Founder Jerry Zhuo Xunqun (right in the image) believes that establishing correct color representation from the creative end is essential to minimize output issues, thus constructing an effective communication bridge between upstream, midstream, and downstream processes. "Proper color management aims to 'get it right the first time,' effectively reducing waste of time and cost in subsequent stages," says Stefen Zhou Zihao (left in the image), Technical Director of T-Lab. His years of experience in the Greater China printing industry have emphasized the importance of color management to him. "For creators, the key to good color management lies in choosing professional screens!

As the third-generation successor of Taiwan's "Tung Ming Printing Ink," Jerry is driven by his dedication and expertise in the field of color. With a mission to continue and enhance Taiwan's printing industry, he co-founded "T-Lab" with Stefen.

"Taiwan's printing industry has a rich heritage of experience, but the effective and rapid transmission of this knowledge from seasoned masters has been lacking. Without establishing a standardized management process, the younger generation cannot fully engage, leading to potential fragmentation and decline in the industry," Jerry reflects. Drawing from his extensive international experience in the printing industry across the Greater China region, he noticed a deficiency in color management practices in Taiwan upon his return. This led him to advocate for "color standardization" and establish an effective color management process in Taiwan. By engineering the craftsmanship spirit of printing through scientific color management, Jerry believes Taiwan's printing industry can advance further.

"In the past, judgments relied on the eyes and experience of masters, but human eyes can fatigue or be influenced by emotions, leading to errors, whereas machines won't. Now, with just a scan from this machine, color data becomes crystal clear..." Jerry demonstrates how a color scanner operates, pointing to the precise data displayed on the computer screen. By digitizing color in a scientific manner, effective control and management can be achieved.

In today's fast-paced consumer lifestyle, the demand for product packaging printing is inevitable. With the advancement of technology, the emphasis on printing quality has also increased. Therefore, selecting professional hardware equipment and implementing standardized color management processes are crucial first steps in effectively controlling output quality.

"We use BenQ SW series monitors for our color management, primarily for its 99% Adobe RGB color gamut, meeting the color reproduction needs of both photography and printing. This ensures that the colors captured by photographers are accurately reproduced, and if downstream equipment also matches these specifications, it ensures output accuracy," says T-Lab. By selecting BenQ's professional photography monitors from the SW series, T-Lab ensures stringent color control for its customers.

"If a creator, such as a photographer, doesn't have a monitor with sufficient specifications, they cannot anticipate the outcome of their work and may resort to more traditional methods, such as spending money on multiple proofs," explains Stefen. "Many people think that color management is only necessary for large orders and when they can afford it, but it's actually the opposite. Color management aims to 'get it right the first time' to effectively save time and material costs while enhancing communication and work efficiency," he adds. Stefen provides an example: professional color management with high-quality monitors can even eliminate the need for physical proofs. "For instance, Time Magazine in the US has long relied on 'soft proofing' to quickly and cost-effectively verify the accuracy of advertisement colors, allowing them to manage short production cycles efficiently."

In this era of the pandemic, "soft proofing" breaks down geographical barriers and distances, making it a trend in the printing industry once again. The support of a professional monitor is crucial for achieving precise soft proofing.

"BenQ's exclusive A.R.T panel technology supports a surface that feels like paper, giving the sensation of a piece of paper being placed on the screen when viewed from an effective distance," Jerry explains to photography and printing professionals. The ultra-low glare panel performance is highlighted. As screens emit light, how can soft proofing ensure consistent color performance when outputting to physical print? BenQ addresses the needs of professional domains by crafting a viewing experience akin to "paper" through its exclusive A.R.T panel technology. "Moreover, this panel maintains consistency from different viewing angles," adds Stefen. He elaborates that the typical "glare" issue with screens often leads to challenges for photo editors, causing color inaccuracies due to reflections, such as when a person wearing a red shirt is editing, and the red color reflects onto the screen, disrupting editing accuracy.

In addition to the "glare" issue, the "uniformity" of the screen also significantly affects the editing process. "We often compare and edit two photos side by side, so the 'uniformity' of the screen is crucial!" Stefen explains that when unboxing BenQ professional monitors, one can observe a uniformity test report. The screen is delicately divided into 25 grids using a 5X5 method, and the differences between each grid are meticulously inspected. "The uniformity of the SW series performs excellently. When comparing and editing photos side by side, we can be more confident. If the uniformity is not good enough, editing errors may occur, leading to discrepancies in the output."

"For a job well done, one must first have the right tools." For creators, choosing the right professional monitor not only effectively reduces material costs, round-trip proofing time, and editing errors, but in the long run, BenQ's professional monitors are also a cost-effective investment.

"For professional image workers, they get used to their monitors over time, so its stability and lifespan are crucial. The stability of BenQ's monitors is very high. With regular calibration, they can easily last for ten years without issues," says Stefen. While standard monitors may start experiencing problems like unevenness and color degradation after three years of use, BenQ's professional monitors' high stability can extend their lifespan. "When you spread the cost over time, they (SW and PD series professional monitors) are not more expensive than a regular monitor."

BenQ's professional SW series monitors also collaborate with T-Lab to offer on-site calibration services, ensuring users' monitors maintain color accuracy through professional and precise calibration processes. Users can also access professional consultation channels for any issues related to color management, big or small.

"Initially, our collaboration with BenQ aligns with the founding principles of T-Lab. We aimed to establish correct standards and control for color right from the source. From creation to output, we wanted to build effective communication bridges and minimize output issues," Jerry explains. He hopes that through T-Lab's efforts, the concept of color management can extend, promote, and flourish in the industry, ultimately enhancing production efficiency in the printing industry and providing creators with broader creative space.

"Besides being a Taiwanese brand like us, BenQ shares our strong emphasis on international certification," says Stefen, pointing to the various color management certifications displayed in T-Lab's office from around the world. "We know that BenQ's color management is overseen by Chris Bai, who serves as the Vice Chairman of ICC (International Color Consortium) and enjoys a prestigious reputation internationally. Therefore, BenQ monitors, under his guidance, undoubtedly adhere closely to ISO and international standards, perhaps even leading the way in some aspects. This is why we have great confidence in BenQ products."