Deinkability Score Impact on EPR Eco Modulation Fees in Recycled Stock
Deinkability scores under INGEDE Method 11 directly determine EPR eco-modulation fee surcharges or discounts on printed recycled paperboard packaging.
CIE L*a*b* Color Shift
Chromatographic Deviation
Numeric distance measurements in a three-dimensional color space quantify the visible difference between a printed sample and its approved master reference. Printers monitor the CIE Lab color shift to ensure packaging graphics remain uniform across different production runs. This measurement utilizes spectrophotometers to convert reflected light wavelengths into coordinates representing lightness, redness, and yellowness.
Delta Calculation
Mathematical subtraction of target coordinates from measured coordinates produces a single value representing total color deviation. Calculating a CIE Lab color shift generates individual differences for each of the three axes, enabling press operators to adjust ink density or fountain solution acidity during a run. A shift along the b-star axis, for example, shows a change in yellowness.
Tolerance Specification
Quality agreements between brand owners and converting houses set strict limits on allowable graphic variation to preserve brand identity on store shelves. When analyzing a CIE Lab color shift on printed clay-coated board, a total change of less than two units is typically required to avoid rejection by the customer. Highly sensitive brand logos often demand even tighter limits of one unit or less.
If the shift exceeds these limits, the shipment is rejected and the converter must pay for reprocessing.