The Printing Industries of America (PIA) has announced its new 20 x 40-inch Wide-Format Inkjet Test Form, the organization’s first test form designed exclusively for evaluating inkjet equipment. The test form comprises 18 test elements, all developed specifically to help printers gauge the performance of wide-format inkjet devices.

Companies can use the form to generate color management profiles to improve a device's color output. “Many people just assume that inkjet performance is optimized right out of the box,” says Ken Rizzo, director of technical and lean services, at PIA. “Not so — this form will help ensure that companies are getting the best color fidelity possible.”

The new form is also designed to help printers compare the print capabilities of various wide-format inkjet equipment so that work can be directed to the right device. In addition, users will be able to more easily spot and correct problems that might otherwise create waste and customer complaints, PIA reports.

The form’s Open Designation Region includes two 8.5 x 12.5-inch areas that are left open so the user can add his own choice of color-management images, ink and substrate targets, artwork, and client-specific images. Several free images and targets are included with the form for that purpose, including the IT8/74 target, ECI 2002 target, PIA Photo Montage, and the Color Conversion Swatch Target.

Price: $250 ($195 for PIA members); the new Wide-Format Inkjet Test Form officially goes on sale October 11. Purchase information available at www.printing.org/digitaltestforms.

PRINTING INDUSTRIES OF AMERICA
www.printing.org