These issues have inspired Belgium-based EskArtwork and global chemical player Sun Chemicals to collaborate on a project that integrates SunChemical's ink database with the Belgian companies color management software.

The two companies have formed a partnership in an attempt to increase workflow and color options to customers using both primary and secondary packaging.

Collaboration is being trialed

The two companies say they have been working together for several months now in an attempt to integrate the solutions that they offer to packaging players, while simultaneously trialing several new propositions with existing mutual clients.

Ultimately the companies say that the project will involve producing color-accurate proofs by integrating access for the Sun Chemical SmartColor database of ink readings with the existing the EskoArtwork Kaleidoscope color management software.

The collaboration means that packaging designers can simultaneously tap into one another's expertise - Sun Chemical's expertise in applied color management and Esko Artwork's expertise in color managed packaging workflows.

The two companies will integrate the SmartColor database with the EskoArtwork Color For Everyone platform to provide a packaging development workflow that uses 'real colors printed with real inks on real substrates'.

Enables faster time to market

This enables the companies to offer a solution that starts when the packaging designer submits a job to prepass for the crucial print color separations.

At this point the designer can map colors and preview according to the EskoArtwrok editor program.

Ultimately the companies say this will lead to faster development time for brand owners, improved options and flexibility for designers, a more refined color proofing process and faster press set-up times.

These are all crucial qualities to the personal care sector in particular, not only because it helps to enhance brand differentiation, but also because it helps to get new products to market in a fast moving industry.

"The integration with SmartColor brings an additional dimension to our 'Color For Everyone' solutions by including manufacturer-specific ink-data in the process," said Carsten Knudsen, CEO of EskoArtwork.

"Collaboration with an industry leader like Sun Chemical allows us to move jointly into the next level of color management," he added.