Newspaper Printing Standard ISO 12647-3, an Overview

Parameters Specifications
For the following printing processes Newspaper Coldset Offset
Newspaper Letterpress
Film density (above fog)
Offset
Letterpress
min. 2,5
1
min. 3,5
Fog density of film Should be < 0,10; max. 0,15
Screen frequency
Offset
Letterpress
34 or 40 lpcm / 85 or 100 lpi
28 or 34 lpcm / 70 or 85 lpi
Smallest spot with FM screening 25 to 40 m
Screen angles
Yellow
Dominant colour (round dot)
Dominant colour (elliptical dot)
0
45, other colours each 30 away from next
135, other colours each 60 away from next
Dot shape
Regular case
In case of facsimile transmission (scanning)
elliptical
round
Deviation between colour separation films < 0,02% of the image diagonal
Tone value sum
Total C+M+Y+K
Black (K)
Should be < 240%; max. 260%
Min. 85%
Greybalance
Quarter tone
Midtone
Three quarter tone
Cyan
25%
50%
75%
Magenta
18%
40%
64%
Yellow
18%
40%
64%
Newsshade
Colour values
2
Tolerance proof
Tolerance printing
L*
80
2
3
a*
0
2
2
b*
4
2
2
Colour of the newsinks on paper
2
Colour values Cyan
Colour values Magenta
Colour values Yellow
Colour values Schwarz (K)
Colour values Cyan + Yellow
Colour values Cyan + Magenta
Colour values Magenta + Yellow
L*
57
53
79
40
53
41
52
a*
23
48
5
1
34
7
41
b*
27
0
60
4
18
22
25
Tolerances colour values newsinks
3
Cyan
Magenta
Yellow
Black (K)
Deviation E
5
8
7
5
Variation E
3
5
4
3
Printable tone range
Offset
Letterpress
3% to 85%
5% to 85%
Register tolerance Should be < 0,15 mm; max. 0,30 mm
Tone value increase at 50% tone value
4
Offset, film + negative acting plate
Offset, film + positive acting plate
Offset, camera exposed plate (OPC)
Offset, Computer-to-Plate
Letterpress
34 lpcm / 85 lpi
30%
24%
20%
27%
23%
40 lpcm / 100 lpi
33%
27%
23%
30%

Tolerances dot gain at 50%, 34 lpcm / 85 lpi

Deviation
Variation
Mid tone spread
5
Proof
4%

5%
Printing
5%
5%
6%
Parameters for monochrome printing
Screen frequency 28 or 34 lpcm / 70 or 85 lpi
Min. tone value of screened paper originals
Offset
Letterpress 28 lpcm
Letterpress 34 lpcm
6%
10%
8%
1
Density values relate to the centre of the screening dot. It is practicable to measure the solid
density of the film. If this is greater than 3,5 one can assume that the centre of the screening
dot will have a density of 2,5.
2
Measuring conditions: 45/0 or 0/45, D50/2, black backing
3
L* and h* must not be more than 60% of the total deviation.
4
Values for black may be 2% higher
5
Deviation between the primary colours
Andy Williams
Research Engineer