X-Rite Autura Ink has received the Printing United Alliance 2024 Pinnacle Award for Color Management and Quality Control. A cloud-native solution, Autura Ink helps accelerate ink development by providing a centralized platform for all formulation, storage, approval, retrieval, and quality control needs for offset, flexo, gravure, and screen-printing inks. The Pinnacle Product Awards recognize products that significantly enhance the printing industry through exceptional quality, capability, and productivity.
“ing-Pong Liu, software solutions product manager, X-Rite, “Autura Ink represents a paradigm shift in ink development, management, and quality control. By consolidating critical processes into a single platform, ink suppliers, manufacturers and converters can fast track their ink development, minimize press downtime, and reduce press returns. Equally important, its modern, cloud-native architecture makes Autura Ink easier to deploy, maintain, and scale for future business needs.”
The company states that Autura Ink platform simplifies data sharing between formulation, quality control, and PantoneLIVE. Users will no longer need to switch between applications to validate formulas, which is done seamlessly within the Autura platform. It also integrates with X-Rite spectrophotometers, including the eXact 2 Family, to create a connected workflow and enhance efficiency.
With Autura Ink, press operators can identify ink variations and minimize downtime due to color mismatches. The integrated BestMatch feature allows operators to determine if an ink is within specification or if adjustments are needed. If the on-press color does not meet specifications, the Quick Correct feature facilitates ink formula adjustments to bring the press back on color quickly and reduce press returns.
“One of the things I like best about our competition is that it is juried, and judges are basing their decisions on objective criteria,” said Dawn Nye, Pinnacle Awards program manager, Printing United Alliance. “And, with outstanding entries like X-Rite Autura Ink, they had their work cut out for them.”