digital colour platform.

The open initiative will define the colour management architecture needed to enable businesses to develop comprehensive, device-dependent, colour applications, resources, and workflows that can be printed initially with high-quality gray scales and, eventually, with colour. The organization will address the full spectrum of technical specifications associated with printing in colour, taking the industry to a higher level in high volume variable data and transition printing.

"Success for a client doesn't rest with the printer itself, but with the client's ability to address a business need," said Jeff Paterra, vice president of development and professional services, IBM Printing Systems. "The AFP Colour Consortium brings together both AFP application providers and major AFP printer manufacturers to make AFP the premier presentation platform for variable data colour production print. IBM Printing Systems' open approach to defining this architecture in AFP will enable customers to evolve to a mixed environment of colour and monochrome printing under a single architecture and data stream."

Colour management capabilities are critical in delivering and managing effective colour implementations that process full colour, as well as printing to grayscale on monochrome printers. The AFP Colour Consortium is taking steps to extend the AFP architecture to guarantee a smooth convergence of production monochrome printing to production colour. As a part of this effort, three key objectives will be addressed:

  • Enable colour AFP application and resource development independent of print engine


  • Develop an architecture that allows applications to exploit the maximum printer capabilities


  • Finalize a formal extension to the AFP architecture from which all application providers and printer manufacturers can benefit.


AFP is both a software architecture - implemented in the device-independent AFP data stream and a hardware architecture - implemented in the device-dependent IPDS data stream. It is designed for system-managed printing - managing all print processes so that every spooled file prints completely and accurately, every time. It's implemented in software and hardware products - from IBM and other vendors - that take advantage of its benefits.