The Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA) plans to create a set of color standards for digital printing. The trade association for printers of all kinds – including garment decorators – says these color standards are sorely needed in the industry.

“There’s a big gap in the specification arena in the printing industry,” said Ray Weiss, director of digital print programs for the SGIA. Standard color guidelines have been developed for other printing methods using traditional CMYK inks, but not for the digital realm. “Digital printing is the Wild West, with substrates and ink sets varying tremendously.”

Digital printing color standards will reduce waste and lead to more satisfied customers, Weiss said.

To create the guidelines, the SGIA has brought together a working group of professionals from all facets of digital printing: manufacturers of inks, media and presses; software designers; printers; and color experts. The Sonoco Institute for Packaging Design and Graphics at Clemson University will provide measurement data, and Andrew D. Paparozzi, chief economist for the SGIA, will oversee statistical calculations.

The rest of the group consists of Travis Barcelona, Nazdar; Bruce Bayne, SpotOn!; Tim Bolton, Ricoh; Dave Brewer, Image Options; Tom Cooper, WestRock; Ann Crum, Phoenix Ink; Dan Gillespie, Alder Technology; Josh Hope, Mimaki, USA; Mike Mentone, 3M; Chris Padilla, Mutoh; Peter Pretzer, FUJIFILM; Jim Raffel, ColorCasters; Bruce Ridge, Nazdar; Paul Roba, Avery Dennison; Toby Satterfield, Ricoh; and Max West, Holland and Crosby.

“This is a challenging project, but we have some of the best color people in the industry working on it,” Weiss said. “We have the knowledge base and we have the support of manufacturers and printers. The time is right to take action.”