ColorGATE Productionserver vs ColorThink
ColorGATE Productionserver
colorgate.com
ColorThink
chromix.comSide by side
| Figure | ColorGATE Productionserver | ColorThink |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | — |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 3 | 10 |
| Spec score · Color Management Software | 7.4 (#13) | 7.7 (#10) |
| Founded | 1997 | 1998 |
| Headquarters | Hannover, Germany | Seattle, Washington, United States |
| Integration | Productionserver can connect to existing workflows through a REST API, which requires the Access Control Module. | The feature comparison describes integration with Maxwell, including downloading and opening files and selecting and downloading Maxwell objects from within Maxwell. |
| Purpose | Core Productionserver is a configurable RIP and color management product family for digital print production. | ColorThink is a color graphing and analytics tool that helps users calibrate printing systems, verify accuracy, and prepare measurements for ICC profiling or use as color references. |
| Support | The product page lists self-service guides and documentation, online training sessions, and technical support through a web ticket system. | The maker provides a ColorThink 4 User Guide and ColorThink discussion forums, and lists weekday support hours of 9:30–6:00 Pacific. |
Plans
ColorGATE Productionserver
- Core Productionserver LPriced on request
- Core Productionserver MPriced on request
- Core Productionserver SPriced on request
ColorThink
- ColorThink 4 Photo$249, paid once
- ColorThink 4 Photo XPlat Bundle$334, paid once
- ColorThink 4 Photo + MeasPack Bundle$448, paid once
- ColorThink 4 Pro$449, paid once
- ColorThink 4 Photo + MeasPack XPlat Bundle$601, paid once
- ColorThink 4 Pro XPlat Bundle$602, paid once
- ColorThink 4 Pro + MeasPack Bundle$628, paid once
- ColorThink 4 Pro + PrePress Bundle$673, paid once
- ColorThink 4 Pro + MeasPack XPlat Bundle$842, paid once
- ColorThink 4 Pro + MeasPack + PrePress Bundle$897, paid once
In their own words
ColorGATE Productionserver
ColorGATE Productionserver is a configurable RIP and color-management product family for digital print production on Windows. Edition S targets a single printer, M a growing print shop, and L a high-throughput provider. Every edition includes advanced cutmarks, color correction tools, MIM administration, a multi-color ICC engine, RIP while Print, visual scaling, and white-ink support. Depending on edition, options include Adobe PDF Print Engine, color replacement, tiling, media-device synchronization, linearization, print and cut, nesting, and quality assurance. Profiler Suite, Simulation & Proofing Package, and Screen Package are optional additions for specialized workflows. A REST API connects existing workflows when the Access Control Module is present. Perpetual licenses carry an annual Value Pack Subscription equal to 18% of license value for support and upgrades. Supported systems include 64-bit Windows 10 and 11 and Windows Server 2016, 2019, 2022, and 2025. Apple ARM-based Macs are unsupported.
ColorThink
ColorThink is a color graphing and analytics tool for calibrating printing systems, checking accuracy, and preparing measurements for ICC profiling or color references. ColorThink 4 measures directly from connected instruments and sends results to a worksheet or graph. Color Assets organizes installed profiles and other color assets, with metadata filtering and sorting. Pro licensing adds gamut comparison by subtraction or addition and calculates a Gamut Comparison Index. Image animation is available across license levels, showing transitions between normal display and Lab color values in the grapher. PrePressPack adds nColor and color-list handling, device-link and ColorCast profile creation, white-point editing and remapping, and patch tuning. Listed instruments span X-Rite, Barbieri, Konica Minolta, Techkon, and Color Sentinel. The software runs on macOS and Windows; version 4.2 is listed for both. Photo licensing starts at $249, paid once.