Re: What to expect from G7 expert/consultant?
First of all, IDEAlliance would be quick to correct that, it is officially a Master Printer "Qualification" not "Certification". Consultants get certified as experts and master printers get qualified. It's confusing, I know, but I thought I would mention it.
Rich gives you good advice, I'm just adding to it. An expert should start by linearizing the plates. In the beginning, IDEAlliance did not specify/suggest this but now they do. Linear plates go on press and the first make ready is very important in hitting those colorimetric aims for primary and overprint colors, that Rich mentioned.
The press form most experts use would have some sort of P2P chart on it. These charts would get measured in ColorPort and the measurement data exported. Import data into IDEAlink Curve to generate curves. Enter curve info to affect plates somewhere. Image new plates, put them on press, and make ready again. Hit those aim points again and you're done.
Now keep in mind that each press and paper would have this done separately. If you did the leg-work Rich suggested and everything went perfectly you could do 1-2 setups per day. If there is any bumblin-and-stumblin, things not working right, learning as you go. You'll be lucky to get one setup per day.
Also, some experts might take the sheets from the second run and measure them to create a custom profile for your proofing. I recommend otherwise. I would use the supplied GRACOL profile or measurement data and roll-my-own. I think that if you get everything right the pressman should be able to match the proofs that use the supplied standard measurement data as reference.
Dan Gillespie
ColorGeek, Inc.