Print Color Management – PCM –
“Professional Color Management”
Would you like to reduce waste and production costs, while
increasing your pressroom efficiency?
If the answer to this question is "Yes," than Heidelberg has the perfect solution for you - Print Color Management - PCM.
Why PCM?
In the current economy, one of the most important actions a printer can take to save money is to make a conscious effort to reduce waste. Paper and labor costs represent the highest costs in production; therefore a procedure that reduces these costs is the most effective way for a printer to temper the economy. There is no better way to optimize pressroom efficiency than by employing the professionals from Heidelberg to perform PCM - Print Color Management, or Professional Color Management."
PCM is a unique service offering from Heidelberg that enhances print performance by ensuring that the integration between the press, Prepress Interface, and the color measurement system is properly established. PCM effectively enables makeready waste to be reduced to approximately 250 - 350 sheets (results vary based on specific customer applications).
Main Benefits of PCM:
The first step in the PCM process is to ensure that the press is printing properly. This is accomplished by performing a "Fitness Check," which may not be required on a new press if the press was set up properly using the PCM Easy form. On presses already in production, the fitness check should be considered and performed prior to PCM in order to allow for any recommended maintenance procedures. The result of the Fitness Check may reveal that certain service items, such as blankets or rollers, must be replaced prior to PCM in order to ensure that the press is in its best possible printing condition.
After it is confirmed that the press is in its best possible printing condition, the next step is to optimize the pre-inking and printing characteristic curves at the press to properly interpret ink coverage data coming from Prepress Interface. During the time that the press curves are being determined, process calibration curves are being generated for the type of substrate that is being used. ICC Profiles are also generated to ensure the closest possible match between the proofer and the press.
Who performs the PCM procedure?
PCM is performed by a Heidelberg PCM Specialist together with a Heidelberg Print Instructor. This "team" works closely together during the entire procedure.
How long does PCM take?
For new presses, a complete PCM service can take up to three days. This does not mean that the press cannot be used for production during PCM - much of the specialist's time is spend analyzing results and implementing changes during production time. However, some press time will be required in order to run tests and evaluate optimizations. The time required for already installed presses varies based on the analysis of the PCM Specialist. A typical PCM procedure in this case can take up to a week, including the fitness check, which always precedes the PCM Service. During the PCM service, the press will be optimized for a single paper/ink set. Optimizations for additional paper/ink sets may be applied at additional time and cost.
When should PCM be considered?
If you are using Prinect Prepress Interface with any Heidelberg Color Measurement System - Image Control, Inpress Control, or Axis Control - then PCM is the best way to ensure that you are getting the most effective use of your investment. PCM ensures that the Color Measurement System is communicating properly with the press during makeready and production, and ensures that recommendations for follow-up are accurate.
Consider PCM if you are having are having difficulty getting your proofing system to accurately match the results of your press (es)
If your makeready times and use of materials seems to be excessive, then you should consider PCM. PCM is proven to reduce makeready time and waste. In many cases, printers who have taken advantage of the PCM service have realized a reduction from over 1,000 sheets to as little as 250 - 300 sheets.
Applying PCM will ensure that you can meet customer requests (or demands) that you print according to certain standards. Our PCM Team will ensure that your color managed pressroom is properly configured to meet these requirements.
PCM at-a-glance:
Rely on the experts from Heidelberg to optimize and maintain your investment in Heidelberg Presses and Color Management Systems.
If the answer to this question is "Yes," than Heidelberg has the perfect solution for you - Print Color Management - PCM.
Why PCM?
In the current economy, one of the most important actions a printer can take to save money is to make a conscious effort to reduce waste. Paper and labor costs represent the highest costs in production; therefore a procedure that reduces these costs is the most effective way for a printer to temper the economy. There is no better way to optimize pressroom efficiency than by employing the professionals from Heidelberg to perform PCM - Print Color Management, or Professional Color Management."
PCM is a unique service offering from Heidelberg that enhances print performance by ensuring that the integration between the press, Prepress Interface, and the color measurement system is properly established. PCM effectively enables makeready waste to be reduced to approximately 250 - 350 sheets (results vary based on specific customer applications).
Main Benefits of PCM:
- Highly optimized coordination of Prepress and the Pressroom for optimal print results
- Saves time and money because the integration of your Heidelberg Color Measurement System with Prepress Interface and your Heidelberg press(es) results in reduced makeready and higher production efficiency
- Improved consistency and reliability in quality print production
- Ensures that your color managed pressroom is properly configured to run according to house or industry-established printing standards, such as ISO, GRACoL®, SWOP®, etc…
- Implements the Heidelberg MiniSpot™ workflow for optimal Quality Control (may require the purchase of additional software)
- ICC profiling to insure the best possible match between your proofing system and your printed results
- Fast ROI - You will realize immediate results!
The first step in the PCM process is to ensure that the press is printing properly. This is accomplished by performing a "Fitness Check," which may not be required on a new press if the press was set up properly using the PCM Easy form. On presses already in production, the fitness check should be considered and performed prior to PCM in order to allow for any recommended maintenance procedures. The result of the Fitness Check may reveal that certain service items, such as blankets or rollers, must be replaced prior to PCM in order to ensure that the press is in its best possible printing condition.
After it is confirmed that the press is in its best possible printing condition, the next step is to optimize the pre-inking and printing characteristic curves at the press to properly interpret ink coverage data coming from Prepress Interface. During the time that the press curves are being determined, process calibration curves are being generated for the type of substrate that is being used. ICC Profiles are also generated to ensure the closest possible match between the proofer and the press.
Who performs the PCM procedure?
PCM is performed by a Heidelberg PCM Specialist together with a Heidelberg Print Instructor. This "team" works closely together during the entire procedure.
How long does PCM take?
For new presses, a complete PCM service can take up to three days. This does not mean that the press cannot be used for production during PCM - much of the specialist's time is spend analyzing results and implementing changes during production time. However, some press time will be required in order to run tests and evaluate optimizations. The time required for already installed presses varies based on the analysis of the PCM Specialist. A typical PCM procedure in this case can take up to a week, including the fitness check, which always precedes the PCM Service. During the PCM service, the press will be optimized for a single paper/ink set. Optimizations for additional paper/ink sets may be applied at additional time and cost.
When should PCM be considered?
If you are using Prinect Prepress Interface with any Heidelberg Color Measurement System - Image Control, Inpress Control, or Axis Control - then PCM is the best way to ensure that you are getting the most effective use of your investment. PCM ensures that the Color Measurement System is communicating properly with the press during makeready and production, and ensures that recommendations for follow-up are accurate.
Consider PCM if you are having are having difficulty getting your proofing system to accurately match the results of your press (es)
If your makeready times and use of materials seems to be excessive, then you should consider PCM. PCM is proven to reduce makeready time and waste. In many cases, printers who have taken advantage of the PCM service have realized a reduction from over 1,000 sheets to as little as 250 - 300 sheets.
Applying PCM will ensure that you can meet customer requests (or demands) that you print according to certain standards. Our PCM Team will ensure that your color managed pressroom is properly configured to meet these requirements.
PCM at-a-glance:
- PCM is a Specialized and Unique offering from Heidelberg and a systematic approach to color management
- PCM is a combination of consultation, service, and training
- PCM is proven to save printer's time and money during
makeready
o In most cases from over 1,000 sheets to as little as 250 - 350 (or less) - PCM facilitates efficient job changes
- PCM is executed on site by a dedicated "PCM Team"
- PCM ensures, among other things, that your proofing system, the color measurement system, Prepress Interface, and the press are integrated and working harmoniously
- PCM is a prerequisite for the MiniSpot™ workflow
- The objective of PCM is to optimize the press so that it can make ready to standards very fast, and when the sheet is up to standard that it matches the proof
Rely on the experts from Heidelberg to optimize and maintain your investment in Heidelberg Presses and Color Management Systems.
