Description
P44: SMS READY certification for print shops
Professional print shops that wish to apply for an SMS READY verification, need to first of all prove their ability to print the SMS READY control strip correctly within a MAX dE00 of 3 or less. That suggests that they will also be able to print other SMS colours from the same SMS colour palette/colour space within the same or similar dE00.
Each print shop gets to decide what dE00 they want to commit to. This dE00 will be registered by Spot-Nordic and communicated to SMS customers looking for a printer to print their jobs.
Print shops who wish to be verified as SMS READY need to appoint at least one so-called “super user”, who is responsible for the print shop working according to instructions provided by Spot-Nordic, to ensure correct reproduction of SMS colours for each media, as well as to make sure that the print shop in fact is capable of meeting the standards required to successfully print SMS colours within the margin of error (dE00) stated on their SMS READY certificate.
The super user, who will be the technical contact to Spot-Nordic has to be fluent in the English language and must furthermore be knowledgeable in the use of graphics programs used by the print shop and it’s customers. He or she will be the person to answer technical questions of customers concerning printing of SMS colours by the print shop.
The appointed super user must proof his or her ability to work with SMS colours professionally – see instructions here and will, once he or she has proven ability in converting SMS colours from sRGB to the relevant media – Print Graphics, Web Graphics and/or Video Graphics receive his or her own SMS READY Expert certificate, that will remain valid during the verification period of the print shop – see further details about the SMS READY Expert certification – P21 here above.
The appointed super user will be taught how to use the SMS READY control strip correctly and will be provided with an Excel sheet, enabling them to check the dE00 of each colour of the SMS READY control strip (requires a qualified spectrophotometer – for instance the i1Pro3 Basic – see here).
Optionally the print shop can appoint an existing SMS READY Expert during the subscription of the print shop.
For best results, it is recommended that in addition to the super user, key personnel at the print shop, including sales personnel, prepress personnel and printers do the SMS READY Expert training and apply for their own SMS READY Expert certificate. This will enable them to better understand how SMS colours work and what has to be done to ensure correct reproduction. At a minimum the super user has to teach all printers/press operators how to measure the SMS READY control strip correctly (correct M condition and how to fill in the Excel sheet and how to interpret the results, once the LAB values have been entered (whether to run the job or stop).
Personnel of SMS READY certified print shops that are registered by the print shop for SMS READY Expert certification do not have to buy their own SMS P20 colour palette, since they are allowed to use the P20 colour palette of the verified print shop where they work to complete the choirs requested to get the SMS READY Expert certificate in the field of Print Graphics.
The price per each additional SMS READY Expert certificate is thus only EUR 60 extra per diploma during the work period of the SMS READY Expert for the SMS READY certified print shop (beyond the free SMS READY Expert training of the appointed super user).
SMS READY print shop certification includes:
-
- SMS READY badge for marketing.
- P20 v7 colour palette (select either ECO, Standard, MAX or SuperMAX palette): 2.607 labelled sRGB Standard colours in PDF and ASE format.
- P21: SMS READY training for one employee (super user).
- 30 minute “Crash Course” for key staff members (max 3 at the time) covering what to keep in mind when accepting jobs containing SMS colours. This includes a discussion about ISO 12647, current tools used for process control, current standard paper types and discussion on what to consider to improve the printing process.
- Technical support via email and Messenger/Skype/What’s App/Zoom (English only).
- Online and offline marketing of the print shop.
- Further discussion, SMS training and advisory services beyond 30 minutes: EUR 140 pr. hour (max 3 participants).
- P16: Rating of printed SMS colours (physical copy must be sent to our address): EUR 50 pr. job.
- P17b: Lookup, adding of additional job specific information to a current job (job ID required): EUR 30 pr. job.
To check if your print shop is in fact capable of offering SMS colours, please contact support@spotmatchingsystem.com and request SMS test/control patches in the CMYK or extended print format you offer your customers (Fogra, G7, Japan Standard 2011 etc).
The price of the SMS READY verification is EUR 280 per year, per location for print shops in any category.
Please pay with your credit or debit card or, should you choose to wire the payment, send a receipt of your payment along with any job specific information to support@spotmatchingsystem.com to ensure uninterrupted service.
Optionally you may send your order or enquiry to support@spotmatchingsystem.com if you don’t like shopping online and we will provide you with an invoice with our bank information.
Once your order has been processed we will contact you by email and get to work on your order.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.