“Our quality depends on G7 as the common factor with all print facilities. Without a common denominator, we would not have the quality standard we have grown to expect from our vendors. Our brand identity would suffer without [G7].”
—Donal Prust, Neiman Marcus
“Our approval process starts with the evaluation of substrates and the Pantones for each packaging category. Once we have completed the evaluation, we report the findings to our domestic and international vendors. (Prior to implementing standardized color), all colors and substrates were evaluated by the naked eye. Some of the challenges we faced with evaluating by eye were color variation and poor substrate qualities. This caused us to have concerns with the overall packaging life cycle. In the last two years, (since applying measurement and control processes based on the G7 methodology), our company has implemented Color Management Guidelines for all print vendors that we work with domestically and internationally. This has successfully enhanced the quality and consistency in our packaging across all brands. After implementing G7 standards and color management, our licensors looked to us for quality packaging that will meet the brands’ expectation. we have seen a consistent improvement in substrates and print colors as it has elevated our packaging at retail. Since we’ve been using G7 standards, there has been an increase in the quantity of buys in existing brands, as well as success in the introduction of new brands.”
– Carina Zhong, USA Legwear
“As a premium brand, it’s critical to have a process that a supply chain can align to when it comes to shared color appearance. The brand teams are not technical, but they do have specific colors in mind when they hand off the artwork. It’s our job to manage their expectations for those colors when printed on different substrates. We take spectral readings of colors supplied by the designers, and determine whether they fit in Diageo’s ‘color DNA.’ If they do, then it’s our job to make sure these colors are reproduced faithfully by all our print suppliers. Everything we do at Diageo is about open format and ISO standards. As a premium brand in the CPC world, we have some of the most complex packaging in the world. We print on cartons, aluminum closures, cans, glass, pressure-sensitive labels, and foils—often combining several elements in a single shipper. The colors have to harmonize. It’s critical to have a process that a supply chain can align to when it comes to shared color appearance. (With standardization through G7) and a clear definition of make ready procedures, communication about color can now be more effective. It’s simple, clear, and no longer subjective. Because we’ve laid the groundwork and required our © Idealliance suppliers to own the G7 calibration process, I’m confident we can adapt to new ways of printing. If there’s a problem in the field, I can provide specific measurements and instructions, and they can follow the clear steps to fix it, Our packaging is already challenging enough. With a standardized approach, we can keep the quality of color high, run over run.”
– Barry Sanel, Senior Graphic Services Manager, Diageo