Expanded Color Gamut (ECG)
Standardizing 7-Color Printing for Consistent Results
PRINTING United Alliance, through its Print Properties Committee (PPC), has introduced a new Expanded Color Gamut (ECG) profile to bring consistency and predictability to 7-color printing (CMYK + OGV). This open, industry-wide specification offers a standardized approach for designers, prepress operators, and printers—unlike many proprietary ECG workflows currently in use.
ECG Profile and Dataset
This ECG profile ensures that what’s visualized during the design phase can be accurately reproduced in print—across platforms, substrates, and devices. It helps eliminate color variability and improves confidence when working with extended gamut workflows.
ECG Characterization Chart
Created by a subcommittee of the Idealliance Print Properties Committee, the ECG characterization chart:
- Supports multicolor print process calibration
- Complements the upcoming ECG Project Kit (guidelines, control strips, proofing tools)
- Mirrors the predictability of CMYK specs like GRACoL and SWOP—for ECG
7-Color Test Chart
The 7-color test chart includes scalable patch options (1–4 pages) for flexible testing. Most users can achieve results with just 1–2 pages. This industry-driven effort brought together experts from:
- ColorLogic
- Esko
- GMG
- Kodak
- And more
Project leads Hanno Hoffstadt, Thorsten Braun, and William Li led the multi-year initiative, including test runs across flexo and litho platforms to perfect the chart design.
What's Next for the Global ECG Project?
The final phase of the PRINTING United Alliance Global ECG Project is underway, focusing on standardized ECG datasets for litho and flexo.
- International Alliance members are contributing ~30 global test datasets.
- Final datasets will form the backbone of industry-standard ECG profiles.