Become a Certified SGIA Digital Color Professional

Savvy print buyers understand the power of the right color, and SGIA Digital Color Professional certification shows them you know how to get color right. Certification has two levels: SGIA Qualified Digital Color Professionals have passed a written exam demonstrating their knowledge of color management theory and process. SGIA Certified Digital Color Professionals have achieved Qualified status and proven their abilities through a test image they successfully print at their own facilities. (SGIA staff verifies the print matches color specifications.)

Certification is valid for two years. SGIA Digital Color Professionals will receive a digital badge for their use. Digital badges contain data about the individual who holds the badge, the requirements for attaining certification, the system that was used with their print and the expiration date.

SGIA’s Color Management Boot Camp is your starting point for color instruction. While participating in this workshop is not required for either level of certification, it covers all the information in the written exam for Qualified status:

• Color theory and terminology • Additive vs. subtractive color space • CIE L*a*b* • Rendering intents • Viewing and measurement conditions • Delta E tolerancing methods • Industry color specifications and targets • Color Management Pyramid • Spot color management • Verification methods • Spectrophotometer capabilities • Monitor calibration • Basic printer nomenclature and upkeep • Printhead technology

After achieving Qualified status, the Qualified SGIA Digital Color Professional will take a SGIA test image back to their facility and use the hands-on knowledge they’ve gained in the boot camp to color manage their print system and print the test image. They’ll submit the print to SGIA for measurement to a standard that includes industry recognized targets and spot colors for an objective analysis of the print.

3. Take the written test ($49, plus 25 percent discount for SGIA members).

4. Print the test image and submit it to SGIA ($49, plus 25 percent discount for SGIA members).