ProcessStandard Offset certification (ISO 12647) - the genuine article
More than 300 certificate holders
Currently approx. 300 print and media companies hold the valuable certificate. Around 100 of these are from outside Germany. This figure, together with the fact that there are now printers in almost all parts of the world certified in accordance with the guidelines of ISO 12647, demonstrates the broad international acceptance of this certification model.
Benefits from PSO
A certificate is valid for two years and ensures that printing and media companies will benefit from a smooth internal workflow right from the receipt of data to the finished printed product, whilst at the same time it serves as an external validation of the holder´s capabilities in terms of quality. Once a company has successfully completed the certification procedure and inspection, it receives a certificate and a digital seal that can be incorporated into its letterhead or web site. It is also entered into a constantly updated database of certified companies. This can be checked at any time by quality conscious customers and agencies looking for suitable printers in their vicinity.
Certification according to PSO in India
Neutral evaluation by Fogra and the regional associations Print and Media
During the certification examination, employee of Fogra, the regional associations or their partners examine the production process by means of a special test form. The correct implementation of quality controls is reviewed, as well as the entire procedure: from prepress to printing plate production to printing.
The prints are quantitatively measured to determine compliance with ProcessStandard Offset (ISO 12647). The evaluation either takes place at the technical department of the appointed regional association or at the laboratory facilities of Fogra. The institutions function as mutual co-certifiers, which means that an on-site examination by Fogra is cross-checked by the appointed association and vice versa. Therefore, the certificate features two signatures which prove its validity. While this “4-eyes-system“ demands additional effort, it has proven extremely worthwhile due to its great significance for printing companies.
Successful PSO certification in Germany
Annual audit ensures consistent quality standard
An annual audit ensures the consistently high standard of participating companies. As a result, certifications are by no means mere snapshots which lose significance in day-to-day operations. In fact, experience shows that just the opposite is true: no company voluntarily abandons the quality standard which it has previously obtained.
During the audit, existing deficiencies are detected, technical problems addressed and resolved, and the company’s current situation is documented. Thus enterprises receive confirmation that they are still meeting the high-level certification requirements.
PSO - Substantiated preparation, continuous development
ProcessStandard Offset (PSO) can look back on a long cooperation between Fogra and the association Print and Media. Their technical committees detected the quality-relevant coherences as far back as the 70s and worked towards implementing them. During the 80s, task forces were formed which were overseen by Fogra and supported by the association Print and Media. They elevated the newly developed standardization approach to an international level and finally established the series of standards ISO 12647.
Since then, PSO and ISO 12647 have been regularly edited and adjusted to the current developments in the print media industry. This is largely made possible through research projects of Fogra, which are supported by the association Print and Media, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Technology, as well as the Bavarian Ministry for Economic Affairs, Infrastructure, Transport and Technology.
PSO first-hand – from its originators
The certifications provided by the associations Print and Media in cooperation with Fogra stem from the primary source: from the originators of the standardization approach in offset themselves. Due to their active involvement in national and international standardization bodies, both institutions are constantly in touch with the latest developments and can quickly and efficiently channel new insights into their audit program.
