Colour testing services for Printers
Product Testing for Colour Compliance
Corporate consumers of printed products whether in packaging, labeling, commercial or other print sectors are increasingly demanding colour managed products. The economic case for colour managed production is very simple. Profitability can no longer absorb substandard colour. The cost of colour quality failure and rejection, together with consequential customer service/ delivery pressures has the potential to be very serious.
Conversely, the savings available in terms of production set up, make ready times, waste minimization, reductions in customer colour complaints are profound for a well operated colour quality system. This is the case even for the larger and most professionally managed print production businesses.
PMC can offer the first ever product compliance testing for a printed product which is done with a UKAS accreditation. All other product testing currently available is not independent or UKAS accredited, and therefore not internationally recognised.
Benefits of the PMC product test:
- Valid, independent and internationally recognized product compliance test to ISO 12647
- Completely impartial testing carried out by PMC, a UKAS accredited third party certification body
- Highly cost effective
- Rapid reporting on product compliance
In what circumstances should a product colour compliance test be done?
- As a pre-audit for an ISO colour standard
- To validate a claim that your press is capable of compliance to ISO 12647
- As a stepping stone to full certification
- In the event of a dispute on colour between customer and supplier
- As part of an internal audit of colour quality
- Compliance tests can be done annually to confirm capability via our annual product compliance scheme
There are three services available from PMC:
- Pre-audit product compliance test towards full 12647 certification
- Annual audit 12647 product compliance scheme.
- Product compliance testing as a verification of capability
Option 1. Pre-audit product compliance test towards full 12647 certification
Designed for those clients who choose to gain certification to the colour quality scheme then a product colour compliance test is an inherent part of the certification process. These tests can be done as a pre-audit to establish your capability in producing products to meet the ISO standard. It is essential to know whether your products meet the ISO 12647 standard. This has to be determined by an independent third party, who is entirely impartial. This test provides you with vital information about the compliance of your products.
The test has to be conducted within 6 months of the initial 12647 certification audit by PMC. If the pre-audit is chosen then no additional testing will then be required as part of the formal certification audit itself. Passing this product test enables you immediately to make a specific verification claim to customers, and use PMC’s ISO 12647 product compliance mark.
The pre-audit product compliance test is therefore a stepping stone to full certification. The cost is £950 plus VAT for each audit day including the product test. The pre-audit product test is conducted under the full audit conditions of the BPIF 12647 colour quality certification scheme.
Option 2. Annual audit 12647 product compliance scheme.
This service is for those clients who want to confirm their 12647 colour capability, but who do not need or require a full certification to the BPIF 12647 colour quality certification scheme. In this case the annual audit compliance scheme is the option of choice.
The scheme runs for 3 years and gives you and your customers confidence that you remain capable of printing to ISO 12647. It also gives you a clear indication if there is any deviation from the colour standard and allows you to take corrective action to prevent a problem arising. The scheme enables you to make a specific verification claim to customers, and use PMC’s compliance mark, with the backing of PMC, an independent and UKAS accredited third party certification body.
The scheme costs £2,550 plus VAT for the entire 3 year period giving you confidence that this vital colour capability is recognised through an independent and impartial third party verification. Successful product tests are required each year.The scheme includes 1 audit day for product tests per year. If you wish, additional on-site product tests can be made at any stage on request at £950 plus VAT.
Option 3. Product compliance testing as a verification of capability
This is an off site product compliance test which is tailored for those printers who want to gauge their colour performance to ISO 12647. This test is conducted with the aim of providing information to the company for information and internal use only.
It is ideal for those companies who wish to get independent, impartial information on the compliance of their products, but who may not wish to incur the costs of testing themselves, whether it be software or equipment.
The test does not require any auditor on site, and so is not conducted under the audit conditions of the certification scheme. Companies being tested in this way cannot claim verification of compliance to their customers, nor use of the PMC product compliance marks. PMC provide a test forme, the client prints this and then returns to PMC for testing and a report is issued. The cost is £425 plus VAT for each product test.