The Loupe | Coast Imaging Arts

Using standards to increase productivity and profitability.

Jul 31, 2017 | G7, The Loupe

I found the following article about printing standards in my latest edition of Graphic Arts Magazine (yes, paper based and delivered and therefore eagerly read). I find printing company owners don’t always find printing standards a positive idea. “It...

Expanded Gamut CMYK (XCMYK) Offset Printing Formalized

Jan 19, 2017 | G7, Proofing, The Loupe

Expanded Gamut CMYK (XCMYK) is a four-color printing method, a dataset, and an ICC Profile. Offset printing has made terrific strides in both quality and repeatability in the last number of years. Press-side instrumentation now enables us to read L* a* b* values for a...

G7 Methodology Awesomeness

Jun 15, 2016 | G7

It’s amazing how well the G7 methodology works. Extreme examples can often be found in catalogues. Take this LL Bean spread—the cover is printed high-speed web offset on a SWOP3 paper, the inside is printed gravure on a very thin paper designed to reduce mailing...

Book Design Made Simple

Mar 23, 2016 | Books

Anyone who has ever worked on putting a book together understands that this is not for the faint of heart—it’s definitely not a simple process. However, two accomplished book designers working collaboratively in Vancouver and in Boston have authored the...

The World of Colour According To Pantone

Mar 10, 2016 | Colour Acuity, Pantone

Those of us in the business of colour printing have long been aware of Pantone. Now owned by X-Rite, Pantone has published colour guides for many years to allow printers to mix a small number of inks by weight to make an astonishing array of colour possibilities. Over...

How Is Your Colour Acuity?

Mar 4, 2016 | Colour Acuity

When I started in the printing industry many, many moons ago, I remember being tested for colour-blindness. Luckily, I passed with “flying colours” as I was so excited about my career choice at the time. And when hiring staff for my own company 16 years...