Each page of the guide consists of a CMYK grid from which the various percentage combinations of colours can easily be specified, taking into account whether the work is run on coated or uncoated stocks.

Heidelberg pre-press product manager Lance O'Connell said: "My background is in design and I am fully aware of the ‘expectation gap', where original design artwork and printed copy do not marry up.

"With this guide, designers, print buyers and printers can agree, and work confidently, to achievable colour results. It allows them to have a reference for the ISO 12647-2 era, which finally brings a single scientific approach to this quality issue."

The Process Colour Look-Up Guide was printed on a combination of coated Hello Silk 200gsm and uncoated Munken Polar 150gsm using a Heidelberg Speedmaster XL 105-10P.

The £50 guide, which comes out this month, will be available free for a limited time, with around 12,000 designers and 7,000 printers already due to receive a copy.

Printers and designers can register for a free copy at www.uk.heidelberg.com.