What's New

Color matching previously printed packages just a click away with new AI-based innovation

Esko has today unveiled its new Print Clone solution, an advanced cloud-native color matching software set to transform digital print production. Esko Print Clone leverages artificial intelligence and automation to enable digital press operators to replicate colors from previously printed packages with unmatched precision, regardless of the original printing process.

"Print Clone delivers high-quality results with minimal manual intervention," said Esko CMO Jan De Roeck. "This innovation eliminates the traditional trial-and-error approach, significantly reducing manual interventions and accelerating job completion times for packaging and label converters."

The ultimate color-matching solution, Print Clone reduces job completion times and boosts digital printing productivity, eliminating lengthy trial-and-error cycles and helping minimize waste and subsequent environmental impact.

"Decreased press downtime serves to improve profitability, and the fact that Print Clone is cloud-native, requiring no installation, means users can just log in, upload, connect, and measure," said Jan. "Print Clone matches the color profile from any previously printed package, saving hours of manual corrections on press. It completely eliminates the trial and error of multiple iterations and test prints to determine the correct color composition, significantly reducing manual prepress interventions.

"Moreover, Print Clone is exceptionally user-friendly," he said. "The ease of use makes it possible for anyone to prepare files for digital printing."

With Esko Print Clone, packaging and label converters can benefit from:

• Real-time adjustments: operators can instantly refine colors by uploading PDFs and using a spectrophotometer

• Quick measurements: replace tedious trial-and-error methods with just a couple of clicks

• AI-powered precision: advanced algorithms ensure colors match specifications perfectly

• Consistency across runs: maintain uniform color across different substrates and print jobs

• Production-ready files: dynamically adjusted PDFs match original artwork seamlessly

"Once a PDF file has been drag-and-dropped into Print Clone, a spectrophotometer guides the operator to carry out a real-time color comparison," explained Jan. "The AI-powered algorithms then optimize color accuracy to deliver a high-quality, color-accurate output with minimal manual adjustments.

"By integrating Print Clone into their workflows, digital press operators can ensure consistent, high-quality results while reducing their environmental impact and operational costs," said Jan.

First teased at drupa 2024, Print Clone was officially unveiled and made available worldwide as part of Esko World 2025, taking place from June 3-5 in St Louis, Missouri.