The Scope, or objective, for Workgroup 3 of TC 130 is “Development and review of ISO Standards and other related documents in the area of process control and related metrology for the production of printed matter used in the responsibility of ISO TC 130”. We interviewed Andreas Kraushaar, Convenor of the workgroup, and asked about old and new project in the group.
Question: When was WG3 started and what were the objectives for the WG?
Answer: Working Group 3 (WG3) of ISO/TC 130 was initiated to focus on the standardisation of “Process Control and Related Metrology.” This working group was established to address the industry's need for consistent, repeatable processes and reliable measurement methods across all types of printing technologies. The objectives of WG3 include the development of standards that enhance the consistency, quality, and accuracy of print production processes, covering everything from colour management and process control to calibration techniques. From Fogra’s point of view, the goal has always been to create standards that allow all stakeholders along the “graphic arts food chain” to achieve predictable and high-quality results, regardless of geographic location or technology in use.
Q: When did you start working in TC 130?
A: I started working in ISO/TC 130 in 2004 at the Vancouver meeting. I have been involved ever since in various capacities, including my current role as convener of WG3 and editor of ISO 12647-2 and new projects such as ISO 24585-1. During my time with TC 130, I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with a diverse range of professionals from different sectors of the printing industry, and I’ve seen firsthand the tremendous impact that our standards have on global operations. My involvement began with a deep interest in print process control, and over the years, I’ve been dedicated to advancing WG3’s goals.
Q: What would you say is the most successful and used standard created by WG3?
A: One of the most widely adopted and successful standards created by WG3 is ISO 12647 family, which deals with "Process control for the production of halftone colour separations, proofs, and production prints." This standard family has become a cornerstone for quality management in the printing industry. It provides detailed guidelines for colour management and quality control in various printing processes, such as offset (part 2), gravure, contract proofing (part 7) and design proofing (part 8). Printers around the world use ISO 12647-2, published already in 1996, as the foundation for maintaining colour consistency and process control, ensuring that their outputs meet global quality expectations. The ISO 12647-2 standard has generated several certification schemas, and one of the best known is called ProcessStandard Offset, PSO, developed by Fogra.
Q: What new standards are you working on at the moment and why are they important?
A: We are currently working on standards related to appearance measurement. Most conventional and digital printing standards focus on colour accuracy – the key requirement for print image quality. Currently, we are working on standards that measure the material property called translucency, something like the milkiness of a sample (ISO 19307), which is helpful in 3D printing. We are also working on a new Part 10 of ISO 12647 to define the criteria for packaging gravure. I would like to draw all readers' attention to the Fogra ISO News series of articles (https://fogra.org/en/downloads/publications/iso-news). Here, we publish updates after each ISO meeting to see where the industry is going.
Q: Anything else you would like to add in regard to the benefits of international standards and how to best implement them?
A: In my presentations, I start by saying that you don't need standards at all. But if you cannot agree to go by green and stop by red, or to use a given power adopter, you will end up seeing in a globalized world that standards make a lot of sense. With this in mind, I stress that anyone can contribute to ISO development – it is a democratic process. That is why I end most of my speeches by saying: Every industry gets the standards it deserves. This may seem rather direct, but it is my experience of more than 20 years – because it also takes resources (time and money) to do the work and to come to the ISO meetings. I have personally benefited from these meetings, not only by improving my English writing skills but also by meeting incredibly smart and wise people.