Overview
ISO 12647-5:2015 - Graphic technology - Process control for the manufacture of half-tone colour separations, proof and production prints - Part 5: Screen printing - defines process-control requirements for four‑colour screen printing used in display, signage and graphics. It covers the full workflow: data preparation and delivery, proof production, printing forme (stencil) preparation, and production printing, and requires that printed output match a specified characterization data set.
Key topics and technical requirements
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Data formats & colour characterization
- Accepts PDF/X (ISO 15930-1) or TIFF/IT (ISO 12639) for data delivery.
- Printing must match a published Characterized Reference Printing Condition (CRPC) from the ICC registry or a mutually agreed custom characterization dataset.
- If substrate (paper/board) colour differs, tristimulus correction (Annex B) is used to adjust characterization data.
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Resolution & screening
- Input data spacing: generally provided at twice the screen ruling used.
- Reference image quality: based on a 70 cm screen ruling viewed at 42 cm (equivalent ~175 lpi at 16.5 in). Scale resolution by viewing distance using the “rule of 30” (divide desired viewing distance in meters or resolution in dots/cm into 30 to compute the other).
- Target resolution selection factors: tonal range reproduction (1–98%), minimum printed dot size (≥1.5× mesh thread diameter), and maximum ruling per viewing condition.
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Printing forme and stencil
- Film/CTS/DTS must deliver adequate UV density/transparency and resolution to produce required dots.
- Mesh/frame orientation: mesh at 0° and 90° ±1° relative to frame; image angles also 0°/90° ±1°.
- Screen angle separation: typically 30° between C/M/K (or 60° for dots with principal axis); yellow placed 15° from another colour; no colour within 7.5° of mesh to avoid moiré.
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Print production tolerances
- Substrate colour recommendations: L* 90–100, a* −3–3, b* −5–5 (measured per ISO 13655 M1).
- Inks should match solid colour objectives of the selected characterization dataset; gloss can be specified and measured if required.
- Image positioning tolerance tied to screen pitch (maximum deviation ≈ pitch; recommended ≤ 0.5× pitch).
- Colour reproduction must meet target coordinates from the chosen characterization dataset; variability rules require most sheets (≈68%) to be within specified tolerances.
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Control & testing
- Includes a control strip and test methods (Annex A) and guidance for solids and gamut options (Annex C).
Applications and users
- Intended for screen printers, prepress professionals, proofing houses, sign and display manufacturers, color-management specialists, and quality managers.
- Practical benefits: consistent colour matching between proof and production, repeatable quality for large-format and specialty graphics, clear specifications for data exchange and stencil preparation, and reduced rework and disputes between suppliers and customers.
Related standards
