Epicomm Members Gain G7 Certification Discounts Under Association Agreement with Idealliance

Idealliance joins Epicomm Member Discount Program, Offers Members $450 discount on G7 Master Qualification & G7 Expert/Professional Certification.

Alexandria, VA, October 6, 2015 – Members of Epicomm, the Association for Leaders in Print, Mail, Fulfillment, and Marketing Services, will be able to enhance their competitive position cost effectively by obtaining qualification status in the industry’s leading print production and color management certification programs at a deep discount under a new agreement between the association and Idealliance. The agreement gives Epicomm members direct access to the Idealliance series of G7® Master facility qualification and G7 Professional and Expert certification programs, as well as a series of online Color Management Professional® Certification and integrated workflow programs designed to improve efficiencies in media production and delivery.

“We are excited to be working with industry leader Idealliance to provide our members an opportunity to gain the color management and workflow certification that will help them offer customers more consistent color across multiple devices and reduce their operating costs,” says Epicomm President and Chief Executive Officer Ken Garner. “Certification in G7 will not only help to improve their competitiveness, but enable them to serve many corporate customers who require that G7 standards are met by their suppliers.”

“Epicomm is a recognized leader in advancing best business management practices—Idealliance is the global leader in certifying the skills, systems, materials, and facilities required for state-of-the-art media production. Capturing the business of tomorrow requires both efficient production workflows and an effective business strategy, making the joining of our association’s resources a powerful combination,” comments David J. Steinhardt, President  & CEO of Idealliance.

Under terms of the agreement, Idealliance will join the Epicomm Member Discount Advantage Program and waive for association members the $450 fee for Idealliance Network Membership, a requirement for certification, for any new G7 Master Qualification or G7 Professional Certification, or provide a $450 discount on a one-year Idealliance Corporate Membership.

Epicomm members seeking first-time G7 Master Qualifications will pay only the application submission and compliance fees (approximately $550 vs. the standard $1,000).  Completing the qualification process will require either engaging a G7 Expert consultant or investing in G7 Expert/Professional certification for a current employee. The G7 Professional three-day training program fee (including two-year Idealliance Network membership) for Epicomm members will be $2,450, rather than the standard $2,900, and those enrolling in the G7 Expert three-day training program fee ($2,500 plus corporate dues) will receive a $450 credit.

Epicomm members will also be able to take advantage of eight Idealliance online training programs in color management, integrated media workflow, and G7 process control workflow at Idealliance member rates.

G7 is an internationally recognized methodology for calibrating printing presses and proofing systems to a common visual neutral grayscale appearance. G7 is used to consistently hit desired color targets and is designed to align all devices, substrates, and inks. G7 Master Qualification is granted to a physical print facility proven capable of performing the G7 methodology on proof and press by a certified G7 Expert. The G7 Master Qualification is valid for one year and must be renewed annually.

G7 Experts and G7 Professionals are individuals skilled in the fields of color management, process, and quality control for proofing and printing, and are certified to perform G7 Master Qualifications.

A G7 Expert is able to analyze color and print-related issues and take corrective action to bring systems and processes in control to a set method, standard or specification with repeatable, predictable results. Certification is valid for two years and recertification is required every two years. A G7 Professional is generally an in-house quality/technical professional who is certified to perform G7 Master Requalifications. The G7 Professional must also recertify every two years.

For more information on Epicomm Idealliance discounts or any other Member Advantage Discount Program Offering, go to http://epicomm.org/idealliance or contact Epicomm Executive Vice President Dean D’Ambrosi at (201) 523-6314 or ddambrosi@epicomm.org.

About Epicomm

Epicomm, the Association for Leaders in Print, Mail, Fulfillment, and Marketing Services, is a not-for-profit business management association representing companies in the $80+ billion graphic communications industry in North America. It provides industry advocacy, management training, and a comprehensive slate of business-building solutions for companies in an evolving market environment. It was created in 2014 through the merger of the Association of Marketing Service Providers (AMSP) and the National Association for Printing Leadership (NAPL)/National Association of Quick Printers (NAQP). Its founding associations have some 200 years of combined experience serving graphic communications companies of every size and specialty. Epicomm headquarters is at 1800 Diagonal Road, Suite 320, Alexandria, Va., 22314. It also maintains offices at One Meadowlands Plaza, Suite 1511, East Rutherford, N.J., 07073. For more information, visit www.epicomm.org or call (800) 333-6272 (Va.) or (800) 642-6275 (N.J.).

About Idealliance

Idealliance (International Digital Enterprise Alliance) is a not-for-profit membership organization that has been a leader in information technology and publishing since 1966. Idealliance advances core technology to develop standards and best practices to enhance efficiency and speed information across the end-to-end digital media supply chain – creation, production, management, and delivery of knowledge-based multimedia content – digitally and in print. Idealliance members represent a unique convergence of the leading brand owners, agencies, publishers, printers, materials suppliers and solution providers. Idealliance provides a user-driven, cross-industry, and open environment in which its members can strategize, innovate, standardize, and implement solutions to real business challenges in graphic communications.  Idealliance is headquartered at 1600 Duke Street, Suite 420, Alexandria, Va., 22314. For more information, visit www.idealliance.org or call (703) 837-1070.

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