Services

Colour Management Services

Consistent, Accurate Colour Across Every Device, Every Press Run, Every Client Job

ICC Profiling

6-Step Process

ISO 12647-2

Compliance Assessment

Spectrophotometry

Professional Measurement

Press Calibration

Offset, Digital, Wide-Format

Overview

Why Colour Management is a Business-Critical Service

In commercial printing, colour is not just aesthetic — it is contractual. Brand owners supply colour specifications. Advertising agencies deliver approved proofs. Packaging buyers mandate colour tolerances. When printed output does not match the approved reference, the consequence is costly reprints, client disputes, damaged relationships, and lost business.

Smart Printing Solutions' colour management services provide Bangladesh's commercial printers, packaging producers, and advertising-sector clients with the professional tools, expertise, and process documentation to achieve consistent, standard-compliant colour output across their entire printing infrastructure.

ICC Profiling

The Foundation of Colour Consistency

Step 1: Device Linearisation

Before profiling, the printing device is linearised — ink densities, dot gain curves, and tonal responses are adjusted to conform to a defined standard curve. Linearisation provides a stable, repeatable foundation.

Step 2: Test Target Printing

A standardised colour target chart (1,000–4,000 patch target) is printed on the device and media combination under representative production conditions to capture the device's actual colour gamut.

Step 3: Spectrophotometric Measurement

The printed test target is measured using a professional spectrophotometer under standardised D50 illuminant conditions. Measurements are captured as CIE L*a*b* values.

Step 4: Profile Calculation

Measurement data is processed through professional profile-building software to calculate the ICC profile — a mathematical model of the device's colour behaviour.

Step 5: Profile Verification

The new profile is verified by printing and measuring a verification target. We check that required colour accuracy tolerances are achieved (typically ΔE 2000 ≤ 3.0) and fine-tune if needed.

Step 6: Profile Delivery

Completed ICC profiles are delivered with full documentation and we assist with integrating them into the customer's workflow — RIP systems, production software, and prepress configuration.

Calibration

Press Calibration — Maintaining Consistency

Offset Press Density Calibration

Measurement of solid ink densities for CMYK, comparison against target density values defined in ISO 12647-2, and specification of ink/water adjustments to achieve target densities.

Digital System Calibration

For digital production presses (Ricoh Pro, HP Indigo), we use built-in calibration tools alongside external measurement to verify colour accuracy against the press ICC profile.

Wide-Format Printer Calibration

HP DesignJet and HP Latex systems benefit from regular profiling and calibration, particularly when media or ink batches change. We maintain consistent colour output on these systems.

Compliance

ISO 12647-2 Compliance

Compliance Assessment

A full measurement-based assessment of a press's current performance against ISO 12647-2 targets — identifying gaps and providing a prioritised action plan for achieving compliance.

Implementation Support

Working with the press operator and pre-press team, we implement the adjustments, profile changes, and process controls needed to bring performance within ISO 12647-2 tolerances.

Compliance Documentation

Measurement reports documenting print characteristic compliance for use in supplier qualification processes with brand owners and agency clients.

Equipment

Professional Colour Measurement Equipment

Our colour management services are delivered with professional, manufacturer-calibrated instrumentation. Spectrophotometers measure the full spectral reflectance of printed samples — providing CIE L*a*b* colour values and ΔE colour difference calculations. Densitometers measure solid ink density and dot gain for offset press calibration. Spectrodensitometers combine both capabilities where required.

All measurements are performed under ISO 13655 and ISO 12647-2 specified conditions — D50 illuminant, M1 measurement mode — ensuring internationally comparable results.

Who Benefits

Who Should Invest in Colour Management?

Commercial Printers

Any commercial print operation producing work for brand owners, advertising agencies, or corporate clients with defined colour standards benefits from professional colour management.

Packaging Printers

Packaging for food, FMCG, pharmaceutical, and luxury goods must match brand colour specifications precisely — colour management is not optional in packaging print.

Advertising & Creative Agencies

In-house print production teams producing proofs, presentation materials, and short-run collateral benefit from ICC-profiled and calibrated proofing systems.

Print-on-Demand Services

Digital production press operators need accurate, consistent profiling to ensure short-run digital output matches the customer's offset reference.

Request a Colour Management Consultation

Speak with our colour management specialist to discuss your current colour challenges, measurement requirements, and the most appropriate service for your printing environment.