Taking the Mystery Out of G7®

Posted on by | Applications, Books And Manuals, Business Objectives, Color Management, Cross-Media, Delight Your Customers, Direct Mail, Grow Your Business, Industry Trends, Packaging, Photo Publishing, Produce More Jobs, Technology & Solutions, Thought Leadership, Trans-Promo | 8 comments

Written by:
Matthew J. Volpe
Smart Press Production Consultant & National Customer Trainer
Xerox Corporation
Many print professionals have heard of G7 but are not exactly sure what it is.  So, what exactly is G7? G7 is an IDEAlliance registered trademark – “G” for its focus on the color gray and the “7” ink solids specified in ISO 12647-2. It is a gray scale specification AND a calibration method that has roots in offset. The main goal of a production G7 press run is to match an accurate G7 proof. It’s a specification that provides formal colorimetric definitions for neutrality (gray balance) and tonality (darkness, lightness, and contrast of an image). Plus, it is also a calibration method that adjusts gray balance and tonality to meet the G7 specification.
What does becoming a G7 Master Printer mean to you? Becoming a G7 Master Printer simply states  that a facility has calibrated it’s equipment and systems to G7 gray balance and neutral tone curves and is capable of delivering G7 proofs and print products. One important fact to remember is that becoming a G7 Master Printer is a qualification/designation, not a certification. Valid for 12 Months not 2 years.
What are the Benefits of G7?
This methodology yields a consistent appearance regardless of who prints it, where it’s printed, or what technology is being used. Gray balance definition is the same for any imaging system, regardless of substrate, colorant, or screening technology. It provides an enhanced basis for process control in any color imaging system, without additional color management.
So, who really wants G7?
Advertising Agencies and Print Buyers don’t like surprises. They want proofs to match press prints AND want proofs to look the same from one proof to another.  They also desire a consistent, predictable appearance regardless of who prints it, where it’s printed, or what technology is being used.
Then, there are the Print Providers. Print providers need to satisfy existing customers AND attract new business. They also require better manufacturing process control systems, faster turnaround, lower cost, AND consistent, predictable results.

Xerox is Proud to Offer G7 Consulting and G7 Master Designation Printer Services
Whether you have Xerox presses or offset, our Certified G7 Experts will train and educate your staff on the G7 Specifications. We will recommend, document, and implement Standard Operating Procedures, validate that your print engine qualifies for G7, prepare and submit your G7 Master Printer application.
Would you like to increase your customer base, quality, productivity and bottom line by using the G7 method?

Related Posts

8 Comments

  1. Tom Croteau February 5, 2012 -

    Matt,
    Nicely done!! You managed to cut through it all in just a handful of paragraphs. I hope your group’s G7 offering (along with your color management curriculum) is presented to all of our production color customers.

    It must be conveyed to our customers (and pre-sale field staff) the value of being designated a G7 Master Printer. It opens doors to new business for our customers and also extends our credibility in their eyes, which in turn can lead to more engagement.

    We’re scoping some exciting color training possibilities for Xerox field staff and G7 is near the top of the list. At the very least, raising awareness, conveying the value/benefit to the customer and why it should be presented to each and every production color customer.

    Again, well done, Matt! Then again, I would expect no less from you. 🙂

    Tom Croteau
    Xerox Instructor

  2. Matthew Volpe February 6, 2012 -

    I appreciate the kind words, Tom. All SmartPress Production Consultants are spreading the word : G7 is a simple, sophisticated solution that allows our customers to attain the consistent color that they strive for. We have helped printers improve gray balance, color stability, and color appearance matching across multiple printing processes. It’s really a great story!

    Matthew J. Volpe
    Smart Press Production Consultant &
    National Customer Trainer
    iGen3 & iGen4 Digital Production Press

  3. David Spencer February 14, 2012 -

    Please explain the relationship between G7 and ICC Profile generation / use.

  4. Matthew Volpe February 15, 2012 -

    Hi David. G7 Master Printers use G7 methodology to achieve neutrality and as a calibration process for devices that have no other way to be color corrected. ICC profiles define the color gamut of the print device, and since G7 ensures neutrality, any color management will yield consistent, predictable results. A good G7 “experience” will want an accurate ICC profile (created from a well calibrated engine) and will contribute to accurate ICC Profile behavior. It may also use additional ICC profiles for source color spaces, as would be specified by GRACoL, SWOP or FOGRA as a part of the workflow. Like ICC Profiles, G7 uses L*a*b* to define “GRAY”. For more information on G7, please visit http://www.idealliance.org/specifications/g7/what-g7 or feel free to call Steve Averbach, Manager of Professional Support Services at 732-431-0390.

    Matthew J. Volpe
    Smart Press Production Consultant &
    National Customer Trainer
    iGen3 & iGen4 Digital Production Press

Comments are closed.