4- Colour Printing

The current ISOM
- Specifies offset printed maps using PMS spot colors.
- Other reproduction techniques are strictly not permitted.
Use of other printing techniques growing rapidly
- 4-color offset printing
- Laser printing
- Digital printing
- Ink-jet printers and plotters
- Color copiers
Quality
- Today only 4-color offset printing seems to achieve the quality level specified in the current ISOM.
- Technology is advancing rapidly. The same level of quality will be achieved with other techniques within the period of time the ISOM/2000 will last.

Computer printing technology
- Has opened for low-cost printing-on-demand and variable information printing
- Is suitable for small up-to-date editions printed for specific competitions with variable course overprinting
Photographs, logos and advertisements in any color can easily be included in the map

Status
- It is decided to include 4-color printing recommendations in the ISOM/2000
- There are made two tests using offset printing with differentscreening techniques and parameters
- Some sample maps made with other techniques are studied
- A first draft of the 4-color printing recommendations is now ready

To write a generic recommendation
- Should not be hardware or software dependant.
- Should regulate colors, screening and overprinting techniques in general
- Should not exclude use of new technology suited for orienteering map reproduction like laser printers
Should not introduce a lower level of quality, therefore
- 4-color offset printing is (still) recommended
- Other printing devices can be used if the map legibility and colour appearance can be proven to be equal to or better than the result of offset printing