Quality Audit for Newspaper production

Introduction

Printing consistently to produce quality results over time should be a habit and one of the strategic objectives of an advanced newspaper house. This objective is critical for the satisfaction of advertisers and readers and to operate the press at optimum or minimum cost. To achieve this goal, consistent process control procedures and proven standards like ISO 12647-3 must be established and practiced.

In this consulting project, all departments responsible for the quality reproduction of the newspaper will be examined. Any weak points will be identified during the audit phase, followed by modifications, improvements, and recommendations to standardize production according to international standards (ISO 12647-3).

Quality Improvement Audit

Objectives

The Quality Audit and Improvement project will have the audit in the following structures:

  1. Audit the color reproduction workflow to assess conformance to ISO 12647-3.
  2. Implement ISO 12647-3 in the color reproduction workflow – Ad processing, image processing, editorial workflow, RIP, CTP, and the press across multiple printing centers.
  3. Provide guidelines to establish a Quality Control mechanism to continuously assess and maintain ISO 12647-3 implementation.
  4. Train the Pre-Press, Press, and Quality staff to run the Quality Control Mechanism.

Working Group

For the duration of the project, each printing center must form a working group called the “Quality Circle.” This circle should consist of representatives from the following departments:

  1. Colour correction
  2. Advertisement processing (acceptance, processing, and complaints)
  3. Plate imaging – CTP
  4. Print production – PRESS
  5. Quality Control – QC

The working group from all printing locations must meet in a common location for classroom sessions and be available at their respective printing locations during the consultant’s on-site visit.

Project Execution

The project will follow a mix of consulting and training, executed as follows:

  1. Complete knowledge transfer (theoretical and practical sessions) on ISO standards and the concept of implementation.
  2. Analysis of the color reproduction workflow from Ad processing through Press.
  3. Identifying errors and areas of improvement in the workflow.
  4. Implementing/recommending changes in line with ISO 12647-3.
  5. Reviewing current Quality Control procedures and providing guidelines for QC implementation.

Training

Complete training will be provided on the following topics for the Quality Circle:

  1. Colour management – Appropriate use of colour profiles in reproduction.
  2. CTP standardization – Plate linearization, applying dot gain curves in the RIP, periodic QC tests.
  3. Press standardization – Dot gain analysis, colour gamut analysis, inspection of newsprint and ink.
  4. QC equipment – Measurement settings in Spectro Densitometers, analysis & reports through Excel.

Duration and Program Structure

Duration & Program

For the Quality Audit and Improvement project, we estimate the following project efforts:

  1. Four or five on-site days at Pre-Press and Press.
  2. Two report writing days at our location to write a detailed report (end of the audit).
  3. Training and report language will be in English, with Hindi available on request.

Day-by-Day Program

  • Day 1: Training for the “Quality Circle” from all departments (max 12 participants). Topic: Quality and standardization for Newspaper.
  • Day 2: Audit at Pre-press – Ad Processing Department. Audit at Pre-Press – Color correction & Layout design department. Training and optimizing color correction methodologies.
  • Day 3: Implementing best practices in color correction setup. Audit of the CTP. Custom Test form design and printing in the Press.
  • Day 4: Brief report of concerns, scope, areas of improvement, and recommendations.