Pantone matching problems

[SigPho]

Hi all,
The office I work with is working on a multimedia campaign consisting of a manual, 2 CD-Roms with packaging, 2 VHS cassettes, and a box to package it all together.

We had to send the 2 CD-Romto the printer on different dates. The faceswere identical except for a couple words. We used 3 spot colors: a green over the whole disc face, an orange for an accent image, and black for text. Here is the problem...we received the 2nd disk todayand the colors are not the same. Does this mean the printer used the wrong color in the press or didn't print at 100% ink usage? Oh, and the 2nd disk that came back today also had streaks across the face.

I hope I have explained this in an understandable way! Any enlightenment would be very helpful.

Thanks!
SigPho

[PrintDriver]

Did you tell your printer to dearchive your old file and just change the text or did you submit a whole new file?
Did you get a proof?
Did you supply a sample of the first disk for color match?
Did you change layout program versions from one file to the next?
Are the 'streaks' head banding from an inkjet printer of some type or was this lable press run?
Did your printer use the same print device?
Did you use the same print vendor?
Did you tell your printer that the second disk was coming so if he was mixing inks for a press run he would know?
Did you ask your printer what the deal was with the colors?
Too many variables.

Specialization is for insects...

R.H.

[SigPho]

Here are the answers to your questions, PrintDriver:
We submitted a whole new file.
We received a proof that matched the proof of the first file.
The printer had a sample of the first disk to match.
We did not change software versions.
The streaks were were not from an inkjet printer. The company uses a screen printing process with a 100 line screen.
The printer used the same print device.
We used the same printer.
The printer knew the 2nd disk was coming.
The printer said that they switched ink manufacturers and we received a disk that was the closest they could get to the first disk run they printed for us.
I guess what I'm most wondering is about Pantone colors. If it's a Pantone color I always thought it would match no matter the manufacturer. I thought that was the point of having a Pantone Matching System.

Thanks for the help.

[PrintDriver]

Sorry, I didn't mean to get defensive.
If the disks don't match the proof you received, sounds like you have recourse for a job redo, non payment, or at least a heavy 'discount-on-acceptance'.

It's the proof that will nail the printer. Did you call him to ask why the disk doesn't match the proof?
Pantone colors can't always be hit in all cases on all printers but if they did it once, then did it twice for a proof, they shoulda done it a third time for your second set of disks. It is not YOUR problem if the print vendor switched ink mfgrs midjob.

Specialization is for insects...

R.H.

[SigPho]

Hey, don't worry about it. They were all valid questions...things you needed to know in order to help me out. And...perhaps I come across as not so smart because I'm new here. http://graphicdesignforum.com/emoticons/icon_razz.gif
Many times printers we work with say that the proof is not a proof for color. It's a proof for text and artwork. So, that leaves us crossing our fingers a whole lot.
We're still working with the printer to get the situation figured out. They messed up on the jackets as well on a 4-color run. The 2nd jacket was much more majenta than the first, so they agreed to reprint those. Not sure what they'll be doing about the disks though.
Happy weekend!

[PrintDriver]

hmmmm....
A proof not for color....
Maybe I just expect that.
Thought about looking for some new print vendors?

Specialization is for insects...

R.H.

[SigPho]

I expect a proof to show the true color as well. "Proof, but not for color" does not make sense in my head. Iwould like to look at another printing company. Sadly, I don't get to make decisions like that.

Thanks for all the input, PrintDriver!

Dam switch printers!

How could you not get to make the decision of which printer to go to? I would tell them either get the colors right or we go to someother printer. Their acting like they can't loose a client. I'm sorry but I would have had a major issue with them over this.

Plus they can't match there own proofs. Sounds like a load of BS to me man. Why can't you switch printers? I don't get it.

http://www.cbcamerica.com/images/webshots/banner-design.jpg
'Adventure, Excitement, A Jedi craves not these things.'
'Anger...fear...aggression. The dark side of the Force are they.'

[SigPho]

Thanks for your support, Benjo. The reason that I don't get to choose the printer is because I have a post production manager, a production manager, an office manager, and a boss on top of that. They get to make those decisions.

I encourage my managers to research new printers as much as possible...while making sure they don't get annoyed with me. http://graphicdesignforum.com/emoticons/happy.gif

The manual came back from the printer today. This was done by a different printer than the one that did the cd-roms. The pages of the manual are mainly text with a green and orange boarder. You should see the color difference from page to page from this full-color press run. It's pretty rediculous.

Does anyone else have major problems with their printers? I could go on and on with stories.

One printer blames a lot of the problems on the fact that we occasionally shoot with a digital camera. Please.

[PrintDriver]

where you located?

Printers who blame color problems on anything but themselves really need to be dumped. I really can't speak for 4-color/press stuff but in large format world, color is very important and the printers jump thru hoops to get them.

As for digital camera stuff, I've seen some pretty nasty images from those but that has nothing to do with matching colors on the rest of the job.

Specialization is for insects...

R.H.

[SigPho]

I'm in the northern plains of USA.
A salesman for one of our printers came in today and didn't convince any of us of anything about our problems. I'm thinking the managers will start to look for some new vendors.
http://graphicdesignforum.com/emoticons/thumbsup.gif

[uncle carbunkle]

the one <S>good GREAT relationship i had with a print-house was with a company that was slightly over-priced, slightly lax with deadlines and completely unwilling to go the extra mile....BUT...they had a remarkable customer liaison, NOT a salesperson, that they employed when they were losing all of their business and didn't quite know why....best dang move they ever made. this dude went to bat for his clients and we never had issues whilst working with him - EVER. mistakes were reprinted, and FAST. completely turned their company around. in fact, the only reason i don't still use them is that i changed continents.

poop.




Post Edited (uncle carbunkle) : 5/17/2004 2:45:29 PM GMT