Imation , an ICMA member, has debuted a new digital proofing technology
and branding strategy that dramatically changes the value equation that
creative professionals can expect for obtaining color output predictability
and consistency for concept proofing.
The Imation Matchprint™ Inkjet System - comprising Imation Matchprint
Color RIP Software and Imation Matchprint Inkjet Bases - is designed
to address dramatic changes in how specifiers, content creators and
print production professionals create, review, approve and produce printed
color images. This first deployment of Imation software and base media
system with the new HP DesignJet ColorPro GA inkjet printer signifies
how the company and its alliance partners can rapidly bring to market
new proofing solutions that enable streamlined, productive communication
between content creators, corporate clients and production professionals.
The introduction of lower cost inkjet printers with advanced color
control and management features is changing how designers, separators
and printers view the proof. The trend is toward more proofing by content
creators, with creative professionals gaining more hands-on control
over specified colors and images.
The advent of low-cost inkjet color proofing systems for investments
of $3,000 or less is expected to accelerate the trend toward "concept
proofing" earlier in the workflow. Using standard color inkjet
printing engines with advanced color control and base materials, these
proofers provide designers with the ability to produce great color predictably
and economically.
The Imation Matchprint Inkjet System for the HP DesignJet ColorPro
GA printer makes this among the first thermal inkjet printers to deliver
on the promise of accessible and affordable proofing for design professionals.
It is this quality, consistency and accuracy that enables designers
to have confidence that their ideas will be retained from their first
concepts to the final proof.
"Concept proofing"
Every graphic arts professional - from the freelance designer to the
commercial printer - wants fast, affordable, predictably accurate color.
Effective and efficient color management can save creative and print
production professionals - and their clients - thousands of dollars
in rework time, lost productivity, and missed delivery schedules.
The introduction of the Imation Matchprint Inkjet System - with the
printer, software RIP and 10 media samples available for $2,994, and
base materials available for a list price of $3.50 per sheet - means
that accurate, high-quality concept proofs are now more accessible and
affordable than ever before. Imation Matchprint Color RIP Software provides
creative professionals with advanced functio-nality and color control;
Matchprint Inkjet Bases deliver real concept proofs that closely simulate
film-based Matchprint proofs, creating a powerful proofing solution
that enables everyone in the workflow to manage color from concept to
contract proof.
Imation had the creative professional in mind in designing Imation
Matchprint Color RIP Software for the HP DesignJet ColorPro GA printer.
The software adds robust features to basic PostScript™ 3 technology
including advanced RIP and processing functionality. Moreover, the Imation
Matchprint Color RIP Software enables the HP DesignJet ColorPro GA printer
to output all major file formats including PDF files so the user doesn't
need to spend time converting files to acceptable formats.
For color flexibility, the software includes a Pantone™ library
to avoid time-consuming manual conversions of Pantone colors to process
color equivalents. The software automatically recognizes Pantone-named
color layers in images, performs Pantone-certified CMYK translation
and proofs files. For more sophisticated graphic professionals, the
Matchprint Color RIP Software allows the user to define custom and corporate
colors by using the color's L-a-b- values instead of CMYK equivalents.
With greater responsibility for color control falling into the hands
of creative professionals, Imation focused on simplifying the often
time-consuming task of matching the contract proof to the early concept
proof. Imation Matchprint Color RIP Software features built-in Imation
Matchprint color tables so the user can be sure that the Imation Matchprint
Inkjet System is mapped to a color space that predicts final Matchprint
Proofs and the characteristics of the final printing process.
A flexible software and media system
Producing proofs on stock that resembles a final printed piece helps
sell concepts. Because of this, the traditional film-based Matchprint
system includes base materials that match common printing stocks. For
the launch of the Matchprint Inkjet system, Imation has developed inkjet
versions of the two most-popular base materials in the traditional line.
The Matchprint Inkjet Commercial Base matches stocks used in sheet-fed
printing applications in the United States.
To simulate the bright white printing stocks used in Europe, Imation
developed its Matchprint Inkjet Design Base. This bright white base
material is also expected to appeal to designers and digital photographers
who want to present their work on a bright white sheet.
A respected brand
For 18 years, the Imation Matchprint brand has been the most recognized
and trusted standard for color proofing worldwide. Not only does the
Imation Matchprint Inkjet System extend the world's leading proofing
brand into the inkjet printer market, it significantly raises the bar
on the color output quality that creative and production professionals
can expect, at dramatically lower price points.
Additional information about Imation is available on the Company's
Web site at www.imation.com or by calling Imation toll-free at 1-888-466-3456.