Step 1: You have done your homework



You have ensured that you are capable of producing a printing result within the ISO 12647 set tolerances, both in data processing and in digital proof.
You possess the necessary measurement devices for process control and your staff has got the necessary know how for their field of action.

Step 2: You register for a Certification



You contact your Federation or Graphic Technology Research Association and register for a Certification. Your contact person will send you a contract, which you sign and mail back to us. As soon as your certification test is terminated with your Regional Printing and Media Industries Federation (vdm)/Graphic Technology Research Association, your exam task will be sent out to you on CD Rom.

Step 3: You now have 14 days



You confirm the receiving of your exam task on CD Rom with your Regional Printing and Media Industries Federation (vdm)/Graphic Technology Research Association. This is the start of a preparation phase that you can use in order to solve your exam task. Your person of contact will determine an appointment with you for a print towards the end of your preparation phase; the certifier will be present for this appointment. He will supervise the printing process and will select both OK sheets as well as print run sheets out of a set print run.

Step 4: You await your results



After the printing appointment at your premises your point of contact of your German Printing and Media Industries Federation (bvdm)/Graphic Technology Research Association will go into the evaluation phase. After an appropriate drying period he/she controls the essential basic values and guidelines, according to the ISO 12647 within the tolerance range. Should the evaluation results be ok, you will be informed about your results and at the same time the handed in exam papers will be sent to the co-certification partner so that the measuring minutes can be controlled. Once the measurements are confirmed, the certification is considered as passed.

Step 5: You receive your certificate



Together with a confirmation you receive a framed DIN A3 certificate, classifying you as "certified printing company according to ISO 12647 - PSO".
Your certification package also includes a seal of approval data file (.tif) that can be used for your printed business communication material.
The seal of approval data file also includes the validity period that is valid for two years, starting with the printing appointment.