ISO 12647-2:2013

Overview

ISO 12647-2:2013 - Graphic technology: Process control for the production of half‑tone colour separations, proof and production prints - Part 2: Offset lithographic processes defines process parameters and target values for four‑colour offset printing workflows. The standard covers preparation of colour separations, proof production, creation of printing formes and production printing for sheet‑fed and web‑fed offset presses (excluding coldset newsprint). It is intended to ensure consistent colour reproduction, reproducible tone‑value behaviour and reliable proof‑to‑print matching across commercially available substrates and drying methods (heat‑set, infrared, UV).

Key topics and requirements

• Process parameters and values for colour separations, printing formes, proofs and production prints for four‑colour offset workflows.
• Scope of applicability: sheet‑fed and heat‑set/continuous web offset, cardboard/packaging substrates; applicable by analogy to more than four process colours when direct analogies to four‑colour screening and data are maintained.
• Measurement and reporting methods, including control strip usage, tone‑value increase (TVI) testing, density and colourimetric computations (CIELAB), and specified measurement conditions.
• Colour aims and solids: target colouration for primary and secondary solids and guidance on achieving proof‑to‑print visual matching.
• Paper categorization and substrate characteristics: recommendations based on surface (whiteness, gloss, coating) and mass per area (opacity) rather than only unprinted colorimetric values.
• Quality assurance and management: references and recommendations to support QA processes and consistent production printing.
• Note: the standard is not applicable to coldset newsprint and not intended for processes without an intermediate image carrier (e.g., some digital presses).

Practical applications

• Establishing repeatable print production workflows for commercial printers and prepress houses.
• Creating and validating press proofs and off‑press proofs to achieve predictable proof‑to‑print matches.
• Setting up screening, ink and substrate parameters for predictable tone‑value increase and colour reproduction.
• Defining measurable quality targets for packaging (cardboard) production and specialty printing.
• Supporting color management, production acceptance criteria and supplier‑buyer agreements on print aims and tolerances.

Who should use this standard

• Prepress technicians, press operators and production color managers
• Proofing houses and print buyers requiring consistent proof‑to‑print matches
• Packaging printers and converters working in offset lithography
• Quality assurance professionals and workflow integrators in graphic arts environments

Related standards

• ISO 12647‑1 (Parameters and measurement methods)
• ISO 2846‑1 (Ink colour and transparency requirements)
• ISO 13655 (Spectral measurement and colorimetric computation)
• ISO 11475, ISO 8254 (Paper whiteness and gloss measurement)

Keywords: ISO 12647-2:2013, offset lithographic processes, process control, colour separations, proofing, production prints, tone value increase, press proof, four‑colour printing, print quality.