Idealliance Print Properties Committee Release Beta Reference Print Condition for Uncoated UV
by Jordan Gorski, Executive Director Jun 5, 2023
Idealliance Print Properties Committee Release Beta Reference Print Condition Announcement

Idealliance Print Properties Committee Release New Uncoated UV Dataset for Testing

The Print Properties Committee of Idealliance has released a beta profile for ultraviolet (UV) cured inks on uncoated paper for testing and validation as they work towards establishing a new global characterized reference print condition (CRPC), much like GRACoL 2013 and prior iterations of GRACoL, SWOP, XCMYK, and other globally recognized standard G7-based print conditions such as those established in ISO 15339.

Since 2020, the Print Properties Committee has conducted more than 20 independent test runs, targeting high quality sheet-fed offset printing using standard ISO 12647-2 compliant CMYK UV inks. The profile and dataset supplied can be installed directly in most Digital Front Ends (DFEs) or RIPs, as well as ICC-aware software like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and other publishing applications.

UV cured inks on uncoated paper limit ink absorption into the paper, maximizing holdout for vivid graphics, and color output. Accurate color representation is only achievable with the use of a specialized reference print condition, suited for this print application. Other standard profiles may limit the achievable gamut of such a print condition or make color transformations difficult if attempting to match unachievable, out of gamut, color.

Beyond their more often vibrant appearance compared to conventional solvent or aqueous inks and coatings, UV inks also pose additional benefits in certain print applications as they are immediately cured by ultra violet radiation from UV lamps, with minimal VOCs released to the air, while the speed of the ink curing allows for higher press speeds, at the same time limiting smearing or smudging during ink trapping.

Currently in beta – the UV Uncoated Reference Print Condition is now available to members of the Print Properties Committee, along with global G7 Experts for testing. Feedback will be collected by the Print Properties Committee for further evaluation and consideration as the UV Uncoated project progresses with an anticipated launch in the coming months. Further details on usage of the profile and reporting is found with the profile download.

G7 Experts can find the beta dataset here. To facilitate testing, temporarily, the use of this new print condition as part of G7 Master Qualification will be considered a standard option. The custom profile fee will be waived. G7 Experts must submit G7 Master Qualification with the custom profile designation and submit the current Uncoated UV dataset as part of their application.

Not a G7 Expert? Become a G7 Expert here.

Members of the Print Properties Committee can find the beta dataset here in the Print Properties Committee working group community at connect.idealliance.org.

Not a member of the Print Properties Committee? Become a member of Idealliance & PRINTING United Alliance here to contribute to shaping the future of the industry with Idealliance’s leading standards driving working group – Print Properties Committee.

Download the Latest Specifications, Standards & Tools developed by Idealliance Working Groups at www.idealliance.org/specifications and www.gracol.org.

Authors: Ron Ellis, Chair of Idealliance Print Properties Committee and Jordan Gorski, Executive Director Idealliance


Jordan Gorski Executive Director (703) 837-1096
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Jordan Gorski is an Idealliance certified G7 Expert, CMP Master, and BrandQ Expert and supports the global printing and packaging supply chain through his work with Idealliance as Executive Director. He has over 15 years of experience in the industry, starting in pre-media and data-driven marketing and technical service, along with experience as a technical advisor and product manager in the flexographic printing and packaging industry, where he offered his professional expertise to printers, publishers, packaging printers and converters.

Jordan has a degree in Graphic Communications from Clemson University and joined Idealliance in 2017. Since joining Idealliance, Jordan has worked across the association to support training & certification programs, global partners and international affiliates, and serves as the staff liaison for ISO’s Technical Committee 130, Committee for Graphic Arts Technical Standards (CGATS), U.S. Technical Advisory Group (USTAG), the International Color Consortium (ICC) and Idealliance’s Print Properties Committee (PPC), driving global standards and innovation across the supply chain with Idealliance as part of PRINTING United Alliance.