ISO 2846-3-2002 PDF

Full title and description

Graphic technology — Colour and transparency of printing ink sets for four‑colour‑printing — Part 3: Publication gravure printing (ISO 2846‑3:2002). This part of ISO 2846 specifies the colour and transparency to be produced by a process‑colour ink set (including extender) intended for four‑colour publication gravure printing and defines the test method for demonstrating conformance under specified gravure printing conditions.

Abstract

ISO 2846‑3:2002 defines colourimetric requirements and transparency evaluation procedures for chromatic process inks used in four‑colour publication gravure printing. The standard prescribes test prints, measurement geometry and calculation methods (CIELAB/∆E), and transparency assessment (over black) but does not mandate specific pigments, allowing for different pigment combinations that meet the colorimetric criteria. The published ISO record shows this edition as the 2002 publication and notes its later withdrawal.

General information

• Status: Withdrawn (the ISO record lists the status as withdrawn for this edition).
• Publication date: October 2002 (2002‑10).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 87.080 (Inks; graphic technology).
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (2002).
• Number of pages: 13 (ISO bibliographic record for this edition).

(General bibliographic details based on the ISO bibliographic entry and published copies of the 2002 edition.)

Scope

This part of ISO 2846 specifies the colour and transparency characteristics that each chromatic process ink in a four‑colour gravure production set (including any extender) should produce when printed under defined gravure conditions. It also gives the method of preparing test prints, the measurement procedure (spectral measurement leading to CIELAB values and ∆E calculations) and the pass/fail criteria for colour and transparency. The document explicitly excludes prescribing exact pigments or spectral reflectance to allow for technological development and alternative pigment combinations that still meet the stated colorimetric requirements.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition of target colourimetric values for chromatic process inks used in four‑colour publication gravure printing.
• Procedure for producing test prints on a specified reference substrate and for varying ink film thickness (extension) to obtain a range of samples.
• Colour measurement protocol using spectral measurement and conversion to CIELAB; use of ∆E to assess conformance with tabulated tolerances.
• Transparency evaluation method — printing inks over a specified black backing and assessing transmission/overprinting behaviour (∆E changes) to determine acceptable transparency characteristics.
• Allowance that pigments/spectral data are not prescribed so that different pigment formulations can be used provided the colorimetric and transparency criteria are met.

Key test and measurement references within the standard include use of ISO 13655 measurement conditions and specified reference substrates for gravure testing.

Typical use and users

Primary users include ink manufacturers, gravure press operators, quality/control laboratories, colour management specialists and standards committees. The standard is used to: set supplier/ink specifications, verify that process inks will produce predictable four‑colour reproduction on gravure presses, support incoming quality testing, and provide a common colour/transparency reference for gravure production runs and ink development.

Related standards

ISO 2846 is a multi‑part series; related and referenced documents include ISO 2846‑1 (sheet‑fed and heat‑set web offset — later editions exist), ISO 13655 (spectral measurement and colorimetric computation for graphic arts images) and other parts of the ISO 2846 series addressing different printing processes (e.g., screen, flexographic). Users commonly consult ISO 13655 for measurement geometry and instrument conditions referenced by ISO 2846‑3.

Keywords

ISO 2846‑3, gravure, publication gravure, printing inks, colour, transparency, four‑colour printing, process inks, CIELAB, ∆E, colour measurement, ISO 13655.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 2846‑3:2002 is the International Standard that defined colour and transparency requirements and a test method for process‑colour ink sets used in four‑colour publication gravure printing. It is the Part 3 document in the ISO 2846 series specific to publication gravure applications.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers required colourimetric targets and tolerances, preparation of test prints on a specified substrate, measurement procedures (spectral → CIELAB → ∆E) and methods for assessing ink transparency (over black). It does not prescribe specific pigments.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Ink manufacturers, gravure press technologists, QA/test laboratories, colour specialists and procurement/specification authors in the graphic arts and packaging sectors use the standard to specify and verify process inks for gravure production.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The ISO bibliographic record indicates the 2002 edition is withdrawn. National/adopted copies and related national publications may have different lifecycle notes, but the ISO entry lists the 2002 edition as withdrawn. Users should check ISO or their national standards body for the current normative document covering gravure process ink colour requirements or later revisions in the ISO 2846 series.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — ISO 2846 is a multipart series covering colour and transparency of printing ink sets for four‑colour printing across different processes (e.g., Part 1 for sheet‑fed/heat‑set offset, Part 3 for publication gravure, and other parts addressing screen, flexo, etc.). Consult the ISO 2846 family and ISO 13655 for associated measurement guidance.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Gravure, printing inks, colour, transparency, four‑colour, process inks, CIELAB, ∆E, ISO 2846, publication gravure, ISO 13655.