The 500 software package is designed to help printers to print to the ISO 12647 specification and to achieve more consistent results in the press room reducing makeready time in the process.

"Most printers say you can't print by numbers that's because there's never been a comprehensive method of defining and displaying those numbers," said director Alan Dresch.

ISOLitho Report is aimed at print buyers and repro houses as well as printers. A major print management firm is investigating the use of the software with its roster of printers.

The software can be used as a quality assurance tool for checking print quality as well as for calibrating to match a particular target. It can also be used to identify and remedy print problems.

"Printers tell me they've learnt things about their presses they'd never have known," said Dresch.

The software has been tested by Taylor Bloxham in Leicester and APG in Mitcham, and is also used by DuPont.

"ISOLitho is a great colour analysis tool when matching proof to proof, print to proof or proof to printing standard," said DuPont proofing specialist Rob Beeton.

It uses a 24-patch control strip, with solids, overprints three CMY grey patches and 25, 50 and 75% tints of each primary to analyse printed results.

Dresch worked hard on measuring and adjusting neutral greys as despite being one of the most critical areas to get right, he felt they were poorly defined in the ISO 12647 standard.

It converts the Lab definition of colours used in the standard into workable dot values and dot gain figures for use on press and in setting curves in the RIP.