Overview
ISO 16762:2016 - Graphic technology - Post-press - General requirements for transfer, handling and storage is an international standard that defines general requirements for transferring, handling and storing printed products and materials between printing and post‑press operations. It identifies the job ticket information needed for successful post‑press workflows and specifies handling for raw materials and materials in process. ISO 16762 serves as a common reference for paper‑based post‑press processes (laminating, cutting, folding, binding, die‑cutting, gluing, perforating, etc.) and complements process‑specific standards.
Key Topics and Technical Requirements
ISO 16762 covers practical, process‑oriented requirements including:
- Job information requirements (job ticket) - essential data to accompany jobs through post‑press.
- Incoming goods inspection - presentation, package identification, storage/handling and adaptation to temperature and humidity.
- Intermediate product requirements - presentation, grain direction, size and squareness tolerances, marks, registration and layout considerations.
- Processing requirements - processing information, identification on product, static control, foils/envelopes, allowances and quality control.
- Operating and testing environments - recommended temperature, humidity, air movement, illumination and cleanliness for processing and laboratory testing.
- Inspection and measurement - which items to check, inspection frequency, sampling (referencing ISO 2859‑1) and record keeping.
- Packing, storage and transportation - packing methods for intermediate and final products, storage rules and transportation precautions.
The standard references related measurement and conditioning standards (for example ISO 186, ISO 187, ISO 2859‑1, ISO 8995‑1 and ISO 10012) to ensure consistent inspection, conditioning and lighting practices.
Practical Applications and Who Uses ISO 16762
ISO 16762 is designed for professionals and organizations involved in the print supply chain, including:
- Printers and prepress teams ensuring handover quality
- Post‑press operators (cutters, folders, binders, laminators, foilers)
- Production and quality managers defining acceptance criteria and inspection regimes
- Packaging converters and logistics teams that store and transport printed goods
- Buyers and specification writers creating job tickets and handover documents
Practical uses include creating standardized job tickets, defining storage and transport precautions (temperature/humidity control), establishing inspection frequencies and acceptance criteria, and reducing set‑off, misregistration or handling damage during handovers.
Related Standards
ISO 16762 provides a concise, cross‑process framework to improve quality, reduce rework and streamline transfer, handling and storage in graphic technology post‑press workflows.