IFRA

WAN-IFRA: How and at which point is your ink saving software integrated into the workflow?

IZZET EDIGE: OnColor ECO can be integrated into the workflow at any point where operations are performed on PDF files. The standard means of integration into our workflow, NewsWay, is at the point of entry of individual PDF files be it in the shape of pages or formes. It is also possible to integrate at a further point however, for example post PDF pairing or Preflighting (both of which are integral parts of ProImage Newsway workflow).

WAN-IFRA: How large are the potential ink savings (and on what is this based)?

EDIGE: More than 35 - 40%. Ink savings values are very much dependent on the source material. If the incoming images are profiled for commercial work or heatset for instance, the savings can be very large. This usually is the case with display advertising material and can lead to ink volume savings of 30% or more, with cost savings of 40% or higher for newspaper customers where typically colour inks cost 3 times that of black ink.

Based on our field experience, on average most customers save more than 15%, and some can go to as high as 25% savings levels. Therefore, in summary, the level of reduction of ink used is predominantly determined by the following factors:

• Source ICC and Output Device ICC

• Target Total Ink Limit and target Maximum Black

• The nature of the images (i.e. more CMY over less K will impose a higher potential for Ink Save)

WAN-IFRA: How can it be assured that the colour quality in print does not suffer from the ink "optimisation" process?

EDIGE: All the algorithms that we use in OnColor ECO have been carefully developed specifically for ink optimisation purposes. Therefore there are many safeguards within the software that will prevent any degradation in colour quality of the printed product from the processed files. Additionally our software leans on the ICC mechanism which ensures the precise "Grey – Agent" removal that will not shift the original colour.

WAN-IFRA: Would you say that print quality raises by using your software? If so, for what reasons?

EDIGE: Print quality increases are encountered in the areas of highlight detail, colour registration, excess black density and set-off due to significantly decreased CMY inks. Moreover our unique SISR technology can improve the quality of pictures with wrongly embedded profiles or lacking a profile by intelligently assigning a profile to them.

Due to lesser CMY, press make-ready time is also substantially decreased since the pressman can work with much less water. This also reduces fan out resulting in much better registration. An added advantage is of course shorter make-ready resulting in lower newsprint waste.

It is important to add that better colour registration will ensure real Neutral Grey, avoiding colour cast introduced by mis-registration

WAN-IFRA: What is the price (and ROI) of your software?

EDIGE: The list price of OnColor ECO Single Server is €25,000 with significantly lower costs for additional servers. Based on experience, a newspaper printing operation that prints around a million copies a week of a 48 page, 4 colour throughout broadsheet, the ROI can be in order of a few months