White Paper 1

Professional Color Control

Reducing Variation in the Digital Supply Chain

By: Cary Sherburne

Abstract: In a global economy, the manufacture of print and packaging is
increasingly distributed across time and distance. Digital workflows offer PANTONE
an advantage in streamlining distributed manufacturing; however, these
workflows must take into account the brand owner’s need for brand
integrity across all manufacturing processes and materials, especially as CxF
it relates to color accuracy. This white paper explains how the X-Rite
Graphic Arts Standard (XRGA) helps all stakeholders in the color
supply chain ensure color consistency across geographies, printing
techniques, substrates, media and production processes. XRGA

Dynamics of the Color Network

Bringing color communication to a series
Communicating accurate color can be a challenge, even with of languages to communicate accurate
all of the sophisticated color management technology available color across the supply chain
today. This is especially true in complex color networks that
extend across multiple sites, geographies, media and substrate types, and production technologies. Let’s face it: Color is still a blend
of art and science. It starts with inspiration and the specification of a color or color palette for a specific brand or use case. The
expectation on the part of the designer or brand owner is that the color as specified will be consistent across all use cases. Though
the intention is there, oftentimes, this simply does not happen because of the wide range of variability and capability that exists within
the color network.

The Role of Instrumentation in Delivering Color Accuracy

Once a designer or brand owner has selected a color, it can be measured using a spectral measurement device to determine precise
spectral values for that color. Over time, users often find themselves using a variety of different measurement instruments from different
manufacturers for color control. They also use instruments of various ages, with varied measurement functionality at different points
in their workflow. This can lead to slightly different measurements for the same sample due to the fact that each manufacturer uses
slightly different physical instrument calibration standards.

A designer or brand owner can select a color with a spectral measurement device to determine precise spectral values for that color.
 White Paper 2

Through various standards, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) provides guidance in terms of the establishment of
accurate color measurement. ISO 13655, revised in 2009, establishes procedures for the measurements and colorimetrical computa-
tions appropriate to objects that reflect, transmit, or self-illuminate, including flat-panel displays. In addition, communicating values is
explained in detail in ISO Standard 28178, “Graphic technology--Exchange format for color and process control data using XML or ASCII
Text.” X-Rite Pantone recognized this important work and built upon it to develop the Color Exchange Format (CxF), now in its third itera-
tion, to provide a process for mapping this data into the expanded language of CxF3. CxF3 is now being incorporated into a series of
standards under the ISO 17972 series.
These standards-based activities have been helpful in bringing more consistency to the application of effective color management
techniques within the printing and packaging industries and throughout the color network. However, they still fall short in addressing
variation among color measurement instruments.

What Is XRGA?
It is for these reasons that in the fall of 2010, X-Rite Pantone introduced the X-Rite Graphic Arts Standard (XRGA), a language that
is optimized for today’s color business standards. XRGA operates with legacy color measurement products and is native in new and
future products from X-Rite Pantone, and the standard is being made available to third parties so that it can be applied to their instru-
mentation as well. XRGA delivers quality data exchange among varying sites and instrumentations, creating an optimal set point for
both legacy and future devices. It also aligns calibration standards for instrumentation from both X-Rite and the former GretagMacbeth,
guaranteeing better alignment among the members of both families of instruments once legacy instruments have been upgraded to
XRGA compliance. With participation from third party instrument manufacturers, XRGA has the potential to optimize color measurement
across the entire multivendor color network.

XRGA: The Back Story

In creating XRGA, X-Rite conducted a study designed to quantify the systematic differences between measurements obtained using
instruments from both former companies (X-Rite and GretagMacbeth), and to ultimately arrive at the definition of a new corporate
X-Rite standard for its graphic arts instrumentation which most accurately links to known industry standards. Systematic differences
are quantified under the term “inter-model” agreement, which is different from the inter-instrument agreement that is typically specified
for each product. The differences found during this study illustrate the consequences of each of the former companies using different
calibration master standards.
XRGA is a standards-based effort, directly based on the master calibration standard certification with NIST, the National Institute of
Standards and Technology (www.nist.gov). XRGA is applicable to all 0:45 and 45:0 geometry spectral devices used in the graphic arts.
All new X-Rite devices come directly from the factory with native XRGA-based calibration metrology. Legacy X-Rite devices may be
upgraded to XRGA; some by field upgrade and others by certified service centers. Many customers have already elected to upgrade
legacy devices when the spectrophotometers are sent in for routine maintenance, calibration and recertification.

XRGA for Ink Manufacturers and large sites requires an assessment and implementation of recommended actions. These actions
often result in less wastage and higher satisfaction levels among top tier customers
 White Paper 3

Based on the results of this study, XRGA was designed to achieve the following goals:
• Significantly improves the way different devices measure a given color, reducing variation Incorporates improved
methods for calibration Maintains traceability to the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
• Spectral data contains an origin tag that specifies compliance to XRGA.
• Best implementation with respect to existing standards
• Guarantees better alignment among legacy X-Rite and GretagMacbeth instruments
• Provides a single standard for all next generation graphic arts instruments to be delivered by X-Rite,
including X-Rite eXact and i1Pro2
• Allows customers to enjoy the new benefits of XRGA for legacy instruments with this migration path – hardware, software, and
legacy spectral data. Once legacy instruments are XRGA compliant, measurements from these ugraded instruments will be consis-
tent with next generation instruments, which are all native XRGA.
• Who Needs XRGA?
For most products and many operating environments, the switch to XRGA results in very small differences in measurement values,
so many users will not observe changes due to XRGA. It is still highly recommended that instruments routinely be returned to X-Rite
for recommended routine maintenance, calibration and recertification to take maximum advantage of the XRGA benefits. For smaller
operations that have not implemented standardization, upgrading to XRGA will provide an immediate benefit that will help them achieve
standardization and readiness for ISO compliance and future products.

XRGA delivers quality data exchange among varying sites and instrumentations,
creating an optimal set point for both legacy and future devices

For printers and packaging converters serving a larger supply chain and remote or connected brand owners using mixed devices
across the platform, it is highly recommended that X-Rite conduct an on-site evaluation of color-related work processes, including an
assessment of the devices being utilized. This will not only identify areas where an XRGA upgrade will reduce color variation, it will also
allow companies to refine overall color-related processes, thereby gaining competitive differentiation in the marketplace. In addition, if
operations have a Pantone workflow in place, XRGA compliance is an absolute requirement. An X-Rite assessment and implementa-
tion of recommended actions often results in less wastage and higher satisfaction levels among top tier customers. It also prepares the
organization for future enhancements and workflows that may be required by future acquisition of new instrumentation, more stringent
customer requirements, and/or by updates to ISO and other standards.
Ink suppliers will also want to consider working with X-Rite to define a new center point based on XRGA and begin the process of map-
ping old data to new data. This will ensure that ink formulations, both existing and new, align across the full product line.
 White Paper 4

BRAND PRiNTeR/
MANAGER CONVERTER iNk
DesigNeR foRmulATioN
PRePRess ANd
quAliTy
coNTRol

Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) or third-party developers who embed X-Rite technology in their products can also work with
X-Rite to analyze existing conditions within the product portfolio and installed base, and develop a plan to roll the newer technology out
to customers, especially those who have larger installed bases and/or are producing color critical applications.
Contact: devsupport@xrite.com for more details if you are an OEM/developer.

Summary
XRGA will benefit the color network by ensuring alignment of color measurements provided by instruments being utilized across the entire printing or packag-
ing supply chain. It globally unifies all master metrology, better controlling the data these color instruments provide and interconnecting with various actors in
the supply chain. XRGA gives you the confidence that you are ready for adoption of new standards such as ISO 13655.
XRGA is a critical component in the journey from inspiration to product delivery, and is one of the factors that connects the art and science of color. The adop-
tion of XRGA by industry organizations and suppliers beyond X-Rite will make the impact of that critical component on the color supply chain even greater.

Why am I having variations, why is this different than this device, or I measure a spot measurement and
it’s different than it used to be. Why? I think XRGA products and what they are doing and the approach they
are getting helps minimize that impact.
—Heath Luetkens, Director of Technology, CGS.

This is an important first step in an initiative to help everyone, up and down the supply chain to work together seamlessly.
We believe that the print and packaging industry stand to reap substantial benefits in saved time and resources if an effective
standard can be established in the exchange of color data.
— Francis Lamy, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, X-Rite.

http://www.xrite.com/xrga
http://www.xrite.com/cxf
http://www.xrite.com/documents/literature/en/L7-476_XRGA_en.pdf
http://whattheythink.com/video/46786-heath-luetkens-consistency-color-new-xrga-standard/

Acronym and links:

CxF: Color Exchange Format
XML: Extensible Markup Language
ISO: International Organization for Standard
XRGA: X-Rite Graphic Standard
ISO 13655: http://www.iso.org/iso/catalogue_detail?csnumber=39877
XRGA is standard in all new spectrophotometers ISO 28178: http://www.iso.org/iso/catalogue_detail.htm?csnumber=44527
and older units maybe upgraded to XRGA

This white paper was sponsored by X-Rite Pantone. For more information about effectively measuring, managing or communicating color, visit www.xrite.com or www.pantone.com.

X-Rite World Headquarters

Grand Rapids, Michigan USA 49512-4009 • (800) 248-9748 • +1 616 803 2100 • xrite.com
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