SIST-TS ISO/TS 19303-1:2021

TECHNICAL ISO/TS
SPECIFICATION 19303-1
First edition
2020-09
Graphic technology — Guidelines for
schema writers —
Part 1:
Packaging printing
Reference number
ISO/TS 19303-1:2020(E)
©
ISO 2020

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
ISO/TS 19303-1:2020(E)

COPYRIGHT PROTECTED DOCUMENT
© ISO 2020
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting
on the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address
below or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: +41 22 749 01 11
Email: copyright@iso.org
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO 2020 – All rights reserved

---------------------- Page: 2 ----------------------
ISO/TS 19303-1:2020(E)

Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Principles . 3
4.1 General . 3
4.2 Example of guidelines associated with specific tasks . 4
4.3 Consumer product company (CPC) . 4
4.4 Designer, comp house and photographer . 5
4.5 Pre-media . 5
4.6 Printer. 5
4.7 Reporting by printer or converter . . 6
5 Basic support guidelines . 7
5.1 Applicable printing standard examples . 7
5.2 Colour definition. 7
5.2.1 Digital file format . . 7
5.3 Colour reproduction . 7
5.4 Incoming material verification . 8
5.5 Colour conformity . 8
6 Additional applicable standards . 9
6.1 Measuring conditions and special metamerism index . 9
6.2 Viewing, illumination and visual sensory assessment .11
6.2.1 General.11
6.2.2 Printing conformity assessment requirements . .12
Annex A (informative) Flexography — Specifics .15
Annex B (informative) Gravure — Specifics .19
Annex C (informative) Offset — Specifics (Example) .24
Annex D (informative) Packaging digital specifications .26
Bibliography .30
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ISO/TS 19303-1:2020(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.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www .iso .org/ directives).
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. Details of
any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www .iso .org/ patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and
expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the
World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www .iso .org/
iso/ foreword .html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 130, Graphic technology.
A list of all parts in the ISO 19303 series can be found on the ISO website.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www .iso .org/ members .html.
iv © ISO 2020 – All rights reserved

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ISO/TS 19303-1:2020(E)

Introduction
Packaging brand owners and procurement teams are experts in their products and are often not
experts in printing technology. This document is intended to be used as a tool to develop global and
technically consistent requirements by, for example, certification bodies certifying packaging, national
certification groups, trade associations, or brand owners to communicate their expectations throughout
the supply chain.
This document recognizes a set of best practices and International Standards related to packaging
printing. This document points to those International Standards to align requirements defined
inside schemes used in certification programs. See the Bibliography for the list of these International
Standards. Packaging and packaging graphics have a significant influence on the consumer buying
decision. The packaging printing industry is made up of a large supply chain with many workflows,
which produce a variety of printed products.
To ensure tone and colour reproduction quality, many ISO TC 130 standards specify the aims and
tolerances that are necessary for the implementation of colour-managed workflows. Even though
technical standards specify aims and tolerances, the printer’s ability to demonstrate conformity of his
production workflow to these standards is both a technical issue and a conformity assessment issue.
The packaging printing industry has unique technical and conformity assessment requirements that
are common to its stakeholders.
Certification schemes are developed by certification bodies, such as national certification groups, trade
associations, or brand owners, to address market needs. They are regional, workflow-dependent, and
with varying technical requirements. This document provides technical and conformity assessment
to allow that the various certifications are based on common principles and are comparable. As such,
this document enables the individual organizations to more readily agree to mutual recognition of the
certifications of other bodies as well as enable international trade organizations to identify comparable
competencies on a worldwide basis.
This document provides a framework for typical packaging printing workflow, either using CMYK,
CMYK with spot colour, non-CMYK, spot colour only, and multi-colour printing. It also provides a
corpus of International Standards, including aims, tolerances, and test methods, applicable at each
stage of packaging printing workflow. In addition, supply chain communication guidelines and process-
dependent checklists are also included in this document.
This document is also intended to aid the following stakeholders in understanding packaging printing
conformity assessment at an international level.
— Print buyers and brand owners
— Printing associations
— Printing organizations
— Printing production personnel
— Printing equipment manufacturers and suppliers
— Printing professionals, including auditors, consultants, etc.
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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION ISO/TS 19303-1:2020(E)
Graphic technology — Guidelines for schema writers —
Part 1:
Packaging printing
1 Scope
This document provides recommended guidelines for the evaluation of colour reproduction capability
in the printing of packaging materials. It provides a basis for the development of colour certification
schemes by individual brand owners and/or industry associations and for the evaluation of printed
results against those schemes.
Because the package printing supply chain involves multiple partners, both the potential impact of each
partner on the overall colour control and the individual responsibilities of each partner are identified in
this document. The unique requirements of the individual reproduction processes and their impact on
colour reproduction are also identified.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 19302, Graphic technology — Colour conformity of printing workflows
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 19302 and the following apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at http:// www .electropedia .org/
3.1
actual printing condition
APC
condition of the actual system printing the job defined by colourimetric and/or densitometric
parameters
3.2
comp
proof formed to the shape of the final productNote 1 to entry: It is also called mock up.
3.3
certificate of conformance
CoC
document that certifies that the supplied services or goods meet the required specifications
Note 1 to entry: The CoC is normally issued by a recognized authority and is also known as a certificate of
compliance.
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ISO/TS 19303-1:2020(E)

3.4
certificate of analysis
CoA
document that provides all the required specification and test results about a particular material,
including a description of the test or examination method(s) used, limits of the test or examinations
and actual results of the tests or examinations, to demonstrate that the requirements of the end user/
customer are met
3.5
consumer product company
CPC
company that delivers merchandise or other item of common or daily use, ordinarily bought by
individuals or households for private consumption
3.6
device colour
colour designed to be printed using a specific devices process inks
Note 1 to entry: Device colour is typically used to define device specific values that allow reproduction of a spot
or brand colour using only process inks, not spot inks
3.7
pre-media
part of the printing or publishing process preceding preparation of a printing plate
3.8
print buyer
organization, individual or group of individuals that prepares data for printing and delivers digital
materials to the print service provider (3.9)
Note 1 to entry: The print buyer may be the distributor of digital files, the designer, a consumer products company
or a trade shop.
3.9
print service provider
organization, individual or group of individuals that receives the files and is responsible for print
product delivery
Note 1 to entry: The print service provider may be a prepress company, a printer or a converter.
3.10
process colour
colour that is the outcome of a colour separation operation
Note 1 to entry: A process colour typically requires one or more printing units and process inks to be reproduced.
3.11
process ink
ink that is used to print process colours (3.10)
3.12
characterized reference printing condition
CRPC
identified printing condition and its colour characterization data that is used as the aim for a particular
printing task (job)
[SOURCE: ISO/PAS 15339-1:2015, 3.4]
3.13
special effect
object inside a PDF that has an impact on colour but is not defined as an ink (for example a varnish) or
any non-printed element that should be processed specifically (for example by a cutting line)
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ISO/TS 19303-1:2020(E)

3.14
special metamerism index
extent to which colour matching changes with a change of illuminant
[SOURCE: CIE Publication 15]
3.15
spot colour
colour originally designed to be printed using one printing unit and a spot ink
Note 1 to entry: When associated with a corporate product identity, a spot colour is also known as brand colour.
Note 2 to entry: Spot colours are sometimes replicated with process colours or extended process colours.
3.16
spot ink
ink that is primarily used to print a spot colour (3.15)
Note 1 to entry: A spot ink may replace or be mixed with process inks to achieve a desired gamut.
3.17
system qualification
assessment operations used to qualify the ability of a print device or a printing process to reproduce a
defined colour data set
Note 1 to entry: This qualification is also named “extended scrutiny”, because it cannot usually be performed by
producers during production as it requires specific testing conditions and protocols.
3.18
total indicated runout
TIR
measure of the out-of-roundness of a printing press roller or cylinder
Note 1 to entry: The difference in the lengths of a roller’s radius as measured from the centre to the outside
surface. A perfectly round roller would have zero TIR.
4 Principles
4.1 General
The printing of packaging is the most diverse and complicated of any of the many segments of the
printing industry. It makes use of any (and all) of the marking technologies available, both analogue
and digital, and can use virtually any material as a substrate. The key participants in the packaging
workflow are the consumer products companies, the design firms that support them and finally the
printer that produces the packaging product. This document provides a collection of packaging industry
best practices that may be used as a source for the any stakeholder to build a certification scheme.
While each individual package printed should meet the individual specifications associated with
its design, the most important issue is related to the methods used to specify the intended colour
appearance of the final product, the exchange of the data necessary for that to be accomplished, and
finally the procedures for evaluation of the printed product against the specified aims.
This is often further complicated by the requirement that products printed on different substrates or
by different processes may be expected to match colourimetrically.
Certification schemes may be established by any individual consumer product company, groups of
consumer product companies, trade associations, or national certification bodies. These guidelines are
based on an understanding of the typical workflow, the standards available, and the perceived needs of
the industry. It is anticipated that the use of these guidelines will facilitate a commonality between the
various schemas prepared.
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ISO/TS 19303-1:2020(E)

It is expected that each of the participants associated with the application of a specific schema will
demonstrate their ability to conform to the requirements of the schema both during a specific
performance evaluation and on an ongoing basis.
Clause 4 describes the guidelines for each of the various tasks in the workflow. Individual schemas
may involve some or all of these guidelines, depending on the specifics of the application for which the
schema is intended. Subclause 4.2 describes the basic support requirements that all participants may
be expected to meet. Subclause 4.3 provides guidance on the definition of the intended colours to be
printed and 4.4 describes the encoding of both content data and colour data in the digital file.
Subclause 4.5 covers proofing requirements that may be required. Subclause 4.7 provides for incoming
material verification and the printing itself is defined in 4.6
While individual printing processes are expected to produce results that meet common requirements,
it is recognized that each process has specific unique requirements and/or options. These are described
in Annexes A to D.
4.2 Example of guidelines associated with specific tasks
Each partner in the supply chain has responsibilities to provide one or two communications from the
CPC through the supply chain; the base responsibilities for each partner are examples of responsibilities.
These requirements should be complied to across multiple CPC’s and supply chain partners in order to
provide communication across all partners. Subclauses 4.3 to 4.7 define a schema and deliverables from
each partner in the supply chain so that deliverables are aligned.
4.3 Consumer product company (CPC)
The consumer product company (CPC) should define:
— viewing conditions according to ISO 3664;
— instrument and settings for measurement verification conforming with ISO 13655;
— specification of aims and tolerances;
— CMYK – aims ICC profile or characterization data;
— spot or brand colours – CxF/X-4 or CxF/X-1 with spectral reflectance;
— minimum size and type of acceptable defect;
— registration – requirements;
— design guide – overview of objectives;
— structural requirements;
— print sequence – (creating an overprint simulation profile);
— die lines indications;
— minimum requirements for print and reporting;
— certificate of analysis (CoA) and certificate of conformance (CoC) testing requirements and reporting
requirements;
— standard operating procedure (SOP), documenting all procedures and equipment upgrades.
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ISO/TS 19303-1:2020(E)

4.4 Designer, comp house and photographer
The designer, comp house and photographer are responsible for:
— viewing conditions according to ISO 3664;
— instrument for measurement verification according to ISO 13655;
— file format (native files or PDF/X-4)
— validation print protocol – validation of colour accuracy – Verified according to ISO12647-8;
— soft proofing according to ISO 12646 and ISO 14861;
— software compatible with vector/raster formats;
— pre-flighted file delivery – PDF/X-4 – GWG Packaging 2015;
— photography RAW and TIFF with embedded colour profiles;
— standard operating procedure (SOP) documenting all procedures and equipment upgrades.
4.5 Pre-media
Pre-media partners are responsible for:
— viewing conditions according to ISO 3664;
— pre-flight with reporting to supplier the procedure for process improvement;
— instrument for measurement verification according to ISO 13655;
— file format – according to ISO 15390-7 PDF/X-4;
— pre-flighted file delivery – PDF/X-4 – GWG Sheet Spot 2015;
— validation print protocol – validation of colour accuracy – Verified according to ISO12647-8;
— contract proofs per ISO 12647-7 with documentation;
— soft proofing according to ISO 12646 and ISO 14861;
— workflow according to ISO TS 10128;
a) the matching of tone value curves,
b) the use of near-neutral scales, and
c) the use of CMYK to CMYK multi-dimensional transforms;
— Pre-flighted file delivery – PDF/X-4 – GWG Packaging Specification or agreed specification;
— SOP documenting all procedures and equipment upgrades.
Plate supplier should provide:
— micro enlargement and measurement on minimums, and 50 % – all plate delivery.
4.6 Printer
Printer partners are responsible for:
— pre-flighted- conforming that elements received are accurate – with reporting to supplier the
procedure for process improvement;
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ISO/TS 19303-1:2020(E)

— communicate the actual printing aim to their client if contractual aims cannot be met;
— accurate viewing conditions according to ISO 3664;
— soft proofing according to ISO 12646 and ISO 14861;
— instrument for measurement verification compliant according to ISO 13655;
— bar code verification per ISO/IEC 15426-1;
— CoA for all incoming receivables;
— substrate – documentation per ISO 15397;
— inks – provide CoA with spectral data and conformance
— colour aims met,
— light-fast requirement,
— in case of food packaging conformity to the final use,
— any specific fastness related to the requested packaging,
— scuff resistance;
— Laminates and special effects meeting customer requirements;
— Print consistently – optimize to meet requirements of ANSI TR012;
— Reporting of aims and production variation– according to ISO 20616-2;
— SOP documenting all procedures, and equipment upgrades converter or printer.
4.7 Reporting by printer or converter
Converter or printer are responsible to preform testing and report as required:
— CoA and CoC per customer requirements – document and delivery – ASTM/ISO testing and reporting
protocols;
— rub resistance;
— solvent rub testing and documentation - Alcohol or any simulant related to final application rub;
— solvent retention in case of packaging inks by solvent based inks;
— repetition and width dimensional verification;
— lightfast testing and documentation;
— coefficient of friction (COF) testing and documentation
— custom testing protocol – defined by consumer products company;
— additional product-specific test as required and documented;
— SOP for all procedures and documentation.
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ISO/TS 19303-1:2020(E)

5 Basic support guidelines
5.1 Applicable printing standard examples
Figure 1 extends the reference packaging printing workflow, to include applicable printing standards,
at each step of the packaging printing workflow.
Figure 1 — Applicable printing standards
Colour definition Colour production Colour conformity
ISO 15930-7 (PDF/X-4) ISO/TS 10128 ISO 20616-2
ISO 17972-4 CxF/X-4 ISO 15076-1 ASTM D 5264
ISO 12647-8 ISO 12647-2-8 ASTM D3359
ISO 12646 ANSI/CGATS TR015 ISO 12040
ISO 14861 ISO/PAS 15339-1 ASTM D1894
ISO 12647-7 ISO/PAS 15339-2 ASTM D4518
ISO 13655 ISO 3664 ASTM 1729
5.2 Colour definition
5.2.1 Digital file format
Digital files should be prepared in agreement with ISO 15930-7 (PDF/X-4). For spot colour definition,
ISO 17972-4 CxF/X-4 spot colour characterization data and spectral definition should be used.
The validation print that is supplied by print buyer to print service provider should be produced in
accordance with ISO 12647-8 and contain the intended ICC profile or characterization data.
Hard proof provided by print buyer to print service provider should be produced in conformance with
ISO 12647-7.
Soft proofing should be in accordance with ISO 12646 and ISO 14861 for accurate soft proofing.
Packaging mock-ups and comps should have a colour control bar containing a minimum of patches:
Solids, 50 % and 25 %, RGB overprints and RGB and neutral patches - measured and reported with
DE00 tolerances.
5.3 Colour reproduction
ISO/TS 10128 identified three general methods by which compensation for differences in printing
conditions can be accomplished.
Colour management should be used where TVI or near neutral calibration alone does not allow the
printed sample to match the reference data set. This operation can be performed using dedicated
software and technologies.
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ISO/TS 19303-1:2020(E)

Colour management tools and software should be in accordance with ISO 15076-1 (ICC specification),
ISO 18619 (black point compensation) and ISO/TS 10128 (CMYK to CMYK multi-dimensional transform
method).
Without any other agreement between stakeholders, every digital file should be pre-flighted and fixed
to be in conformance using a proper specification defined by the printer or converter (for example
GWG 2015 Packaging Specifications Sheet Spot).
Hard proof and validation print are required and should be identified and controlled respectively
according to ISO 12647-7 and ISO 12647-8 before being transferred to production workshop. In the case
where the provided proof or validation print fails assessment, the customer should be informed, and a
new compliant proof or validation print should be provided.
Regardless of the conformance results, the control report should be joined to the proof or validation
print and passed to the next printing workflow step.
If any substrate colour-corrected aims have been used as hard proof or validation print simulation
target, reference paper colour and actual paper colour used should be notified on the document.
When required, process colour tone reproduction curves (TRC) may be defined within the framework
of process control. Tone response curves should be adjusted and maintained to enable compliance to a
defined standard, such as ISO 12647-2 to 6 or ANSI/CGATS TR015.
Prepress should define and document SOPs and be able to demonstrate their ability to adjust files using
one of the methods described in ISO/TS 10128.
Tone response curves for spot colours should be characterized. This characterization should be based
on spectral reflection values or on colourimetric values. The characterization curve should be used to
adjust the printing form to provi
...

TECHNICAL ISO/TS
SPECIFICATION 19303-1
First edition
Graphic technology — Guidelines for
schema writers —
Part 1:
Packaging printing
PROOF/ÉPREUVE
Reference number
ISO/TS 19303-1:2020(E)
©
ISO 2020

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
ISO/TS 19303-1:2020(E)

COPYRIGHT PROTECTED DOCUMENT
© ISO 2020
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting
on the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address
below or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: +41 22 749 01 11
Email: copyright@iso.org
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii PROOF/ÉPREUVE © ISO 2020 – All rights reserved

---------------------- Page: 2 ----------------------
ISO/TS 19303-1:2020(E)

Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Principles . 3
4.1 General . 3
4.2 Example of guidelines associated with specific tasks . 4
4.3 Consumer product company (CPC) . 4
4.4 Designer, comp house and photographer . 5
4.5 Pre-media . 5
4.6 Printer. 5
4.7 Reporting by printer or converter . . 6
5 Basic support guidelines . 7
5.1 Applicable printing standard examples . 7
5.2 Colour definition. 7
5.2.1 Digital file format . . 7
5.3 Colour reproduction . 7
5.4 Incoming material verification . 8
5.5 Colour conformity . 8
6 Additional applicable standards . 9
6.1 Measuring conditions and special metamerism index . 9
6.2 Viewing, illumination and visual sensory assessment .11
6.2.1 General.11
6.2.2 Printing conformity assessment requirements . .12
Annex A (informative) Flexography — Specifics .15
Annex B (informative) Gravure — Specifics .19
Annex C (informative) Offset — Specifics (Example) .24
Annex D (informative) Packaging digital specifications .26
Bibliography .30
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ISO/TS 19303-1:2020(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.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www .iso .org/ directives).
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. Details of
any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www .iso .org/ patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and
expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the
World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www .iso .org/
iso/ foreword .html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 130, Graphic technology.
A list of all parts in the ISO 19303 series can be found on the ISO website.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www .iso .org/ members .html.
iv PROOF/ÉPREUVE © ISO 2020 – All rights reserved

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ISO/TS 19303-1:2020(E)

Introduction
Packaging brand owners and procurement teams are experts in their products and are often not
experts in printing technology. This document is intended to be used as a tool to develop global and
technically consistent requirements by, for example, certification bodies certifying packaging, national
certification groups, trade associations, or brand owners to communicate their expectations throughout
the supply chain.
This document recognizes a set of best practices and International Standards related to packaging
printing. This document points to those International Standards to align requirements defined
inside schemes used in certification programs. See the Bibliography for the list of these International
Standards. Packaging and packaging graphics have a significant influence on the consumer buying
decision. The packaging printing industry is made up of a large supply chain with many workflows,
which produce a variety of printed products.
To ensure tone and colour reproduction quality, many ISO TC1 30 standards specify the aims and
tolerances that are necessary for the implementation of colour-managed workflows. Even though
technical standards specify aims and tolerances, the printer’s ability to demonstrate conformity of his
production workflow to these standards is both a technical issue and a conformity assessment issue.
The packaging printing industry has unique technical and conformity assessment requirements that
are common to its stakeholders.
Certification schemes are developed by certification bodies, such as national certification groups, trade
associations, or brand owners, to address market needs. They are regional, workflow-dependent, and
with varying technical requirements. This document provides technical and conformity assessment
to allow that the various certifications are based on common principles and are comparable. As such,
this document enables the individual organizations to more readily agree to mutual recognition of the
certifications of other bodies as well as enable international trade organizations to identify comparable
competencies on a worldwide basis.
This document provides a framework for typical packaging printing workflow, either using CMYK,
CMYK with spot colour, non-CMYK, spot colour only, and multi-colour printing. It also provides a
corpus of International Standards, including aims, tolerances, and test methods, applicable at each
stage of packaging printing workflow. In addition, supply chain communication guidelines and process-
dependent checklists are also included in this document.
This document is also intended to aid the following stakeholders in understanding packaging printing
conformity assessment at an international level.
— Print buyers and brand owners
— Printing associations
— Printing organizations
— Printing production personnel
— Printing equipment manufacturers and suppliers
— Printing professionals, including auditors, consultants, etc.
© ISO 2020 – All rights reserved PROOF/ÉPREUVE v

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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION ISO/TS 19303-1:2020(E)
Graphic technology — Guidelines for schema writers —
Part 1:
Packaging printing
1 Scope
This document provides recommended guidelines for the evaluation of colour reproduction capability
in the printing of packaging materials. It provides a basis for the development of colour certification
schemes by individual brand owners and/or industry associations and for the evaluation of printed
results against those schemes.
Because the package printing supply chain involves multiple partners, both the potential impact of each
partner on the overall colour control and the individual responsibilities of each partner are identified in
this document. The unique requirements of the individual reproduction processes and their impact on
colour reproduction are also identified.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 19302, Graphic technology — Colour conformity of printing workflows
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 19302 and the following apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at http:// www .electropedia .org/
3.1
actual printing condition
APC
condition of the actual system printing the job defined by colourimetric and/or densitometric
parameters
3.2
comp
proof formed to the shape of the final productNote 1 to entry: It is also called mock up.
3.3
certificate of conformance
CoC
document that certifies that the supplied services or goods meet the required specifications
Note 1 to entry: The CoC is normally issued by a recognized authority and is also known as a certificate of
compliance.
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3.4
certificate of analysis
CoA
document that provides all the required specification and test results about a particular material,
including a description of the test or examination method(s) used, limits of the test or examinations
and actual results of the tests or examinations, to demonstrate that the requirements of the end user/
customer are met
3.5
consumer product company
CPC
company that delivers merchandise or other item of common or daily use, ordinarily bought by
individuals or households for private consumption
3.6
device colour
colour designed to be printed using a specific devices process inks
Note 1 to entry: Device colour is typically used to define device specific values that allow reproduction of a spot
or brand colour using only process inks, not spot inks
3.7
pre-media
part of the printing or publishing process preceding preparation of a printing plate
3.8
print buyer
organization, individual or group of individuals that prepares data for printing and delivers digital
materials to the print service provider (3.9)
Note 1 to entry: The print buyer may be the distributor of digital files, the designer, a consumer products company
or a trade shop.
3.9
print service provider
organization, individual or group of individuals that receives the files and is responsible for print
product delivery
Note 1 to entry: The print service provider may be a prepress company, a printer or a converter.
3.10
process colour
colour that is the outcome of a colour separation operation
Note 1 to entry: A process colour typically requires one or more printing units and process inks to be reproduced.
3.11
process ink
ink that is used to print process colours (3.10)
3.12
characterized reference printing condition
CRPC
identified printing condition and its colour characterization data that is used as the aim for a particular
printing task (job)
[SOURCE: ISO/PAS 15339-1:2015, 3.4]
3.13
special effect
object inside a PDF that has an impact on colour but is not defined as an ink (for example a varnish) or
any non-printed element that should be processed specifically (for example by a cutting line)
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3.14
special metamerism index
extent to which colour matching changes with a change of illuminant
[SOURCE: CIE Publication 15]
3.15
spot colour
colour originally designed to be printed using one printing unit and a spot ink
Note 1 to entry: When associated with a corporate product identity, a spot colour is also known as brand colour.
Note 2 to entry: Spot colours are sometimes replicated with process colours or extended process colours.
3.16
spot ink
ink that is primarily used to print a spot colour (3.15)
Note 1 to entry: A spot ink may replace or be mixed with process inks to achieve a desired gamut.
3.17
system qualification
assessment operations used to qualify the ability of a print device or a printing process to reproduce a
defined colour data set
Note 1 to entry: This qualification is also named “extended scrutiny”, because it cannot usually be performed by
producers during production as it requires specific testing conditions and protocols.
3.18
total indicated runout
TIR
measure of the out-of-roundness of a printing press roller or cylinder
Note 1 to entry: The difference in the lengths of a roller’s radius as measured from the centre to the outside
surface. A perfectly round roller would have zero TIR.
4 Principles
4.1 General
The printing of packaging is the most diverse and complicated of any of the many segments of the
printing industry. It makes use of any (and all) of the marking technologies available, both analogue
and digital, and can use virtually any material as a substrate. The key participants in the packaging
workflow are the consumer products companies, the design firms that support them and finally the
printer that produces the packaging product. This document provides a collection of packaging industry
best practices that may be used as a source for the any stakeholder to build a certification scheme.
While each individual package printed should meet the individual specifications associated with
its design, the most important issue is related to the methods used to specify the intended colour
appearance of the final product, the exchange of the data necessary for that to be accomplished, and
finally the procedures for evaluation of the printed product against the specified aims.
This is often further complicated by the requirement that products printed on different substrates or
by different processes may be expected to match colourimetrically.
Certification schemes may be established by any individual consumer product company, groups of
consumer product companies, trade associations, or national certification bodies. These guidelines are
based on an understanding of the typical workflow, the standards available, and the perceived needs of
the industry. It is anticipated that the use of these guidelines will facilitate a commonality between the
various schemas prepared.
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It is expected that each of the participants associated with the application of a specific schema will
demonstrate their ability to conform to the requirements of the schema both during a specific
performance evaluation and on an ongoing basis.
Clause 4 describes the guidelines for each of the various tasks in the workflow. Individual schemas
may involve some or all of these guidelines, depending on the specifics of the application for which the
schema is intended. Subclause 4.2 describes the basic support requirements that all participants may
be expected to meet. Subclause 4.3 provides guidance on the definition of the intended colours to be
printed and 4.4 describes the encoding of both content data and colour data in the digital file.
Subclause 4.5 covers proofing requirements that may be required. Subclause 4.7 provides for incoming
material verification and the printing itself is defined in 4.6
While individual printing processes are expected to produce results that meet common requirements,
it is recognized that each process has specific unique requirements and/or options. These are described
in Annexes A to D.
4.2 Example of guidelines associated with specific tasks
Each partner in the supply chain has responsibilities to provide one or two communications from the
CPC through the supply chain; the base responsibilities for each partner are examples of responsibilities.
These requirements should be complied to across multiple CPC’s and supply chain partners in order to
provide communication across all partners. Subclauses 4.3 to 4.7 define a schema and deliverables from
each partner in the supply chain so that deliverables are aligned.
4.3 Consumer product company (CPC)
The consumer product company (CPC) should define:
— viewing conditions according to ISO 3664;
— instrument and settings for measurement verification conforming with ISO 13655;
— specification of aims and tolerances;
— CMYK – aims ICC profile or characterization data;
— spot or brand colours – CxF/X-4 or CxF/X-1 with spectral reflectance;
— minimum size and type of acceptable defect;
— registration – requirements;
— design guide – overview of objectives;
— structural requirements;
— print sequence – (creating an overprint simulation profile);
— die lines indications;
— minimum requirements for print and reporting;
— certificate of analysis (CoA) and certificate of conformance (CoC) testing requirements and reporting
requirements;
— standard operating procedure (SOP), documenting all procedures and equipment upgrades.
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4.4 Designer, comp house and photographer
The designer, comp house and photographer are responsible for:
— viewing conditions according to ISO 3664;
— instrument for measurement verification according to ISO 13655;
— file format (native files or PDF/X-4)
— validation print protocol – validation of colour accuracy – Verified according to ISO12647-8;
— soft proofing according to ISO 12646 and ISO 14861;
— software compatible with vector/raster formats;
— pre-flighted file delivery – PDF/X-4 – GWG Packaging 2015;
— photography RAW and TIFF with embedded colour profiles;
— standard operating procedure (SOP) documenting all procedures and equipment upgrades.
4.5 Pre-media
Pre-media partners are responsible for:
— viewing conditions according to ISO 3664;
— pre-flight with reporting to supplier the procedure for process improvement;
— instrument for measurement verification according to ISO 13655;
— file format – according to ISO 15390-7 PDF/X-4;
— pre-flighted file delivery – PDF/X-4 – GWG Sheet Spot 2015;
— validation print protocol – validation of colour accuracy – Verified according to ISO12647-8;
— contract proofs per ISO 12647-7 with documentation;
— soft proofing according to ISO 12646 and ISO 14861;
— workflow according to ISO TS 10128;
a) the matching of tone value curves,
b) the use of near-neutral scales, and
c) the use of CMYK to CMYK multi-dimensional transforms;
— Pre-flighted file delivery – PDF/X-4 – GWG Packaging Specification or agreed specification;
— SOP documenting all procedures and equipment upgrades.
Plate supplier should provide:
— micro enlargement and measurement on minimums, and 50 % – all plate delivery.
4.6 Printer
Printer partners are responsible for:
— pre-flighted- conforming that elements received are accurate – with reporting to supplier the
procedure for process improvement;
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— communicate the actual printing aim to their client if contractual aims cannot be met;
— accurate viewing conditions according to ISO 3664;
— soft proofing according to ISO 12646 and ISO 14861;
— instrument for measurement verification compliant according to ISO 13655;
— bar code verification per ISO/IEC 15426-1;
— CoA for all incoming receivables;
— substrate – documentation per ISO 15397;
— inks – provide CoA with spectral data and conformance
— colour aims met,
— light-fast requirement,
— in case of food packaging conformity to the final use,
— any specific fastness related to the requested packaging,
— scuff resistance;
— Laminates and special effects meeting customer requirements;
— Print consistently – optimize to meet requirements of ANSI TR012;
— Reporting of aims and production variation– according to ISO 20616-2;
— SOP documenting all procedures, and equipment upgrades converter or printer.
4.7 Reporting by printer or converter
Converter or printer are responsible to preform testing and report as required:
— CoA and CoC per customer requirements – document and delivery – ASTM/ISO testing and reporting
protocols;
— rub resistance;
— solvent rub testing and documentation - Alcohol or any simulant related to final application rub;
— solvent retention in case of packaging inks by solvent based inks;
— repetition and width dimensional verification;
— lightfast testing and documentation;
— coefficient of friction (COF) testing and documentation
— custom testing protocol – defined by consumer products company;
— additional product-specific test as required and documented;
— SOP for all procedures and documentation.
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5 Basic support guidelines
5.1 Applicable printing standard examples
Figure 1 extends the reference packaging printing workflow, to include applicable printing standards,
at each step of the packaging printing workflow.
Figure 1 — Applicable printing standards
Colour definition Colour production Colour conformity
ISO 15930-7 (PDF/X-4) ISO/TS 10128 ISO 20616-2
ISO 17972-4 CxF/X-4 ISO 15076-1 ASTM D 5264
ISO 12647-8 ISO 12647-2-8 ASTM D3359
ISO 12646 ANSI/CGATS TR015 ISO 12040
ISO 14861 ISO/PAS 15339-1 ASTM D1894
ISO 12647-7 ISO/PAS 15339-2 ASTM D4518
ISO 13655 ISO 3664 ASTM 1729
5.2 Colour definition
5.2.1 Digital file format
Digital files should be prepared in agreement with ISO 15930-7 (PDF/X-4). For spot colour definition,
ISO 17972-4 CxF/X-4 spot colour characterization data and spectral definition should be used.
The validation print that is supplied by print buyer to print service provider should be produced in
accordance with ISO 12647-8 and contain the intended ICC profile or characterization data.
Hard proof provided by print buyer to print service provider should be produced in conformance with
ISO 12647-7.
Soft proofing should be in accordance with ISO 12646 and ISO 14861 for accurate soft proofing.
Packaging mock-ups and comps should have a colour control bar containing a minimum of patches:
Solids, 50 % and 25 %, RGB overprints and RGB and neutral patches - measured and reported with
DE00 tolerances.
5.3 Colour reproduction
ISO/TS 10128 identified three general methods by which compensation for differences in printing
conditions can be accomplished.
Colour management should be used where TVI or near neutral calibration alone does not allow the
printed sample to match the reference data set. This operation can be performed using dedicated
software and technologies.
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Colour management tools and software should be in accordance with ISO 15076-1 (ICC specification),
ISO 18619 (black point compensation) and ISO/TS 10128 (CMYK to CMYK multi-dimensional transform
method).
Without any other agreement between stakeholders, every digital file should be pre-flighted and fixed
to be in conformance using a proper specification defined by the printer or converter (for example
GWG 2015 Packaging Specifications Sheet Spot).
Hard proof and validation print are required and should be identified and controlled respectively
according to ISO 12647-7 and ISO 12647-8 before being transferred to production workshop. In the case
where the provided proof or validation print fails assessment, the customer should be informed, and a
new compliant proof or validation print should be provided.
Regardless of the conformance results, the control report should be joined to the proof or validation
print and passed to the next printing workflow step.
If any substrate colour-corrected aims have been used as hard proof or validation print simulation
target, reference paper colour and actual paper colour used should be notified on the document.
When required, process colour tone reproduction curves (TRC) may be defined within the framework
of process control. Tone response curves should be adjusted and maintained to enable compliance to a
defined standard, such as ISO 12647-2 to 6 or ANSI/CGATS TR015.
Prepress should define and document SOPs and be able to demonstrate their ability to adjust files using
one of the methods described in ISO/TS 10128.
Tone response curves for spot colours should be characterized. This characterization shoul
...