The default was:

“We need a proof for improved newsprint, white’76.”
“Do you know the proof profile?”
“No, unfortunately not. Can’t you decide that?”

We have looked into this question: UPM EcoPrime 76 H is printed on web offset paper in a large print shop. The information of the customer service there was:

“The default profile is Fogra 42, PSO SNP Paper (ECI) but that doesn’t fit at the back and front, is much too gray. “Proof according to Fogra 40, SC Paper (ECI), that’s much better.”

The two profiles do not match at all. SC Paper is for super-calendered paper, PSO SNP Paper for standard newsprint.. And the dot gain curves also differ completely.

Fogra informed us on request that it considers both profiles to be unsuitable. From their point of view, the proof would be better with Fogra 48, Improved Newsprint INP. You would deduce that without exact knowledge of the paper on the basis of our information. She writes that she would “also advise FOGRA48. The print shop, for its part, must comply with the associated target values for solid inking and dot gain”.

However, it seems reasonable to assume that the print shop – without knowing about Fogra 48 or bringing the profile into the discussion – will not know anything about the appropriate target values and will certainly not print according to Fogra 48.

The conclusion: Despite great efforts, no binding profile can be determined for the proof on improved newsprint in this case. And so it remains for customers and service providers to choose between three paths that all three are wrong:

• The profile specification of the paper manufacturer: Fogra 42
• Possibly correct: solid colouring and dot gain.
• Definitely wrong: white point and colour impression
• The print shop’s recommendation: Fogra 40
• Visually probably better, if by no means correct: white dot and color appearance
• Definitely wrong: Paper type
• The data of Fogra: Fogra 48
• Possibly correct: white dot and paper
• Definitely wrong: solid inking and dot gain due to lack of knowledge of the print shop
• and therefore probably incorrect print settings

Fogra 42, Fogra 40 and Fogra 48 in comparison:

The Paper: UPM EcoPrime 76 H