What is ISO 12647-6 about ?  
ISO 12647-6 is the sixth part of the ISO 12647 series of standards that specifies the requirements for the exchange of data and information necessary for the definition of the aims for four-color flexographic printing of packaging and publication materials, including newsprint. It is based on the use of color characterization data to define the colorimetric printing aims and includes the appropriate assignment of responsibility for and recommended tolerances on critical parameters of the flexographic printing process.
Guidance is also provided concerning the definition of spot colors used in flexographic printing.
Note: ISO 12647-6 is directly applicable to:
- Publication flexographic printing including magazines, catalogs and commercial materials and packaging flexographic printing including labels, boxes, and flexible packages
- Half-tone and continuous tone proofing processes that predict the colorimetric results of flexographic printing.
Who is ISO 12647-6 for ? 
ISO 12647-6 on Flexographic printing is useful for: 
- Printer manufacturers
- Printer servicemen
- People involved in the publication industry
Why should you use ISO 12647-6 ?  
Flexographic printing differs from other printing procedures by using a variety of printing machine architectures, ink sequence, ink types, anilox rollers, substrate types, etc. Each of these involves different printing conditions and process control aims. ISO 12647-6 differs from the earlier edition by not defining specific printing condition aims but instead requiring that a specific reference printing condition (characterization data set) be specified. ISO 12647-6 specifies that the color of the printed product match a characterization data set or a printing condition agreed upon by the provider and the receiver. It specifies minimum requirements and tolerances to be communicated and produced.
The purpose of an ISO 12647-6 is to simulate the visual characteristics of the finished printed product as closely as possible, which often becomes a contractual agreement between the provider and the receiver. ISO 12647-6 defines a process where color characterization data are used to produce a contract proof.
There are cases in ISO 12647-6 where the provider and the receiver communicate. Modern flexography has the capability to align with most other printing aims, however, there are some conditions based on substrate, applications, printing former technology where aligning to providers aims cannot be met.
What’s changed since the last update ? 
ISO 12647-6:2020 supersedes ISO 12647-6:2012+A1:2015, which is withdrawn.
The main change compared to the ISO 12647-6:2012+A1:2015 is the intent of ISO 12647-6 has been changed from a process control definition to a specification of the way to exchange the information necessary to define the printing characteristics of the desired product. To do this, it has built on color management technology and the exchange of color characterization data.
