The US-based organisation is working towards offering printers a basic "visual character" in terms of producing consistent grey balance and tonal qualities on a variety of presses.

The first tests were completed in late 2004 and early 2005. The latest output was compared to that of the earlier two, to check for consistency. The results, while not a complete match, showed that only a "slight tweak" would be required for a total match, leading the organisation to hail the tests a success.

"This strengthens our belief that the most significant value of the new specifications will be the methodology whereby the press (or proof) is calibrated first to a precise, consistent grey balance and then a complete tone curve, rather than just dot gain numbers," said Gracol co-chair Don Hutcheson.