to maintain colour consistency across very different technologies and substrates. “Looking ahead, our objective with Caldera solutions is less manual intervention, more intelligent automation, and tighter integration between design intent and final output,” he says, adding: “The goal is to make accurate colour not just achievable, but effortless and scalable for any print or signage business.” Fundamental to Success Elsewhere, Barry Mann, who manages the Colyer Demonstration Centre and is trained in colour theory and a range of technologies, including Barbieri, says colour management is not a niche technical extra, but fundamental to everyday success. “It’s the difference between crossing your fingers and hoping the colour works, and having the confidence to know it will,” he says, adding: “Done properly, it underpins consistency, reduces waste, and builds the client trust that comes from delivering repeatable, predictable results. Each printer, ink set, and substrate behaves differently, and without proper control, those differences become visible — and costly. “Many issues stem from expectations rather than equipment. Different print processes have inherent limitations, and no two materials behave identically. Managing client expectations early — supported by hard-copy proofs where options simply not possible with entrylevel software. “Pair this with a quality spectrophotometer, such as the Barbieri Spectro LFP qb, and businesses can build custom ICC profiles that accurately bridge the gap between devices and media. For operations running multiple print technologies, a spectrophotometer is no longer a luxury; it is essential.” He goes on to say how Epson’s UltraChrome ink systems, engineered for wide colour gamut and consistency, work in close harmony with these workflows, making them a natural fit for sign-makers that demand reliability across a broad range of substrates. HP, meanwhile, brings its own colour intelligence to the table, with hardware increasingly capable of self-calibration and built-in colour control. As an authorised reseller of both Epson and HP, Mann says Colyer is well placed to match the right technology to each customer’s production environment. “With brands like HP and Barbieri leading the way, the future of colour management looks not just brighter, but smarter, opening new possibilities for quality, efficiency and confidence in print production,” Mann adds. He also notes how Colyer does not just supply the tools but also helps its customers get the best from them. Based at the company’s Demonstration Centre in Woking and run by Mann, the Colyer Academy, offers short, hands-on courses for creatives, print professionals, and production teams. “Participants work directly with industry experts across colour science, RIP software, media optimisation, and large-format hardware, gaining firsthand experience with the same Barbieri measurement technology used in professional workflows every day,” he explains, adding: “Whether new to colour management or refining advanced technique, delegates leave with practical knowledge — and the confidence that comes with it.” ▲Colyer’s Demonstration Centre provides training in colour theory and a range of technologies, including Barbieri colour is critical — prevents costly reprints and disputes. Reliable colour has always depended on correct processes, the right tools, and skilled operators. When any one element is missing, inconsistency follows.” Mann goes on to say that the industry is evolving quickly, setting out how Barbieri’s automated measurement removes operator variability, while HP’s embedded colour intelligence and Epson’s built-in calibration are lowering the barrier to professional consistency for businesses of all sizes. He says that what was once a specialist discipline is becoming integrated, accessible, and increasingly intelligent. “At the heart of any well-run sign shop is a professional RIP, the colour control hub that translates creative intent into reproducible output,” Mann explains, continuing: “Solutions such as Onyx or Caldera offer profiling and calibration 55 www.signlink.co.uk Issue 265 - June | July 2026 COLOUR MANAGEMENT | ROB FLETCHER It’s the difference between crossing your fingers and hoping the colour works, and having the confidence to know it will
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