Professional printers use standard operating procedures (SOPs) to control print quality, including color management. Different quality control processes are used in various industries, and the printing industry has its own standards. The International Color Consortium (ICC) specification helps establish color standards for high-quality printing. Ink, paper, and environmental conditions can affect print quality, and printers may offer different options to customers. Individualized attention and customer service are important, and printers may need to provide options with graded quality levels. Printers use equipment to test print quality, and customer feedback is also important in determining whether expectations were met.
Print quality control is often an important aspect of the professional printer’s business. This is largely based on standard operating procedures (SOPs) which describe the expected settings of the software application and handle color quality control. Color often depends on many factors, including ink, paper, and environmental conditions. After formal adoption of the SOP, many printers turn their attention to personalized customer service. This is likely to include packages tailored for quality and cost, as well as random testing of the finished product to ensure accuracy.
Different types of quality control processes are implemented in various industries. In manufacturing, for example, some quality procedures are used to prevent product defects, while others work to correct them. The printing industry also maintains quality control standards which often relate to internal processes, individual projects and specific customer requirements.
Quality control in printing usually starts with a printer’s standard operating procedures (SOP). These measures often ensure consistent practices and color reproduction throughout the facility. A key point often addressed in the SOP is the software application settings for all workflow computers. Updated software versions are likely to have different default settings, as illustrated by the Adobe® suite platform. Such differences can lead to significant changes in color values and ultimately result in a distorted product.
The International Color Consortium (ICC) specification, published as an international standard in 2005, helped establish color standards for high-quality printing. This specification is a format designed to consistently move electronic data between different operating systems. In turn, flexibility is guaranteed to both customers and printers. To illustrate, customers are guaranteed that their images and profiles maintain color integrity throughout the printing process, and printers can create a profile that can be used for multiple operating systems.
Another aspect of the SOP is probably color quality control. Dealing with this often creates predictable and repeatable image reproduction using devices such as printers, scanners and digital cameras. Like all print quality control, color management often depends on many variables. These include the choice of ink and paper and the exposure of the product to light, air and heat.
Inkjet printers often use dye or pigment based inks. Laser printers, on the other hand, probably use toner. You can derive various benefits from each of these, although some printers may prefer one product over the other. In many cases, these options are explained to the customer before the product is delivered.
Unlike ink, which can reflect printer preferences, the choice of paper is often chosen by the customer. Products with a high gloss finish or added optical brighteners can react adversely to airborne particles and ultraviolet light. This in turn can affect print quality in the long run. Some professional printers therefore recommend premium archival paper intended to resist fading, moisture, and wrinkles.
Product exposure to the elements can further hinder print quality control. Many companies therefore enclose the prints in plastic bags and store them in cool, dark environments. The customer is likely to receive similar instructions upon receipt of the product. Without these measures, dyes may run and affect the color balance or sharpness of the print.
Once specific operating procedures have been established, each print job often requires individualized attention. Customer service is likely factored into this equation, whereby printers try to outperform the quality provided by competitors and also meet customer needs. Price is likely to be a determining factor for print jobs, as some customers may be willing to sacrifice a certain degree of quality in exchange for reduced costs. Printers may therefore need to provide options with graded quality levels.
Measurements taken prior to product delivery often indicate a company’s use of print quality control. Printing equipment, for example, can often test the print run and printability of the intended paper. This equipment can also demonstrate the purity, strength and drying of inks.
When checking a sample print, the color presented can be inspected to determine consistency. When considering book quality control, the page sequence can often be reviewed for accuracy. Some printing facilities establish staff committees that measure total control of print quality. Others, however, may rely on customer feedback to determine whether expectations were met or a higher quality product was delivered.
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