GMG, the world’s leading color management solutions provider, and Roland DG, a leading worldwide provider of large format inkjet printers and printer / cutters for professional large format graphics, are excited to announce their global partnership, enabling special high-quality packaging applications such as the production of color-accurate mockups on original substrates as well as proofing applications.
The strategic partnership comprises the development of a printer driver by GMG for the Roland VersaUV LEC-330 printer, which is supported by the GMG ColorProof proofing solution. GMG ColorProof and GMG FlexoProof / DotProof will be available shortly for the Roland VersaUV LEC-330 printer for high-quality contone and halftone proofing applications. The GMG printer driver brings perfect color accuracy and repeatability on a wide range of substrates to the packaging market. Therefore, GMG customers can easily integrate the LEC-330 in their existing proofing workflows with GMG ColorProof. In the same way, Roland customers can maximize the performance of their large format printer.
The combination of the comprehensive capabilities of the LEC-330 with GMG’s award-winning proofing technology and high level of automation provides an unrivalled platform to produce cost-effective packaging proofing at a finished-product standard.
GMG ColorServer, the color management solution for color conversions, and SmartProfiler for the creation of color profiles as well as large format printer calibrations, are available for all Roland large format printers. This common solution allows users to achieve the highest color accuracy, repeatability and color consistency for packaging mockups on original substrates. It is possible to print spot varnish, white ink, cut, crease and more on the actual output stock.
Tigerprint, the Hallmark UK subsidiary which produces greetings cards products exclusively for Marks & Spencer, produces color-accurate prototypes on its LEC-330 using GMG ColorServer / SmartProfiler before they are printed in its Far East facilities. GMG set up profiles in advance in SmartProfiler for all the different substrates that Tigerprint uses, such as coated and uncoated stock. These profiles give the highest possible color accuracy and guaranteed repeatability. “This gives us the confidence that everything will match,” says senior artwork manager Chris Broadbent. “It is even feasible to produce the finished product on the LEC-330 and we are considering using it for short runs of five to ten copies. Its ability to print on to the correct stock and on to die-cut material makes this perfectly possible.”
Stéphane Romano is project manager for packaging at Packpool, an agency for packaging design and printing with locations in Germany and Switzerland. He says: “For Packpool as a supplier of the packaging industry it is more and more crucial to provide customers with high-quality color-accurate mock-ups or prototypes of the future product. The new Roland LEC-330 printing system and GMG ColorServer / SmartProfiler color management software enable us to very quickly help our customers see highest quality results before they start their marketing meeting, TV-spot or attend an exhibition. It doesn’t matter which material we use for a mock-up – be it foil, aluminium or paper – the profiling and calibration technology of GMG makes it extremely easy.”
The solution will be demonstrated at Ipex 2010 on both the GMG stand (hall 9-E322) and the Roland stand (hall 12-C140). The software solution will be available through the usual selected GMG and selected Roland channels worldwide.
“We are very pleased to work with Roland in this venture,” says Paul Willems, CEO of GMG. “The partnership is a natural fit and the benefit to the packaging sector in particular is enormous. GMG’s proofing products are second to none and their use with a high-end printer such as the Versa-UV LEC-330 is a winning combination.”
Takafumi Shigenoya, executive officer in the product marketing department at Roland DG, says: “The combination of the GMGColorServer / Smart Profiler with our VersaUV machines gives our existing users and new clients full access to the UV printers / cutters’ unique capabilities and helps integrate them in their own packaging or labeling workflow.”