4M Color Management Symposium

4M Color Management: Multi-Media, Multi-Material
Color Control Symposium

April 28-29, 2011
Hilton University Place, Charlotte, N.C., USA

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AATCC and the Inter-Society Color Council (ISCC) will jointly sponsor a symposium titled, 4M Color Management: Multi-Media, Multi-Material Color Control Symposium. This two-day program will be held April 28-29, 2011 at the Hilton University Place in Charlotte. The program will focus on on-line color control, multi-material color control, developments in digital color management in the supply chain, and color appearance models for multiple substrates.

Keynote speakers are world-renowned color scientists, Rolf G. Kuehni, and Dr. James A. Ferwerda, Associate Professor, Rochester Institute of Technology.

Ferwerda’s presentation, Envisioning the Material World, will discuss techniques to develop models relating the physical properties of materials to their visual appearances. Dr. Ferwerda will describe taking advantage of the limits of material perception to develop new techniques for efficiently and realistically rendering complex scenes, and will also discuss recent efforts to develop advanced display systems that allow hands-on interaction with virtual materials and surfaces.

Kuehni’s Color Control of Textiles: Paths to Move Forward will discuss color quality control (reflectance measurement and calculation) over the last 60+ years. He will discuss variability issues involving observers, methods, and materials as well as the pros and cons of some paths of improvement. Kuehni will also address the investment needed to make measurable and statistically supported progress to solve this problem.

Additional presentations include:
Optimum Color Communications - John Darsey, Color Solutions International

Color is and always has been somewhat of a mystery. We know the physics, we know what it looks like. In any cases, we know how to produce it. What we really struggle with is an accurate and acceptable way to communicate it. If we look at the journey color takes before it is seen on a finished product, we find that it touched my many different people and professions all having differing requirements for that special color. From High fashion designers who start the color process and mold what the public wants for colors this season. To the product designer who picks color to suit her specific market segment, to the lab that must match the color and the colorist in the plant who needs to produce the color. Color communication is very complex. The designers who pick the color they want based on trend services, customer feed back or simply because she likes it, it is all about emotion. For the production side of the color it is all about science and numbers. The two sides don't understand each other. The only thing then can communicate is the color that they see. A physical color standard significantly simplifies the color communication process. The new certified color standard communicates color accurately, consistently through out the supply chain, from design to development to delivery. It is far more that a piece of cloth, paper, metal or paint chip. It manages expectations, provide confidence, produce results, cut cost, and improve customer satisfaction. This presentation will show how today's best way to accurately communicate color is by using both physical and digital color communications.
Analysis of Variability in Perceptual Assessments of Color – Renzo Shamey, NC State University

Mathematical color prediction models that are employed in the control of color throughout the supply chain attempt to correlate visual assessments of color to measured physical values. Myriad research has been carried out to elucidate the role and variability of observer in psychophysical assessments of color. Studies have included analysis of a number of parametric effects influencing visual assessments such as the geometry of sample viewing and illumination. However, one of the most important questions that has not yet been satisfactorily addressed is the determination of a minimum number of required observers to generate a statistically reliable global average observer. In addition, it has not yet been shown whether observers belonging to different age groups, cultural backgrounds and with varying levels of technical experience should be employed in the determination of the global average observer. The color science group at North Carolina State University has conducted a number of experiments over the last several years which deal with this topic. This paper will highlight findings from our work on the effect of ageing on assessment of small color differences, variations in geographical location and ethnic background of observers, and the role of gender in determining the minimum number of observers required that can generate statistically repeatable results. Determination of the role of observer experience in the assessment of color is also briefly discussed.
The Future of Lighting: Color, Efficiency, and Compliance – Ann Laidlaw, X-Rite Inc.

Light sources are changing. Regulations around the world are driving improved energy efficiency, technological developments result in more choices, and businesses respond to on-going pressure to reduce operating costs. In the past, the choice of commercial lighting technologies was mostly limited to incandescent bulbs, CWF-style fluorescent tubes, tri-phosphor fluorescent tubes, and various forms of natural or simulated daylight. Today, residential and commercial customers have far more choices, with additional technologies becoming commercially viable in the near future. This presentation will review various current and emerging lighting technologies, our methods for assessing them, and the practical implications of using the technologies to view colored objects.
Spot Color Digital Proofing – Michael Charlton, Sun Chemical Corp.

For years trust has been put in the accurate recreation of process colors digitally on hard proofs used at press-side. But what about spot colors? This discussion will present the possibility of proper proofing of spot colors leading to a more accurate process and spot color hard proof.
Automated Closed-Loop Systems to Control the Color of Extruded Plastics – Axel Rosenlund

The extrusion process is the highest volume plastic production method in the United States, currently running at approximately 30 billion pounds annually in the manufacture of vinyl siding, molding, trim, plastic sheet, pipe and bag products used in the building construction, automotive, industrial, electronics and other industries. In a number of these industries, the color of the extruded products must be closely monitored and controlled to reduce the instances of scrap, late deliveries, and customer dissatisfaction. For instance, some remedies may be as drastic as removing vinyl siding that already has been installed on a house when the color of sections don't match appropriately.
Color for Packaging: Curves, Color Management, and Brand Colors – Bart Meersschaert, EskoArtwork

While the commercial print world moves toward standards such as GRACoL 7, the packaging world continues to struggle to meet the needs of brand owners unique color requirements. However, brand colors and standards are not necessarily mutually exclusive. We'll talk about an approach to color in packaging which includes using G7 for the CMYK colors, a similar approach to curves for brand colors and expanded gamut colors, and way to store and verify color information for unique brand colors that enable modern quality control methods to be applied.
G7: Enableing a Global Print Supply Chain – Jeff Budd, Hallmark Cards Inc.

Current business models have embraced the Global Supply Chain philosophy to procure their products faster, and cheaper with the same quality expectations. Hallmark has recently adopted the G7 standardization process to reduce cost and increase speed to market across varied printing modalities. Within the printing industry the G7 standardization process is currently only a Litho standard and in this presentation we will review the results of utilizing the G7 process applied to Flexo, Gravure, and Digital print processes.
Tolerable Tolerances: Managing the Complexities of Customized Tolerances – Chris Hipps, Datacolor

Application and acceptance of color difference tolerances have increased significantly during the first decade of the 21st century. While the goal is typically identification of a single color difference tolerance or at most a small number of tolerances for use throughout the supply chain, some organizations have implemented customized tolerances to address their specific business requirements. This presentation will explore the reasons behind this added complexity and discuss methods for successful management of color difference tolerances.
Managing Color on Multiple Textile Substrates – Andrew Fraser, Chico’s

The challenges of controlling color on multiple substrates of multiple fiber contents using a single fiber color standard that is usually 100% cotton can be overwhelming. There is still much confusion about matching color, reflectance files, color standards, and the way to effectively communicate all of this information to the vendor base. This session will identify and discuss acceptable ways to improve color management on multiple fabrications within brands, garments, and retail floors. We will refocus on the basics: light booths and light sources, color standards, techniques for communicating color technically, on-boarding, and visual calibration.
Palette Rationalization – Michael Charlton, Sun Chemical Corp.

Many times we see an established brand color palette become very large in nature as designers and re-designers constantly look for that new color to help the product pop off the shelf. This presentation will walk through some of the reasons of palette proliferation, as well as ways to rationalize to a more manageable palette.

Blackness Index - Reid Clonts, North Carolina State University

Abstract Unavailable

The “Green” Evaluation of Hallmark’s Color Reproduction System - Scot Fernandez, Hallmark Cards Inc.

Abstract Unavailable
Digital Textile Printing and the Question of Color – Kerry King [TC]2

Digital textile printing requires a systems approach that involves the interaction of variables including printer hardware, software, ink chemistry, as well as fabric type, preparation and finishing procedure. The interaction of the variables plays a significant role in the resulting color of the printed fabric. With that in mind, this presentation will highlight the variables and describe workflow strategies and challenges for optimizing color from a practical perspective. Where possible, advancements in technology in the form of hardware, software and ink chemistry will be highlighted in reference to the color management process for digital textile printing.
Variables Influencing Color Reproducibility in Digital Printing – Carly Morrison, Cotton Incorporated

In digital printing there are many variables that can influence color reproduction. Profiling is one area that receives a lot of attention. However there are many other issues that need to be taken into consideration when running a digital printing operation. In this presentation, issues such as pretreatment, substrate, ink set, steam quality and after-washing will be reviewed as to their influence on the final product.
Digital Proofing of SPOT Color Packaging Inks Using a Desktop Inkjet Printer – Danny C. Rich, Sun Chemical Corp.

A standard EPSON office inkjet printer was setup to provide the ability to print customer colored inks. Computer-aided colorant formulation software was used to develope a series of inter-mix inkjet inks and then make predictions of blends of the base inks to match SPOT colors, such as Pantone (R) Matching System swatches. The combination of the RIP software and the colorant formulation software made it possible to create digital proofs of spot colors with an accuracy equal to that of production packaging inks at a much lower cost.

Accommodations

Overnight accommodations are available at the Hilton Charlotte University Place, 8629 J.M. Keynes Dr., Charlotte, NC telephone 704-547-7444. The group rate is $119.95 and reservations can be made directly with the hotel by visiting their website. When making reservations please use the group rate code "AATCC". Reservations must be made by April 5 to ensure room availability.

Fees

	*AATCC & ISCC Members**	Nonmembers
By April 13	US$499	US$749
After April 13	US$549	US$799
If your company is a corporate member of AATCC, you must download the registration form and register offline* to receive the member price.

Refunds will be honored if cancellations are received on or before April 20, 2011. A US$75 cancellation fee will be charged.