This article discussed the importance of standardization. In the first part, the fundamentals of ISO standards and World Trade Organization Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (WTO-TBT agreement) are summarized. According to the WTO-TBT agreement, JIS standards have to comply with international standards such as ISO and IEC. Since the international standards influence businesses, major companies base their strategies for standardization activities, for example, the introduction of standardization for "Suica" by East Japan Railway Company (JR East Railway) and "enabling switch" by NECA. The activity of ISO⁄TC130 (Graphic Technology) is also shown. A recent trend in standardization is the establishing of management standards. In fact, the ISO⁄TC130 has new work proposals for quality management and security management. In addition, other new working groups for carbon footprint (environment impacts) and postpress have been lunched. The activities of ISO⁄TC130 Japanese National Committee are also introduced. Finally, the author will summarize the points for participating in ISO activities.

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The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has defined the hue of ink and color of printed products in the ISO2846 series and ISO12647 series, respectively. Before these ISO standards were issued, a national standard and a virtual standard had been used in Europe, the United States, and Japan. These national and virtual standards are reflected in the current ISO2846 series and ISO12647 series, respectively. At present, the ISO standards that specify the hue of ink and the color of printed products are under review. The focal points of the discussion are as follows: (1) To specify the colorimetric value using power two equations, which thus far has been decided by a single point, and (2) To specify the standard values for paper ranging from standard paper (typically ApcoII⁄II) to actual stock paper. The results of the review are expected to change the quality assurance parameters in printing industries all over the world.

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The Japan Color Certification System, which commenced its operations in October 2009, is reviewed in this paper. Japan Color is the standard used in offset printing, which is the typical technique employed by the Japanese printing industry; it is based on the standards set by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Investigations into this system began in December 2008 and two judicial bodies, the Japan Printing Machinery Association (JPMA) and Japanese Society of Printing Science and Technology (JSPST), were appointed to examine its operations. JPMA has the task of completing the certifying process, while JSPST is responsible for promoting education and researches for this system. The certification system is expected to improve printing quality and to decrease printing production costs since it will ensure periodic maintenance of the printing press and quantitative quality control.

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Recently, printing factories have been performing standardization processes using color management technologies in order to reduce the costs for making prints. The process for making prints involves, in sequence, taking a picture, converting colors, making plates, and printing. In addition, the tone and color are confirmed in each process. Standardization is accomplished in upper process, that is, the RGB system, and in the lower process, that is, the CMYK system. In such cases, both standardized systems are connected by RGB to CMYK conversions. In RGB systems, it is important to determine and fix the photographing conditions, especially the RGB values of highlights and shadow points. In CMYK systems, the printing machine must be stabilized first. Subsequently, it is important to make prints according to the standard colors after deciding it. In color confirmation, it is necessary to simulate the printed color with high accuracy by employing printers or monitors. On the other hand, it is difficult to standardize the conversion from RGB to CMYK because of the color gamut of CMYK is different from that of RGB. Standardization of the processes involved in making prints will be profitable for all people who make prints including those working in printing factories, designers, photographers, and publishers. Therefore, it is important to accomplish standardization together.

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Recently, many printing companies are increasingly attempting to obtain certifications for printing. Certification is required by printing standards, and further, color management can be performed by the standardization. Authentication can also be used, and printing companies have increased efforts to standardize printing. However, printing may not stabilize the color due to various factors that can reduce and change the color. To reduce variability, it is important to make adjustments each day. The maintenance standards required by the printing press have contributed significantly to its stability. Here, the color is stable and adjustments create the illusion of good printing. To stabilize the printing press, a standard print can be created. In addition, it is possible to use color management. In this manner, by reducing the fluctuations in the printing press, efficient printing operations can be realized and printing accidents can be prevented.

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Recently, the importance of color management systems (CMSs) has increased. Clients demand that a print company builds a system guaranteeing a color; if such guaranteed colors can be realized, it becomes possible to build a relationship of mutual trust. Moreover, when I manage the CMS, standardization of the print spot has a central role. This report introduces a part of the technique for realizing standardization.

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