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A Customer Guide to Quality Printing
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Description and Selection of Print Quality Levels
- Supply of Original Material
- Colour Reproduction Quality
1. Introduction
A Customer Guide to Quality Printing was developed by Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) in order to establish a common base of principles, practices and understanding between Federal Government departments and suppliers in selecting the print quality level most appropriate for the product and in the preparation of original material that will allow the quality level to be met.
The guide describes the most appropriate procedure to be followed by both customer and supplier to ensure that the desired quality is achieved.
The three upper quality levels, which are described herein, are the only quality levels to which specific requirements for the supply of original material apply. These three quality levels are in ascending order: Informational, Library, and Prestige.
Other publications deal with quality levels for printing, color reproduction, typesetting, forms, envelops, labels, binding and a guide to the inspection of printed products.
Please direct any comments or proposed revisions to:
Manager, Printing Procurement Division
Constitution Square
360 Albert St., 12th Floor
Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0S5, CANADA
613-998-0440
2. Description and Selection of Print Quality Levels
2.1 Prestige Quality
In view of the high cost of "Prestige Quality" printing, this category should only be chosen if the intended job meets any of the following criteria:
- The visual appearance has exceptional importance and small cosmetic defects are likely to result in adverse comments during its use (e.g. Prime Minister's stationery);
- The publication requires specialized printing techniques such as collotype printing;
- The quality of the images, whether halftone, lines work, or multicolor are vital to the usefulness of the publication; e.g. where halftone illustrations are critical in distinguishing subtle details of fauna or flora.
2.2 Library Quality
This quality level is strongly recommended if the job meets any of the following criteria:
- The publication has an intended lifespan of ten years or greater and is to be adhesive bound or case bound;
- The illustrations are functional to the use of the material (rather than purely pictorial) and must be produced at an above average quality (e.g. professional journals);
- The overall quality characteristics are of above average importance and must be produced to a high quality level (e.g. internationally distributed publications).
2.3 Informational Quality
"Informational Quality" will cover the majority of Government publications. This quality level should not be considered to be a low level of quality, but is the standard for producing a visually pleasing printed product using normal industry production practices. Typical jobs may contain single color line work or process color illustrations and will have an intended lifespan of less than ten years.
3. Supply of Original Material
3.1 General Recommendations for all Quality Levels
Original material for reproduction may be supplied to the contractor in either electronic format or as hard copy artwork.
All technical instructions necessary for producing the work should be clearly described. If electronic files are being supplied, this should be done on an instruction sheet sent with the files. If hard copy artwork is supplied the instructions should be marked on the artwork.
If transparencies or hard copy, which the printer is to photograph/scan and insert into the piece to be printed, are being supplied all instructions regarding size, position and cropping should be clearly indicated with each illustration. Any low-resolution copies of illustrations, in place in the electronic artwork, should correspond to the instructions on the hard copy originals.
Hard copy artwork, for complex work, should be prepared on art board to prevent folding or creasing. All overlays for multicolor printing must be securely hinged to the art board, and be complete with registration marks and any special instructions. The art boards must be protected with a cover sheet.
3.2 Customer Requirements for Prestige Quality
3.2.1 Non Digital Photographic Originals
The preferred medium for supplying color photography is an original on fine grain transparency film.
The color balance of the transparencies must closely approximate the color balance desired in the final printing. If this is not the case then it is advisable to color correct the originals by photographic means prior to having the color separations made.
Though the 35 mm film size is very popular the larger film formats will give superior rendition of detail and will show fewer cosmetic defects when enlarged. The following lists of enlargements are considered to be the maximum acceptable for "Prestige Quality".
| Original Film Format | Maximum Recommended Uncropped Enlargement |
|---|---|
| 35 mm | 5 in. x 7 in. |
| 2 1/4 in. x 2 1/4 in. (6 cm x 6 cm) |
14 in. x 14 in. |
| 4 in. x 5 in.; 8 in. x 10 in. | for large reproduction or scientific reproduction quality |
Color transparencies that have identical tone and color balance characteristics can be separated in groups as long as no individual photograph requires specific adjustments.
Transparencies that have varying characteristics must be separated individually to achieve optimum color fidelity.
If two language editions are to be printed, the separation film supplied for each edition should be identical. Both sets of film must be produced in the same manner from the original separations with one film not being duplicated from the other.
When the color match between the original photograph and the printed copy must be sufficiently accurate for use in scientific or medical applications, the photographer should include color control patches and a gray scale in the photographs. These can be located outside the live subject area or on an individual frame if there is insufficient area. These control targets should be included in each segment of the photography where the lighting, processing or other variables affecting color are thought to have changed.
All film originals should be free of scratches, fingerprints and other cosmetic defects and must be kept in protective sleeves.
Black and white continuous tone photographs of average subjects should have a density range approximately equal to 1.25.
Halftones and other mechanically produced photographic copy should only be used if the originals are not available.
3.2.2 Supplied artwork
See general recommendations.
The output of any typesetting done to produce camera copy or printing film, must be from a laser image setter and must meet the requirements of the "Prestige Quality' level as specified in the PWGSC publication Quality Levels for Typesetting. Output from desktop laser printers is not acceptable for this quality level.
If updates are done to existing art boards, only full paragraphs may be stripped into typeset pages and only four strip-in corrections are allowed on a full camera-ready page, otherwise the page must be reset.
3.2.3 Screen Rulings for Tints and Photographs
A 133-line screen is normally adequate for good quality halftone reproductions. Where greater detail is required, 150 or 175-line screens will give superior results only if the photographic originals have above average detail and the selected printing stock is suitable. Selection of the best screen ruling and the appropriate paper should be done in consultation with the printer.
Flat screen tints of less than 10% and greater than 90% may present reproduction problems and should be avoided. Where delineation is required between a series of flat tints a 10% difference should be considered to be the minimum acceptable difference.
3.2.4 Printing Stock Selection
Considering the nature of the printed image and the function of the publication should make the selection of the paper stock. Particularly in color reproductions the finer grades of paper are more suitable for Prestige Quality. The show through of the selected paper as measured by printing opacity should not be less than 93%. Materials such as plastics, fabrics, board and newsprint cannot be used for printing at Prestige Quality.
3.2.5 Ink Specification
When requesting a specific ink color refers to Pantone Matching System (PMS) or other coding systems.
If the job has been previously printed and the reprint color must match, be sure to check if the original printing, in fact, matched the requested color. If not, it is necessary to send a printed sample for the supplier to match. Never send a sample and refer to its color number at the same time without clearly indicating which one the supplier must follow.
3.2.6 Quality Control
The customer, along with the printer, should evaluate all originals as to its compatibility to Prestige Quality.
Color originals must be evaluated with the standard 5000K illuminations.
Blueprints and similar proofs can only be used to check content or positioning, and must not be used for quality determination of halftones. If a customer requires an accurate proof of the halftone quality, a photographic proof should be requested.
All quality evaluations are to be made according to the Prestige Quality level specifications found in the PWGSC publication QualityLevels for Printing.
3.3 Customer Requirements for Library Quality
3.3.1 Photographic Originals
Color photography may be supplied as transparencies or reflection photographic prints.
Uncropped enlargements should not exceed eight times the original film format size.
Color photographs that have identical tone and color balance characteristics can be color separated in groups as long as no individual photograph requires specific adjustments. Photographs that have varying characteristics must be color separated individually to achieve optimum color fidelity.
If two language editions are to be printed, the separation film supplied for each edition should be identical. Both sets of film must be produced in the same manner from the original separations, with one film not being duplicated from the other.
All film originals should be free of scratches, fingerprints and other cosmetic defects and must be kept in protective sleeves.
Black and white continuous tone photographs of average subjects should have a density range approximately equal to 1.25.
Halftones and other mechanically produced photographic copy should only be used if the originals are not available.
3.3.2 Supplied artwork
See general recommendations.
The output of any typesetting done to produce camera copy or printing film, must be from a laser image setter and must meet the requirements of the Prestige Quality level as specified in the PWGSC publication Quality Levels for Typesetting. Output from desktop laser printers is not acceptable for this quality level.
If updates are done to existing art boards, only full paragraphs may be stripped into typeset pages and only four strip-in corrections are allowed on a full camera-ready page, otherwise the page must be reset.
3.3.3 Screen Tints and Rulings
A 133-line screen is normally chosen for good quality halftone reproductions. Where greater detail is required, a 150-line screen may be selected if the original material has above average detail. The selection of the best screen ruling and appropriate paper stock can be made in consultation with the printer.
Flat screen tints of less than 20% and greater than 80% may present reproduction problems and should be avoided. Where delineation is required between a series of flat tints, a 10% difference is the minimum that should be considered.
3.3.4 Printing Stock Selection
Where color reproduction is the primary concern, a smooth surfaced fine paper should be selected. The opacity of the paper should not be less than 87%.
3.3.5 Ink Specification
When specifying a color number for a reprint it is important to ensure that the previously printed copies do in fact match the color requested. Otherwise, a printed sample should be supplied for the current supplier to match. When supplying a sample or color swatch and specifying an ink color number, it should be indicated which one the supplier is to follow.
3.3.6 Quality Control
The customer along with the printer should evaluate all originals as to their capability of being reproduced at the Library Quality level.
Color originals should be evaluated with standard 5000K illuminations.
Blueprints and similar proofs can only be used to check content or positioning, and not the quality of halftones. If a customer requires an accurate proof of the halftone quality, a photographic proof should be requested.
All quality evaluations are to be made according to the Library Quality level specifications found in the PWGSC publication Quality Levels for Printing.
3.4 Customer Requirements for Informational Quality
3.4.1 Photographic Originals
Color photography may be supplied as transparencies, reflection photographic prints or digital images. Any digital photography should be done with a camera of at least 300 DPI resolutions.
The color balance of transparencies and prints should closely approximate the color balance desired in the final printing. Since grouping will make most colour separations, it is desirable that the photographs in each group have similar color characteristics.
If two language editions are to be printed, then the separation film supplied for each edition should be identical.
Halftones and mechanically produced photographic copy can be used but it is not advisable to do so.
3.4.2 Supplied artwork
See general recommendations.
The output of any typesetting done to produce camera copy or printing film, must as a minimum, meet the requirements of Informational Quality level as specified in the PWGSC publication Quality Levels for Typesetting. Output from desktop laser printers is also acceptable for this quality level.
3.4.3 Screen Tints and Rulings
A 133-line screen is the maximum ruling to be selected at this quality level. This will permit accurate reproduction of good quality originals on a good printing stock. Poor quality originals or lower quality printing stock require a coarser screen ruling.
The minimum difference between flat screen tints should not be less than 20%. Tints of greater than 80% or less than 20% should not be used.
3.4.4 Printing Stock Selection
Where halftone reproduction is the primary concern, a smooth surfaced fine paper should be selected. The show through of the paper as measured by printing opacity should not be less than 87%. Consulting with the printer can make the most economical grade of paper suited to the desired results. The Informational Quality level is the highest level that can be chosen for non-paper and paperboard printing materials.
3.4.5 Ink Specification
When specifying a color number for a reprint it is important to ensure that the previously printed copies do in fact match the color requested. Otherwise, a printed sample should be supplied for the current supplier to match. When supplying a sample or color swatch and specifying an ink color number, it should be indicated which one the supplier is to follow.
3.4.6 Quality Control
Color originals should be evaluated with standard 5000K illuminations.
Blueprints and similar proofs can only be used to cheek content or positioning and not halftone quality.
All quality evaluations are to be made according to the Informational Quality level specifications found in the PWGSC publication Quality Levels for Printing.
4. Colour Reproduction Quality
Three levels of color reproduction quality have been defined and in ascending order of quality are Informational Quality, Library Quality and Prestige Quality. These designations are used in addition to the Print Quality Levels if the publication contains color illustrations. Depending on the particular level of color quality selected, both the customer and supplier have specific quality assurance procedures to follow. The supplier's procedures are detailed in the PWGSC/CCSB publication Quality Levels for Color Reproduction. It is important that all the procedures be followed, as these are the only means of ensuring that the final printed results will meet expectations. The customer should note that the production time, cost and involvement increase considerably from the lower to higher quality levels.
4.1 Prestige Quality
At this quality level the customer can indicate for each color original if Exact Color Reproduction or Preferred Color Reproduction is desired.
Exact Color Reproduction means that the final print must match the original as closely as possible. This requires that the customer supply originals, which have the correct color balance.
Preferred Color Reproduction means that the final print should deviate in a specified manner from the supplied original. In this case the customer must specify which colors or areas of each original are of primary concern and put these instructions in writing. The customer should realize that certain compromises must be made and should confirm whether the requested deviations are obtainable.
Pre-press color proofs can only be used as a preliminary judgment to color reproduction and must not be used as a printer's guide.
Progressive color proofs supplied as single color pulls and the printer or the printer's colour separation sub-contractor must produce all four colours down. All color illustrations must then be fully approved by the customer prior to any production. The color separations will be corrected and reproof until this is achieved. At the Prestige Quality level the printer accepts full responsibility for matching the approved proof regardless of the method and equipment used to produce it. In some cases, the proofs should be made in press imposition. This should be determined by consulting with the printer.
All proofs must be produced with the same inks and on the identical stock intended for the actual printing. Color evaluation of proofs must be made with the illustrations in exact register and using standard 5000K illuminations.
As the purchase of new color separations or the correction of existing separations is costly, every attempt should be made to have multiple editions printed at the same time by the same printer.
A set of progressive proofs with a record of the ink types and paper should be stored away from light if the job is intended to be reprinted.
4.2 Library Quality
To aid the customer and supplier in determining a color balance, pre-press proofs are required for customer approval prior to production. While this type of proof is useful in judging the reproduction quality of color material, caution must be exercised, as there is always a difference between the pre-press proof and printed sheet. Only those pre-press proofing systems that use colored or toned films permanently laminated on the substrate are acceptable.
It is the supplier's responsibility to produce a color match that is balanced as closely to the approved pre-press proofs.
All color printing will be controlled by the supplier so as to meet the quality specifications of Library Quality as listed in the Quality Levels for Color Reproduction. All quality evaluations of the finished printed matter will be made according to the specifications therein.
4.3 Informational Quality
All color illustrations designated for Informational Quality will be produced as "Pleasing Color" reproductions. This means that the final printed piece will be produced to within normal commercial tolerances and will be satisfactory to the average viewer.
At this quality level color proofs are required for customer approval. The responsibility for obtaining an acceptable color reproduction rests with the supplier. The proofs may be pre-press, made from the printing film, or digital if an electronic printing method is being used. If an electronic printing method is being used, it may be most practical for the client to be at the printer in order to approve the first copies produced so that the print run can continue without interruption.
All color printing will be controlled by the supplier so as to meet the quality specifications of Informational Quality as listed in the Quality Levels for Color Reproduction. All quality evaluations of the finished printed matter will be made according to the specifications therein.