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Research Reports
You can download the reports of the Fogra research projects. The final reports are available as long versions. The short versions summarize the most important points. Members can download the reports in the Member's aerea. Non-members can order the research reports in the shop free of charge. Browse, find the report, register and mention the report number when ordering - and you will receive the PDF on the desired research topic.
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Your challenges – our topics
The selection of our research topics is discussed in the Technical Committees: industry experts meet Fogra scientists to offer current projects the benefits of industry experience and to discuss new research projects.
The research programme features all current and planned projects and we hope that the results of our research will also solve your challenges!
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| Title | Description/abstract | Version | Date | File type | File size | Download |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13.006 – Improving textile colour communication | For the improvement of colour communication in textile digital printing, new tools were developed and practically tested: an RGB-based working colour space, a media wedge for textile and a testing method. | Short version | 28.09.2022 | 983 KB | ||
| 13.003 - Process standardisation for ECG printing | Within the scope of this research project, investigations were carried out and tools were created to support professional colour communication, data preparation, data exchange and colour characterisation in multicolour printing (ECG, Expanded Colour Gamut). | short version | 05.08.2021 | 3 MB | ||
| 12.017 - Graphic 3D printing – colour accurate softproof for 3D objects produced in Polyjet and Multijet fusion processes | In this project, the practical basics for the physically correct on-screen visualisation of 3D-printed objects were investigated. Specifically, it shows how the necessary requirements for the 3D softproof can be implemented practically and with available tools. | short version | 10.03.2021 | 4 MB | ||
| 60.055 - Methods to compensate the differences between proofing and production stock | Optical brightener agents (OBA) of typical printing substrates were subject for testing its influence on established graphic art processes such as colour measurement, proof creation, image appraisal and light fastness. | short version | 28.08.2014 | 2 MB | ||
| 60.054 - Evaluation of modern colour difference equations | Modern colour difference metrics (colour difference equations) are evaluated with a view to a better, i.e. perceptual uniform, assessment of colour differences for typical graphic arts samples. | short version | 18.11.2020 | 481 KB | ||
| 10.056 - Criteria for evaluating the colour accuracy of softproofs in dailiy production | This report addresses the accuracy of softproofing. The aim was to suggest a concept for a colour reliable softproof. To get an overview of the Status Quo measurements of 1246 certified contract proofs where compared to measurements of 23 certified softproofing systems. | short version | 25.09.2014 | 2 MB | ||
| 10.059 - Consistent Colour Appearance - Devolopment of a method for evaluating colour reproductions via different output chann | Consistent Colour Appearance (CCA) is a new colour evaluation method. The developed CCA metric counts the number of overstepped colour names and provides a measure of the visual consistency between two colours (or pictures). A free online tool allows a quick testing of this method. | short version | 28.11.2019 | 5 MB | ||
| 10.057 - Standardization concept for colorimetrically motivated data preparation and reproduction in the Print Media Industry | This work introduces a new evaluation method for the reproduction of colour. It is called “Common Colour Appearance” and determines the colorimetrical consistency between several different reproductions of the same reference. | short version | 15.01.2016 | 4 MB |
| Title | Description/abstract | Version | Date | File type | File size | Download |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32.152 - Influence of varnish on the colour appearance of offset printed paper and paperboard | The research project has led to a laboratory characterization method for the gloss of varnishes, introducing a so-called gloss index. ... | short version | 29.08.2011 | 2 MB | ||
| 32.154 - Material influences on ghosting in web offset printing | The influences of printing ink, paper, damping solution, fountain feed and blanket were investigated in this project, using 8 cyan printing inks, 6 papers, 12 damping solutions and 11 blankets. All these material groups were found to have significant influences. | short version | 26.11.2012 | 1 MB | ||
| 32.158 - Fundamentals for the standardization of spot colours in offset printing | This report represents an appraisal of spot colours (basic colours of popular colour guides) in the area of sheet-fed offset printing using conventional inks. A broad distribution in case of all tested ink characteristics (colour coordinates, layer thickness, dot gain behaviour) is observed between different manufacuturers on the one hand and between the spot colours on the other. | short version | 08.07.2010 | 514 KB | ||
| 32.162 - Properties of different colour sequences in sheet-fed offset and continuous forms printing | Two-colour test prints were used to determine the gravimetric ink acceptance under various printing conditions and for different colour sequences. As a whole, the results did not agree well with those of the commonly used ink acceptance formulas based on density values. We have therefore developed a calculation formula for the colorimetric ink acceptance that describes the capacity of a printing ink to maximally shift the hue angle in its direction when being printed on an existing ink layer. | short version | 25.10.2021 | 1 MB | ||
| 32.173 - Integration of high-speed inkjet into conventional offset production environments | When evaluating the colour accuracy in relation to the supplied proof print, the average ΔE00 colour difference for all patches of the media wedge and the colour gamut volume showed the best correlations. Relationships calculated by means of regression analysis allowed acceptance thresholds to be set for each product category. For colour differences these are generally relatively high whilst for the colour gamut volumes they are low. | long version | 09.04.2020 | 15 MB | ||
| 42.023 - Ghosting in sheet-fed offset printing: Substrate influences, kinetics and analytical characterization | The work described in this report leads to a deeper understanding of substrate influences on chemical ghosting phenomena caused by printing inks in sheet-fed offset printing. The suitability and informative value of a laboratory method for forecasting the chemical ghosting behaviour of uncoated papers, films and synthetic papers as well as chromatic printing inks were tested. New ghosting phenomena were described, and the reproducibility of classic ghosting effects over longer periods was characterized. | short version | 15.04.2014 | 2 MB | ||
| 42.028 - Influence of paper properties on solid densities and tone value increases in sheet-fed offset printing | Important findings --Oil absorption and mileage are important characteristic values that should be incorporated into future substrate specifications. Suitable procedures for the reproducible determination of mileage have yet to be established. --The mileage can be used to pre-set the press for the substrate in question. To do so, the ink being used needs to be calibrated just once. --The mileage of substrates can be increased for the specified gloss by increasing the pore volume and reducing the oil absorption. --By checking gloss, oil absorption and mileage at the outset it is possible to predict whether a change of substrate might lead to significant changes in tone value increase. --The lower the mileage, the higher the tone value increases for a given solid density, all other material properties being equal. | short version | 21.03.2019 | 954 KB | ||
| 60.055 - Methods to compensate the differences between proofing and production stock | In this project optical brightener agents (OBA) of typical printing substrates were subject for testing its influence on established graphic art processes such as colour measurement, proof creation, image appraisal and light fastness. First, a method to assess the UV amount of practical light sources has been developed. It is based on the visual impact of a typical OBA material. Here the OBAeffect only occurs when the OBA in the substrate is excited by the incoming light. Second, two measures of identifying the OBA amount have been evaluated namely ΔB and ΔCIEb*. | short version | 25.08.2014 | 2 MB | ||
| 67.010 - Assessment of new organoleptic analysis methods for package prints in the food sector | Eleven print runs from the packaging sector were investigated - most of them food packages. The test methods used were based on DIN EN 1230-1, DIN EN 1230-2, DIN 10955 and DIN 55534. In addition, an olfactometer was used to do tests involving both static (discontinuous) and dynamic (continuous) gas dilution. | short version | 17.10.2011 | 944 KB | ||
| 72.007 - Research into drying and blocking tendency of dispersion coated offset prints | In this research project tests were carried out on dispersion lacquers, inks and papers as well as on dispersion coated prints, to identify the correlations between respective material properties and blocking tendency of offset prints. A connection exists between the polymer components of the dispersion coating and its blocking tendency. | short version | 16.08.2010 | 957 KB | ||
| 32.176E - Printing standard for seven-colour offset packaging printing | The proposal for a standard for sevencolour offset printing includes an ink and a process standard. The ink standard is based on ISO 2846-1. It defines target values for Orange, Green, and Violet on a reference paper within a specific ink film thickness range and transparency. The process standard is structured similarly to ISO 12647-2. It describes a substrate category consisting of coated folding boxboards and wet-glue label papers, and the colour values and tone value increases to be achieved on them. | short version | 19.09.2024 | 844 KB |
| Title | Description/abstract | Version | Date | File type | File size | Download |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13.006 – Improving textile colour communication | For the improvement of colour communication in textile digital printing, new tools were developed and practically tested: an RGB-based working colour space, a media wedge for textile and a testing method. | Short version | 28.09.2022 | 983 KB | ||
| 12.017 - Graphic 3D printing – colour accurate softproof for 3D objects produced in Polyjet and Multijet fusion processes | In this project, the practical basics for the physically correct on-screen visualisation of 3D-printed objects were investigated. Specifically, it shows how the necessary requirements for the 3D softproof can be implemented practically and with available tools. | short version | 10.03.2021 | 4 MB | ||
| 30.033 - Characteristic features of digital production printing with regard to objective judgement of quality | The research project investigated the achievable colour gamut, the reproducible tonal range, the variations over the format and the print run, the image register and the positioning accuracy of the printed image in digital production printing. A representative selection of electrophotographic sheet-fed presses and two inkjet systems in small and medium format were included. | short version | 15.05.2014 | 2 MB | ||
| 11.004 - Improving the printability and legibility of 1D and 2D codes in inkjet printing | Possibilities for improving the readability of 1D barcodes and 2D matrix codes were investigated with regard to highspeed inkjet printing. | short version | 29.09.2020 | 3 MB | ||
| 32.173 - Integration of high-speed inkjet into conventional offset production environments | When evaluating the colour accuracy in relation to the supplied proof print, the average ΔE00 colour difference for all patches of the media wedge and the colour gamut volume showed the best correlations. Relationships calculated by means of regression analysis allowed acceptance thresholds to be set for each product category. For colour differences these are generally relatively high whilst for the colour gamut volumes they are low. | long version | 09.04.2020 | 15 MB | ||
| 10.059 - Consistent Colour Appearance - Devolopment of a method for evaluating colour reproductions via different output chann | Consistent Colour Appearance (CCA) is a new colour evaluation method. The developed CCA metric counts the number of overstepped colour names and provides a measure of the visual consistency between two colours (or pictures). A free online tool allows a quick testing of this method. | short version | 28.11.2019 | 5 MB |
| Title | Description/abstract | Version | Date | File type | File size | Download |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 70.004 - Factors that influence the pull test within the context of its further development into an optimized testing method suitable for standardization | The project was intended to create the basis for the envisaged standardization of the pull test method. The latter may be realized jointly with the ISO/TC 130 Working Group 12 Postpress established in 2010 for standardization projects in the field of print finishing. The members of WG 12 have already included a general version of the pull test in their draft standard, but without mentioning a concrete test procedure or device. | short version | 27.08.2013 | 3 MB | ||
| 71.012 - Evaluation of the coating strength of printing papers for print finishing | Important findings --Coated art papers are prone to fold coating cracking but there can be considerable differences. --Conspicuous fold coating cracking can arise with grammages as low as 115 g/m². --There can be marked differences in fold coating cracking between paper grades from one manufacturer and between grammages of a single paper grade. --There is a statistical correlation between fold coating cracking and the following characteristics: paper surface (glossy, satin/silk, matt), fold direction (parallel or at right angles to the paper grain), the coating percentage of the paper. --The positive effect of creasing on fold coating cracking was largely confirmed. --There are no correlations between the newly developed and existing paper tests, which means that the new procedures are necessary for fold coating cracking. | short version | 25.04.2019 | 4 MB | ||
| 70.005 - Ink cohesion phenomena and possibilities for their standardized evaluation | This project involved specimens printed by every printing method being investigated by the prüfbau Quartant, IGT RT 4, Danilee Sutherland 2000 and James Heal Midi-Martindale abrasion testers. 60 sheet-fed offset printed specimens formed the focus of the investigation. | short version | 31.05.2017 | 10 MB | ||
| 50.039 - Influences on the appearance of metallic effects in printing | Practical hints Individual visual preferences for metallic effects differ from each other. Visual differentiation is most reliable in the vicinity of and at the angle of reflection. Currently, it doesn’t make sense to use colour measurements of printed products made with multi-angle colour measurement devices from the motor vehicle industry because the measurements are not made at the angle of reflection. Quality requirements for metallic effects should not currently be developed on the basis of colour measurements made with multi-angle colour colour measurement devices from the motor vehicle industry. An extensive sample book with metallic prints from this project may be viewed at Fogra. | short version | 13.10.2015 | 4 MB |
| Title | Description/abstract | Version | Date | File type | File size | Download |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45.001 - Deinking of Inkjet Prints | Several paper industry representatives have expressed concerns that structural changes in the print sector could lead to future problems in the recycling loops of paper mills. Reason for this is the decrease in production volumes of gravure, newspaper and heatset offset printing in recent years combined with increasing volumes of the digital print methods electrophotography and inkjet. There are clear signs that the market shares of digital print products will continue to grow. Within the digital segment, inkjet printing can be expected to be used preferably for high print runs for economic reasons. Because very little data is available about the deinking behaviour of inkjet prints, the present study will take stock of the situation by means of science-based methods. From the results of their analyses, the authors derive new ways how to optimally integrate digital print products in the recycling cycle. | short version | 14.12.2012 | 7 MB | ||
| 42.027 - Development of the ISO 2846-1 in support of the standardization concept for offset printing | In order to achieve the desired appearance for a finished printed product it is essential to adhere to precisely defined interfaces between data preparation in prepress and the production run. By doing so it is possible to guarantee a common appearance regardless of the production site. It is also possible to produce a so-called contract proof prior to the actual printing process that simulates the colour achieved by the production run. | short version | 27.02.2017 | 4 MB |
| Title | Description/abstract | Version | Date | File type | File size | Download |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80.001 - Influences on the reliability of RFID systems - additional test methods | A standard test setup was implemented for testing RFID systems. USB hubs with their own power supply were used to eliminate the influence of power fluctuations in USB connections on the magnetic AC field of an RFID reader. | short version | 25.10.2010 | 842 KB | ||
| 80.008 - Basics of graphic standardization for the production of plastic cards | This report is concerned with colour measurement in the identity card sector and offers proposals for colour simulation. | short version | 27.07.2018 | 2 MB | ||
| 81.001 - Detection methods for premature spontaneous rupture in printed multi-layer plastic cards | ID cards are exposed to a variety of loads during use. Whether or not a card ceases to function prematurely depends on the specific load case and condition of the plastic material. In the course of time ageing mechanisms lead to changes in the properties of plastic materials. The study has shown that a very frequently occurring load case - storage in a purse - is particularly critical in this respect. | long version | 26.05.2016 | 28 MB | ||
| 80.004 - Colour measurement of multi-layer plastic cards | Useful tips --Offset prints on plastic films can be made by means of printing inks according to ISO 2846-1 as specified in ISO 12647-2:2013 CD 1. --New colour targets must be defined for prints made with nonfading inks. --Transparently laminated prints should be measured by means of 45/0 colorimeters having a large aperture (>> 4 mm). --The great tone value increase of halftone patches on laminated print products results from multiple reflections within the laminate layer. --Micrographs show the „discolouration“ of substrate white caused by these multiple reflections. --The colour spaces of laminated sheet-fed offset prints made with nonfading inks on different substrate/laminate combinations are very similar and can thus be standardized. | short version | 28.05.2015 | 3 MB |