Pantone / HKS Proof

• HKS: HKS K, HKS N, HKS Z, HKS E
• PANTONE: PANTONE C, PANTONE U, PANTONE CP, PANTONE UP, PANTONE METALLICS, PANTONE PASTELS AND NEONS, PANTONE TCX (Textile), PANTONE TPX, PANTONE DS, PANTONE Extended Gamut
• Toyo
• DIC

With the EPSON SureColor P9500V and P9000V Spectro, we have proof systems with the most precise color reproduction in the entire printer market.¹
According to Fogra, these proof printers are capable of reproducing over 99% of all PANTONE colors from the PANTONE Matching System.

Instead of the previously achievable 98% of all PANTONE colors, the new proof printers can reproduce 99.94% of all PANTONE colors. 
Andreas Kraushaar from Fogra demonstrated:

• Of measured 1729 color patches from ISOCoatedV2 and Pantone+ have
• 1700 a Delta-E 00 of less than ∆E1
• 1728 have a Delta-E 00 of less than ∆E 2.5 (PSD Level A)
• 1729, i.e. all have a Delta-E 00 of less < ∆E 3.5 (PSD Level B)
• Conclusion: 99.94 % coverage

 

Color deviations in spot color proof

Current proof systems can reproduce spot colors such as HKS or PANTONE very well. With the Fiery XF 8 proof software and the Epson SureColor P9500V and P9000V Spectro proof printers, we have evaluated the color deviations in Delta-E00 with which the various PANTONE and HKS colors can be proofed. A distinction is made between the proof papers we use, as the surface properties and paper whiteness also influence the reproducibility of colors.

 

Proof Hardware: The SureColor SC-P9000V is the printer with the most accurate color reproduction in the entire printer market¹

• Epson TFP PrecisionCore print head and pigment inks with orange, green and violet as additional colors
• We print with 12 different pigment inks
• Using violet, UltraChrome HDX ink can produce a large palette of vibrant colors as well as deep, rich blacks and dense shadow areas
• The new Photo Black ink has up to 1.5 times higher pigment concentration compared to previous inks, which provides deeper blacks.
• UltraChrome HDX inks developed for long durability. Particularly in the yellow range, the weaknesses of the earlier HDR inks have been eliminated.

Proof Software: In our proof server, spot colors such as PANTONE and HKS are stored in a three-dimensional color space.

We do not use CMYK alternatives for PANTONE or HKS, but rather use precise 3D mapped color values that are stored directly in the proof server and utilize the full color space of our 12-color proof systems. This allows us to reproduce HKS and PANTONE spot colors very precisely.

Luminous HKS 43 K, fresh PANTONE 802 C? Reproduced excellently.

Of course, limits are set with neon colors and silver or gold. Currently, no proof printer can handle this. But our PANTONE and HKS proofs are often close to the original. And so many of our customers check whether a PANTONE print is worthwhile in terms of color, or whether a similar result can be achieved with Euroscale colors.

PANTONE Coated or Uncoated, HKS K or N: A major difference.

We proof on four papers. For ISOCoated V2 proofs, which simulate printing on art paper, we use a Fogra certified 245 g/m² gravure proof paper that stands out for its high-quality feel and is designed for the highest color spaces.
For ISOUncoated proofs, which simulate printing on uncoated paper, we use a matte 120 g/m² proof paper that, with its uncoated paper texture, is very similar to uncoated papers in both appearance and feel.
In our proof server, different colors are defined for PANTONE C and U or HKS K and N respectively.
You can therefore excellently show your customer how his 5-color brochure with CMYK and HKS 43 would look in both feel and color on uncoated paper or on art paper, because he holds not only different colors but also visibly and noticeably different papers in his hand.

As a designer, this is important for you:
For art paper proofs, please set the correct PANTONE C ("PANTONE 201 C") or HKS K ("HKS 43 K") color or for uncoated paper proofs with PANTONE the matching PANTONE U ("PANTONE 201 U") or HKS N ("HKS 43 N") color field in your layout program. Only this way will you achieve the best proof result.

Proofing HKS and PANTONE screen areas
In our proof software, screen areas of HKS and PANTONE are now much better reproducible than before.

Nevertheless, the following applies: Screen areas, gradients, or a grayscale image tinted with a PANTONE color may differ from the actual result.

What about PANTONE Plus and HKS 3000+?
Our proof server also has color shades stored for all modern HKS 3000+ and most PANTONE Plus colors from the current color fans; the new PANTONE Extended Gamut colors from 2016 can also be proofed. Therefore, feel free to send us proof data with the new HKS 3000 Plus and PANTONE Plus colors.
 

You can find more information and numerous image examples on our Blog Proof.de:

• Can you proof HKS colors?
• Can you proof PANTONE colors?

 

¹ The SC-P9000V covers over 99 % of the PANTONE palette. As of June 2015, it is the most accurate printer in the industry compared to other large-format inkjet printers and proofing systems with 10 or fewer colors.

The PANTONE® brand is owned by Pantone LLC. Coverage of the PANTONE FORMULA GUIDE Solid Coated palette of 99 %, based on a print on Epson Proofing Paper White Semimatte, printed with an Epson printer driver at 2880 x 1440 dpi. PANTONE coverage may vary when using RIPs such as Fiery, etc.