SIST ISO 12647-6:2014
Graphic technology - Process control for the production of half-tone colour separations, proofs and production prints - Part 6: Flexographic printing
Graphic technology - Process control for the production of half-tone colour separations, proofs and production prints - Part 6: Flexographic printing
This part of ISO 12647 specifies the requirements for the exchange of data and information necessary for the definition of the aims for four-colour flexographic printing of packaging and publication materials, including newsprint. It is based on the use of colour characterization data to define the colourimetric printing aims and includes appropriate assignment of responsibility for and recommended tolerances on critical parameters of the flexographic printing process. This part of ISO 12647 is directly applicable to: - publication flexographic printing including magazines, catalogues and commercial materials and packaging flexographic printing including labels, boxes, and flexible packages; - half-tone and continuous tone proofing processes that predict the colourimetric results of flexographic printing. Guidance is also provided concerning the definition of spot colours used in flexographic printing.
Technologie graphique - Contrôle des processus de confection de sélections couleurs tramées, d'épreuves et de tirages - Partie 6: Processus flexographique
Grafična tehnologija - Vodenje procesa izdelave rastriranih barvnih izvlečkov, preskusnih in proizvodnih odtisov - 6. del: Fleksotisk
General Information
Relations
Buy Standard
Standards Content (Sample)
SLOVENSKI STANDARD
SIST ISO 12647-6:2014
01-marec-2014
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SIST ISO 12647-6:2008
*UDILþQDWHKQRORJLMD9RGHQMHSURFHVDL]GHODYHUDVWULUDQLKEDUYQLKL]YOHþNRY
SUHVNXVQLKLQSURL]YRGQLKRGWLVRYGHO )OHNVRWLVN
Graphic technology - Process control for the production of half-tone colour separations,
proofs and production prints - Part 6: Flexographic printing
Technologie graphique - Contrôle des processus de confection de sélections couleurs
tramées, d'épreuves et de tirages - Partie 6: Processus flexographique
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: ISO 12647-6:2012
ICS:
37.100.01 *UDILþQDWHKQRORJLMDQD Graphic technology in
VSORãQR general
SIST ISO 12647-6:2014 en
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
SIST ISO 12647-6:2014
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SIST ISO 12647-6:2014
INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 12647-6
Second edition
2012-12-15
Graphic technology — Process
control for the production of half-
tone colour separations, proofs and
production prints —
Part 6:
Flexographic printing
Technologie graphique — Contrôle des processus de confection de
sélections couleurs tramées, d’épreuves et de tirages —
Partie 6: Processus flexographique
Reference number
ISO 12647-6:2012(E)
©
ISO 2012
---------------------- Page: 3 ----------------------
SIST ISO 12647-6:2014
ISO 12647-6:2012(E)
COPYRIGHT PROTECTED DOCUMENT
© ISO 2012
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any
means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from either ISO at the
address below or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
Case postale 56 • CH-1211 Geneva 20
Tel. + 41 22 749 01 11
Fax + 41 22 749 09 47
E-mail copyright@iso.org
Web www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO 2012 – All rights reserved
---------------------- Page: 4 ----------------------
SIST ISO 12647-6:2014
ISO 12647-6:2012(E)
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Requirements . 2
4.1 General . 2
4.2 Material input requirements . 2
4.3 Printing aims. 4
5 Reporting . 8
Annex A (informative) Communication of spot colour data . 9
Annex B (informative) Printing curve for non-colour managed workflows .10
Annex C (informative) Information exchange .11
Annex D (informative) Determination of quality parameters of half-tone dots on a colour
separation film .13
Bibliography .15
© ISO 2012 – All rights reserved iii
---------------------- Page: 5 ----------------------
SIST ISO 12647-6:2014
ISO 12647-6:2012(E)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International
Standards adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting.
Publication as an International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies
casting a vote.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
ISO 12647-6 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 130, Graphic technology.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 12647-6:2006), which has been technically
revised. This revision of this part of ISO 12647 has changed the intent of the document from a process
control definition to a specification of the way to exchange the information necessary to define the
printing characteristics of the desired product. To do this it has built on colour management technology
and the exchange of colour characterization data.
ISO 12647 consists of the following parts, under the general title Graphic technology — Process control
for the production of half-tone colour separations, proofs and production prints:
— Part 1: Parameters and measurement methods
— Part 2: Offset lithographic processes
— Part 3: Coldset offset lithography on newsprint
— Part 4: Publication gravure printing
— Part 5: Screen printing
— Part 6: Flexographic printing
— Part 7: Proofing processes working directly from digital data
— Part 8: Validation print processes working directly from digital data
iv © ISO 2012 – All rights reserved
---------------------- Page: 6 ----------------------
SIST ISO 12647-6:2014
ISO 12647-6:2012(E)
Introduction
Historically the ISO 12647 series of International Standards established the process control parameters
and their aim values and tolerances for the most important professional printing processes of the graphic
arts industry. The initial concept was that the groundwork for the series was laid down in ISO 12647-1.
This part of ISO 12647 differs from that concept because flexographic printing has changed significantly
since ISO 12647 was initially conceived.
This edition of this part of ISO 12647 differs from the earlier edition by not defining specific printing
condition aims but instead requires that a specific reference printing condition (characterization data
set) be specified. Flexographic printing differs from other printing procedures by using a variety of
printing machine architectures, ink sequence, ink types, anilox rollers, substrate types, etc. Each of these
involve different printing condition and process control aims. This part of ISO 12647 requires that the
colour of the printed product match a characterization data set or a printing condition agreed upon by
the provider and the receiver and specifies minimum requirements and tolerances to be communicated
and produced.
The purpose of a proof is to simulate the visual characteristics of the finished printed product as closely
as possible, which often becomes a contractual agreement between provider and receiver. In order to
visually simulate a particular printed product, off-press proofing processes might require values for
various process control aims (e.g. solid tone colouration, tone value increase) which are different from
those of the printing process they are meant to simulate. This is caused by differences in phenomena
such as gloss, light scatter (within the print substrate or the colourant), ink trap or overprint efficiency,
metamerism and transparency. Such differences are likely for those off-press proofing processes in
which the print substrate, the colourants and the technology for applying them are significantly different
from flexographic printing. In such cases the user or the supplier needs to ensure that appropriate
corrections are specified.
Although this market uses colour proofing on electronic displays, and it was the intent of the authors to
reference the requirements for such proofing techniques, ISO/TC 130 has not yet defined a standard in this
area that can be referenced. It is hoped that such work will progress and be available in the near future.
In addition, work has started on ISO 17972, Graphic technology — Colour data exchange format.
ISO 17972-4 will include exchange specifications for spot colour characterization data to facilitate the
communication of spot colour data.
© ISO 2012 – All rights reserved v
---------------------- Page: 7 ----------------------
SIST ISO 12647-6:2014
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SIST ISO 12647-6:2014
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 12647-6:2012(E)
Graphic technology — Process control for the production of
half-tone colour separations, proofs and production prints —
Part 6:
Flexographic printing
1 Scope
This part of ISO 12647 specifies the requirements for the exchange of data and information necessary for
the definition of the aims for four-colour flexographic printing of packaging and publication materials,
including newsprint. It is based on the use of colour characterization data to define the colourimetric
printing aims and includes appropriate assignment of responsibility for and recommended tolerances on
critical parameters of the flexographic printing process. This part of ISO 12647 is directly applicable to:
— publication flexographic printing including magazines, catalogues and commercial materials and
packaging flexographic printing including labels, boxes, and flexible packages;
— half-tone and continuous tone proofing processes that predict the colourimetric results of
flexographic printing.
Guidance is also provided concerning the definition of spot colours used in flexographic printing.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the reference
document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 5-3, Photography and graphic technology — Density measurements — Part 3: Spectral conditions
ISO 2846-5, Graphic technology — Colour and transparency of printing ink sets for four-colour printing —
Part 5: Flexographic printing
ISO/TS 10128, Graphic technology — Methods of adjustment of the colour reproduction of a printing system
to match a set of characterization data
ISO 12647-7, Graphic technology — Process control for the production of half-tone colour separations, proof
and production prints — Part 7: Proofing processes working directly from digital data
ISO 13655, Graphic technology — Spectral measurement and colorimetric computation for graphic arts images
ISO 15930 (all parts), Graphic technology — Prepress digital data exchange using PDF
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1
printing forme for flexography
cylinder or sleeve covered with a relief type rubber or photopolymer plate for application of printing ink
to print substrate
[SOURCE: ISO 2834-2:2007, definition 3.3]
© ISO 2012 – All rights reserved 1
---------------------- Page: 9 ----------------------
SIST ISO 12647-6:2014
ISO 12647-6:2012(E)
3.2
provider
organization that prepares the data for printing, distributor of a digital data file, designer, consumer
products company or trade shop
3.3
receiver
organization that receives the file, or to whom a digital data file is delivered, in the context of this part
of ISO 12647 usually a prepress company, printer or converter
3.4
replacement colour
spot colour used, with altered separations, in place of a process colour
3.5
spot colour
non-process colour that is used in addition to, or in place of, a process colour and is normally applied
with a single impression
Note 1 to entry: When associated with a corporate product identity, a spot colour is also known as brand colour.
4 Requirements
4.1 General
In all cases, digital data files, colour separation film sets or printing formes delivered for printing
shall be accompanied by a contract proof or a soft-copy proof unless there is agreement between all
parties concerned that no proof is required. If delivered, the contract proof shall simulate the intended
printing condition including finishing and shall conform to ISO 12647-7. This fact shall be verifiable by
measuring a well-specified control strip or a similar control target suitable for measured verification
that is printed on the proof print along with the subject. The use of soft-copy proofs requires agreement
between sender and receiver.
NOTE Where intermediate proofs are needed to simulate the printed product without finishing applied,
these are typically prepared by the printer.
4.2 Material input requirements
4.2.1 General
Input for flexographic printing may be either film, digital data or printing formes. It should be noted that
the use of film or printing formes as the interchange format between provider and receiver may include
additional details (such as image distortion) not covered in detail in this International Standard.
4.2.2 Distortion correction
There is currently no agreement as to a single formula for image distortion. Therefore, the computation
to be used shall be agreed upon between the provider and receiver.
4.2.3 Proof requirements
All input for flexographic printing (film, digital data or printing formes) shall be accompanied by a proof
prepared in accordance with ISO 12647-7 unless there is prior agreement that a proof is not required, or
that an agreed upon soft-copy proof will be used.
2 © ISO 2012 – All rights reserved
---------------------- Page: 10 ----------------------
SIST ISO 12647-6:2014
ISO 12647-6:2012(E)
4.2.4 Digital data files
Data delivered for printing shall be in the colour formats of CMYK, CMYK plus spot colours, or CMYK
with replacement colours. The actual data delivered may be either final format data or three-component
colour data sets with associated colour profiles to allow the data to be converted to the final data format.
The intended printing condition shall be defined with sufficient data to allow at least one of the three
methods described in ISO/TS 10128 to be applied for establishing the printing aims. Where the intended
printing condition is included in the registry of characterizations maintained by the ICC, and the digital
data are CMYK, the name used in the ICC registry may be used for identification in lieu of including an
ICC output profile. If the intended printing condition is not included in said registry, an ICC output profile
shall be included. If the data are other than CMYK, the data shall be defined colourimetrically using an
ICC destination profile that shall be included; the rendering intent to be used with the output profile
shall be communicated.
The file format used for data exchange shall be PDF/X in accordance with ISO 15930 (all parts).
NOTE 1 Communication of spot colours as part of digital data exchange is not yet fully defined. See Annex A .
NOTE 2 Annex B provides a printing curve for use in those situations where colour-managed systems for data
input and preparation are either not available or not appropriate.
4.2.5 Film/printing forme requirements
4.2.5.1 Colour separations
In order to permit the reproduction of at least 100 tone value steps, the resolution of the image setter or
printing forme setter should be set to the appropriate resolution for the screen ruling required for the
printing application.
When film is provided, the matte negative colour separation film shall have a core density of 4,0 or
above. The transmission density in the centre of a clear half-tone dot shall not be more than 0,1 above
the corresponding value of a large clear area. The transmission density of the clear film shall not be
higher than 0,15. Both measurements shall be made with a (UV) transmission densitometer whose
spectral products conform to ISO 5 Type 1 printing density as defined in ISO 5-3.
The fringe width shall not be greater than one fortieth of the screen width.
In the case of digital plate making process based on laser ablative mask, both the mask and the stain
level shall be controlled. The mask shall have an ISO 5 Type 1 printing density of 4,0 or above. The
stain level (amount of mask not removed by the laser) shall not be higher than 0,07. Stain level is the
transmission density difference between an area where the mask was totally removed (using adhesive
tape or solvent) and a solid area (where the mask was removed by the exclusive means of the laser).
NOTE 1 The clear film density requirement is based on the understanding that the density range of the clear
areas of all films that are to be exposed onto the same plate need to be within an ISO 5 Type 1 printing density
range of 0,10. Experience has proved that 0,05 represents the lowest commonly found value for ISO 5 Type 1
printing density. For half-tone films with clear film densities above this range, agreements between the supplier
of colour separations and the recipient are required. Contacting or duplicating can also be used to bring half-tone
films with dissimilar clear film densities into agreement.
NOTE 2 As a practical guide, a core density of 4,0 above the clear film density will normally be achieved if the
density of large solid areas is more than 4,0 above the clear film density.
NOTE 3 Other than for the clear film density requirement, the colour separation film quality can be evaluated
according to the informative Annex D.
4.2.5.2 Printing forme delivery
Flexographic printing formes, whether prepared by the provider or the receiver, shall be created with
both an uncompensated and a compensated set of control patches representing the tonal steps of at least
the minimum dot size, and tonal values of 10 %, 30 %, 50 %, 70 %, and a solid.
© ISO 2012 – All rights reserved 3
---------------------- Page: 11 ----------------------
SIST ISO 12647-6:2014
ISO 12647-6:2012(E)
For the uncompensated set of patches, the tone values measured on the printing forme shall be within
the tolerances shown in Table 1. Verification of the accuracy of these values shall be based on agreement
between provider and receiver concerning the measurement system to be used, including any relevant
settings and conditions, for measuring dot area on the printing forme. This requires that the control
patches be exposed independent of the image content.
For the compensated set of patches, the data in the file associated with these patches shall be the tone
values necessary to produce the indicated value when printed on the substrate. These control patches,
measured on the printing forme, shall be within tone value tolerance shown in Table 1. Verification of
the accuracy of these values shall be based on agreement between provider and receiver concerning the
measurement system to be used, including any relevant settings and conditions, for measuring dot area
on the printing forme.
NOTE 1 Because the tone value measured on the printing forme does not necessarily represent the tone value
that will be achieved on the printed sheet, a common calibration process is to expose a digital scale representing
the full tonal scale and use this to calibrate the relationship between tone value measured on the printing forme
and tone value achieved on the printed sheet.
Table 1 — Tone value tolerances for printing forme delivery
Screen rulings equal to Screen rulings above
Tone value range
−1 −1
or below 48 cm 48 cm
Tone values below or equal
± 1 ± 2
to 10 %
Tone values above 10 % ± 2 ± 3
NOTE 2 Be
...
INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 12647-6
Second edition
2012-12-15
Graphic technology — Process
control for the production of half-
tone colour separations, proofs and
production prints —
Part 6:
Flexographic printing
Technologie graphique — Contrôle des processus de confection de
sélections couleurs tramées, d’épreuves et de tirages —
Partie 6: Processus flexographique
Reference number
ISO 12647-6:2012(E)
©
ISO 2012
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
ISO 12647-6:2012(E)
COPYRIGHT PROTECTED DOCUMENT
© ISO 2012
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any
means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from either ISO at the
address below or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
Case postale 56 • CH-1211 Geneva 20
Tel. + 41 22 749 01 11
Fax + 41 22 749 09 47
E-mail copyright@iso.org
Web www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO 2012 – All rights reserved
---------------------- Page: 2 ----------------------
ISO 12647-6:2012(E)
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Requirements . 2
4.1 General . 2
4.2 Material input requirements . 2
4.3 Printing aims. 4
5 Reporting . 8
Annex A (informative) Communication of spot colour data . 9
Annex B (informative) Printing curve for non-colour managed workflows .10
Annex C (informative) Information exchange .11
Annex D (informative) Determination of quality parameters of half-tone dots on a colour
separation film .13
Bibliography .15
© ISO 2012 – All rights reserved iii
---------------------- Page: 3 ----------------------
ISO 12647-6:2012(E)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International
Standards adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting.
Publication as an International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies
casting a vote.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
ISO 12647-6 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 130, Graphic technology.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 12647-6:2006), which has been technically
revised. This revision of this part of ISO 12647 has changed the intent of the document from a process
control definition to a specification of the way to exchange the information necessary to define the
printing characteristics of the desired product. To do this it has built on colour management technology
and the exchange of colour characterization data.
ISO 12647 consists of the following parts, under the general title Graphic technology — Process control
for the production of half-tone colour separations, proofs and production prints:
— Part 1: Parameters and measurement methods
— Part 2: Offset lithographic processes
— Part 3: Coldset offset lithography on newsprint
— Part 4: Publication gravure printing
— Part 5: Screen printing
— Part 6: Flexographic printing
— Part 7: Proofing processes working directly from digital data
— Part 8: Validation print processes working directly from digital data
iv © ISO 2012 – All rights reserved
---------------------- Page: 4 ----------------------
ISO 12647-6:2012(E)
Introduction
Historically the ISO 12647 series of International Standards established the process control parameters
and their aim values and tolerances for the most important professional printing processes of the graphic
arts industry. The initial concept was that the groundwork for the series was laid down in ISO 12647-1.
This part of ISO 12647 differs from that concept because flexographic printing has changed significantly
since ISO 12647 was initially conceived.
This edition of this part of ISO 12647 differs from the earlier edition by not defining specific printing
condition aims but instead requires that a specific reference printing condition (characterization data
set) be specified. Flexographic printing differs from other printing procedures by using a variety of
printing machine architectures, ink sequence, ink types, anilox rollers, substrate types, etc. Each of these
involve different printing condition and process control aims. This part of ISO 12647 requires that the
colour of the printed product match a characterization data set or a printing condition agreed upon by
the provider and the receiver and specifies minimum requirements and tolerances to be communicated
and produced.
The purpose of a proof is to simulate the visual characteristics of the finished printed product as closely
as possible, which often becomes a contractual agreement between provider and receiver. In order to
visually simulate a particular printed product, off-press proofing processes might require values for
various process control aims (e.g. solid tone colouration, tone value increase) which are different from
those of the printing process they are meant to simulate. This is caused by differences in phenomena
such as gloss, light scatter (within the print substrate or the colourant), ink trap or overprint efficiency,
metamerism and transparency. Such differences are likely for those off-press proofing processes in
which the print substrate, the colourants and the technology for applying them are significantly different
from flexographic printing. In such cases the user or the supplier needs to ensure that appropriate
corrections are specified.
Although this market uses colour proofing on electronic displays, and it was the intent of the authors to
reference the requirements for such proofing techniques, ISO/TC 130 has not yet defined a standard in this
area that can be referenced. It is hoped that such work will progress and be available in the near future.
In addition, work has started on ISO 17972, Graphic technology — Colour data exchange format.
ISO 17972-4 will include exchange specifications for spot colour characterization data to facilitate the
communication of spot colour data.
© ISO 2012 – All rights reserved v
---------------------- Page: 5 ----------------------
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 12647-6:2012(E)
Graphic technology — Process control for the production of
half-tone colour separations, proofs and production prints —
Part 6:
Flexographic printing
1 Scope
This part of ISO 12647 specifies the requirements for the exchange of data and information necessary for
the definition of the aims for four-colour flexographic printing of packaging and publication materials,
including newsprint. It is based on the use of colour characterization data to define the colourimetric
printing aims and includes appropriate assignment of responsibility for and recommended tolerances on
critical parameters of the flexographic printing process. This part of ISO 12647 is directly applicable to:
— publication flexographic printing including magazines, catalogues and commercial materials and
packaging flexographic printing including labels, boxes, and flexible packages;
— half-tone and continuous tone proofing processes that predict the colourimetric results of
flexographic printing.
Guidance is also provided concerning the definition of spot colours used in flexographic printing.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the reference
document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 5-3, Photography and graphic technology — Density measurements — Part 3: Spectral conditions
ISO 2846-5, Graphic technology — Colour and transparency of printing ink sets for four-colour printing —
Part 5: Flexographic printing
ISO/TS 10128, Graphic technology — Methods of adjustment of the colour reproduction of a printing system
to match a set of characterization data
ISO 12647-7, Graphic technology — Process control for the production of half-tone colour separations, proof
and production prints — Part 7: Proofing processes working directly from digital data
ISO 13655, Graphic technology — Spectral measurement and colorimetric computation for graphic arts images
ISO 15930 (all parts), Graphic technology — Prepress digital data exchange using PDF
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1
printing forme for flexography
cylinder or sleeve covered with a relief type rubber or photopolymer plate for application of printing ink
to print substrate
[SOURCE: ISO 2834-2:2007, definition 3.3]
© ISO 2012 – All rights reserved 1
---------------------- Page: 6 ----------------------
ISO 12647-6:2012(E)
3.2
provider
organization that prepares the data for printing, distributor of a digital data file, designer, consumer
products company or trade shop
3.3
receiver
organization that receives the file, or to whom a digital data file is delivered, in the context of this part
of ISO 12647 usually a prepress company, printer or converter
3.4
replacement colour
spot colour used, with altered separations, in place of a process colour
3.5
spot colour
non-process colour that is used in addition to, or in place of, a process colour and is normally applied
with a single impression
Note 1 to entry: When associated with a corporate product identity, a spot colour is also known as brand colour.
4 Requirements
4.1 General
In all cases, digital data files, colour separation film sets or printing formes delivered for printing
shall be accompanied by a contract proof or a soft-copy proof unless there is agreement between all
parties concerned that no proof is required. If delivered, the contract proof shall simulate the intended
printing condition including finishing and shall conform to ISO 12647-7. This fact shall be verifiable by
measuring a well-specified control strip or a similar control target suitable for measured verification
that is printed on the proof print along with the subject. The use of soft-copy proofs requires agreement
between sender and receiver.
NOTE Where intermediate proofs are needed to simulate the printed product without finishing applied,
these are typically prepared by the printer.
4.2 Material input requirements
4.2.1 General
Input for flexographic printing may be either film, digital data or printing formes. It should be noted that
the use of film or printing formes as the interchange format between provider and receiver may include
additional details (such as image distortion) not covered in detail in this International Standard.
4.2.2 Distortion correction
There is currently no agreement as to a single formula for image distortion. Therefore, the computation
to be used shall be agreed upon between the provider and receiver.
4.2.3 Proof requirements
All input for flexographic printing (film, digital data or printing formes) shall be accompanied by a proof
prepared in accordance with ISO 12647-7 unless there is prior agreement that a proof is not required, or
that an agreed upon soft-copy proof will be used.
2 © ISO 2012 – All rights reserved
---------------------- Page: 7 ----------------------
ISO 12647-6:2012(E)
4.2.4 Digital data files
Data delivered for printing shall be in the colour formats of CMYK, CMYK plus spot colours, or CMYK
with replacement colours. The actual data delivered may be either final format data or three-component
colour data sets with associated colour profiles to allow the data to be converted to the final data format.
The intended printing condition shall be defined with sufficient data to allow at least one of the three
methods described in ISO/TS 10128 to be applied for establishing the printing aims. Where the intended
printing condition is included in the registry of characterizations maintained by the ICC, and the digital
data are CMYK, the name used in the ICC registry may be used for identification in lieu of including an
ICC output profile. If the intended printing condition is not included in said registry, an ICC output profile
shall be included. If the data are other than CMYK, the data shall be defined colourimetrically using an
ICC destination profile that shall be included; the rendering intent to be used with the output profile
shall be communicated.
The file format used for data exchange shall be PDF/X in accordance with ISO 15930 (all parts).
NOTE 1 Communication of spot colours as part of digital data exchange is not yet fully defined. See Annex A .
NOTE 2 Annex B provides a printing curve for use in those situations where colour-managed systems for data
input and preparation are either not available or not appropriate.
4.2.5 Film/printing forme requirements
4.2.5.1 Colour separations
In order to permit the reproduction of at least 100 tone value steps, the resolution of the image setter or
printing forme setter should be set to the appropriate resolution for the screen ruling required for the
printing application.
When film is provided, the matte negative colour separation film shall have a core density of 4,0 or
above. The transmission density in the centre of a clear half-tone dot shall not be more than 0,1 above
the corresponding value of a large clear area. The transmission density of the clear film shall not be
higher than 0,15. Both measurements shall be made with a (UV) transmission densitometer whose
spectral products conform to ISO 5 Type 1 printing density as defined in ISO 5-3.
The fringe width shall not be greater than one fortieth of the screen width.
In the case of digital plate making process based on laser ablative mask, both the mask and the stain
level shall be controlled. The mask shall have an ISO 5 Type 1 printing density of 4,0 or above. The
stain level (amount of mask not removed by the laser) shall not be higher than 0,07. Stain level is the
transmission density difference between an area where the mask was totally removed (using adhesive
tape or solvent) and a solid area (where the mask was removed by the exclusive means of the laser).
NOTE 1 The clear film density requirement is based on the understanding that the density range of the clear
areas of all films that are to be exposed onto the same plate need to be within an ISO 5 Type 1 printing density
range of 0,10. Experience has proved that 0,05 represents the lowest commonly found value for ISO 5 Type 1
printing density. For half-tone films with clear film densities above this range, agreements between the supplier
of colour separations and the recipient are required. Contacting or duplicating can also be used to bring half-tone
films with dissimilar clear film densities into agreement.
NOTE 2 As a practical guide, a core density of 4,0 above the clear film density will normally be achieved if the
density of large solid areas is more than 4,0 above the clear film density.
NOTE 3 Other than for the clear film density requirement, the colour separation film quality can be evaluated
according to the informative Annex D.
4.2.5.2 Printing forme delivery
Flexographic printing formes, whether prepared by the provider or the receiver, shall be created with
both an uncompensated and a compensated set of control patches representing the tonal steps of at least
the minimum dot size, and tonal values of 10 %, 30 %, 50 %, 70 %, and a solid.
© ISO 2012 – All rights reserved 3
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ISO 12647-6:2012(E)
For the uncompensated set of patches, the tone values measured on the printing forme shall be within
the tolerances shown in Table 1. Verification of the accuracy of these values shall be based on agreement
between provider and receiver concerning the measurement system to be used, including any relevant
settings and conditions, for measuring dot area on the printing forme. This requires that the control
patches be exposed independent of the image content.
For the compensated set of patches, the data in the file associated with these patches shall be the tone
values necessary to produce the indicated value when printed on the substrate. These control patches,
measured on the printing forme, shall be within tone value tolerance shown in Table 1. Verification of
the accuracy of these values shall be based on agreement between provider and receiver concerning the
measurement system to be used, including any relevant settings and conditions, for measuring dot area
on the printing forme.
NOTE 1 Because the tone value measured on the printing forme does not necessarily represent the tone value
that will be achieved on the printed sheet, a common calibration process is to expose a digital scale representing
the full tonal scale and use this to calibrate the relationship between tone value measured on the printing forme
and tone value achieved on the printed sheet.
Table 1 — Tone value tolerances for printing forme delivery
Screen rulings equal to Screen rulings above
Tone value range
−1 −1
or below 48 cm 48 cm
Tone values below or equal
± 1 ± 2
to 10 %
Tone values above 10 % ± 2 ± 3
NOTE 2 Because the exposed area of a flexographic printing forme is not necessarily representative of the
tone value that will be achieved after processing of the printing forme, a common calibration process is to expose
a digital scale representing the full tonal scale and use this to calibrate the relationship between exposed tone
value and tone value achieved on the processed printing forme.
NOTE 3 The minimum physical dot printable (min dot) is dependent upon, among other things, the screen
ruling, printing forme technology and anilox roller being used an
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