Process Standard Offset (PSO) Compliance and

Certifi cation Consultationfor Graphic Arts

Helping our clients achieve ISO Standards through PSO Certifi cation to remain competitive in the market

2

X-Rite and UgraX-Rite and Ugra

PSO Compliance and Certifi cation Consultation

for Graphic Arts

Consulting for Success

Training and consulting from X-Rite can help you earn PSO compliance and achieve the predictability and repeatability of printing to international ISO standards. Reducing waste and improving effi ciency and profi tability will quickly translate into increased profi ts for your business.

Ugra is the Swiss Centre of Competence for Media and Printing Tech-nology - an independent research, development and testing institute that evaluates the competence of prepress and print organizations and certifies those who meet their high standards. Based in Switzer-land, Ugra is the one of the most respected institutions that serves the entire graphic arts industry in Europe and beyond. For more informa-tion, please visit www.ugra.ch.

3

As the graphic arts industry moves into the 21st century, graphics arts professionals and businesses are under increased pressure from the market to conform to international ISO standards in order to be able to prove their process effi ciencies for their customers. PSO certifi cation is the perfect way to remain competitive.

X-Rite and Ugra are proud to be working together to prepare graphic arts companies to meet and exceed the stringent quality and process control standards accepted by the international community.

To attain PSO certifi cation, a company must follow a process control methodology like PSO, which includes requirements for instrumentation, documentation, and traceability.

A certifi ed workfl ow can guarantee higher production quality with substantially less waste, clarifi ed internal and external communication, and fewer customer complaints. Certifi ed companies have reported a 5% annual increase in profi t!*

Helping our clients remain competitive

*Statistics achieved through our own research and Ugra published information

4

PSOCertification

How X-Rite Can HelpThrough our pre-qualification consultation, X-Rite can provide the guidance and expertise necessary to help you attain PSO certification. Our Ugra-Certified Experts will conduct a thorough evaluation of every step within your workflow, then work with you on areas that need improvement before Ugra arrives to certify your company. Our involvement will help reduce preparation time before the audit, and help ensure you receive a passing score.

X-Rite Colour Experts are trained in every aspect of the audit and can provide valuable insight into a successful operational process. We will ensure every aspect of your workflow, equipment and instrumentation meets or exceeds ISO Standards, then train your team on areas that need improvement.

Getting ready for an Ugra audit does take time and resources, but we believe that ultimately the benefits of certification outweigh the inconvenience of preparation. The time it takes to prepare depends on many variables, such as the size of your company, your current workflow process, the skill level of your operators, and the condition of your equipment and instrumentation.

Let us create a custom consultation and training program for your company, so you can enjoy the benefits that come from printing to international ISO standards.

Contact Maxim Siniak (msiniak@xrite.com) of the X-Rite Colour Services Team for more information.

5

Ugra PSO Certification®

In order to achieve certification, a qualifying company must undergo a one day audit, performed by two Ugra representatives together with your sales manager, order manager and prepress manager. The company must show it conforms to all standards (such as ISO 12647-2/3/7, 15390, 15076, 12646, 3664) in the following categories:

• Organization and documentation

• Data preflighting

• Data creation

• Display/Softproofing

• Proofing

• Plate making

• Print

• Standard illumination

Ugra will evaluate your entire workflow, and each step of every process must be documented. They will evaluate prepress, including measuring ambient light and checking monitors, proofers, and CTP devices. Next they move to the pressroom and validate everything from ambient light to how press operators deal with day-to-day print issues on-press. Finally, they will measure and evaluate press sheets and collect samples to take back for additional measurement and evaluation at their facility.

PSO certification is awarded to those companies who score a rating of 80% or higher, and is valid for two years. Those who earn Ugra certification can use it in their marketing and advertising documentation, and are listed on the Ugra website as a certified company.

X-Rite’s colour measurement, management and communication solutions are perfectly suited to the PSO certification process and can help in each of the previously-mentioned categories. In fact, Ugra also uses X-Rite solutions when conducting audits.

6

The Value of PSO Certification

The Value of CERTIFICATION

The Ugra PSO certification is highly respected in the graphic arts industry and can provide a competitive edge in the market. While going through this process, companies will gain insight into the workings of their operations and use that information to reduce waste and improve efficiency and profitability.

Internal BenefitsAs each step of the process is evaluated, not only do team members become educated on their position within the workflow, but they also learn how they fit into the bigger picture. In turn, communication between groups improves, resulting in better relationships, increased knowledge, and a streamlined workflow with fewer production mistakes. The end result is increased employee morale and better quality output for your customers.

Financial BenefitsThe goal of a PSO certification is not only to achieve high-quality production, but also to provide a return on your investment - money you can put back into your business. In our experience, certified companies report an annual increase in profit of 5%, plus:

• Make ready shortened by 20%

• 5% fewer plates

• 15% new customers and jobs

Competitive BenefitsTo ensure the best possible quality, more and more graphic arts customers are looking for certified print providers. Ugra certification can certainly enhance your company’s standing.

7

InkFormulation SoftwareColorQuality SoftwareX-RiteColor Master SoftwareSpectroEye Spectrophotometer530 Spectrodensitometer939 SpectrodensitometerSPL III Viewing BoothJudge II Viewing Booth

Profi leMaker 5 Platinum SoftwareMonacoPROFILER Platinum Softwarei1 Solutionsi1iSis Chart Readeri1iO Scanning TableiCPlate2 Plate ReaderPANTONE PLUS SERIES Formula GuidesPANTONE Goe Formula Guides

EasyTrax and IntelliTrax automated scanning systems

Quality Control and Ink Lab

Prepress

Pressroom

The Right Solutions

X-Rite is dedicated to offering our expertise and knowledge to help you achieve PSO certifi cation. While our training and consulting services are tough to list on paper, here is just a sampling of the tools we can provide to help you update your workfl ow to meet ISO Standards requirements through PSO process control.

8

Success Story

A certified workflow can guarantee higher production quality, substantially less waste, clearer internal and external communication, and fewer customer complaints. Certified companies have reported a 5% annual increase in profit!

Case Study

Five managers from printing companies awarded an Ugra PSO certificate were asked about their experiences to date. In short, their answers revealed the following:

• PSO certification had a positive effect on all aspects of the printing workflow.

• PSO certification turned out to be much more straightforward than anticipated.

• Certification has very much improved communication within the company.

• Communication with customers has become much more precise.

• The amount of waste materials has been reduced.

• Profits are up.

• Staff motivation has increased.

When asked if they’d do it all again, 100% said YES!

YOU Can Benefit!History is proving that PSO certification promotes an increase in productivity and quality and reduces waste and complaints. X-Rite can help you gain a competitive edge in the graphic arts marketplace.

Contact Maxim Siniak (msiniak@xrite.com) of the X-Rite Colour Services Team for more information.

9

© 2010. X-Rite, Incorporated. All rights reserved. PANTONE® and other Pantone, Inc.trademarks are the property of Pantone, Inc.

xrite.com pantone.com

L7-482