Sole Aussie ISO finds like-minded standards

Long awaited ISO standards for the local printing industry have finally been approved for adoption by Standards Australia.

The three new formats in process control for half-tone colour separations, proof and production prints provide major step forward for the overall standardisation of printed materials. Although they are specifically for half-tone separations, they will also be taken on board by the digital sector, once more inflaming the contentious issue.

Luke Wooldridge (pictured), chairman of TC 130 Australia says it has been a long time coming but the committee has always aimed to introduce more standards to complement the existing Australian standard.

“These three ISO standards are part of the 12647 group and are designed to be implemented with each other in order to achieve optimal print quality.

“In six months time we will try to grow the number standards again by selecting more standards specific for process control, light and ink.

“With the adoption of these standards we aim to keep the Australian industry on the same footing as our international competitors, it also makes it easier for teaching institutions to include it into their curriculum for teaching apprentices,” he says.

The new standards will soon join the only current Australian ISO standard for graphic technology, AS ISO 12647-2, which was adopted in 2008 for the process control of offset presses.

Despite widespread support from influential players in the market, the 12647-2 standard only relates to the actual printed product, how the finished print should look, and does not specify other equally important aspects of the production chain such as proofing and measurement methods.

Grant Churchill, federal president of the LIA says it recognizes the importance of ISO printing standards as a competitive advantage for the Australian printing industry and is “fully supportive of the achievements being made by Australian TC 130 Colour Standards Committee.”

The complete names of the three ISO standards that will be directly adopted by Standards Australia are:

1. ISO 12647-7:2007 Graphic technology — Process control for the production of half-tone colour separations, proof and production prints — Part 7: Proofing processes working directly from digital data
2. ISO 12647-8: Graphic technology -- Process control for the production of half-tone colour separations, proof and production prints -- Part 8: Validation print processes working directly from digital data
3. ISO 12647-1:2004 Graphic technology -- Process control for the production of half-tone colour separations, proof and production prints -- Part 1: Parameters and measurement methods

Graphic technology ISO 12647-8 is yet to be released as Australia awaits its acceptance at an international level, this is expected in the coming months.

Bill Healey, CEO of Printing Industries welcomes the approval of the new standards by Standards Australia.

“The decision enhances the link between the industry in Australia and the international printing community and is an excellent outcome for our Australian TC 130 committee members who committed a lot of time and research to make this achievement possible,” said Healey.