Steve Donegan, managing director of Graphic Republik, said that the combination of ISI's Star Proof and the Epson inkjet device was the perfect partnership for packaging printers.

"The combination means that brand owners, pre-press departments and printers now have the ability to produce inkjet proofs on multi-substrates that are unrivalled in terms of dot quality, colour and image accuracy," he said.

"Not since the days of analogue Cromalin has the packaging fraternity had the facility to produce an affordable proof, which critically represents the printed job."

According to Donegan, Star Proof is the only proofing product to offer genuine dot-proofing support for the Epson Stylus Pro WT7900, which he claimed is crucial for the packaging sector.

"Because the flexo and gravure printing processes often deal with a wide range of substrates, the effect that dot shape and pattern, trapping and overprints have on the final print means a dot proofing solution is highly desirable," he said.

Another key feature of Star Proof for the packaging sector is its Multi Colour Shade ability, which uses the increased colour gamut of the Epson HDR ink set in the WT7900, including orange and green in addition to CMYK, to provide a highly accurate match for Pantone colours and brand specific colours.

The Epson WT7900's key features for packaging printers include its support for multiple substrates, such as clear film and metallised media, and its white ink support.