The New X-Rite Graphic Arts Standard (XRGA) - Now Available!

Since the merger between X-Rite and GretagMacbeth, we – the new X-Rite, Inc. - have been aware that there are differences in the calibration standards used in the legacy product lines that were maintained by each of the previous individual companies. Traditionally each company maintained their own traceable calibration standards and processes. We are aware that these differences represent an issue for our customers, especially for those that use multiple measurement instruments in tandem in their workflows. We have recently concluded a study designed to quantify the differences between measurements obtained using instruments from both X-Rite and GretagMacbeth prior to the two companies' merger, in order to arrive at the definition of a new corporate X-Rite factory calibration standard for our graphic arts instrumentation. This has also allowed us an opportunity to implement new advances in color technology to our calibration standards for ISO-13655, and ensure that they are traceable to NIST. It is the goal of X-Rite today, that inter-model color agreement for all available models is optimized so that all of our customers – regardless of their legacy affiliation - can enjoy high quality data exchange in workflows that use different instrumentation.

For most of our products, the switch to XRGA results in very small differences in measurement values, so many customers will not need or want to make any changes. For customers who wish to update to XRGA, X-Rite will provide seamless means to move existing databases to the new XRGA standard. More information on implementation and procedures by product are included in the documentation provided below.

Most X-Rite prepress and pressroom instruments and software now ship as XRGA compatible from the factory, including i1 Solutions, 500 Series, SpectroEye, 939, and EasyTrax. For the complete list and for more information, please click on the "Expand your understanding" button on the right. We will continue to update other existing products according to our product roadmap for the coming year.

If you have questions about XRGA, please check back here regularly for updates or contact your local X-Rite Sales or Service center.