This latest product offering is the next step in a history of close cooperation between HP and Pantone, continuing a collaboration that has already yielded the broadest range of Pantone-licensed solutions in the digital printing world.

The Pantone and HP Indigo Digital Color Toolbox includes the PANTONE COLOR BRIDGE® swatchbook, as well as the CMYK and HP IndiChrome on-press color guide. Together, the two swatchbooks offer a convenient way to compare solid PANTONE Colors with their simulations in offset four-color, HP Indigo four-color, and HP IndiChrome on-press six-color processes.

"HP Indigo technology represents the top tier in digital color quality and fidelity, so it is only natural that we show how industry standard PANTONE Colors can be printed on our presses," said Alon Bar-Shany, vice president and general manager, Indigo division, HP. "The co-development of this toolbox expands the positive, successful relationship HP has with Pantone, the worldwide authority in color.

" The PANTONE COLOR BRIDGE (formerly the PANTONE solid to process guide) enables users to determine how a PANTONE Color will appear when reproduced on an offset press in CMYK. In its latest version, it includes updated CMYK screen tint percentages, an increased color area and whiter, more durable paper.

The new CMYK and HP IndiChrome color guide is divided into four- and six-color Pantone-licensed simulations to help users select the best color process for a particular print job. With this tool, print service providers and their customers can evaluate the tradeoff between an economical CMYK solution and the more accurate simulation and broader color gamut of the six-color (CMYKOV) HP IndiChrome on-press process.

"HP has been a Pantone licensee for many years, and we have collaborated closely with the company to provide the best possible representation of PANTONE Colors on HP Indigo systems," said Andy Hatkoff, vice president of Advanced Color Technology, Pantone, Inc. "We are pleased to make available our products for HP Indigo customers.

" The release of the Pantone and HP Indigo Digital Color Toolbox continues a strong relationship between the two companies devoted to ensuring the efficient and accurate color matching in HP Indigo printing environments. HP Indigo presses’ existing Pantone-licensed solutions include:

• CMYK on-press PANTONE simulation — A four-color (CMYK) PANTONE emulation for simulating PANTONE Colors
• HP Professional PANTONE technology — An enhanced on-press four-color emulation for the HP Indigo presses 5000, 3500 and 5500 to simulate PANTONE Colors with higher accuracy using custom-built ICC profiles
• HP IndiChrome on-press — A six-color (CMYKOV) emulation to simulate PANTONE Colors
• HP IndiChrome off-press — An 11-color mixing system for solid spot-color ink creation.

The HP Indigo Pantone-licensed solutions are also supporting elements of HP DreamColor, a system approach to making it easy to produce accurate, predictable and consistent color across a series of digital devices, including displays, printers and technologies.

The Pantone and HP Indigo Digital Color Toolbox has a list price of US $246 for a North American version or 246 Euro for an EMEA version. It is available now through Pantone’s web site or through the My HP Indigo Web portal for HP Indigo users.

Pantone, Inc. has been the world’s color authority for 45 years, providing design professionals with products and services for the colorful exploration and expression of creativity. Always a source for color inspiration, Pantone now offers paint and designer-inspired products and services for consumers. More information on Pantone is available at www.pantone.com