For a few months now, LCP has been producing work using our new standard LCP|M1CRO. Screening makes a huge difference in the quality of work and for years printers have been improving the process by implementing the physical improvements of a digital workflow. The evolution from stripping to single flat films to CTP each increased quality. Back then, color was controlled by measuring density and dot gain and making adjustments for tonal gains on press and different substrates. Today the process is best controlled by using color management techniques. I've been asked by some why the I in M1CRO is actually a 1. Actually, the importance here is not only the 1 but, in fact, the M1. LCP utilizes the new M1 standard for measuring and implementing color management. M1 accounts for the use of optical brighteners found in most commercial sheets that are on the market today. These brighteners adversely affect color readings if the instrumentation being used for calibration does not have M1 capabilities.
LCP|M1CRO is a high density screening we have developed and calibrated to GRACoL 2006, using G7 methodology, across all of our offset printing capabilities. From Conventional Uncoated to UV on Plastic all our customers get this unless it is requested otherwise. LCP|M1CRO was developed initially for our high end fashion business but proved so effective and repeatable that everyone that prints with us now benefits. Below are a few pictures from a recent run printed on an FSC 50# Uncoated Sheet that actually contains 30% Recycled Content. It is amazing just how much LCP|M1CRO enhances the final results.
The image above shows the same red build as a previously printed competitor’s issue. The grayness of the color on the competitor’s sheet is due to many factors. Some of these are ink density and dot gain, but more so the gray contamination of the sheet coming through the standard screening used.
Another sample of this is shown in the orange below. On the LCP sheet, not only are the colors more true to the file but the increased definition of the reversed copy is obvious making it much easier to read.
LCP|M1CRO is what you deserve! As your Brand Guardians, LCP is focused on making sure you always look your best. Oh, and special thanks goes out to our color management team here at LCP without whom this quality would only be in theory. It's great to see it each and every day on every job we print for our clients and the brands they represent.
LCP|M1CRO promises
Increased Color Fidelity
Increased Tonal Smoothness
Enhanced and Exquisite Detail
