Sustainability through consistency
Reducing waste by defining color correctly — once.
Sustainability in color workflows is not achieved by guesswork or visual approval. It is achieved by consistency, predictability, and reduced waste. The Spot Matching System (SMS) supports sustainable production by defining color precisely, reducing reprints, corrections, and unnecessary material use across the supply chain.
Simplified overview of SMS sustainable workflow impact
Where color inconsistency creates waste
Inconsistent color is a hidden source of environmental impact. When color is defined visually rather than measured, production errors increase.
Common consequences include:
- Reprints due to color mismatch
- Excess ink usage during make-ready
- Material waste across substrates
- Delays caused by subjective approval cycles
- Multiple production runs to “correct” color appearance
These issues compound across global supply chains, increasing cost and environmental footprint.
Measured color reduces waste
SMS supports sustainable workflows by removing ambiguity from color definition.
Each SMS color is:
- Defined by measured spectral data
- Communicated using LAB and ICC profiles
- Reproduced within standardized tolerances
- Verified instead of visually approved
This results in fewer corrections, fewer reprints, and more predictable production outcomes.
- Less ink waste during press setup
- Reduced trial-and-error adjustments
- Fewer rejected production batches
- Shorter approval cycles
- Lower material consumption over time
SMS ECO — designed for responsible production
SMS ECO is a dedicated color library developed to support sustainability-focused workflows.
Key characteristics:
- Reduced ink coverage
- Optimized for efficient CMYK reproduction
- Designed for ISO 12647-compliant printing
- Lower environmental impact without sacrificing consistency
SMS ECO allows brands and printers to make responsible choices while maintaining color control.
Explore the SMS ECO Color Library →Where sustainability matters most
SMS supports sustainable practices across multiple industries:
- Branding programs with long-term consistency needs
- Print & packaging with high production volumes
- Multi-supplier global manufacturing
- Digital-to-print workflows requiring alignment
- Organizations with environmental responsibility goals
Sustainability is achieved not by changing how teams work — but by improving how color is defined and verified.
What this page is (and is not)
This page explains:
- How measured color supports sustainability
- How consistency reduces waste
- Why standards-based color matters environmentally
This page does not include:
- Sustainability certifications
- Carbon calculators
- Environmental scoring tools
- Marketing claims or offsets
SMS focuses on measurable outcomes, not promises.
Sustainability starts with clarity
When color is defined once and reproduced correctly everywhere, waste is reduced automatically.
SMS sustainability benefits are a result of measured color, standardized workflows, and reduced production uncertainty — not additional software or tools.