Shop SMS              SMS Technical            SMS products & services             SMS in articles and webinars              Testimonies

SMS and the environment         SMS news        SMS READY Experts         Interesting links      SMS: How, why and when       SMS Q&A

SMS for design and advertising Getting started with SMS colours SMS BLOCKS Cost of ownership

SMS for print Printers (in all categories) SMS READY - or not?

SMS subscription and SMS READY certification plans (bottom of this page)

SKU P40 SMS subscription plan for brand owners (from small businesses to big brands)

SKU P43 SMS READY certification for design agencies

SKU P45: SMS READY certification for print shops

SMS Products and Services

SMS READY control strips (free of charge)

For instructions on how to use SMS colours in your design take a few minutes to study www.spotmatchingsystem.com/gettingstarted.

For an overview of the differences between our 3 colour palettes see an overview of supported icc profiles for each version here.

For step-by-step instructions on how to use SMS colours in professional design, on how to convert your chosen SMS colours from sRGB to CMYK or Pantone, please download and follow these instructions.

You are welcome to download the free SMS READY control strips here below to familiarize yourself with SMS colours, including doing the step-by-step training.

SMS Standard v6 colours, sRGB format

The SMS Standard colours are suited for web, TV and CMYK printing on both white coated and uncoated paper, web and TV and are hence quite practical for most brands. For instance our own SMS logo is created with the Standard v6 colours.

SMS ECO (e) v6 colours, sRGB format

The ECO colours are a version of our palette made especially for printing on off-white, uncoated paper, web and TV. These colours are very appropriate for environmentally concious customers.

We call it ECO because many Eco friendly papers are simply a bit off-white, recycled paper especially.

A nice advantage to using the ECO colours in your design or as brand colours for your customers is that they can also be printed perfectly correctly in your local newspaper - according to ISO 12647-3-2013 - to WAN-IFRA standards, which is the universal standard for CMYK printing of newspapers.

To be clear, all the ECO colours can also be printed on bright white or neutral white paper like the original SMS colours - these colours simply cover any media from newspaper to neutral white to bright white paper, web and TV, while the range of the original SMS colours is from neutral white and up and if you need to print an original SMS standard colour in your local newspaper, you have to accept that it will change visually depending on how white or how brown the paper in your local newspaper actually is.

SMS MAX (x) v6 colours, sRGB format

The SMS MAX colours are suited for CMYK printing on white, coated substrates, web and TV.

These colours are more vivid than our natural Standard or ECO colours but the cost of that is that they can by default not be achieved in printing on uncoated paper.

The SMS MAX colours are thus well suited for packaging applications, outdoor signage, magazine ads, web and TV but perhaps not as well suited for general brand design, where uncoated paper may be a part of what is required in the mix.

SMS SuperMAX (sx) v7 colours, sRGB format

The SMS SuperMAX colours are suited for Extended Gamut printing on white, coated substrates, web and TV.

These colours are super vivid and are optimized for FOGRA59, CRPC7, XCMYK or CMYKOGV printing on coated, white substrates.
The SMS MAX colours are thus well suited for packaging applications, web design and TV graphics but are not practical for general brand design, where uncoated paper may be a part of what is required in the mix and also due to the fact that these colours cannot be printed in any print shop.

Feel free to contact sms@spot-nordic.com if you would like to order the following products or use our webshop:

P6c / P6u

SKU: P6c or P6u:  ISO certified proof according to ISO 12647-7-2016 with customer's SMS colour samples for sending out for quality control during production, 8 tickets pr. A4, 16 tickets pr. A3, 32 tickets pr. A2.
We recommend attaching each colour ticket to a job description for your Printer/manufacturer, describing where in your layout your SMS colours are to be found (Example: "Logos on pages 1, 5, 7 and 29, product images on pages 1, 6, 7 and 19").
This is especially important in the case where your SMS colours are printed in CMYK, since they become a part of your CMYK layout and thus you need to pinpoint them if you want the Printer/operator to pay attention to ensure that your SMS colours are printed correctly from beginning to the end of production.

or

SKU: P7c or P7u: ISO certified proof according to ISO 12647-7-2016 with colour samples of your logo / logos and other brand related artwork.

Intended for professional agency promotions of new design / new visual brand identity proposals primarily. 

Perfect as a part of a printed brand standard for production partners - contact sms@spot-nordic.com for custom sizes.

Design by advertising agency / designer.

or

SKU: P8c or P8u: ISO certified proof according to ISO 12647-7-2016. Proof can in this case contain whatever - photographs, layout, text and graphics. In this case it is a very good idea to insert those SMS colours that are used in said layout, approx. 1,5 x 1,5 cm at least each colour along with a short description on where each colour is to be found in the layout.
It is important for designers to keep in mind that unless it is made clear where each SMS colour is within the layout, the Printer/operator is "blind" and can basically only do his best to keep the job within the normal parameters of his ISO standard and to ensure that the job is in register. 

Please contact us before you prepare your own PDF for SMS proofing to ensure correct settings.

- A4 (8.2 x 11.7"): EUR 70 + postage for SMS subscribers, EUR 113 + postage for non-subscribers.

- A3 (11.7 x 16.54"): EUR 113 + postage for SMS subscribers, EUR 142 + postage for non-subscribers. 

- A2 (16.54 x 23.38"): EUR 142 for SMS subscribers, EUR 178 for non-subscribers.

 SMS colour services - non subscribers (contact sms@spot-nordic.com to order or for assistance)

SMS colours - Standard palette, ECO (e) palette, MAX (x) palette):

Registered users of the Spot Matching System can order any standard SMS colour from either our standard, ECO or MAX range of colours (see above), suited for printing to ISO standards, web and Television from their registered SMS colour palette(s).

In order to be considered a registered user, you need to own and be a registered user of a minimum of the P20 version of the colour palette you are ordering colours from.

For instance if you wish to order CMYK colour variations from the SMS Standard palette v6, you need to first buy the P20 version of the Standard system or renew your license, if you already purchased this item.

 SMS P20 colour palettes for professional design

NOTE: Each of the P20 palettes here below, includes a free 12 month brand license, that includes access to technical support and services by Spot-Nordic for one brand.

If the buyer wants to take advantage of Spot-Nordic colour services they have to register at least one brand with Spot-Nordic, where colours from the respective SMS colour palette are used + a copy of the brand artwork must be sent to sms@spot-nordic.com with the SMS colour patches included - see here.

This will enable the buyer to order colour services and certified SMS colour tickets (printed proofs) for the brand and to confirm the accuracy of the SMS colours of the brand at any time during the license period, if needed, while serving as a backup to ensure that SMS brand colours don't get lost.

Additionally Spot-Nordic may help promote the brand and/or the designer during the service period (subject to approval of the buyer).

Furthermore, licensed brands can request a free copy of the HEX values of their respective SMS brand colours in Excel format for creating in-house documents - Word, Excel or Powerpoint presentations.

Updates and upgrades to the colour palette as well as special offers and announcements of SMS READY products and companies are available to registered users/brands via our mailing list during the service period.

After the first 12 months, each brand license can be renewed for another 12 months for EUR 60 - contact sms@spot-nordic.com before the first 12 months are up.

Additional brand licenses for other brands using the same SMS colour palette can furthermore be purchased for EUR 60 each pr. year (suited for agencies and freelance designers). 

Renewal of a brand license is never a condition.

If no services are required or if the P20 palette is used for non-commercial or random use (layout work for 3rd party etc.), a renewal of the license in not required. 

After the first 12 months (included when the system is purchased), if a brand license is not renewed, Spot-Nordic will delete all artwork of the brand from its servers and will consequently not be able to provide any support for the brand.

If a brand license is renewed after more than 12 months, a fresh copy of all artwork of the brand needs to be sent to sms@spot-nordic.com for continued service.

Please take a moment to study the difference between the Standard, ECO and MAX , Standard Home & Office and MAX Home and office colour palettes - see supported icc profiles.

In short, the Standard (original) colour palette is best suited for general design, where you want to be able to show your SMS colours in all media, apart from newspapers.

The ECO version covers all media - including newspapers and is appropriate for customers who are eco concious or simply like subtle colours that can be displayed in any media in CMYK printing on any substrate.

The MAX version is created primarily for packaging applications where uncoated paper is not a part of the visual brand identity. Those are the most vibrant SMS colours.

The Standard and MAX Home & Office colour palettes are slightly subdued palettes suited for the same purposes as the original Standard and MAX colour palettes, but in addition all colours can be displayed correctly on typical PC laptop displays that only have a colour gamut covering approx. 45% NTSC - which is approx. 60% of the sRGB gamut.

These palettes are extremely practical if the idea is to use colours that can be viewed correctly on just about any digital display, - even cheap PC laptops.

Spot-Nordic in fact offers the very PC laptop that was used to create the Home & Office colour palettes for sale - see here.

The SuperMAX v7 colour palette is built for packaging first and foremost and requires extended gamut printing - beyond standard CMYK.

P21: SMS READY Expert certification for registered owners of any P20 colour palette. The certificate confirms the ability of the certificate holder to use SMS colours and convert them correctly from sRGB to other colour spaces, ensuring correct reproduction of said SMS colours. SMS READY individuals may always contact sms@spot-nordic.com for technical assistance. SMS READY Experts are authorized to assist registered SMS users and SMS subscribers onsite or remotely (designers, brand owners, printers, manufacturers) within their respective category (PRINT, WEB, VIDEO) as well as to take the role of so-called "super users" at SMS subscribed agencies, print shops and brands/companies - see our subscription plans here below.                                                                                                                            Contact sms@spot-nordic.com to order by email.                                                 EUR 60 per year                    Add to cart

P20e ECO, version 7 - earthy colours for all design purposes Labelled SMS colour patches (v7) for professional design and colour correct marketing in all media. 869 new colours! Completely neutral black and grays (line 42). See a list of supported colour spaces here.  2.607 SMS colours delivered in PDF format. Instructions for P20e users on how to design and convert their own SMS colours to CMYK are available here. Further information on how to use SMS colours in design here.                                                                                                                            Contact sms@spot-nordic.com to order by email.                                              EUR 120 per palette                  Add to cart

P20o Standard, version 7 - Home & Office - natural colours for all general purposes and maximum online colour consistency. Labelled SMS colour patches (v7) for professional design and colour correct marketing in all media. 869 new colours! Completely neutral black and grays (line 42). See a list of supported colour spaces here.  The Home & Office colours are furthermore adapted for "regular" PC Laptops showing approx. 60% of the sRGB colourspace for maximum colour consistency cross digital displays. 2.607 SMS colours delivered in PDF format. Instructions for P20o users on how to design and convert their own SMS colours to CMYK are available here. Further information on how to use SMS colours in design here.                                                                                                                            Contact sms@spot-nordic.com to order by email.                                            EUR 120 per palette                      Add to cart

P20 Standard, version 7 - natural colours for all general purposes Labelled SMS colour patches (v7) for professional design and colour correct marketing in all media. 869 new colours! Completely neutral black and grays (line 42). See a list of supported colour spaces here.  1.738 SMS colours delivered in PDF format. Instructions for P20 users on how to design and convert their own SMS colours to CMYK are available here. Further information on how to use SMS colours in design here.                                                                                                                            Contact sms@spot-nordic.com to order by email.                                             EUR 120 per palette                      Add to cart

P20xo MAX, version 7 - vivid colours for packaging and maximum online colour consistency. Labelled SMS colour patches (v7) for for professional design and colour correct marketing in all media. Completely neutral black and grays (line 42). See a list of supported colour spaces here.  The Home & Office colours are furthermore adapted for "regular" PC Laptops showing approx. 60% of the sRGB colourspace for maximum colour consistency cross digital displays. 2.607 SMS colours delivered in PDF format. Instructions for P20xo users on how to design and convert their own SMS colours to CMYK are available here. Further information on how to use SMS colours in design here.    Contact sms@spot-nordic.com to order by email.                                             EUR 120 per palette                     Add to cart

P20x MAX, version 7 - vivid colours for packaging Labelled SMS colour patches (v6) for for professional design and colour correct marketing in all media. Completely neutral black and grays (line 42). See a list of supported colour spaces here.  2.607 SMS colours delivered in PDF format. Instructions for P20x users on how to design and convert their own SMS colours to CMYK are available here. Further information on how to use SMS colours in design here.    Contact sms@spot-nordic.com to order by email.                                             EUR 120 per palette                     Add to cart

P20sx SuperMAX, version 7 - super vivid colours for packaging (Expanded Gamut) Labelled SMS colour patches (v7) for for professional design and colour correct marketing in all media. Completely neutral black and grays (line 42). See a list of supported colour spaces here.  2.607 SMS colours delivered in PDF format. Instructions for P20sx users on how to design and convert their own SMS colours for extended gamut printing are available here. Further information on how to use SMS colours in design here.    Contact sms@spot-nordic.com to order by email.                                             EUR 120 per palette                     Add to cart

 

P20e ECO, version 6: Labelled SMS colour patches (v6) for professional design and colour correct marketing in all media. 158 new colours. New print standards - Gracol 2006 and Japan Color 2011 added, see supported colour spaces here.  All colours have been tweaked for maximum colour consistency cross media. 1.738 SMS colours delivered in PDF format. Instructions for P20e users on how to design and convert their own SMS colours to CMYK are available here. Further information on how to use SMS colours in design here.                                                                                                                            Contact sms@spot-nordic.com to order by email.                                               EUR 90 per palette                    Add to cart

P20 Standard, version 6: Labelled SMS colour patches (v6) for professional design and colour correct marketing in all media. 158 new colours. New print standards - Gracol 2006 and Japan Color 2011 added, see supported colour spaces here.  All colours have been tweaked for maximum colour consistency cross media. 1.738 SMS colours delivered in PDF and ASE format. Instructions for P20 users on how to design and convert their own SMS colours to CMYK are available here. Further information on how to use SMS colours in design here.                                                                                                                            Contact sms@spot-nordic.com to order by email.                                                EUR 90 per palette                      Add to cart

P20x MAX, version 6: Labelled SMS colour patches (v6) for for professional design and colour correct marketing in all media. 158 new colours. New print standards - Gracol 2006 and Japan Color 2011 added, see supported colour spaces here. All colours have been tweaked for maximum colour consistency cross media. 1.738 SMS colours delivered in PDF and ASE format. Instructions for P20x users on how to design and convert their own SMS colours to CMYK are available here. Further information on how to use SMS colours in design here.    Contact sms@spot-nordic.com to order by email.                                               EUR 90 per palette                     Add to cart

P20o Standard, version 6 - Home & Office: Labelled SMS colour patches (v6) for professional design and colour correct marketing in all media. 158 new colours. New print standards - Gracol 2006 and Japan Color 2011 added, see supported colour spaces here.  All colours have been tweaked for maximum colour consistency cross media. The Home & Office colours are furthermore adapted for "regular" PC Laptops showing approx. 60% of the sRGB colourspace for maximum colour consistency cross digital displays.. 1.738 SMS colours delivered in PDF format. Instructions for P20o users on how to design and convert their own SMS colours to CMYK are available here. Further information on how to use SMS colours in design here.                                                                                                                            Contact sms@spot-nordic.com to order by email.                                                EUR 90 per palette                      Add to cart

P20xo MAX, version 6 - Home & Office: Labelled SMS colour patches (v6) for professional design and colour correct marketing in all media. 158 new colours. New print standards - Gracol 2006 and Japan Color 2011 added, see supported colour spaces here.  All colours have been tweaked for maximum colour consistency cross media. The Home & Office colours are furthermore adapted for "regular" PC Laptops showing approx. 60% of the sRGB colourspace for maximum colour consistency cross digital displays. 1.738 SMS colours delivered in PDF format. Instructions for P20xo users on how to design and convert their own SMS colours to CMYK are available here. Further information on how to use SMS colours in design here.                                                                                                                            Contact sms@spot-nordic.com to order by email.                                                EUR 90 per palette                      Add to cart

P60a_512 ColourBox PC Laptop/Notebook suited for graphic work using the SMS Home & Office colours: 15.6" display PC laptop, 16GB/512GB SSD, suited for home and office or school work. The SMS Home & Office colours are created based on the physical gamut of the display of the P60 laptop, which is approx. 45% of the NTSC colour gamut or approx. 60% of the sRGB, so this PC laptop could be referred to as a "typical" PC laptop used by millions of people around the world today.  Included with the purhase are the SMS ECO v7 colour palette  (1.738 colours), the SMS Standard v6 Home & Office colour palette (1.738 colours) and the SMS MAX v7 Home and Office colour palette (1.738 colours). A second display can be connected via Mini HDML if you are also working with the original SMS colours (that require at least 100% sRGB).                                                                                                                            Contact sms@spot-nordic.com to order by email.                                                EUR 549                                      Add to cart

gdf

P60b_1TB ColourBox PC Laptop/Notebook suited for graphic work using the SMS Home & Office colours:   15.6" display PC laptop, 16GB/1TB SSD, suited for home and office or school work. The SMS Home & Office colours are created based on the physical gamut of the display of the P60 laptop, which is approx. 45% of the NTSC colour gamut or approx. 60% of the sRGB, so this PC laptop could be referred to as a "typical" PC laptop used by millions of people around the world today. Included with the purhase are the SMS ECO v6 colour palette (1.738 colours), the SMS Standard v6 Home & Office colour palette (1.738 colours) and the SMS MAX v7 Home and Office colour palette (1.738 colours). A second display can be connected via Mini HDML if you are also working with the original SMS colours (that require at least 100% sRGB).                                                                                                                            Contact sms@spot-nordic.com to order by email.                                                EUR 599                                      Add to cart

P9: SMS CMYK colour for CMYK printing to ISO 12647 standard see supported colour spaces:    EUR 30 per colour per variation.

 SMS BLOCKS (standard and/or custom SMS colours):

The above price (P9) is always valid for the first CMYK variation of each of your colours if you are not an SMS subscriber.

If you request the SMS BLOCK format for your colours (preferably when you order your first variation), as of second variation of your SMS colours for printing order you only have to pay the price of two colours, whether you are using 2 or 10 colours for your job:

P30:

SMS BLOCK consisting of up to 10 SMS colours:         Included is issuing of a BLOCK ID and insertion of the following relevant information: ICC profile to be used, white point and print standard.                                                                                               EUR 60 pr. BLOCK per variation. See further information about SMS BLOCKS here.

SMS Existing logo / layout converted to SMS colours

P10: SMS custom colour(s): Existing logo / layout page converted to the SMS colour space of you choice (Standard, ECO or MAX). Delivered in sRGB format. Delivered in sRGB and one CMYK format of your choosing. 1 year of service (brand license) included.                                                                                                                                   EUR 140 per page                                    Order

Other SMS products and services:

P14: Closest match within another colour system to a chosen SMS colour (PANTONE, RAL): EUR 40 pr. colour.

P18: SMS colour, SMS logo or SMS BLOCK, sent by email on request: EUR 30 pr. item.
This order number applies each time an existing SMS colour, SMS logo or SMS BLOCK is ordered and needs to be sent by email to designer or Printer for instance.

Subscription to the Spot Matching System

Brand Owners/Brands/Companies/Institutions

Suited for small and large entities, that have an official logo in colour(s) or official colours,
as well as for individual product- and service brands that require colour consistency cross-media.

Each SMS subscription is valid for one entity / one brand only.

Brand Owners that wish to subscribe to SMS need to appoint at least one so-called "super user", who is responsible for that designers, working with the brand colours of the brand owner, will work according to instructions provided by Spot-Nordic, to ensure correct reproduction of SMS colours for each media.
 
The super user, who will be the technical contact on behalf of the brand owner, has to be fluent in the English language and must furthermore be advanced in use of the Adobe Suite.

He or she, after proving his or her ability to work with SMS colours and to convert them to all relevant media for correct reproduction will receive an SMS READY Expert certificate, which will remain valid during the term of his or her work for the subscribed brand (see P21 here above).

Optionally the Brand Owner may appoint an existing SMS READY Expert on a freelance basis to handle all communications with Spot-Nordic, Advertising Agencies, Printshops and Manufacturers responsibe for reproduction of the SMS colours of the brand - see further information about the SMS READY Expert certification - here above.

Brand Owners are optionally allowed to hand over communications and responsibility (including super user responsibility) over their SMS brand colours to an SMS READY Agency, - see here below "Advertising Agencies / Creative Agencies".

The appointed super user must proof his or her ability to work with SMS colours professionally - see instructions here and will, once he or she has proven ability in converting SMS colours from sRGB to the relevant media - Print Graphics, Web Graphics and/or Video Graphics receive his or her own SMS READY Expert certificate, that will remain valid during the subscription period - see further details about the SMS READY Expert certification - P21 here above.

The appointed super user will be taught how to use the SMS READY control strip correctly and will be provided with an Excel sheet, enabling them to check the dE00 of each colour of the SMS READY control strip (requires a qualified spectrophotometer - for instance the i1Pro3 Basic - see here).

If necessary the super user will receive support in proper use of the spectral instrument (what M standard to use for measurement etc.). SMS READY subscribers may also order any amount of the Colormeter Exact pocket spectro at a discounted price of €499. The Colormeter Exact is perfect to keep track of brand colours for various customers and to do quick quality checks on the go. This instrument is not as precise as for instance the i1Pro3 instrument, but once you have measured a printed colour that you know is correct (confirmed with a high end spectro such as the i1Pro3, Xrite Exact or TECHKON SpectroDens), it is safe to use the Colormeter Exact instrument to confirm if an SMS colour is correct or not.

Spot-Nordic will assist Brand Owners that subscribe to SMS in locating SMS READY Experts, Design Agencies, Printers and/or manufacturers if required.

Subscription includes:

• SMS CMYK version of corporate/brand colours for industry standard printing (Fogra, G7 or custom colourspaces), Web and Television, Standard, ECO or MAX colours in all print or RGB variations required.
  
  Or

• Recalculation of an exisiting brand logo to SMS colours suited for visually consistent industry standard printing, for web and TV.
  Issuing of a unique SMS ID for the logo as a whole (v.s. individual SMS colours) during subscription period (see P10 here above).
  
  In this case the brand owner needs to decide whether to use Standard, ECO, MAX or SuperMAX SMS colours. Included are all CMYK print variations required - see SMS features.
  
  The logo and each individual brand colour should be sent to sms@spot-nordic.com in sRGB, PDF format. Each individual logo colour must be shown clearly, preferably as a colour cube/patch and will be issued a custom SMS name, to be used in all design for the customer and when communicating with Spot-Nordic.
  

• Web and Television version of the chosen SMS colours, SMS logo or SMS BLOCK is included.
  
  Please provide Spot-Nordic with the names of Designers/Agencies and print shops (outside of your own company) that are allowed to request SMS colour variations on your behalf or make changes to your SMS brand colours. Make sure to communicate your customer ID to them, once you have subscribed.
  
  Customer ID (for invoicing) has to be included on each order of service or product.
  

• Your brand colours in HEX format for use in the office (delivered in Excel format) Included

• P20 v7:  2.607 labelled sRGB Standard colours in PDF format: Included

• P20x v7: 2.607 labelled sRGB MAX colours in PDF format: Included

• P20e v7: 2.607 labelled sRGB ECO colours in PDF format: Included

• P20o v7: 2.607 labelled sRGB Standard Home & Office colours in PDF format: Included

• P20xo v7: 2.607 labelled sRGB SMS MAX Home & Office colours in PDF format: Included

• P20xs v7: 2.607 labelled sRGB SMS SuperMAX colours in PDF format: Included

• P21: SMS READY training for one employee (super user) Included

• P10: Conversion of one page of random colour data (graphics, photographs etc.) per year to either the Standard, ECO, MAX or SuperMAX colourspace: Included

• P17: Print job registration (job ID) incl. technical settings and substrate description for easy re-printing: Included

• Saving of customer's official brand identity manual in sRGB format:  Included

• "Crash Course" for key staff members via Skype or Microsoft Teams (max 3 at the time) in what to keep in mind when preparing jobs containing SMS colours and how to ensure that SMS colours are kept correct everytime - especially in print (using both SMS tickets and spectral measurements).
  
  SMS training and advisory services beyond 30 minutes or for non-subscribers: EUR 140 pr. hour (max 3 participants).

• Technical support via email and Messenger/Skype/What's App (English only). Brand Owner may direct any questions concerning their Brand Colours to sms@spot-nordic.com for handling.
  
  Support includes communicating with Printshops and manufacturers to confirm their printing standard as well as communicating with Advertising Agencies / Designers, responsible for layout / design of the job in question to ensure successful reproduction of SMS colours in CMYK
  

• Discounted prices for SMS products (see above).
  
  In addition the following services are available:
  

  P14b: Closest PANTONE spot colour to a standard SMS colour for paper, plastic or textile: EUR 30 per colour.

P16: Rating of SMS printed colours (physical copy must be sent to our address): EUR 50 per job.

Before beginning work on a new job, where an SMS colour is to be used, feel free to contact sms@spot-nordic.com with information about the job, what type of job it is, what type of substrate/material and what printing standard your Printer/manufacturer uses and which CMYK icc profile is recommended.

We are happy to communicate with your Printer/manufacturer to establish this on your behalf.

If there are changes made to international printing standards, including Fogra and GRACol, which may affect the final CMYK composition of SMS colours, registering all print jobs with us will enable us to update ongoing print jobs globally to keep your SMS brand colours correct.

Please instruct your Printer(s) to always include print related information (print standard) to their quote for smooth re-printing, and preferably to send additional print related information, if required after printing - see P17b below.

Price per year: EUR 950                                                                                                                                                 

Contact sms@spot-nordic.com to subscribe or place your order in our webshop.

+++

SMS READY certification for agencies and print shops

Advertising Agencies / Creative Agencies

SMS READY Agencies are Agencies that are certified by Spot-Nordic to be able to use SMS colours correctly in design for all media (i.e. the media they offer services for) and  how to appropriately use the SMS READY control strips to ensure correct CMYK printing to requested standards.

SMS READY Agencies agree to keep all displays used for SMS work at the Agency calibrated and correct and equally to instruct their customers to keep their digital displays, where they view proposed SMS colours calibrated and correct, using approved display calibrators from Calibrite, Datacolor (Spyder) or built-in calibrators.

Displays used for displaying SMS colours used by the Agency need to display at least 100% of the sRGB colour gamut for P20, P20x and P20sx colours but for P20o, P20xo and P20e colours displays capable of displaying 45% of the NTSC/approx. 60% of the sRGB colour gamut are sufficient.

That means that their customers can safely select or approve SMS colours on their own screen and the Agency will make sure to use the SMS colours correctly on their end and deliver them correctly for reproduction in any media, ensuring visual consistency of the brand colours cross-media.

Agencies who want to become SMS READY need to appoint at least one so-called "super user", who is responsible for the Agency working according to instructions provided by Spot-Nordic, to ensure correct reproduction of SMS colours for each media.

The super user, who will be the technical contact has to be fluent in the English language and must furthermore be knowledgeable in the use of graphics programs used by the agency.

The appointed super user must proof his or her ability to work with SMS colours professionally - see instructions here and will, once he or she has proven ability in converting SMS colours from sRGB to the relevant media - Print Graphics, Web Graphics and/or Video Graphics receive his or her own SMS READY Expert certificate, that will remain valid during the certification period of the Agency - see further details about the SMS READY Expert certification - P21 here above.

The appointed super user will be taught how to use the SMS READY control strip correctly and will be provided with an Excel sheet, enabling them to check the dE00 of each colour of the SMS READY control strip (requires a qualified spectrophotometer - for instance the i1Pro3 Basic - see here).

If necessary the super user will receive support in proper use of the spectral instrument (what M standard to use for measurement etc.). SMS READY certified agencies may also order any amount of the Colormeter Exact pocket spectro at a discounted price of €499. The Colormeter Exact is perfect to keep track of brand colours for various customers and to do quick quality checks on the go. This instrument is not as precise as for instance the i1Pro3 instrument, but once you have measured a printed colour that you know is correct (confirmed with a high end spectro such as the i1Pro3, Xrite Exact or TECHKON SpectroDens), it is safe to use the Colormeter Exact instrument to confirm if an SMS colour is correct or not.

Agencies may also appoint an existing SMS READY Expert to take responsibility for SMS colours on behalf of the agency.

For best results, it is recommended that all designers and staff responsible for colour reproduction at the Agency do the SMS READY Expert training and apply for their own SMS READY Expert certificate. This will enable them individually to better understand how SMS colours work and what is required to ensure correct reproduction.

SMS colours are simple as pie when you know what to look for but complicated if you don't. Instructions on how to work with SMS colours are available here.

Personnel of subscribed Agencies that are registered by the Agency for SMS READY Expert certification do not have to buy their own SMS P20 colour palette, since they are allowed to use the P20 colour palettes of the subscribed agency where they work to complete the choirs requested to get the SMS READY Expert certificate in the field of Print Graphics.

The price per. SMS READY Expert certificate is thus only EUR 60 - subject to renewal of the SMS READY Expert certificate every 12 months (not a condition).
 
The SMS READY Agency license is valid for 12 months only and will be automatically renewed unless the Agency/Designer cancels the subscription.

SMS READY Agencies are permitted to cover the cost of the SMS subscription or SMS brand license of each customer  - or simply refer the customer to Spot-Nordic.

In the case where the Agency or Designer prefers to cover the fee of the customer, the name of the customer or brand has to be provided to Spot-Nordic and a copy of current artwork in sRGB format provided to Spot-Nordic - see www.spotmatchingsystem.com/gettingstarted.

Spot-Nordic will assist SMS READY Design Agencies and freelance Graphic Designers in locating SMS READY Experts, print shops and manufacturers if requested and will recommend them for work that requires constant colour consistency in all media.

Agencies and Designers need to to register each official brand (registered trademark or company for example) that uses SMS colours for their official promotion and send copies of their SMS designs and individual campaigns to Spot-Nordic in sRGB format with the respective SMS colours included within the layout (see instructions here).

This is a condition for service by Spot-Nordic for each respective brand, while this also helps to promote the Agency/Designer, customer/brand and print shop(s)/manufacturers involved in the successful and colour consistent promotion of each brand.

Subscription includes:

• P20 v7:  2.607 labelled sRGB Standard colours in PDF format: Included

• P20x v7: 2.607 labelled sRGB MAX colours in PDF format: Included

• P20e v7: 2.607 labelled sRGB ECO colours in PDF format: Included

• P20o v7: 2.607 labelled sRGB Standard Home & Office colours in PDF format: Included

• P20xo v7: 2.607 labelled sRGB SMS MAX Home & Office colours in PDF format: Included

• P20xs v7: 2.607 labelled sRGB SMS SuperMAX colours in PDF format: Included

• P21: SMS READY training for one employee (super user) Included

• A 12 month brand license for 3 brands is included in the SMS READY agency certification. Additional brand licenses are charged at EUR 60 each per year.
  A brand license means that Spot-Nordic will keep a copy of all customer colours and artwork in sRGB format during the brand license period and provide services for that brand according to the pricelist here above.
  

• 30 minute "Crash Course" for key staff members (max 3 at the time) in what to keep in mind when preparing jobs containing SMS colours and how to ensure that SMS colours are kept correct everytime - especially in print.

• Further discussion, SMS training and advisory services beyond 30 minutes: EUR 140 per hour (max 3 participants).

• Technical support via email and Messenger/Skype/What's App (English only).
  

• 25% discount off SMS subscriptions for Brand Owners that the Agency subscribes and pays for.
  
  Before beginning work on a new job, where an SMS colour is to be used, feel free to contact sms@spot-nordic.com with information about the job, what type of job it is, what type of substrate/material and what printing standard your print shop uses and which CMYK icc profile is recommended.
  
  Be sure to advise your print shop(s) and manufacturer(s) about your SMS READY certification and what that means and if they themselves are interested in getting their own SMS READY certification, please ask them to contact sms@spot-nordic.com.
  
  We are furtermore happy to communicate with your print shop or manufacturer to establish this on your behalf.
  
  For best results we recommend registration of all print jobs, including re-prints - see P17 here above in the Brand Owner section. 
  
  If there are changes made to printing standards, including Fogra and GRACol, which may affect the final CMYK composition of SMS colours, registering all print jobs with us will enable us to update ongoing print jobs globally to keep your SMS brand colours correct.
  
  Please instruct your printer(s) to always include print related information (print standard) to their quotes for smooth printing and re-printing, and preferably to send additional print related information, if required after printing - see P17b below.
  
  Price: EUR 450
  
  Contact sms@spot-nordic.com to order your SMS READY agency certificate or buy it online in our webshop.

+++

Print shops

Contact sms@spot-nordic.com to order or buy it online in our webshop if you have already passed the SMS test and decided your own rating (gold, silver or bronze).

Shop SMS              SMS Technical            SMS products & services             SMS in articles and webinars              Testimonies

SMS and the environment         SMS news        SMS READY Experts         Interesting links      SMS: How, why and when       SMS Q&A

We welcome you to visit the SMS shop to buy SMS standard products.

Start by creating your account whether you prefer to subscribe or not. 

Contact sms@spot-nordic.com to subscribe or for ordering services or custom SMS products. Please include your customer ID, which is issued on first purchase.