Molson Coors optimizes package printing with new color management tools

Molson Coors Canada adopts a new automated color measurement tool for streamlining its printing process and enhancing color consistency across different packaging facilities. The new system assigns numeric values to colors that are applied as standards across the company’s three production facilities. Previously, these colors had to be gauged by eye, subjecting them to the challenges of measuring on a reflective surface.

The installation was the result of a project between Molson Coors Canada, CROWN Beverage Packaging N.A., X-Rite and INX Intl. The suppliers helped Molson Coors Canada implement a X-Rite SP-64 system that enables Molson Coors Canada to assign numeric values to colors that are applied as standards across the company’s three production facilities. By asserting an automated color standard, color harmony is achieved across locations, enhancing the efficiency of Molson Coors Canada’s package printing operation and ultimately speeding time to market.

"Package graphics play an integral role in establishing and maintaining brand identity," remarks Donna Razik, packaging graphics specialist, Molson Coors Canada. "Having a color and print standardization process in place ensures consistency across all of our packaging and that our brand identity is accurately represented everywhere our products are sold. Crown worked closely with X-Rite and INX International to establish standard operating procedures to monitor color and effectively deliver results for can printing."

Crown provides additional support by training operations personnel to use new printing technologies and maintains all of the color measurement records. In the event that an individual run needs to be replicated - even if it’s at a different facility than the original - Crown can retrieve all the data necessary for assuring a perfect match.

In addition to helping implement the X-Rite SP-64 measurement tool, Crown worked with Molson Coors Canada to apply color blocks when printing on beverage cans. On cans that feature screen work, which can reduce the areas of solid shades, the color blocks enable Molson Coors Canada to verify correct colors using just the spot impression. First implemented in 2008, Molson Coors Canada remains the only beverage company that uses this technology for beverage cans, says Crown.


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