Method for inline color regulation in printing machines

A method for color measurement of printing materials produced in printing machines, the method comprising the following steps:

• providing at least one first color measurement instrument disposed in the printing machine for measuring the color of printing materials in the printing machine;
• providing at least one second color measurement instrument disposed outside the printing machine for measuring the printing materials produced in the printing machine;
• providing a computer in communication with the first and second color measurement instruments, the computer storing nominal color values and carrying out color regulation in inking units of printing units in the printing machine with the first color measurement instrument as a function of deviations determined on the printing materials in the printing machine, from the stored nominal color values;
• at least from time to time, additionally recording printing materials produced by the printing machine with the second color measurement instrument disposed outside the printing machine;
• recording deviations from an original as a function of the color measured values determined on the printing materials with the second color measurement instrument;
• and
• calculating corrected nominal values on a basis of the deviations recorded with the second color measurement instrument for the first color measurement instrument disposed in the printing machine with the computer and using the corrected nominal values for color regulation by the first color measurement instrument.