Athena Graphics on its Digital Way to Perfect Color in Packaging Proofing

Achieving perfect proofs for packaging applications is the goal of specialist prepress firm Athena Graphics, but it has not always been easy – until now! Proof printing on transparent or metallic foils using white ink was not possible until Epson recently launched the Epson Stylus Pro WT7900 printer for packaging proofing. Athena is one of the first companies in Europe to use the new printer with GMG ColorProof o5 software with outstanding results.

Since its foundation in 1991, Athena Graphics has quickly become one of the main players in providing prepress services for packaging printing. The company’s core business is the preparation of packaging print data for all printing processes and the production of conventional and digital printing plates at three production sites in Belgium, France and The Netherlands. For several years now, the company has relied on Epson proofers in combination with GMG color management software for digital color-accurate proofing. A reliable contract proof is of crucial importance, especially for international brand owners, producing mostly flexible packaging for food and drink.

Cost-Effective Proofing Systems

Athena Graphics puts a lot of energy in research and development of the best possible proofing techniques. As the product range in flexo and packaging printing has a great deal of substrate and spot color diversity, a digital proofing system generally has to meet great challenges in order to simulate individual substrate structures. Proof printing on transparent or metallic foils using white ink was not possible until Epson launched the Epson Stylus Pro WT7900 printer for packaging proofing. Athena Graphics immediately decided to use Epson’s new proofing technology together with GMG proofing software ColorProof o5 for color-accurate digital contone proofing on transparent foils. “This printing system is the best and most economic solution for contract packaging proofs”, says Kenneth Hostyn, Proofing Manager at Athena Graphics.

The Epson Stylus Pro WT7900 printer uses the 9-color Epson UltraChrome HDR (High Dynamic Range) ink set including cyan, magenta, yellow, black, light cyan, light magenta, orange, green and water-based white ink to achieve a wide color gamut as base for accurate spot color proofing. All the important printer requirements concerning the simulation of white can be fulfilled. The new water-based white ink enables the Epson Stylus Pro WT7900 printer to deliver high density white tints and accurate overlays needed for packaging proof applications.

GMG ColorProof o5 supports the new Epson printer for producing contract proofs according to GMG’s high quality standards in terms of color accuracy and reproducibility. An extensive handling of white ink channels is provided as a new feature in ColorProof o5. White ink channels can be changed in gradation and opacity, and the white ink can be tinted to simulate any kind of different white ink used in the production. These unique features allow the creation of packaging proofs using transparent materials e.g. PE/PET foils and for simulation of prints on metallic substrates. This includes even advanced proofing such as simulation of watermarks in the white area.

Colour Proofing Software

Before Athena Graphics implemented the new proofing system in combination with GMG ColorProof o5, the technical procedure was quite different. There were several, time and cost consuming steps to produce a packaging proof which simulated white color. First, a digital inkjet proof was created on transparent proofing foil using GMG ColorProof. Areas which require white would have been created afterwards by using the DuPont Cromalin analogue proofing system. This approach required manual steps, took a lot of time and was therefore very cost-intensive. It took at least one hour to get the final result. With the new system it takes about 15 minutes to produce fully automatic and digital contract proofs with the Epson WT7900 printer and GMG’s proofing software. GMG ColorProof o5 exploits the entire color space of the printer and simulates spot colors like Pantone GOE colors within the tightest of tolerances. The GMG printer driver achieves optimum print quality and guarantees a perfect color match. “GMG software gives us the ability to choose between reverse (print white last) or surface (print white first) printing, to adjust opacities and to print white as separate channel”, explains Hostyn. “As “time-to-market” becomes more and more important, we are very happy with this new solution which allows for much shorter communication and approval cycles with our clients.”

Remote Proofing for Clients

Athena Graphics has developed several web-based online tools for managing the company’s projects. These include the implementation of automated workflows to facilitate communication with clients and remote proofing at all its production sites and at clients all over the world. The guarantee of absolute color accurate contract proofs is of crucial importance for the functioning of these production workflows. With the calibration and profiling technology of GMG identical results all over the world and at any time are guaranteed. Digital proofing with the Epson WT7900 printer has already been included in these workflows which results in very satisfied customers. An online database system and upload center give customers the ability to upload their artwork files and to implement different automated steps such as proofing, remote proofing, production of printing forms or films. They can even order high quality proofs via the internet.

“This is just perfect”, says Bart Calis, Technical Director at Athena Graphics. “We are convinced that the GMG/Epson system will help us to generate new business opportunities in the future. Also, we are just about to implement GMG FlexoProof XG in combination with the new printer in order to offer halftone proofs which is a frequent request of customers engaged in flexo printing.” GMG FlexoProof XG (Extended Gamut) is an additional option for the GMG FlexoProof halftone proofing solution. The XG module enables users to make the most of Epson WT7900’s expanded color gamut, allowing far more spot colors to be simulated in a halftone proof.