ColorMaster is based on the work GMG and Ikea did to eliminate manual colour editing of separated files for different versions of the Ikea catalogue produced globally.

"At Ikea, it was imperative to match colour exactly, no matter where printed or what substrate was used," said Michael Farkas, GMG director of marketing.

"The ColorMaster concept was created to individually adjust separation profiles to a common appearance. It offers the opportunity to avoid multiple correction rounds for mixed media production. Ikea reduced repro effort significantly and offered printers ready-to-print images that allowed faster makereadies and more consistent output, worldwide."

The tool sits on top of the firm’s ColorServer software adding hot folder automation via pre-configured workflows and colour profiles of standard print conditions for a range of print processes, paper types, applications and geographies.

It also includes a ColorMaster ICC profile for viewing results on screen as soft proofs, PDF/X-3 settings for InDesign and a GMG swatchbook.

The swatchbook enables designers to use a reference printed CMYK patch and colour values to design to the ColorMaster reference space, which the software then handles conversion to the appropriate breakdowns for different printing conditions.

A key advantage, according to the firm, is that is uses its 4D colour space, rather than ICC profiles, resulting in higher quality results.

Files are kept in Adobe RGB until final separation to the destination CMYK colourspace but are viewed and proofed in the ColorMaster CMYK colourspace – an idealised maximum gamut CMYK that enables early previewing of the separated results.

ColorMaster is sold as an annual license costing €1,995 (£1,700) and is designed to be used by the stakeholder in the workflow ultimately responsible for colour control, most usually the repro house.

Brand owners, photographers and creative directors can work with the tool using the ColorMaster ICC profile for on screen viewing along with GMG ColorProof for outputting hard copy proofs and ProofControl for verifying that they have been produced correctly.

Printers can work with the supplied separated CMYK files with confidence they have been created for their printing conditions, which the firm claims will reduce makeready time.