ISO 12647-6:2006

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
SIST ISO 12647-6:2008
01-januar-2008
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Graphic technology - Process control for the production of half-tone colour separations,
proofs and production prints - Part 6: Flexographic printing
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z:
ICS:
37.100.01 *UDILþQDWHKQRORJLMDQD Graphic technology in
VSORãQR general
SIST ISO 12647-6:2008 en
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

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INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 12647-6
First edition
2006-04-01

Graphic technology — Process control
for the production of half-tone colour
separations, proofs and production
prints —
Part 6:
Flexographic printing
Technologie graphique — Contrôle des processus de confection de
sélections couleurs tramées, d'épreuves et de tirages —
Partie 6: Processus flexographique



Reference number
ISO 12647-6:2006(E)
©
ISO 2006

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ISO 12647-6:2006(E)
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©  ISO 2006
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ii © ISO 2006 – All rights reserved

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ISO 12647-6:2006(E)
Contents Page
Foreword. iv
Introduction . v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions. 1
4 Requirements . 2
4.1 General. 2
4.2 Data files, colour separation films and printing formes . 2
4.3 Proof or production print . 4
5 Test methods: tone value and tone value increase of a print. 7
6 Reporting of printing conditions. 7
Annex A (informative) Composition of grey balance patches. 8
Bibliography . 9

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ISO 12647-6:2006(E)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies
(ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO
technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been
established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and
non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International Standards
adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an
International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
ISO 12647-6 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 130, Graphic technology.
ISO 12647 consists of the following parts, under the general title Graphic technology — Process control for
the production of half-tone colour separations, proofs and production prints:
⎯ Part 1: Parameters and measurement methods
⎯ Part 2: Offset lithographic processes
⎯ Part 3: Coldset offset lithography on newsprint
⎯ Part 4: Publication gravure printing
⎯ Part 5: Screen printing
⎯ Part 6: Flexographic printing
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ISO 12647-6:2006(E)
Introduction
The ISO 12647 series of International Standards establishes the process control parameters and their aim
values and tolerances for the most important professional printing processes of the graphic arts industry. The
groundwork for the remainder of the series is laid down in ISO 12647-1. The latter should be consulted for
information on:
⎯ the minimum set of primary process parameters required to uniquely define the visual characteristics of a
half-tone proof or production print;
⎯ definitions of general terms necessary for process control;
⎯ measurement methods and reporting.
This part of ISO 12647 lists values or sets of values of the primary parameters specified in ISO 12647-1 and
related technical properties of a half-tone flexographic print. Where deemed useful, secondary parameters are
also specified.
The purpose of a proof print is to simulate the visual characteristics of the finished print product as closely as
possible. In order to visually match a particular print, off-press proofing processes might require values for
solid tone coloration and tone value increase which are different from those of the printing process they are
meant to simulate. This is caused by differences in phenomena such as gloss, light scatter (within the print
substrate or the colorant), metamerism and transparency. Such differences are likely for those off-press
proofing processes in which the print substrate, the colorants and the technology for applying them are
significantly different from flexographic printing. In such cases the user or the supplier should ensure that
appropriate corrections are specified.

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INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 12647-6:2006(E)

Graphic technology — Process control for the production of
half-tone colour separations, proofs and production prints —
Part 6:
Flexographic printing
1 Scope
This part of ISO 12647 specifies a number of process parameters and their values to be applied to four-colour
process printing by the flexographic printing process for packaging and publication, excluding newsprinting.
The parameters and values are chosen in view of the complete process covering the process stages “colour
separation”, “film setting”, “making of the printing forme”, “proof production”, “production printing” and “surface
finishing”. This covers printing on printing substrates which are nearly white or on films to which a white
coating has been applied.
This part of ISO 12647 is directly applicable to:
⎯ publication flexographic printing including magazines, catalogues and commercial materials, and
packaging flexographic printing including labels, boxes and flexible packages;
⎯ half-tone and continuous tone proofing processes that predict the colorimetric results of flexograhic
printing.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the reference document
(including any amendments) applies.
ISO 5-3, Photography — Density measurements — Part 3: Spectral conditions
ISO 2846-5, Graphic technology — Colour and transparency of printing ink sets for four-colour printing —
Part 5: Flexographic printing
ISO 12642-1, Graphic technology — Input data for characterization of 4-colour process printing — Part 1:
Initial data set
ISO 12647-1:2004, Graphic technology — Process control for the production of half-tone colour separations,
proof and production prints — Part 1: Parameters and measurement methods
ISO 13655, Graphic technology — Spectral measurement and colorimetric computation for graphic arts
images
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the definitions given in ISO 12647-1 apply.
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ISO 12647-6:2006(E)
4 Requirements
4.1 General
NOTE Subclauses 4.2 and 4.3 are arranged according to the order set out in ISO 12647-1; they also depend on this
order for the general principles, the definition of the data, the measurement conditions and the reporting style.
In all cases, digital data files or colour separation film sets delivered for printing should be accompanied by a
proof print unless there is agreement to the contrary amongst all parties concerned. If delivered, the proof print
shall simulate the intended printing condition and shall conform to 4.3. This fact shall be verifiable by
measuring a well-specified control strip or a similar control device that is printed on the proof print along with
the subject.
4.2 Data files, colour separation films and printing formes
4.2.1 Data files
Data delivered for printing shall be in the colour formats CMYK or three-component. The intended printing
condition shall be indicated. Where the latter is included in the registry of characterizations maintained by the
ICC, and the digital data are CMYK, the name used in the ICC registry may be used for identification in lieu of
including an ICC output profile. If the intended printing condition is not included in said registry, an ICC output
profile shall be included. If the data are other than CMYK, the data shall be defined colorimetrically using an
ICC input profile or another mechanism and an ICC CMYK output profile shall be included; the rendering
intent to be used with the output profile shall be communicated.
4.2.2 Colour separation film or printing forme quality
In order to permit the reproduction of at least 100 tone value steps, the resolution of the image setter or plate
setter should be set accordingly.
Unless otherwise specified, the matte negative colour separation film shall have a core density of 3,0. The
transmission density in the centre of a clear half-tone dot shall not be more than 0,1 above the corresponding
value of a large clear area. The transmission density of the clear film shall not be higher than 0,15. Both
measurements shall be made with a (UV) transmission densitometer whose spectral products conform to ISO
type 1 printing density as defined in ISO 5-3.
The fringe width shall not be greater than one fortieth of the screen width; the half-tone dot shall not be split up
into distinct parts.
The clear film density requirement is based on the understanding that the density range of the clear areas of
all films that are to be exposed on to the same plate must not exceed 0,10. Experience has proved that 0,05
represents the lowest commonly found value for ISO type 1 printing density. For half-tone films with clear film
densities above this range, agreements between the supplier of colour separations and the recipient are
required. Contacting or duplicating can also be used to bring half-tone films with dissimilar clear film densities
into agreement.
NOTE As a practical guide, a core density of 3 above the clear film density will normally be achieved if the density of
large solid areas is more than 4 above the clear film density.
If a user wishes to use a blue filter for transmission density measurements on colour separation films, it is
necessary to determine, for the particular film type and processing conditions, the correlation between
densities obtained with the blue filter and those obtained with an ISO type 1 printing density instrument; for the
measurement of core density an ISO type 2 printing instrument may be used.
Other than for the clear film density requirement, the colour separation film quality may be evaluated
according to Annex B of ISO 12647-1:2004.
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ISO 12647-6:2006(E)
4.2.3 Screen frequency (film or printing forme)
The screen frequency shall be within the pertinent range specified in Table 1.
Ta
...