SOS pushes ahead with PSO certification

Kayell keeps progressive SOS Print & Media on a roll as the Sydney-based printer achieves FOGRA PSO (Process Standard Offset) certification.

In August, SOS became ISO 12647-2 certified from colour specialists Kayell Australia, with Luke Wooldridge overseeing the process and audit. This confirmed that SOS is capable of ISO-standard colour, but PSO is specific to the site, equipment, processes and people and can only be achieved following the submission of stringent print samples to the Germany-based expert colour organization, FOGRA, on a regular basis. Again, Kayell and Wooldridge worked with SOS over a period of months to gain PSO, which must demonstrate expert colour management at every stage; proofing, platemaking and printing.

“PSO is an on-going process with a minimum print run of 5,000 sheets on an offset press to be measured and audited to be within ISO 12647-2 parameters,” said Wooldridge. 

“Certification is for 12-month periods and the SOS team worked unbelievably hard to achieve it. There are fewer than 350 printers worldwide with PSO certification, SOS’s certificate is number 344, so it is something to be proud of.”

Pictured: the SOS team with their PSO Certification, (l-r) Michael Schulz (director); Brad Martin (printer); Shane Goyen (prepress manager) and Luke Johnson (prepress operator).

SOS director, Michael Schulz, believes that it is essential to have accurate, predictable and repeatable colour across devices. “Going through FOGRA PSO certification has improved and streamlined our processes and helped achieve this goal. For print on demand it is critical to produce repeatable results every time and it is imperative to have a handle on colour reproduction,” he said.
 
Schulz praised Kayell’s approach. “Kayell were a very dedicated partner throughout the process, Luke’s knowledge and his ability to share with our staff ensured that our general colour knowledge and capability grew every step of the process,” he added.

According to Andreas Johansson, Kayell’s director for graphic arts, notes, SOS Print & Media represents Kayell's eighth Fogra PSO certification. “We now have four sheetfeed and four webprint customers as FOGRA PSO-certified," he said.

There has been much industry debate concerning PSO in recent months but perhaps Michael Schulz’s final word gives the most succinct statement of the benefit to date.

“PSO Certification ends any possible debate about right or wrong colour on the press. It does not, however, replace the skill of a printer to achieve the best possible result for the client.”