(Sparks, MD) Schmitz Press, a high-end, family-owned and -operated commercial sheetfed printing company in Sparks, Maryland is pleased to announce that it is the first printer in the Baltimore-Washington area to qualify as a Master Printer in the IDEAlliance GRACoL 7 program.
IDEAlliance (International Digital Enterprise Alliance) is the industry organization, founded in 1966, which develops, validates, and advances standards and best practices in publishing and information technology. GRACoL, (General Requirements for Applications in Commercial Offset Lithography) was the document developed by IDEAlliance in 1996 to provide reference guidelines for sheetfed printers to produce consistent, quality color printing. The document has evolved to its present version, GRACoL 7, which advances a new set of process controls based on principles of digital imaging, spectrophotometry, and computer-to-plate technologies. The GRACoL 7 methodology, known as G7, is a proof-to-print process that provides for a consistently close visual match, not only from proof to print, but also across various print or press platforms.
The G7 Master Printer qualification requires that a company undergo an extensive audit of its press control color measurement equipment, process control procedures, and quality of printing. The Master Printer designation means that the printing company uses the most modern technology, techniques, and process controls and standards to produce consistent, exceptional quality. For customers of G7 Master Printers, it means predictability as well – knowing what will be achieved on press prior to the actual press run.
