PANTONE Certified Printer Program Measures up to Precise Design Demands

CARLSTADT, N.J.--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--Pantone LLC, an X-Rite company (NASDAQ: XRIT) and the global authority on color and provider of professional color standards for the design industries, today announced the PANTONE Certified Printera" Program.

"By selecting a PANTONE Certified Printer, designers can rest easy knowing the printer has an effective color reproduction process in place with all of the required tools to properly evaluate color and ensure the best match to PANTONE Colors."

Designers rely on Pantone for consistent color standards a" from initial inspiration to final output. The PANTONE Certified Printer Program is a patent-pending, professional certification program developed to ensure accurate PANTONE Solid and Process Color matching throughout the production workflow. The program audits, inspects, analyzes and qualifies the operations of participating offset printers a" from intake and ink mixing to print production and customer handling. Each phase of the process is examined and must meet Pantonea�s stringent quality standards.

aDesigners rely on their chosen print provider to accurately reproduce their projects, regardless of the many variables that can affect color reproduction,a said Giovanni Marra, director of corporate marketing at Pantone. aBy selecting a PANTONE Certified Printer, designers can rest easy knowing the printer has an effective color reproduction process in place with all of the required tools to properly evaluate color and ensure the best match to PANTONE Colors.a

aThe Pantone Certification Program represents a unique aall inclusivea� approach which enabled us to bundle all our quality programs, including ISO and G7^�, into a more structured process,a said Lester Samuels, managing director of New Jersey-based Pictorial Offset Corporation, one of the largest privately-owned, commercial printers in North America. aBy implementing PANTONE Certification, wea�ve been able to reduce material and labor waste, minimize rework, produce consistent color branding for our clients, increase customer satisfaction and ultimately drive our top line.a

aWe decided to become part of the PANTONE Certified Printer Program because we truly believe in an engineered color-consistent process,a said George Amann, president of UNIMAC Graphics, a diversified graphics communication company serving clients in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. aWith PANTONE Certification, we are able to improve the repeatability of our entire color process, whether utilizing PANTONE Solid Colors or traditional four-color process. Color consistency can save a job and a client, so the payback for the certification is immediate. The PANTONE Certification will also assist us in acquiring more business, as it will be a great influencer for savvy supply chain personnel.a

The PANTONE Certified Printer Program focuses on measurement, control and communication, and audits each step of the process including prepress, press and ink. Through the use of instruments and ink formulation software, PANTONE Certified Printers can calculate the best possible match to a clienta�s chosen substrate and set realistic expectations by providing a report that indicates how closely a designer can expect to match any given color. Those printing to the GRACoL standard can use PANTONE Color Numbers straight from PANTONE Guides; others can calculate the best four-color build for their press conditions by using PANTONE COLOR MANAGER Software. For more in-depth information about the certification process, please visit [ www.pantone.com/certifiedprinter ].

Pricing and Availability

Printers can become certified as part of the PANTONE Certified Printer Program for U.S. $7,850. This covers the first year of certification, a two-day audit and a one-year PANTONE License. Certification for additional printing plants is $4,100. Recertification is available for U.S. $6,050 per year. Recertification of additional plant sites is U.S. $2,300 per year. There may be additional costs for products, software and equipment calibration necessary to pass audit requirements.

About Pantone

Pantone, a wholly owned subsidiary of X-Rite, Incorporated, has been the worlda�s color authority for nearly 50 years, providing design professionals with products and services for the colorful exploration and expression of creativity. Always a source for color inspiration, Pantone now offers paint and designer-inspired products and services for consumers. More information is available at [ www.pantone.com ].

About X-Rite

X-Rite, Incorporated, is the global leader in color science and technology. The company, which now includes color industry leader Pantone, develops, manufactures, markets and supports innovative color solutions through measurement systems, software, color standards and services. X-Ritea�s expertise in inspiring, selecting, measuring, formulating, communicating and matching color helps users get color right the first time and every time, which translates to better quality and reduced costs. X-Rite serves a range of industries, including printing, packaging, photography, graphic design, video, automotive, paints, plastics, textiles, dental and medical. For further information, please visit [ www.xrite.com ].

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PANTONE Certified Printer Program Measures up to Precise Design Demands