The ProofVerifier™ module is a basic addendum to iCertification™ (a Proof Quality Management Control System) for Cromalin® b-series products. It consists of a client application that automatically verifies whether a Cromalin® proof has been made within certain tolerances. This process takes place for each proof without operator intervention. ProofVerifier generates a report page (html) and a label sticker that documents whether the proof passed or failed.

A key feature is the support of the Fogra Media Strip (on top of the DuPont standard). On the Cromalin® b-series system, all supported strips are automatically measured with an in-line GretagMacbeth Eye-One Spectrophotometer. The readings are locally saved and checked through the ProofVerifier™ tool.

Recently DuPont Color Communication introduced the unique inline calibration available worldwide for Cromalin b-series proofers. Now the next innovation is ready to publish. Global Marketing Manager Gaetan Reavens said: "We listen carefully to the demands of our customers. As a result of enormous price and time pressure, the complete Prepress workflow has been fully automated. Only proofing has still required a dedicated person to attend the system, calibrate continuously, and check whether or not the proof is within the given tolerances. This does not fit into our understanding of an effective workflow." The first major improvement was the development of the inline calibration for the Cromalin® b-series. This tool is key for an unattended proof-workflow; customers' response confirms that it definitely saves cost in daily production.

To continue the reduction of cost-per-proof, DuPont Color Communication has developed the new ProofVerifier™. It is used to verify that color is accurately reproduced in a specific job. It supplies a quantitative measurement of color quality by comparing the actual values on the proof to standard values. When an image is printed, a custom strip is specified to print with the image. After printing is complete, the online spectrophotometer reads the strip and compares the printed values to the standard values for that strip. A pass or fail status is given and a label can be attached to the proof to record the pass/fail status and other statistics. In line with DuPont philosophy to promote standard, this release the ProofVerifier™ is set up to use the DuPont iCertification™ strip or the two versions of FOGRA media strips that are used with FOGRA matches. To be able to use the FOGRA strip, the license to use must be purchased from FOGRA.

After the job prints, the online spectrophotometer auto-reads the strips and saves the readings in a file. The file will be named with the Work ID number and the related image or page name. The Work ID number can be printed at the top of the proof sheet near the control strip so that the operator can't mistake it.

In addition a label can be printed to attach to the proof. This ensures any further user that the proof is within the expected tolerances. To print the label, the customer must connect a Dymo Labelwriter 330 to a serial port of the computer. This label identifies the company and job, date of print and, most importantly, information about the color deviations. The label indicates whether or not the dE values passed or failed the threshold criteria. This is the easiest and safest way to ensure all partners that a proof fits into the given tolerances.

Mr. Reavens announced that this Cromanet^TM upgrade version, including ProofVerifier 1.0, is free of charge for all Cromalin® customers. "This is part of the DuPont Color Communication service commitment. Instead of frequently pushing sales of new software/equipment, we continuously develop tools and components which fulfill our customers' demands."