Print Quality regarding Advertisements in the Nordic Heatset Printing Industry

Abstract: Accompanied by the fast development of technology and channels in the advertisement industry, many traditional incumbents felt pressure and were seeking ways to change or better their own position within the industry. The Nordic Association of Heatset Printer (NAHP), where this thesis was carried out, is largely associated with these traditional channels for advertising, such like newspapers, brochures and magazines. They are taking their initiative to prepare and face the challenge coming from new entrants within the advertising industry. I have identified that to fulfill the responsibilities to their customers at a very high standard could enable themselves to continuingly remain a competitive position in the advertisement industry, and among these responsibilities, the printing quality is definitely an important one. By checking whether all the printers conform to the error tolerances set by the ISO standard, I could offer the members of the organization useful information and suggestion, and eventually give them directions on where they might need to improve, and where they need to maintain. I have also identified 3 determinants regarding printing and they are print density, dot gain and the ΔE of L'a'b'. Checking whether those three primaries have met the industry standard has become the main job of this thesis work. To finish this thesis work, I have gathered samples from printers within NAHP, tested the color control strips on each samples, input the data into statistical Excel files, programmed to analyze the data, and finally conducted evaluations. The test results have revealed that most presses from the printing houses within my thesis work are able to offer high quality prints. However, certain problems have also been identified. Some presses definitely need to change and improve their printing setting in order to reach ISO standard and achieve audience satisfaction. In addition, the results have also double confirmed that all three investigated properties, print density, dot gain and ΔE of L'a'b', correlate intensely and influence one and another.