One term you can be sure to hear mentioned in the printing space is G7® certification, and with good reason. Colors are an essential aspect of printing, but they don’t always appear the same every time in print.
You know how it goes. One day, the colors appear perfect, and the next, something seems off. This lack of consistency can be problematic, leading to issues such as weakened brand recognition, loss of customer trust and inconsistent brand identity, to name a few.
G7 certification is a much-needed solution to this common problem in printing. Whether you’re a small print shop or an enterprise, having a G7 certification is your color consistency superpower. Below, we break down what a G7 certification is and how it can help you make more with your print business.
G7 is an internationally recognized specification and methodology for achieving grayscale calibration and visual similarity across printing systems. Organizations can become G7 certified to demonstrate adherence to these standards. The G7 certification program dates back to 2006. Idealliance established it as a solution to inaccurate and inconsistent color representation prevalent in printing presses. Before it was designed, people matched colors based on what each person thought looked right or on basic measurements that didn’t always lead to consistent results.
When you implement G7 standards, your printing system will produce visually consistent neutrals (grays) and improved balance across devices and technologies, although exact color matching may still vary based on ink, substrate, and processes.
G7 certification was introduced to address the need for color consistency in print. But what’s the big deal about color consistency? Does it really matter if colors appear different with every print? The simple answer is color consistency for several reasons, including:
G7 certification is more than a quality assurance standard. It has several benefits you don’t want to miss out on, especially if your goal is to improve your workflow and introduce predictability and consistency to your outputs. Let’s break down some of the benefits of G7 printing certification.
Imagine significantly reducing worries about visual color consistency and neutral balance in your prints. This is one of the main benefits of G7 certification. It doesn’t matter if you’re printing digitally, via offset printing, or on large-format printing equipment — you can count on the predictability of your color output. With G7 color certification, you say goodbye to the guesswork and function more confidently, knowing the colors you print will turn out right.
Human resources, time and money go into correcting color inconsistencies — the environment also takes a hit from wasted materials, too. Having a G7 certificate means you’ll achieve consistent visual results and neutral balance more reliably, which reduces the chances of costly, wasteful corrections. This way, you can channel all your resources into new jobs and reorders.
You know how difficult it can get trying to color-match without a standard to guide you. It’s also more challenging to establish a workflow because your processes won’t be predictable and repeatable. Before long, it might begin to feel like throwing darts in the dark.
Because G7 certification reduces the need for repeated neutral adjustments and improves process control, you can streamline your printing workflow and enhance day-to-day efficiency. You get to make more time for growing your business, not fixing mistakes.
Customers understand the importance of colors in print. For this reason, they’ll be more confident working with businesses that have G7 certification. Similarly, having G7 certification means you can earn customer trust and deliver high-quality prints.
Thanks to G7 standards, you can take up projects that require broad color gradients, from the most intricate color hues to vibrant tones, all while maintaining reliable color accuracy and consistency.
The G7 certification process is straightforward, involving two main parts.
The first step in the G7 certification process involves calibrating your press to meet G7 grayscale and tonality targets, typically under the guidance of a G7-certified Expert. After calibration, relevant documentation and print samples are submitted to Idealliance or its approved review partners for certification validation. There are two ways you can complete this step:
After calibration and internal verification, print samples are submitted to Idealliance or an authorized reviewing party to confirm compliance with G7 requirements. This step confirms that the full range of colors aligns with G7 standards. If you pass this independent evaluation, you’ll be granted a G7 certificate. For facilities achieving the G7 Master Qualification, the certificate is valid for one year and renewable upon annual compliance. For individuals attaining G7 Expert certification, the credential is typically valid for two years.
Obtaining G7 color management certification is a crucial step for setting your business up for success. Nothing beats having a G7 expert as part of your team. In addition to conducting calibration reviews, they’ll help you stay ahead of the curve in color management, process and quality control using the G7 methodology.
Fujifilm offers a comprehensive G7 certification training program to help trainees acquire the relevant skills to implement the G7 methodology in print. When you complete our G7 training program, you will be eligible to take the G7 Expert certification exam, and upon successfully passing, you will be granted official G7 Certified Expert status. Contact us to learn more about our program and how we can help you make more.