Overview
ISO 15339-1:2024 - Graphic technology: Printing from digital data across multiple technologies - Part 1: Principles - defines the principles for using colour characterization data as the authoritative link between digital input data and the printed colour appearance. It covers file preparation, job assembly, proofing and production printing, and specifies procedures to adjust characterization data for normal substrate colour variation. The standard enables process‑independent production aims so different printing technologies can reproduce a common visual intent.
Key topics and requirements
- Colour characterization data (CCD) as the reference definition of intended printed colour and gamut.
- Characterized Reference Printing Conditions (CRPCs): identified printing conditions linked to CCDs intended for use across multiple printing processes.
- Data encoding and preparation: digital data are encoded (e.g., CMYK or RGB with associated profiles) and should include metadata (PDF/X compatibility) to identify the intended CRPC.
- Adjustment for substrate colour: procedure to fine‑tune CCDs to account for the normally expected range of substrate (paper) colours.
- Process‑independent workflow principles: use reference CCDs to derive process control aims (tone value increase, grey balance, gamut) rather than relying on process‑specific assumptions.
- Colour profiles and transforms: use of ICC/profile rules (ISO 15076‑1) and profile-derived transforms for gamut mapping, tone reproduction, black generation, and TAC limits.
- Preparations for printing & control: guidance on determining device characteristics, maintaining running press characteristics, and job‑specific adjustments.
- Informative annexes: Annex A (correction of colorimetric data for substrate variation) and Annex B (process‑independent workflow).
Practical applications and users
ISO 15339-1:2024 is practical for:
- Prepress and colour management specialists who prepare files and proofs.
- Print buyers and production managers who require consistent visual aims across technologies.
- Press operators and quality control engineers implementing process control aims from CCDs.
- Proofing houses and soft‑proof systems that must simulate final print appearance.
- Software and RIP vendors integrating CRPC metadata, ICC profiles and PDF/X workflows.
Benefits include improved colour consistency across offset, flexo, gravure, digital presses; clearer proofing targets; and streamlined process‑independent production workflows.
Related standards
Keywords: ISO 15339-1:2024, colour characterization data, CRPC, process independent, graphic technology, PDF/X, ICC profile, substrate colour, print colour management.