The new Australian approval system for colour management was announced on the first day of PrintEx11, providing an alternative to Process Standard Offset (PSO).

Truly Colour, which joins GASAA’s Truly Green environmental certification program, is independent, industry recognised approval for ISO colour at a fraction of the cost of Fogra or Ugra accreditation.

GASAA executive officer Garry Knespal (pictured right) told ProPrint that although Truly Colour is not a certification, it is a verification of a printing company’s practices and will remain valid for 12 months.

“We will market Truly Colour as an extension of Truly Green, which is our environmental standard,” said Knespal.

According to Knespal, it will fill the void that currently exists between the international, multi-faceted PSO colour certification and local vendor validations, which often come bundled with new equipment and software purchases.

Fogra or Ugra PSO certification can set a printing business back by as much as $7,500 annually, plus consultancy fees.

Truly Colour will cost only $1,000 for a press/proofing combination, $800 for a press only, and $500 for proofing only.

“Some printers may wish to use Truly Colour as an intermediate phase, from which to embark on PSO certification,” said Knespal.

Developed by colour consultancy CMYKit, Truly Colour tests a company’s compliance to ISO, and if results are outside ISO tolerances, firms can work internally or with their chosen colour consultant to submit for Truly Colour approval.

CMYKit managing director Jason Hall (left) said Australia is almost unique in the world as a printing market that now has a national colour standard compliant to ISO 12467.

GASAA is also the exclusive PSO auditor for Swiss-based Ugra in this region.

Comment below to have your say on this story.

If you have a news story or tip-off, get in touch at editorial@sprinter.com.au.  

Sign up to the Sprinter newsletter