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 accurate colour reproduction of the entire printer market.¹
According to Fogra, these proof printers are able to reproduce over 99% of all Pantone colours from the Pantone Matching System.

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

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

 

Colour deviations when proofing spot colours

Current proof systems can reproduce spot colours such as HKS or Pantone very well. With the Fiery XF 8 proof software and the Epson SureColor-P9500V and 900 Spectro proof printers, we have evaluated the colour deviation in Delta-E00 with which the various PANTONE and HKS colours can be proofed. A distinction is made between the proof papers we use, since the surface properties and paper whiteness also influence the reproducibility of the colours.

 

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

• Epson TFP PrecisionCore print head and pigment inks with orange, green and violet as additional colours
• We print with 12 different pigment inks
• Using the violet, UltraChrome HDX ink can produce a wide palette of vibrant colours as well as deep, rich black tones and dense shadow areas
• The new Photo Black ink features up to 1.5 times higher pigment concentration compared to previous inks, providing deeper black tones. 
• UltraChrome HDX inks developed for long-lasting durability. The weaknesses of the earlier HDR inks have been eliminated, particularly in the yellow range. 

Proof Software: In our proof server, spot colours such as Pantone and HKS are stored in a three-dimensional colour space.

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

Brilliant HKS 43 K, fresh Pantone 802 C? Excellently simulated.

Of course, there are limits with neon colours and silver or gold. Currently no proof printer can do that. But our Pantone and HKS proofs often come close to the original. This is how many of our customers check whether it is worth investing in a Pantone print in terms of colour, or whether a similar result can be achieved with Euroscale colours.

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 245g/m² gravure proof paper, which stands out for its high-quality feel and is designed for the highest colour spaces.
For ISOUncoated proofs, which simulate printing on natural paper, we use a matt 120g/m² proof paper that, with its natural paper structure, comes very close to uncoated papers in appearance and feel.
In our proof server, different colours are defined for Pantone C and U, as well as HKS K and N.
So you can excellently show your customer how their 5-colour brochure with CMYK and HKS 43 would look on natural paper or on art paper in terms of feel and colour, because they not only hold different colours in their hand, but also visibly and tangibly different papers.

As a designer, this is important for you:
For art paper proofs, please place the correct Pantone C ("Pantone 201 C") or HKS K ("HKS 43 K") colour, or for natural paper proofs with PANTONE the matching Pantone U ("Pantone 201 U") or HKS N ("HKS 43 N") colour field in your layout programme. This is the only way to achieve the best proofing result.

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

Nevertheless: Halftone areas, gradients or a greyscale image that has been tinted in a PANTONE colour may differ from the actual result.

What about PANTONE Plus and HKS 3000+?
Our proof server also has colour values stored for all modern HKS 3000+ and most PANTONE Plus colours from the current colour fans, and the new PANTONE Extended Gamut colours from 2016 can also be proofed. You are welcome to send us proof data with the new HKS 3000 Plus and Pantone Plus colours.
 

For further information and numerous image examples, please see our blog Proof.de:

• Can you proof HKS colours?
• Can you proof PANTONE colours?

 

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

The PANTONE® brand is the property of Pantone LLC. Coverage of the PANTONE FORMULA GUIDE Solid Coated palette of 99%, based on printing 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.