Esko has unveiled its new Print Clone solution, an advanced cloud native colour matching software set to transform digital print production. Esko Print Clone leverages artificial intelligence and automation to enable digital press operators to replicate colours from previously printed packages with unmatched precision, regardless of the original printing process.



“Print Clone delivers high quality results with minimal manual intervention,” said Esko CMO Jan De Roeck. “This innovation eliminates the traditional trial and error approach, significantly reducing manual interventions and accelerating job completion times for packaging and label converters.”



The ultimate colour matching solution, Print Clone reduces job completion times and boosts digital printing productivity, eliminating lengthy trial and error cycles and helping minimise waste and subsequent environmental impact.

“Decreased press downtime serves to improve profitability, and the fact that Print Clone is cloud native, requiring no installation, means users can just log in, upload, connect, and measure,” said Jan. “Print Clone matches the colour profile from any previously printed package, saving hours of manual corrections on press. It completely eliminates the trial and error of multiple iterations and test prints to determine the correct colour composition, significantly reducing manual prepress interventions.

“Moreover, Print Clone is exceptionally user friendly,” he said. “The ease of use makes it possible for anyone to prepare files for digital printing.”

With Esko Print Clone, packaging and label converters can benefit from:

•    Real time adjustments: operators can instantly refine colours by uploading PDFs and using a spectrophotometer
•    Quick measurements: replace tedious trial and error methods with just a couple of clicks
•    AI-powered precision: advanced algorithms ensure colours match specifications perfectly
•    Consistency across runs: maintain uniform colour across different substrates and print jobs
•    Production ready files: dynamically adjusted PDFs match original artwork seamlessly

“Once a PDF file has been drag and dropped into Print Clone, a spectrophotometer guides the operator to carry out a real time colour comparison,” explained Jan. “The AI-powered algorithms then optimise colour accuracy to deliver a high quality, colour accurate output with minimal manual adjustments.



“By integrating Print Clone into their workflows, digital press operators can ensure consistent, high quality results while reducing their environmental impact and operational costs,” said Jan.

First seen at drupa 2024, Print Clone was officially unveiled and made available worldwide as part of Esko World 2025, taking place from June 3-5 in St Louis, Missouri.

For more on Esko Print Clone, and the entire range of Esko solutions, visit www.esko.com

Image shows Jan De Roeck