What Fogra PSD adds beyond ISO 12647-2
Fogra PSD does not merely tighten the 12647-2 solid tolerance by one notch. It uses a full characterisation chart, grades the result A, B or C, looks at colour after paper white is relative, at absolute colour that includes paper white, and at mean and percentiles — not four solids. If the contract says PSD, four-color solids alone cannot pass the job.
Fogra PSD does not merely tighten the 12647-2 solid tolerance by one notch. It uses a full characterisation chart, grades the result A, B or C, looks at colour after paper white is relative, at absolute colour that includes paper white, and at mean and percentiles — not four solids. If the contract says PSD, four-color solids alone cannot pass the job.
What it adds is coverage
12647-2 production control can sit on solids, midtones, and gray. PSD asks you to measure a large set of patches, then look at the mean error of that set, where most patches land, and how paper white is handled. So it is closer to grading digital print or a full proof than giving a press operator a density target.
Grades A, B, C cannot be swapped for “colour difference under 5.” The customer asked for A and you measured B: it did not meet, even if the four solids look acceptable.
What the report must hold
| Item | 12647-2 solid table | PSD |
|---|---|---|
| Four-color solids | Yes | Not enough |
| Mean and percentiles of the whole chart | Not required | Required |
| Quality grade A, B, C | None | Write which grade was met |
| How paper white enters the calculation | Looked at separately | PSD relative and absolute items |
When you record, write
- Which PSD grade was required.
- Attach mean, percentiles, and paper white; do not attach only four solids.
- If you did not measure the whole chart, do not fill a grade.
