Key for the growth and success of the industry and our members
Standards provide uniform, defined procedures and tools which help users produce quality products for their customers faster, more efficiently, more cost-effectively, and more safely. APTech provides leadership in developing national and international standards for the printing industry, including:
- Safety standards for printing, publishing and converting equipment
- Technical standards for data exchange, process control, metrology, packaging, etc.
APTech is accredited by ANSI to administer development groups that publish national and international standards. For more information on standards activities in the printing, publishing, and converting industry, both in the United States and internationally the Bluebook provides a wealth of information.

American National Standards institute (ANSI)
APTech is accredited by the American National Standards institute (ANSI) as a Standards Developing Organization (SDO). As such, we serve as the Secretariat to the following ANSI-accredited standards developing committees.

International Color Consortium
APTech also serves as secretariat to the International Color Consortium, an organization devoted to the promotion of the use and adoption of open, vendor-neutral, cross-platform color management systems.
APTech serves as secretariat to the following American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accredited standards committees:
B65 Committee
Develops U.S. safety standards for printing press, bindery and other printing equipment and systems used in the printing, publishing and converting technology industry.
U.S. Technical Advisory Group (USTAG)
Advisory Group to the International Organization for Standardization’s Technical Committee 130, Graphic Technology. The US TAG consists of experts from the industry who provide guidance to ANSI on the development of the U.S. position on international standards relating to the graphic arts.
Committee for Graphic Arts Technologies Standards (CGATS)
Develops U.S. technical standards with the goal of having the entire scope of printing, publishing and converting technologies represented in one national standardization and coordination effort.
New ISO Standard Allows A Common Global Color Language
WhatTheyThink Senior Editor Cary Sherburne talks with Steve Smiley of Smileycolor and Elie Khoury of Alwan Color Expertise about the importance and value of complying with ISO 15339