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Fogra PSO Certification for Offset Printing

Fogra PSO Certified – Compliance with ISO 12647

The ProcessStandard Offset (PSO), developed collaboratively by Fogra and the German Printing and Media Industries Federation, describes standardized procedures for offset printing. PSO adheres to the international ISO 12647 series of standards, earning global recognition.

By implementing PSO, print quality can be consistently maintained from data preparation to the final printed product. PSO outlines testing equipment and control methods that allow monitoring, guidance, and validation of the production process. This includes measurement devices with spectral and density settings, as well as appropriate test elements (such as test strips). Additionally, PSO sets target values and tolerances for printing production, aligning with current production materials. It ensures feasibility, practicality, efficient production processes, and predictable color quality in both intermediate and final results.

The certification primarily targets sheet-fed offset printing companies and must be conducted on-site at the printing facility. Audits are jointly completed by Fogra and the German Printing and Media Industries Federation (bvdm), resulting in certificates issued to qualified print shops. The Fogra PSO certification for print shops is valid for two years.

The assessment scope covers both prepress and printing stages:

  1. Prepress Preparation:

    • Color Management: In-depth understanding and correct use of Adobe color settings, including ICC profiles.
    • Digital Proofing: Creating six sets of digital proofs on two types of paper, adhering to ISO 12647-7 standards.
    • PDF: Generating PDF/X files and performing preflight checks.
    • Matching Real Print Colors: Replicating actual print colors.
    • Standard Light Source Inspection: Ensuring compliance with standard light sources.
    • Plate Making: Demonstrating plate-making processes, stable plate management, dot inspection on printing plates, and using CTP RIP calibration curves.

  2. Printing:

    • Using sheet-fed and/or web offset printing presses for production assessment:
      • Adhering to PSO/ISO 12647-2 target values and tolerances, including color deviations and dot gain.
      • OK Prints: Randomly selecting ten sample sheets; all ten must meet quality standards.
      • Production Printing: Printing 2000 sheets (without stopping the press), sampling five sheets every 200, for a total of 50 samples. At least seven out of ten sets (70%) must pass the assessment

 

 

Fogra PSD Certification for Digital Printing

The ProcessStandard Digital (PSD) certification, provided by Fogra in Europe, is specifically designed for digital printing. PSD ensures controllable production through clearly defined workflows and objective testing methods. It represents internal quality management, allowing companies to meet customer requirements for color matching and gain a competitive advantage. Successfully achieving PSD certification demonstrates that a company has reached a certain level of digital print quality management. The certification is valid for two years and is suitable for digital printing service providers.

The PSD audit covers not only digital print quality but also the digital printing process, focusing on three main areas:

  1. Output Process Control: Based on Fogra MediaWedge V3, this area assesses quality stability and whether targets can be met.
  2. Color Fidelity: Using Fogra MediaWedge V3, this aspect evaluates color accuracy and printing consistency (based on ISO/TS 15311-2 or ISO/TS 15311-3).
  3. Workflow: Includes standard light sources, creating and outputting PDF/X files, and applying the Altona Test Suite to check RIP functionality and set up PDF/X preflight settings

 

 

To successfully achieve PSD certification, applying companies must have the following equipment or software:

  1. Color Measurement Equipment and Deviation Testing Methods
  2. Software for Color Conversion in PDF Files (including preflight checks for PDF/X-Ready file characteristics)
  3. Valid Fogra MediaWedge CMYK
  4. Standard Light Source According to ISO 3664