Matching conditions for the LED-dominated lighting environment in the print and media industry

The colour specification in all colour related  industries is D65 or D50 including the respective UV component. Colour communication in the predominantly small and medium-sized printing industry has achieved excellent consistency between reference and reproduction for years with D50-based color measurement (M1, ISO 13655) and D50-based matching (P1, ISO 3664). This also applies to surfaces without optical brighteners that do not react to the UV component in the measuring and observation light. The global switch from fluorescent tubes to UV-free LED technology in general lighting is currently changing the way colour communication is performed in a quality previously unknown. As a result, fluorescent materials, such as many graphic papers with optical brighteners, are significantly less stimulated and therefore appear different indoors than specified. The upcoming standardization of another appraisal illumination in addition to D50 without UV content (D50noUV) poses many challenges for the entire production process. Both small agencies and publishers as well as print service providers in commercial, packaging and industrial printing are faced with the question of how they can change or adapt their standard lights, viewing booths, measuring devices, workflow settings and quality specifications in a timely manner.