Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About the CMP Program

CMP FAQS

How do you define “color management”?
Color Management is the proper use of hardware, software and methodology to accurately, consistently and predictably quantify, calibrate, control and adjust color among different devices or mediums in a graphics production workflow.

What are the objectives of the Color Management Professional (CMP) program?
The objective of the CMP Program is to provide a consistent worldwide understanding of the best practices associated with color management implementation in the graphic communication industry and to assure knowledgeable professionals are properly recognized for their color management expertise.

Who should be certified as a “Color Management Professional (CMP)”?
All persons responsible for knowing, implementing and managing the quality control aspects of color management in a graphics workflow, from creative to output, should become a certified Color Management Professional (CMP). This includes those persons focused internally to maintain a precise and efficient color management workflow and also those persons focused externally to assure their customer’s color is accurate and consistent in all output media. This responsibility also extends to those persons responsible for managing quality production in a graphics workflow.

Why is this program to certify people and not companies?
Companies ARE people! Companies use the CMP status to assess the qualification of their current staff and as a tool for assessing qualifications of prospective hires. Buyers of graphic solutions want to feel confident that knowledgeable employees of their graphic and media providers are maintaining their company’s brand integrity from creative through output.

Why did IPA develop this program?
IPA members represent every facet of the graphics workflow supply chain, from creative and design agencies, to prepress and premedia businesses, to every type of print provider. IPA focuses its resources on the entire graphics workflow process from concept through output, assisting its members in achieving ever-greater workflow efficiencies and quality. This makes IPA uniquely qualified to offer such an in-depth program, addressing color management in every facet of the graphics workflow. IPA has been delivering online training for many years, through its groundbreaking Webinar and JDF Expert Certificate Programs.

What is the “investment” required to participate in the CMP program?
CMP program participation require both a monetary and time investment. The CMP program pricing assures affordable access to comprehensive education and CMP certification.

Will my CMP certification be valid forever?
Your certification will be valid for a period of one year. As technology and best practices change during your year of certification, you will have access to on-going training. Upon successful completion of on-line exams and/or exercises, your certification will be extended for another year.

Will there be a yearly cost to keep my certification updated?
Yes, there will be a nominal annual fee to maintain your annual certification.

Can I be certified in more than one areas of expertise?
Yes! We encourage you to become certified in more than one area.

I am already a color expert. Do I have to complete the full course to become a certified CMP?
It is not mandatory to view all aspects of the educational content to become a certified CMP. Professionals may simply pass the on-line exams and practicum exercises to qualify for CMP certification.

What do I get if I become a certified Color Management Professional?
First of all, you will have the satisfaction for having achieved and demonstrated this level of expertise! You will also receive a certificate indicating your CMP status and allowed use of the CMP logo on your business cards, correspondence, and website, recognizing your area(s) of expertise.

Will the CMP program be available in multiple languages?
In time, we hope to expand to other languages as we have done for the JDF Expert Certificate program.

Was the content of this program vetted prior to publication?
We have engaged leading experts with decades of experience working with hundreds of clients. Continued feedback is welcome as to areas that need inclusion, expansion, and/or upgrading.

Will CMP students have the opportunity to collaborate together with both instructors and educators on the subjects of color management?
Yes. Our content management system allows all registrants the opportunity to discuss, share and collaborate around the CMP program and color management subjects.

Will there be CMP instructors that can visit our facility to help us implement the CMP best practices?
Yes. We have an excellent team of color management content developers available for both telephone and/or onsite consultancy to help you achieve both CMP certification and implement a properly color managed graphics workflow.

Will the training content be available on CD’s, or just on-line?
The course will not be made available on CD. The online environment ensures the content is kept up-to-date.

Must I take the “Color Management Fundamentals” course before the specialty courses?
Yes. You must pass the “Color Management Fundamentals” examinations prior to advancing to the specialty courses.

Are all exams for each course the same for each person?
No. Each and every exam is different. Exam questions will be taken from a large “pool” of questions within each specialty course . The order of the questions and the answers to each question will be randomly mixed so no two exams are the same.

Can my organization help promote this program?
IPA has a long history of working with other industry associations and organizations wishing to become promotional partners, to help make their constituents more successful. Contact Dave Haradon to discuss how you can drive a new revenue stream for your organization and help educate the industry.