NEW FEATURES

Improved Basic Material Module
With Version 6’s newly improved Basic Material Module, users can work with a variety of additives within one assortment, allowing them to change a single additive in a recipe without having to redo the draw down or create a completely new assortment. This significantly simplifies the handling of ink assortments and recipes, giving users more control over their ink database.

Leftover Ink Management
Provides necessary tools to aid in achieving color. When used with X-Rite’s renowned Leftover Management feature, also included in InkFormulation 6, allows leftover inks to be reused in new recipes during the formulation process. InkFormulation provides recommendations about how to reduce the amount of leftover inks and allows for any leftovers to be reworked into new formulations, reducing inventory and waste, lowering disposal costs and providing a rapid return on users’ InkFormulation investment.

Film Thickness Calibration Module
The Film Thickness Calibration Module allows users to quickly and precisely determine the right ink film thickness for flexo, gravure and screen-printing. Users no longer need to re-measure known recipes for different line screens or rollers to adjust the film thickness manually; they simply enter the roller or screen as a parameter and the software automatically determines the required film thickness. This leads to faster make ready and reduces the number of assortments needed, resulting in a streamlined formulation process.

Usability Enhancements:
InkFormulation 6 features a number of usability enhancements including: more flexible sorting criteria for recipes; direct and simplified substrate database access; a new Print Layout Editor to allow users to define and customize their print layouts (logos, images and labels can be inserted and printed to label ink cans and simplify inventory creation); a new ‘undo’ function to allow users to return to the preceding step within the formulation workflow rather than having to begin all over again; simplified user administration tools.

Data Exchange:
InkFormulation 6 offers unsurpassed flexibility of data exchange with networked databases and Internet communication features so ink suppliers and printers can efficiently share color data with locations across the globe. The version 6 supports the latest generation of CxF (Color Exchange Format), the universal file format for color communication, allowing them to accurately and unambiguously communicate all commercially significant aspects of their ink’s formulation requirements. At each step of the process, colors are defined and stored as CxF files so that they can be seamlessly and faithfully exchanged between instruments and applications throughout the printing workflow.

Included Digital Libraries
InkFormulation 6 includes the digital data of the PANTONE PLUS SERIES FORMULA GUIDE Coated and Uncoated (incl. 336 new colors added in 2012, plus 84 new colors added in 2014), PANTONE GoeGuide (coated and uncoated) and PANTONE+ Pastels (coated and uncoated), the PANTONE MATCHING SYSTEM® (C, U, M) libraries and the HKS (E, K, N, Z) libraries. The libraries provide M0, M1, M2 and M3 data.

PRODUCT PACKAGES
InkFormulation 6 is available in four configurations; you only purchase the functionality you need.

InkFormulation PrinterBasic
A cost-effective system designed for small to medium sized printers. You can easily and quickly formulate custom inks, working with a database supplied by your preferred ink manufacturer. Configured with an X-Rite Color Handheld device, this solution is ideal for the printer that previously could not justify having in-house formulation capabilities.

InkFormulation PrinterPro
Formulate custom inks without creating and maintaining a colorant database. You can import and work with colorant databases supplied by your preferred ink manufacturer. Includes ColorQuality software to guarantee precise measurement, continuous control, and consistent documentation.

InkFormulation Manufacturer
A full version of InkFormulation designed for the Ink Manufacturer, providing the ability to create, store, and modify a colorant database. This allows you to build and maintain a complete colorant database featuring all the inks you use.

InkFormulation Online
A web-client solution for ink manufacturers and suppliers that allows their customers to access a centralized, can be easily-updated, database of InkFormulation via the Internet. Printers that do not wish to install local ink formulation capability can easily access high quality ink formulation databases – developed by experts – that they can rely on for mixing and matching inks.