The Shinohara Color Control Station (SCCS) is at the heart of a closed-loop system that helps to ensure consistent color densities over the course of a print run. To prevent unnecessary color shifting, a color control bar on the target proof is scanned before） the start of print job，and used as a Standard against which to compare color density throughout the run．

Comparisons are made at the SCCS using a sensitive peripheral device known as an Auto Tracking Spectrophotometer（ATS）（Not included in SCCS）．Compensation data Calculated based on the differences in color density is processed at the PC and passed to the operation console. Compatible Shinohara printing presses respond to this compensation data automatically，adjusting ink-key apertures to maintain proper color densities．

Auto Tracking Spectrophotometer（ATS）

The SCCS makes use of an ATS unit manufactured by X-Rite Corporation. This device is capable of measuring a color bar in seconds，and showing an operator which areas on the printed sheet are experiencing color shift. Even the specific keys in need of adjustment are identified. The ATS unit can also be configured to account for variation in paper color over the course of a print run．