Vertec pre-press manager Colin Gilham completed the two-day training course and is working towards being among the first tranche of provisionally accredited firms when the scheme is launched next month.

Gilham said the timing of the scheme was perfect. Having installed its 10-colour Komori Lithrone 28, the firm wanted to get the most out of it by standardising colour reproduction and proofing and was already investigating working to ISO 12647 on which the Pantone scheme is based.

"The Pantone scheme happened at just the right time," said Gilham. "It's pretty much what we were going to do anyway and it brings pre-press and press closer together."