ColorLok | Printing Applications Laboratory

ColorLok® Technology is a plain-paper color performance standard.

Paper qualified with the ColorLok® logo produces superior quality digital prints. The ColorLok® standard applies to plain-paper output from inkjet and laser printers, as well as common copy machines. ColorLok®-designated paper provide consistent and reliable printing regardless of which machine is used within an office environment.

RIT conducts ColorLok® paper qualification testing on behalf of HP Inc. Test results are sent to HP, where all licensing and permissions for the ColorLok® logo use are approved. Contact HP directly for more information.

Learn more about HP ColorLok®

Watch a video about how HP ColorLok® works

ColorLok® Paper Qualification Request Form

Ship paper to

Rochester Institute of Technology
Printing Applications Laboratory
Building #78, Dock #3, Room #1425
Attn: Margaret Hyman / ColorLok® Paper Qualification Testing Program
66 Lomb Memorial Drive
Rochester, NY 14623
585-475-2792

*Material originating from outside the U.S. must include an original commercial invoice and/or a bill of lading. This will help ensure that the material clears customs in a timely manner, thereby reducing shipping delays.

Qualification Process

Step 1: Complete and submit a ColorLok® paper qualification testing program request form.
Step 2: Review a price quote from RIT for the qualification testing.
Step 3: Approve or reject the price quote from RIT.

Sample Qualification Submission Walk-through

Paper Company X provides qualification paper sample to RIT from every paper machine that needs to be qualified.
Paper Company X delivers two cartons of paper to RIT: one carton of sample paper from the beginning of the production run and another from the end of the production run. Each carton is clearly labeled according to the run and equipment used.
Paper Company X ships the sample paper cartons to:

Rochester Institute of Technology
Printing Applications Laboratory
Building 78, Dock #3, Room 1425
Attn: Margaret Hyman / ColorLok® Qualification Program
66 Lomb Memorial Drive
Rochester, NY 14623
585-475-2792
Paper Company X is notified when the samples arrive at the RIT lab and is given the testing schedule. When testing has been completed, RIT provides a pass/fail report to Paper Company X.
Each of Paper Company X’s paper machines will be qualified using the highest whiteness or brightness paper produced on that paper machine. By qualifying the highest whiteness C/2 or highest brightness (GE/TAPPI or ISO) paper, all other lower whiteness and brightness papers produced in the same paper machine will be qualified automatically. (Note: Every conversion unit must be qualified in the case that Paper Company X uses more than one conversion unit to finish the paper product.)

Qualification Tests

Physical properties applicable for performance on both inkjet and laser technologies

basis weight
coefficient of friction
moisture content
stiffness
edge-cut quality
pre-print curl

Inkjet-specific performance

dot gain
print density
dry time
edge acuity

Laser-specific performance

smoothness
electrical surface resistivity
filler-particle size
wax pick

Test Duration

It will take approximately four weeks after paper samples are received to provide results.

Test Specifications and Logo Use

Tests and pass/fail criteria are developed by HP.
Once a paper sample passes all tests, the ColorLok® logo can only be used with a signed trademark license agreement. Contact HP for more details. [LINK TO RELEVANT HP EMAIL?]

Confidentiality

RIT will not share your company name or testing results unless you give permission to do so. Note that RIT must inform HP of the test results to acquire the ColorLok® qualification.

Fees

The cost of the qualification is the responsibility of the requesting paper company and must be paid to RIT in advance of testing.