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ColorPRO Technology Paper Qualification Program

ColorPRO Technology is a branded quality standard for color excellence in high-speed and wide-format inkjet digital printing technologies. The program has recently expanded to include uncoated and coated papers for the HP Inkjet Web Press family, and a range of media products for large format printing applications including papers, textiles, and films.
Program Application

ColorPRO Technology Paper Qualification Request Form »

Online Resources

ColorPRO Technology Website »

Substrates with ColorPRO Technology perform to a strict set of specifications to meet industry-leading performance standards. The specific technology behind media with ColorPRO Technology varies from product to product; however, all products with ColorPRO Technology utilize advanced technologies which have been designed together with Original HP inks and HP printers and presses to optimize printing system performance.

The Printing Applications Laboratory at RIT performs ColorPRO Technology Qualification on submitted media. As an independent third-party testing facility, PAL has been exclusively chosen to ensure and validate compliance with ColorPRO Technology specifications. PAL has the technology, management, and the established infrastructure required for worldwide-class testing programs required by the ColorPRO Technology Initiative, as well as broad experience in handling long-term global testing and qualification programs.

Additional Information 

What is the qualification process?

  1. Paper Company completes ColorPRO Technology Paper Qualification Testing Program Request Form (download from www.printlab.rit.edu) and submits to:

    Rochester Institute of Technology
    Printing Applications Laboratory
    Attn: Jeffrey Wang 
    Email: jcwasp@rit.edu
    Phone: 585-475-6878
    Fax: 585-475-2690

  2. Paper Company provides Qualification Paper Sample to PAL from every sample to be qualified.

    The qualification substrate sample is:

    • Two sets of strips consisting of three reel strips each
    • One set from the beginning of the manufacturing run
    • One set from the end of the manufacturing run
    • Each strip must have a minimum of 12 inches in the machine direction, and 20 feet in the cross-machine direction
    • Strips will be z-folded every 10-12 inches.
    • Refer to the license agreement for additional sampling details and product definitions.

    Ship required paper to:

    Rochester Institute of Technology
    Printing Applications Laboratory
    Building 78, Dock #3, Room 1425
    Attn: ColorPRO Qualification Program
    66 Lomb Memorial Drive
    Rochester, NY 14623
    585-475–2685

    Material originating from outside the U.S. must include an original commercial invoice, and/or a bill of lading. This will assist with clearing the material through customs and reduce shipping delays.

  3. PAL will confirm receipt of paper and testing schedule upon receipt of required paper and completed ColorPRO Technology Paper Qualification Testing Program Request form.

  4. PAL will perform the tests required to assess if the paper meets the specifications set by the program.

  5. Upon completion of testing, PAL will provide a summary report back to the Paper Company indicating pass/fail result.

What are the tests in ColorPRO Technology qualification?

Qualification program includes 4 main parts:

  1. Color Gamut
  2. Optical Density
  3. Line Quality
  4. Color-over-color Quality

How long does it take to test the samples?

Approximately 2 weeks after paper samples are received are required to provide results. PAL will confirm the testing schedule with each Paper Company upon receipt of the paper required for testing.

Who developed these tests and the passing specifications?

HP developed these tests with the support and input from major paper companies.

If a paper passes all tests, does a paper company automatically get the right to use the ColorPRO Technology logo?

No, passing PAL testing does not mean the Paper Company can automatically obtain the rights to use the ColorPRO logo. For details on the ColorPRO Partnership Program, contact the ColorPRO Partnership Program Manager (colorprotechnology@hp.com).

Does PAL make the final determination as to who passes or fail the qualification tests?

Yes, PAL will make the final determination on whether the particular sample passes or fails the qualification. All tests must get a pass from PAL before proceeding further. If a Qualification Paper Sample fails the tests, there is a specific set of requirements for sample resubmission.

Representation of the sample sent for qualification over multiple brands/weights/finishes of the paper products, as well as other aspects of the production, will be specified further in the final supplied report . For more details, please contact PAL.

Would my samples and testing results be kept confidential by PAL?

Yes, PAL will not share your name or testing results with anyone unless the Paper Company authorizes PAL to do so; however, PAL will notify the Licensor if the paper passes or fails the tests as this is one of the requirements to get the rights to use the ColorPRO logo.

Do other companies or organizations subsidize the qualification testing fees or costs?

No, the qualification cost will be covered by each individual paper company and must be paid directly to PAL