Graphic technology

Graphic technology

Improving business performance in printing and publishing supply chains

Improving business performance in printing and publishing supply chains
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Graphic technology
Graphic technology
Red Overlay

What is graphic technology?

Graphic technology is a big industry and it is a far more than a printed sheet. Printing is now done on china, metals, and fabric; from small post-it notes to graphic wrappings big enough to cover a building.

To ensure these products are uniform in nature and they have the impact they need, standards underpin not only what we produce but also the equipment needed to produce them.

Graphic technology standards cover a wide spectrum of uses. Standards for process control, production automation and data management maximise performance efficiencies for UK printing and publishing companies. Whilst standards for colour management, document formatting, and materials management help to streamline production processes, to protect and enhance margins and optimize processing efficiencies throughout supply chains.

The importance of standards for print production

In the area of print production, we have a hierarchy of standards starting with fundamental standards for measuring paper, ink and colour characteristics. Building on these we produce a print on one technology that can be matched on another - useful for printing proofs or a small number of reprints on a digital press. We ensure that the colour of two packages produced in different regions precisely match on the supermarket shelf. In recent years we have seen the adoption of higher level, more complex standards to measure the effectiveness of our business processes, production efficiency and environmental impact.

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BS ISO 12647 - Parts 1 to 9

This standard series specifies a number of process parameters and their values to be applied when producing colour separations, printing formes and print production for four-colour sheet-fed, heatset web offset printing, coldset wed offset, gravure, screen process, flexographic, metal decoration and digital contract proofing.

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BS ISO 13655 Graphic technology. Spectral measurement and colorimetric computation for graphic arts images

This standard specifies procedures for the measurements and colorimetric computations appropriate to objects that reflect, transmit and emit light, such as flat-panel displays. 

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PD ISO/TS 15311-1 Graphic technology. Requirements for printed matter for commercial and industrial production - Measurement methods and reporting schema

This standard defines print quality metrics, measurement methods and reporting requirements for printed sheets that are suitable for all classes of printed products. Although this document is expected to be used primarily to measure prints from digital printing systems, the metrics are general and can be applied to other kinds of print.

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Setting the standard for proofreading

The vast majority of people have no concept of the process by which printed material is produced. This in itself does not matter, but what is more worrying is that many of the people who are involved in the preparation of these materials are not aware of the correct way to mark up proofs so that corrections are made correctly. This is in spite of the fact that there has been a British standard for this for many years.

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BS ISO 5776:2016 Graphic technology. Symbols for text proof correction

This International Standard specifies symbols for use in copy preparation and proof correction in alphabetic languages and in logographic languages. It is applicable to texts submitted for correction, whatever their nature or presentation (manuscripts, typescripts, printer’s proofs, etc.), and for marking up copy for all methods of composition.

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The importance of environmental and sustainability standards

Managing and accounting for environmental impacts has become a fundamental requirement for all industries. The printing industry is unique in that it serves all industries, all business sectors and all parts of society. From packaged consumer products to books and magazines, through to labels and community newsletters, the graphics industry has a huge environmental impact.

Find out more about sustainability standards here >

BS ISO 16759 Graphic technology. Quantification and communication for calculating the carbon footprint of print media products

This International Standard specifies the requirements for quantifying the carbon footprint of those processes, materials and technologies required to produce print media products using any form of printing technology and that are within the user’s knowledge and control.

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Health and safety in the workplace

Having good health and safety standards for all types of machinery, processes and workplace issues is important for Unite members, who are in the front line when it comes to dealing with hazards at work. Standards developed by BSI and other national bodies, and agreed across continents, can play a key role in promoting safer workplaces.

Learn more about health & safety standards here >

Want to get involved with PAI/43?

Under the direction of the Standards Policy and Strategy Committee, PAI/43 is responsible for the UK input to ISO/TC 130 Graphic Technology and its Working groups.

This committee responds to the field of graphic imaging and printing as it evolves in the areas of imaging on paper and increasingly imaging associated with other technologies that involve data handling and preparation.

Have any questions, or want to get involved?

To apply for the PAI/43 Graphic Technology committee please click here:

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/BSI-Standards-Maker-App

For overview of all PAI/43 Standards please click here:

https://standardsdevelopment.bsigroup.com/committees/50001402

Get in touch with Standards Development Manager Delme Stephenson here: Delme.Stephenson@bsigroup.com

Learn more about standard development here >