Building an Integrated Color Management, Print Workflow and Ink Formulation Capability

1. Executive Summary

Gilvan Packaging Corporation undertook a focused two-day technical learning and process-review program with TLab, Taiwan and Color Doctor Philippines to strengthen the company's end-to-end approach to color management, print workflow control and ink formulation. The program was designed for the entire sales-to-production chain—from Sales and Marketing through Prepress, Quality Assurance, Cylinder Making, Ink Formulation, Ink Dispensing and Press Operations.

A central objective was to establish a common understanding of how color targets move through the complete production chain. The team examined Gilvan’s existing workflow and processes, reviewed the ink formulation process, checked and audited current practices, and discussed how existing software platforms such as GMG ColorProof and GMG ColorServer Multicolor fit into a controlled color workflow.

Rather than treating color as the responsibility of a single department, the event established a common technical language and workflow perspective across the organization. Participants examined how decisions made at the front end of a job can influence proofing, plate/cylinder preparation, ink formulation, press setup and final print quality.

The program also included a review of Gilvan's existing infrastructure, verification and updating of X-Rite eXact measuring devices through the acquired X-Rite NetProfiler solution, and a separate software upgrade for the company's existing X-Rite Ink Formulation Software. Bodoni PresSign was introduced as a potential tool for standardizing press-side color control, with G7 principles used as a reference for consistency. A brief examination at the end assessed participant understanding.

2. Objectives of the Engagement

• Establish a shared understanding of the fundamentals of color management across all departments.
• Analyze Gilvan's current print workflow and identify opportunities to improve consistency, communication and process control.
• Review and audit the ink formulation process, including how formulation decisions affect press performance and color repeatability.
• Validate the condition and measurement reliability of X-Rite eXact instruments and implement NetProfiler-based device checking, updating and calibration.
• Upgrade the existing X-Rite Ink Formulation Software to support more effective ink formulation and operational control.
• Review the role of GMG ColorProof and GMG ColorServer Multicolor within Gilvan's existing prepress and proofing environment.
• Introduce Bodoni PresSign and explain how press operators can use measured information to control the press against target color standards.
• Build cross-functional awareness so all teams work toward the same color objective.
• Assess participant understanding through a short examination at the end of the program.

3. Cross-Functional Audience

A major strength of the program was its inclusion of the complete workflow. Each group viewed color management from the perspective of its own responsibilities while also learning how its decisions affect the next process.

• Sales & Marketing: Customer expectations, target color communication, specification accuracy and realistic production commitments.
• Prepress: Color separation, proofing, profiling, workflow consistency and file preparation for predictable reproduction.
• Quality Assurance: Objective measurement, tolerances, process verification, documentation and continuous improvement.
• Cylinder Making: Consistency between approved artwork, cylinder preparation and downstream press reproduction.
• Ink Formulation: Accurate recipe development, database discipline, material control and repeatability of press inks.
• Ink Dispensing: Correct dispensing, weighing, identification, traceability and reduction of formulation errors.
• Press Operations: Machine setup, measurement, correction and maintaining output close to the target standard during production.

4. Day 1 — Color Management and Workflow Assessment

Fundamentals of Color Management

The first part of the event established the fundamentals needed for a common understanding of color. Participants were introduced to color management basics, correct color communication, and the relationship between customer artwork, color specifications, proofing, printing conditions, measurement and the final visual result. The emphasis was on controlling the process rather than relying only on visual judgment.

The session reinforced objective measurement, defined targets, consistent viewing and documented procedures—particularly important when several departments contribute to one printed job.

Analysis of Gilvan's Existing Print Workflow

TLab and Color Doctor Philippines reviewed Gilvan's current print workflow and process interfaces. The discussion focused on how information moves from Sales and Marketing to Prepress, Cylinder Making, Ink Formulation and Dispensing, QA, and finally the pressroom. The review highlighted the need for clear handoffs, consistent color targets, controlled measurement conditions and traceable process information.

Existing Infrastructure

Gilvan's existing GMG ColorProof and GMG ColorServer Multicolor environment was presented and discussed. Participants reviewed the role of proofing and color conversion within the overall production workflow, with attention to predictable communication between artwork files, proofs and production printing.

5. Day 2 — Ink Formulation, Measurement and Press Control

Ink Formulation Process Checking and Audit

The second day included a focused review of Gilvan's ink formulation process: how formulas are created, verified, adjusted and communicated to production, and how the process can become more repeatable and traceable. The audit emphasized accurate material identification, correct weighing and dispensing, formula discipline, measurement-based adjustments, documentation and feedback from cylinder-making and the pressroom.

X-Rite eXact Device Verification with NetProfiler

Gilvan’s X-Rite eXact measuring devices were checked and updated using the acquired X-Rite NetProfiler solution. This reinforced that color decisions are only as reliable as the measurement instruments and their verification status. A brief device-feature training was also conducted, highlighting Best Match.

X-Rite Ink Formulation Software Upgrade

A separate software upgrade was addressed for Gilvan's existing X-Rite Ink Formulation Software, as part of the broader effort to improve formulation efficiency, recipe management and color-matching discipline. Together, the software environment and verified measuring devices create a stronger measurement-to-formulation loop: measure the target, formulate systematically, verify the result and communicate the approved formulation to production.

X-Rite eXact Best Match

Best Match was discussed as a practical color-matching function that helps printing and ink-production teams determine how closely a measured ink or printed sample matches a defined target color. It uses objective spectrophotometric measurement rather than relying solely on visual judgment.

• Objective color evaluation using measured data.
• Faster ink matching and more informed formulation adjustments.
• Press-side decision-making for operators and QA.
• Reduced trial and error and unnecessary ink corrections.
• Improved consistency between batches, jobs and production runs.
• Better communication through shared numerical color targets and tolerances.
• Support for documented color-control procedures.

This creates a closed-loop color-management approach, keeping the color target established at the beginning as the reference throughout ink preparation and printing.

6. Ambient Light Measurement Demonstration Using X-Rite i1Pro 3 and BabelColor

A practical demonstration was conducted on ambient light measurement using the X-Rite i1Pro 3 in combination with BabelColor software. The objective was to demonstrate how the lighting environment can influence the visual evaluation of printed packaging, proofs, inks and color samples.

The demonstration emphasized that accurate color measurement is not limited to the measuring instrument—the viewing environment must also be controlled and understood. Even when two samples have identical measured color values, differences in surrounding illumination can affect how operators visually perceive color.

The X-Rite i1Pro 3 was demonstrated as a spectrophotometric measurement device capable of capturing spectral information from the illumination environment. The measured data can then be evaluated using BabelColor to examine the characteristics of available ambient light.

For Gilvan Packaging, understanding and measuring the lighting environment can support more reliable visual evaluation, reduce metamerism-related surprises, improve proof-to-print comparison and customer color approval, standardize QA practices, and improve pressroom awareness. The activity reinforced that lighting is part of the color-management workflow, not simply an environmental condition.

7. Bodoni PresSign — Bringing Color Control to the Pressroom

The event included a practical introduction to Bodoni PresSign and its role in press-side color control. The key concept is to give press personnel objective, actionable information while the press is running, instead of depending solely on visual comparison or waiting for final QA inspection.

For Gilvan, PresSign can support a more disciplined press-control workflow by connecting measured print results with the agreed target condition. This is especially relevant when working toward G7-oriented process control, where consistency of tone, neutral appearance and process behavior are important parts of the target.

The intended operational benefit is a faster feedback loop: print, measure, compare against the target, make controlled corrections and verify again. With maintained measurement devices, defined color targets and trained operators, this approach can help reduce subjective decision-making and improve repeatability.

8. Key Outcomes and Business Value

• One Color Language: Different departments gain a shared understanding of color targets, measurement and process variation.
• Improved Workflow Visibility: Color responsibilities and handoffs become visible across departments.
• More Controlled Ink Formulation: A structured formulation and verification process can improve recipe accuracy, repeatability and traceability.
• Reliable Measurement: NetProfiler-supported checking of X-Rite eXact devices increases confidence in measurement-based decisions.
• Stronger Digital Workflow: Existing GMG ColorProof and GMG ColorServer Multicolor capabilities are better understood within the overall production workflow.
• Pressroom Feedback: Bodoni PresSign introduces a practical framework for measuring and controlling press output against target conditions.
• Reduced Trial-and-Error: Better measurement and cross-functional communication can reduce unnecessary adjustments, waste and rework.
• Capability Development: The program develops internal technical knowledge rather than leaving color expertise isolated with one individual or department.

9. Closing Knowledge Examination

Before the event concluded, participants completed a brief examination designed to check understanding of the topics covered during the two-day program. The assessment served as a learning checkpoint and reinforced the importance of applying color management principles consistently across departments.

The examination covered color management fundamentals, workflow relationships, measurement, ink formulation, software roles and press-side color control. Beyond the score itself, the exercise encouraged participants to connect technical concepts with their day-to-day responsibilities.

10. Recommended Next Steps

1. Define and document Gilvan's standard color-management workflow from customer specification through final production.
2. Establish a clear decision on which color target must be implemented and ensure each concerned department is aware of and follows the correct parameters.
3. Maintain regular verification and documentation for all X-Rite eXact devices using the available NetProfiler capability.
4. Standardize use of the upgraded X-Rite Ink Formulation Software, including formula naming, material identification, revisions and approval records.
5. Develop a controlled ink formulation and dispensing procedure that includes verification before release to cylinder-making and print production.
6. Learn to use and create practical operator training using the free demo license for Bodoni PresSign, applying measured press adjustments to achieve an acceptable percentage.
7. Document the intended roles of GMG ColorProof, GMG OpenColor and GMG ColorServer Multicolor within the production workflow.
8. Establish a recurring internal color audit and refresher training program involving Prepress, QA, Ink and Press teams.
9. Use future production jobs as controlled learning opportunities to compare target standards, measured results, corrective actions and final outcomes.

11. Conclusion

The two-day engagement with TLab, Taiwan and Color Doctor Philippines represented a significant step toward a more integrated color-management culture at Gilvan Packaging Corporation. By bringing Sales and Marketing, Prepress, QA, Cylinder Making, Ink Formulation, Ink Dispensing and Press Operations into the same learning environment, the program connected technical knowledge with the realities of packaging production.

The combination of workflow analysis, ink formulation auditing, GMG software review, X-Rite eXact verification through NetProfiler, X-Rite Ink Formulation Software upgrading and the introduction of Bodoni PresSign gives Gilvan a stronger foundation for measurement-based color control.