ISO 12647-6:2020

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 12647-6
Third edition
2020-09
Graphic technology — Process control
for the production of half-tone colour
separations, proofs and production
prints —
Part 6:
Flexographic printing
Technologie graphique — Contrôle des processus de confection de
sélections couleurs tramées, d'épreuves et de tirages —
Partie 6: Processus flexographique
Reference number
©
ISO 2020
© ISO 2020
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ii © ISO 2020 – All rights reserved

Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 2
4 Requirements . 2
4.1 General . 2
4.2 Material input requirements . 3
4.2.1 General. 3
4.2.2 Distortion correction . . 3
4.2.3 Proof requirements . 3
4.2.4 Digital data files . 3
4.2.5 Film/printing forme requirements . 4
4.3 Printing aims. 5
4.3.1 General. 5
4.3.2 Halftoning parameters . 6
4.3.3 Print substrates . 6
4.3.4 Ink set colours . 7
4.3.5 Reproducibility of ink colour set . 8
4.3.6 Ink set gloss . 8
4.3.7 Tolerance for image positioning . 9
4.3.8 Tone value increase (TVI) . 9
4.3.9 Reproducibility of printing . 9
5 Communication . 9
Annex A (normative) Communication of spot colour data .11
Annex B (informative) Information exchange .12
Annex C (informative) Determination of quality parameters of half-tone dots on a colour
separation film .14
Bibliography .16
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www .iso .org/ directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of
any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www .iso .org/ patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and
expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to
the World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see
www .iso .org/ iso/ foreword .html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 130, Graphic technology.
This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition (ISO 12647-6:2012), which has been
technically revised. It also incorporates the Amendment ISO 12647-6:2012/Amd 1:2015.
The main changes compared to the previous edition are as follows:
— the intent of the document has been changed from a process control definition to a specification of
the way to exchange the information necessary to define the printing characteristics of the desired
product. To do this, it has built on colour management technology and the exchange of colour
characterization data.
A list of all parts in the ISO 12647 series can be found on the ISO website.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www .iso .org/ members .html.
iv © ISO 2020 – All rights reserved

Introduction
Historically, the ISO 12647 series of International Standards established the process control
parameters and their aim values and tolerances for the most important professional printing processes
of the graphic arts industry. The initial concept was that the groundwork for the series was laid down
in ISO 12647-1. This document differs from that concept because flexographic printing has changed
significantly since the ISO 12647 series was initially conceived.
This current edition differs from the earlier edition by not defining specific printing condition aims, but
instead requiring that a specific reference printing condition (characterization data set) be specified.
Flexographic printing differs from other printing procedures by using a variety of printing machine
architectures, ink sequence, ink types, anilox rollers, substrate types, etc. Each of these involve
different printing condition and process control aims. This document requires that the colour of the
printed product match a characterization data set or a printing condition agreed upon by the provider
and the receiver. It specifies minimum requirements and tolerances to be communicated and produced.
The purpose of a proof is to simulate the visual characteristics of the finished printed product as closely
as possible, which often becomes a contractual agreement between the provider and the receiver.
ISO 12647-7 defines a process where colour characterization data are used to produce a contract proof.
Defined output intent should be a smooth data set, it is recommended to use an industry accepted
Reference characterization data set. The use of a data set from an old flexographic press results in a
lumpy characterization data, and consequently problematic transforms. The goal for most packaging is
to render all print to a similar appearance, typically the same aim reference characterization data set is
used for flexographic, offset, gravure, and digital printing.
This market also uses colour proofing on electronic displays. The International Standards for colour
proofing on electronic displays are ISO 14861 and ISO 12646.
Spot colour management is defined in this document to utilize spectral data in an XML schema defined
by ISO 17972-4. ISO 17972-4 includes exchange specifications for spot colour characterization data to
facilitate the communication of spot colour data.
There are many cases in this document where the provider and the receiver communicate. Modern
flexography has the capability to align with most other printing aims, however there are some
conditions based on substrate, applications, printing forme technology where aligning to providers
aims cannot be met. Table 5 list all attributes that should be discussed for these exceptions.
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 12647-6:2020(E)
Graphic technology — Process control for the production
of half-tone colour separations, proofs and production
prints —
Part 6:
Flexographic printing
1 Scope
This document specifies the requirements for the exchange of data and information necessary for the
definition of the aims for four-colour flexographic printing of packaging and publication materials,
including newsprint. It is based on the use of colour characterization data to define the colourimetric
printing aims and includes appropriate assignment of responsibility for and recommended tolerances
on critical parameters of the flexographic printing process.
This document is directly applicable to:
— publication flexographic printing including magazines, catalogues and commercial materials and
packaging flexographic printing including labels, boxes, and flexible packages;
— half-tone and continuous tone proofing processes that predict the colourimetric results of
flexographic printing.
Guidance is also provided concerning the definition of spot colours used in flexographic printing.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 5-3, Photography and graphic technology — Density measurements — Part 3: Spectral conditions
ISO 2813, Paints and varnishes — Determination of gloss value at 20°, 60° and 85°
ISO/TS 10128, Graphic technology — Methods of adjustment of the colour reproduction of a printing
system to match a set of characterization data
ISO 12647-7, Graphic technology — Process control for the production of halftone colour separations, proof
and production prints — Part 7: Proofing processes working directly from digital data
ISO 13468-1, Plastics — Determination of the total luminous transmittance of transparent materials —
Part 1: Single-beam instrument
ISO 13468-2, Plastics — Determination of the total luminous transmittance of transparent materials —
Part 2: Double-beam instrument
ISO 13655, Gr
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