In today’s print and packaging world, brand owners, print service providers and equipment manufacturers alike are under pressure to deliver consistent, accurate color across diverse technologies and workflows. It is no longer sufficient to calibrate one press today and hope the same visual result emerges tomorrow on a different device, substrate, or workflow. That is precisely why the inaugural G7®/G7+™ Exchange – and the broader ecosystem of G7+ and G7+ Expert training – represents such a pivotal moment in our industry.
What is the G7®/G7+™ Exchange?
The G7/G7+ Exchange is a dedicated half-day event hosted by PRINTING United Alliance as part of this year’s PRINTING United Expo in Orlando, Florida. Occurring the day before the Expo, this community-driven gathering brought together G7 and G7+ Experts, print and color professionals, brand and prepress teams, equipment and software suppliers, all with a common purpose: to connect, collaborate and shape the future of color quality and consistency.
The event was packed with real-world case studies, interactive roundtables, and sessions that blend technical depth with strategic insight.
- A keynote titled “The New Era of Color Consistency” by Don Hutcheson explored the evolution from G7 to G7+, and why it matters across packaging, digital, wide-format and textiles.
- The “G7+ in Action: Real-World Success Stories” session featured Jeff Thielsen, Taylor Corp and Jim Raffel, Color Casters, sharing shop-floor experiences with G7+ implementation and led into the expanded round table sessions that followed.
- A highlight is the “Roundtable Exchange: Real-World Tools & Tips for Color Consistency” — seven expert-led tables offering rotating 20-minute breakout discussions on topics such as selling G7+ internally, substrate correction, or aligning creative/prepress with production.
- Additional sessions include: “G7+ for Creatives: Setting Up Color for Success” (with practical commentary on file setup, proofing and communication led by Andy Bullock, Spaner) and “Implementation Tips: Top 10 G7+ Lessons Learned,” led by Ron Ellis, Chair of Print Properties Committee, and G7+ Trainer.
- A panel on “Aligning Brand, Design and Print for Color Success” rounded out the event with a lively discussion by brand owners, printers, OEMs and consultants as a candid conversation on bridging gaps across the supply chain.
And while the 2025 Exchange sold out, a new cornerstone of color education, networking and thought-leadership was established that will continue in future years.
Where G7+ Expert Training Fits In
The Exchange served as a companion to the deeper technical training provided via the G7+ Expert Certification. Hosted by PRINTING United Alliance, this two-day, in-person workshop was conducted as part of PRITNING United Expo, giving hands-on, instructor-led training covering G7 and G7+ calibration, process control and workflow integration across print and proofing applications.
Leading industry suppliers Nazdar Ink Technologies, EFI, and Fiery collaborated to actively showcase G7+ workflows and training demos tied to the Certification. Beyond the October in-person class, there are upcoming live instructor-led G7+ Expert training and certification options in additional locations and formats, including live multi-day workshops. Find a schedule here: www.printing.org/events/workshops.
Why This Matters Now
Why is color consistency today’s critical issue? Because brand owners and print buyers increasingly demand visual match across production routes—offset, flexo, digital, wide-format, textiles, packaging and more. The legacy G7 methodology delivered a widely adopted baseline; G7+ extends that capability into advanced processes, extended gamut, substrate variations and cross-technology workflows.
For printers and converters, achieving matching visual appearance across multiple devices and locations is a growth enabler: fewer re-runs, fewer reworked jobs, tighter brand alignment and stronger relationships with brand owners. The Exchange and the certification programs position printing professionals to lead that shift. For brands, the benefit is peace of mind. When your supply-chain printers, prepress partners and proofing vendors speak the same color language – and are certified to deliver repeatable, verifiable outcomes – supply-chain risk drops dramatically.
The growing G7/G7+ community helps bridge the “funnel” from concept to finished printed piece: designers and prepress professionals who attend sessions like “G7+ for Creatives” leave with practical insight into how their choices (file setup, proofing conditions, substrate selection) directly influence measurable print outcomes. These aren’t theoretical discussions—they are grounded in shop-floor realities, and the fact that the first-ever Exchange sold out underscores the appetite within the industry. As one in-plant print publication noted: “the response has been overwhelming.” — In-plant Impressions
Looking Ahead to PRINTING United Expo 2026 and Beyond
While PRINTING United Expo 2025 marks the inaugural G7/G7+ Exchange, the momentum doesn’t stop there. PRINTING United Alliance has already announced that the next Exchange will be held at PRINTING United Expo 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
In an era where visual brand integrity spans print methods, geographies and substrates, the G7®/G7+™ Exchange stands out as a new platform for community, capability and advancement. Paired with the rigorous G7+ Expert training and certification track, it provides both the inspiration and the pathway to color-controlled success.
If your organization is serious about raising the bar on color consistency, joining the conversation now and making the investment in competence will pay dividends. Consider the Exchange your launchpad, the certification your badge of competence, and PRINTING United Expo 2026 your next opportunity to lead.