BRAND SOLUTIONS
MellowCloud
MellowCloud allows brands and their suppliers to exchange print run reports, saving time and cutting costs for fast internet-based print approval.
Key benefits:
-
Internet approval of colour critical printing - Faster turn-around times, less work in progress
-
ISO 12647, G7, Special and brand colour standards - International or Bespoke standards are supported
-
Process agnostic - Offset, Gravure and Flexo etc.
-
Online sharing of print run metrics - communication using science not guesswork
Customers (typically brand managers, publishers, retailers and print managers) can specify colour definitions so that suppliers can download them for production purposes. Printers in turn can upload print run reports for customer approval creating a streamlined communication dialogue.
Print run and proof reports include colour metrics, images and user comments so that the exchange of technical data is unambiguous and immediate. Real time print run approval without the expense of travel and time involved in press passing.
Time saving and speeding up the approval process reduces overall job costs, improves the financial outcome and prevents problems before they become expensive.
It is for instance, quite common for an exact brand colour to be impossible to achieve on a particular customer specified substrate.
The printer can in this case upload a report before starting the print run to get customer approval for the non-conformance.
Improved and faster communication between customer and suppliers using a system based on measurement makes the printing process more attractive to customers and more profitable for printers.
Access to the print approval process and technical data online reduces the need to travel to approve colours, resulting in a positive environmental impact.
The integrated Mellow Colour family of products provide print professionals with the tools to print to any International or Brand specific standard. Measuring and controlling the printing process goes hand in hand with time and cost saving, reduced waste and improved supply chain efficiency.
Brand Print Quality Management
Auditing and Spot Checks to ensure print suppliers are focused on their ongoing colour excellence.
Proficient Printer Auditing
To monitor that an active print quality management system is being used by your print suppliers, Mellow Colour offers a standardised global colour quality management auditing service, with print run analysis and audit scores for each activity, from receipt of files to finished printed item.
The Mellow Colour Proficient printer audit requires that the following elements should be active:
-
An active colour quality team
-
Departmental Procedures and work instructions
-
Records of production metrics
-
Training records and individual competencies
-
Continuous Improvement and the Team approach
-
Instrument care, accuracy and calibration
-
Management Commitment
There are a range of printer certification levels depending on application - see further details here.
Spot Checks
To maintain focus and assure ongoing excellence, Mellow Colour offer brands and print managers a random spot check service to monitor that printers' uploaded internet submissions and physical print samples match each other.
Audits & Certifications
Brand colour management training and consultancy
To get the best results from creative designs and new ideas, the entire print supply chain should have a clear understanding of the complexities of the technologies involved in accurate colour production. With this in mind, Mellow Colour provides colour management training days tailored for the needs of individuals involved in the various stages of the creative process from concept, through design, art working and pre-press production.
Brand Colour Management Consultancy
We help you to roll out your brand colour management system, and see the implementation right through to the print room floor.
-
Assistance with the development of technical brand guidelines, special colour definitions, standardisation and help with monitoring supplier print quality is all part of the Mellow Colour service.
-
Development and integration: We have our own development team, so if your require a bespoke colour management solution, just ask.
Colour Management Training for all
To get the best results from creative designs and new ideas, the entire print supply chain should have a clear understanding of the complexities of the technologies involved in accurate colour production. With this in mind Mellow Colour provide colour management training days tailored for the needs of individuals involved in the various stages of the creative process from concept, through design, art working and prepress production.
Print Colour Management Training
To ensure your team will have a good understanding of the technicalities of achieving reliable & consistent colour. Bespoke courses are available in colour theory and colour management for Brand Managers, Designers, Marketing and pre press professionals.