This blog post is the third of a series of three relating to successful color matching for screen printing. The author of this very informative article is Mike Ukena, and he is a part of the Union Ink Company.

COLOR MATCHING AS A PRODUCTIVITY TOOL

Color matching systems have become sophisticated enough to minimize the time necessary to simulate a specific Pantone color. Most systems include computer software or even proprietary computer scales that allow for precise control. The software stores all of the Pantone matches plus any customer matches used by the printer.

The time necessary to do most color matches utilizing matching systems is low enough that it usually increases productivity because it is much quicker than mixing from scratch. In practice, quart and gallon quantities of most colors can be formulated and mixed in as little as five minutes.

Larger matching systems, those utilized by large plants, are sophisticated enough to actually measure and meter out precise quantities of ink into the container without the operator having to touch a container. All that is required after that is mixing. But, even the smallest hand systems are relatively quick up to the gallon level.

COLOR MATCHING AS A PROFIT CENTER

While many printers may scoff at the idea of charging customers for color matching, many printers do just that. The most common method I have seen is to offer a standard color pallete and then charge anywhere from $5.00 to $20.00 per color to do custom matches. Even if you do not charge, the ability to exactly match customer colors provides an even more valuable tool for profitability. That is, the ability to reach more customers.

If you just tell potential customers that they can have any color in a particular set and that is it, you will not get all the business that is possible. Those that need custom matches will go elsewhere. By offering custom colors, you increase the pool of potential customers and therefore, the potential profit from having a larger customer base.

You can also use color-matching services as a marketing tool by setting a price on your price list but then waiving it for customers that you really want or need. It is always there if you need it but by showing flexibility, you might just pull in the customer you really want.

INK MATCHING AS A CONVERSATION TOOL

Most ink matching software will also help to calculate the amount of ink required. By entering the screen mesh, coverage area, and the number of prints the software can calculate the amount of ink required with enough margin to cover the mesh. In practice, these systems are quite accurate and do a great job of minimizing ink waste.

Another way to control waste with a matching system is to minimize batch sizes and mix additional ink only if needed. This approach does increase the time required, but with such a small amount of time needed combined with the accuracy of most systems, the tradeoff can be extremely small amounts of waste ink.

RECYCLING OR "WORK OFF"

Many companies now offer systems that can reuse the ink left over after a job. By creating a more sophisticated software database, the printer is able to enter the number of the color of ink mixed previously. The system will then be able to calculate the colors that are possible to mix with that remaining amount and the minimum amount that can be matched.

For example, if the printer completes a job and has 300 grams of Pantone #324 left over, he/she would be able to enter that data into the computer and be given a list of colors that can be mixed by incorporating the remaining #324. This one improvement in software had had a greater impact on reducing ink waste than the introduction of matching systems themselves.

MATCHING SYSTEMS ARE NOT FOR EVERYONE

The printer who is able to run his business by using the stock colors prepared by the ink companies has little use or need for an ink matching system. However, the number of printers who fir this situation is a small percentage of the total. Any printer who does work for outside design people or companies cannot get by without matching ink. If you do color matching, a matching system can pay for itself very quickly.

The initial reason to purchase is usually the time it saves. The added benefits are the reduction in the amount of waste ink that is generated, the increase in potential customers and the added profit potential that the additional customers create.