► Ink Formulation System - T-Lab | X-Rite 4★ Color Laboratory | pressSIGN Asia Distributor | Color Management Solutions
► Ink Formulation System
IFS6 (Ink Formulation System) Software
is an all-in-one ink color matching software that combines speed and accuracy. It is used for creating special ink formulations across various printing inks, allowing printing companies to establish their own ink configuration system with precision. The software employs a scientific database algorithm, making it user-friendly and enabling operators to achieve the expertise of traditional ink formulation within a few weeks.
Key Features:
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Spectral Data Utilization for Database Creation and Formula Calculations:
- Ensures precise and rapid color matching using spectral data.
- Formulations can be stored in the database, eliminating the need for repeated ink formulation processes.
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Personalized Formulations:
- Operators can select ink bases based on the current situation.
- Built-in PantoneLIVE service enhances color accuracy.
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Compatibility with X-Rite Spectrophotometers:
- Supports most X-Rite spectrophotometers for seamless integration.
T-Lab not only provides the IFS but also offers a complete system workflow, including training, instruments, and tools. For further information, contact us for more details.
“Reunion After Several Years!”
T-Lab Returns with Its Most Popular Ink Formulation Course!
T-Lab is back with its highly sought-after public ink formulation course after a hiatus of several years. Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the course has been postponed for nearly four years. Although it has continued through methods such as in-person onsite training at printing factories and remote video sessions, the demand for this is far exceeds our capacity to serve.
Over the past few months, we’ve received numerous enthusiastic inquiries from users, and we sincerely appreciate the support from all sectors. Finally, T-Lab is ready to offer this hands-on practical color education!
T-Lab, along with the technical team from Tung Ming Printing Ink (TMPI), has trained over 1000+ ink colorists from 100+ companies in the Greater China region over the past 20 years.
Our systematic and user-friendly educational approach ensures that users facing various challenges in ink formulation have thorough solutions at their disposal.
Students Must Pass Written and Practical Exams
Target Students: Print shop / Ink Factory Colorists
T-Lab “Ink Masterchef” Accreditation for Ink Masters: - This program serves to validate and continuously monitor individual color-matching skills. Qualified experts can choose to be featured on our company’s official website recommendation page, allowing brands and businesses to learn about their professional capabilities from the expert roster
Steady and Practical Ink Formulation Training Course!
This is not a sales event! It’s a course designed to assist printing factories in transformation and provide second career opportunities for anyone! Whether you’re an owner, a second-generation print shop owner, an experience press operator, an accountant, or a truck driver, you can learn ink formulation skills through this course!
To maintain the quality of the course, we offer small-group instruction, prioritizing printing factory personnel to ensure ample hands-on opportunities for everyone.
Outsiders lack the ability to solve our family’s problems.
Unfamiliar with printing industry and the cultural habits of the workers, how can outsiders fundamentally address and resolve spot color issues? This course is specifically designed for the Asia printing market. Our instructors have years of experience working in Asia printing factories, and T-Lab along with TMPI are enterprises that use computer ink formulation systems daily. We have a wealth of practical experience to share.
Faculty Lineup: Our Expert Instructors
Jerry Tsuo
currently owns and operates ink factories in Taiwan and China. TMPI, the ink company, is Taiwan’s first company to use computerized color matching for inks. They have been running two large ink formulation laboratories for nearly 20 years. In 2022, they completed the T-Lab Ink Formulation Center in Zhonghe, where they implement the IFS ink matching system every day. Additionally, they have assisted approximately 40 Taiwanese printing companies and factories in setting up IFS and contributed to the development of related equipment, such as printability Testers.
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Stefen Chow
has been involved in the development team for the latest version of the xrite IFS6 software and the eXact series Spectrodensitometers. Over the past 20 years, he has assisted approximately 60 companies in the Greater China region in setting up Colormaster or IFS ink systems. He has also been a judge for the spot color category in the China Printing Skills Competition
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Gina Wang
is a certified expert in color by X-rite Pantone and PantoneLive. She specializes in the latest color applications, including Pantone digital libraries and CxF. Gina has also successfully developed an exclusive color-matching method called “Amiba” for T-Lab. With experience in graphic design, she is particularly familiar with various color systems. Gina effectively assists brand owners and designers in setting meaningful color goals and acceptance standards.
"The Black Card 2.0"
fromT-Lab
(Not for Sale)
Japanese
Precision Steel
Color Mixing Knife
Classic Lab Chart
Magnetic Sticker
from T-Lab
Showcasing today’s industrial technology and real-world solutions
This 2- to 3-day course provides fundamental color theory, focusing on comprehensive hands-on practice with the Ink Formulation software. Participants will learn the entire formulation workflow, including creating and optimizing ink assortment sets. Additionally, they’ll discover how to correct colors and utilize waste ink for maximum software return on investment. The practical learning environment encourages active engagement in our expert-led course. The IFS course has been a regular offering by our company for almost two decades.
The goal is to enhance customers’ understanding of the Ink Formulation System, improve hands-on operational skills, and combine theory with practical IFS operation to gain more specific and detailed application experience.
New Special Topics:
- PantoneLive and PantoneConnect color matching applications
- "Amiba" color matching method
- Metallic ink color matching method
- Spot color ink usage calculation
- Lightfast ink formulation method and lightfastness level estimation.
Course Outline:
Section 1: Color and IFS6 Theory Training
- Color theory training
- IFS6 theory training
- IFS6 software training
- Explanation and practical operation of creating computer color databases
- Introduction to complementary equipment
- Demonstrations
- Practical database creation
- Database entry
Section 2 : Practical Implementation Training
- Practical color matching using IFS6
- Sharing experiences in special color matching, such as UV ink, gold and silver card color matching
- New special topics
- Additional content*
- Q&A and case analysis
*Other additional content includes: post-processing color matching, imitation paper color matching, pink color series color matching, gold and silver ink color matching, ink properties and applications, color blindness testing, standard setting, print color matching, light source inspection, special color classification management, case studies, international examples, pre-preparation items, waste ink handling, and business-related content.
The selection of topics depends on the course progress and participants’ needs, and due to time constraints, not all topics may be covered.
* Course includes a complimentary “Good Color Starter Pack.”
T-Lab 100+ Successful Cases:
Automated Ink Formulation System
How can ink be accurately color-matched? This solution addresses ink color for various applications
Ink is commonly used in various industries such as packaging printing, books, and architectural decoration. Ensuring consistent color for each printed product is a significant challenge for printing companies during the printing process. If the colors of printed products are inconsistent, it can lead to customer returns or refusal to cooperate. Therefore, ink color matching is crucial in the printing industry. Manufacturers need to pay attention to various details during the color-matching process to meet customer requirements.
Traditional Ink Matching by Human Eyes:
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After receiving a sample, the color sample is examined to determine the approximate proportions of ink. Alternatively, the sample is compared with a color chart to find a color on the chart that closely matches the sample. The ink is then mixed according to the formula provided by the color chart.
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Due to the complexity of color variations, the initial color difference obtained through manual experience can be significant. While the human eye can detect color deviations, it cannot accurately calculate the amount of ink to be added. The process involves adjusting the ink while mixing, manually pressing, or using a color-matching machine. This trial-and-error process may require multiple attempts (ranging from 3 to 5 times or more) to achieve the desired spot color. However, even after achieving the spot color, the color deviation is not as accurate as computer-controlled color matching, and any potential spectral differences remain unknown.
For example, in ink, yellow, magenta, and cyan are the three primary colors. By adjusting their proportions, different hues can be obtained to meet the requirements of printing operations. Following the subtractive color mixing principle, we observe the following rules:
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When two primary colors of ink are mixed, equal proportions result in a standard intermediate color. If the proportions are unequal, various intermediate colors with different hues are obtained, leaning toward the larger proportion.
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When equal amounts of two primary colors of ink are mixed, adding white ink brightens the hue, while adding black ink darkens it.
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When three primary colors of ink are mixed, equal proportions yield an approximate black color. Unequal proportions result in various intermediate or composite colors, with the hue leaning toward the larger proportion.
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Mixing equal amounts of the three primary colors of ink and adding varying proportions of white ink produces different shades of light gray ink.
The above description highlights the challenges of traditional manual color matching, which requires highly skilled personnel and can still result in errors. In the 21st century, technology has introduced color-matching instruments specifically designed to enhance efficiency in the printing industry.
How to Accurately Color Match Ink
The Aiseli Color Customized Printing Color Management Solution offers the following advantages for ink professionals:
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Optimizing Color Matching Under Expected Viewing Conditions:
- Ensures accurate color matching based on anticipated viewing conditions.
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Reducing Ink Inventory:
- By using fewer types of materials in larger quantities, ink inventory can be reduced by up to 50%.
- Improves raw material management and better meets supplier demands.
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Efficient Use of Existing Ink Databases:
- Saves time by utilizing existing ink databases.
- Reduces waste ink inventory by up to 90%.
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Cost Savings:
- Cuts ink (dye/pigment/concentrate) expenses by 20%.
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Minimizing Production Waste:
- Reduces production waste due to color mismatches by 50%.
- Increases first-time color matching success rates.
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Environmental Impact Reduction:
- Directly decreases waste ink inventory by 25-30%, contributing to environmental sustainability.
- Directly decreases waste ink inventory by 25-30%, contributing to environmental sustainability.
X-Rite InkFormulation Software:
- Designed for ink manufacturers and packaging printers who need to create their own ink formulations.
- Provides fast, accurate, and consistent ink formula creation, storage, approval, and retrieval for offset, flexographic, gravure, and screen printing inks.
Autura Ink Formulation
X-Rite Incorporated a global leader in color science and technology, introduces Autura™ Ink, a cloud-based ink formulation and quality control solution that enables ink suppliers, printers, and packaging converters to accelerate ink development. Leveraging X-Rite’s proven technology from InkFormulation software, Autura Ink provides a secure and centralized platform for all formulation, storage, approval, retrieval, and quality control needs for offset, flexo, gravure, and screen-printing inks... (Read More)
IFS6 (Ink Formulation) Software
InkFormulation software is designed for ink manufacturers and packaging printers who need to formulate their own inks. It supports offset, flexographic, gravure, and screen printing inks, providing fast, accurate, and consistent solutions for creating, storing, approving, and retrieving ink formulations.
Offset Ink Mixer Pro
Easy operation. Low-speed intermittent mixing with flipping and shearing; achieves uniform ink within 5 minutes without heat buildup. Adjustable speed, automatic can-locking, L-shaped blade for easy cleaning, direct drive for energy saving, and a desktop design for easy mobility.
