"We want a common language for colour and ageing," said general secretary Bryan Collings. "If you are a screen printer there are standards you can apply. In digital no one has set the standards and there are technical reasons why the existing screen printing standards cant be applied."

The decision to carry out the research was made by the ESMA digital technology committee and is expected to be completed in a years time.

Once the research is completed ESMA hopes to work with other trade bodies and standards agencies to establish a standard.

There has recently been an increase in interest in ESMA from digital printing suppliers. New members include Agfa, Oc Display Graphics, Rexam, Scitex Vision and Xaar. They join established screen printing specialists including Coates Screen, Kamman, Sericol, Sias and Sun Chemical.

Story by Barney Cox