Special Report - France

20 May 2010




Capability in colour management

Founded in Lyon in 1997, Alwan Color Expertise now claims to be a world leader in standardisation and colour management implementation. Its CMYK Optimizer range of software offers specialised capabilities that ‘enable all partners along the graphic production line to guarantee the colour accuracy of their work, while ensuring optimum production further down the line’.

The company recently released two new ISO 12647 ‘out-of-the-box’ standardisation solutions. PDF Standardizer, developed in partnership with Enfocus, offers a ‘simple and reliable’ way to create PDFs that comply with ISO 15930-1 (PDF/X1-a), Ghent PDF Workgroup specifications and with ISO 12647 colour printing standards. Print Standardizer, developed in partnership with X-Rite, provides an affordable and easy-to-implement G7 and ISO 12647 standardisation in the press room.

One company that has already benefited from PDF Standardizer is Data One, one of the largest digital printers in France, Specialising in full colour industrial label applications and direct mailing, it has five high-speed full colour Kodak Versamark inkjet printers and an array of B&W xerographic systems at its facility in Les Champs Chouette.

Until recently, Data One relied on a relatively basic prepress workflow. However, workflow automation was not the only challenge. The company was also struggling with colour management issues.

Alwan’s PDF Standardizer provided the answer. “The product has a flexible workflow architecture, so we can assemble our own bespoke system by linking components together,” explains Nicolas Halabura, project manager in charge of colour solutions. “And it includes the CMYK Optimizer engine, which automatically adjusts the colour of incoming images and pages to match our accepted colour standards.”

“The solution is really easy to use – setting up the system and training our users took less than two days,” adds Laurent Quéré, Customer Integration Manager. “It has solved all of our issues and reduced our file preparation overheads dramatically. We’ve cut our production times by half.”

On the colour management side, PDF Standardizer has delivered what Data One needed most – colour consistency. “All documents receive identical treatment, resulting in stable and consistent colour output,” says Nicolas Halabura.

Plate switch cuts costs and boosts green credentials

As the first converter in France to install Kodak Thermal Direct non-process plates, Cartonnages Larré has trimmed its costs significantly by eliminating processing chemistry - and enhanced its status as an environmentally responsible organisation.

The Bayonne-based company produces slip cases and folding cartons for a diverse customer base that covers the agribusiness, electronics, medical, footwear, textiles, cosmetics, animal feed and health sectors. It also produces nano- and microflute containers, and paper print runs such as flyers, posters, magazines, and catalogues.

The Thermal Direct plates are imaged on a Kodak Magnus 800 platesetter, eliminating the need for a separate plate processor. Compatible with most thermal CTP systems, the plates eliminate the cost of buying and maintaining a processor; no electrical or plumbing installation is required; and no chemicals need to be purchased, stored, handled or disposed of. Also, non-process plates don’t require rinsing, cleaning or gumming.

“Completely eliminating processing chemistry was the main attraction for us,” explains Cartonnages Larré chief executive Hugues Larré. “Cutting out processing chemistry, the costs incurred in reprocessing the baths and the maintenance costs for the processor has allowed us to balance our plates budget and boost our green credentials at the same time.

Helping P&G simplify the packaging process

Procter & Gamble, the world’s largest consumer goods company, has extended the scope of its V6 PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) implementation from Dassault Systèmes to incorporate global packaging and artwork initiatives.

The aim is a more efficient packaging process, to improve speed to market and increase shelf impact.

P&G will be incorporating the virtual and digital design capabilities of Catia V6 and virtual test capabilities of Simulia V6 into future packaging and artwork projects. This will enable a tighter integration with suppliers, ‘facilitating the faster creation of artwork and packaging shapes that address consumers’ needs.

Enovia V6 will also allow global collaboration, reuse of design elements, and automation of repetitive tasks, while optimising the overall cost and performance of product packaging.

“As P&G continues to serve more consumers, in more parts of the world, more completely, it is essential we have the right tools in place to drive greater efficiency,” explains Michael Telljohann, PLM director, P&G. “Dassault’s suite of V6 PLM products will help us drive scale, improve R&D productivity and accelerate the delivery of new products to market.”




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Alwan
Kodak
Dassault Systèmes



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