How do I use mcp-print?

1. Click on "Install Server". 2. Wait a few minutes for the server to deploy. Once ready, it will show a "Started" state. 3. In the chat, type @ followed by the MCP server name and your instructions, e.g., "@mcp-print Convert Pantone 485 C to CMYK" That's it! The server will respond to your query, and you can continue using it as needed. Here is a step-by-step guide with screenshots.

mcp-print

Professional print & color workflow tools for AI assistants

PyPI version Python License: MIT

2400+ Pantone colors • CMYK/RGB conversion • Ink & cost estimation • ICC profiles • Spot color separation • Barcode coverage • Delta E • Paper weights • Preflight checks • Substrate simulation

Works 100% offline — no API keys needed

Install • Configure • Tools • Examples • Contributing

Who is this for?

Role	Use case
Print designers	Check Pantone-to-CMYK conversions without leaving your editor
Prepress engineers	Estimate ink costs, verify color accuracy (Delta E), analyze ICC profiles, run preflight checks
Packaging teams	Convert paper weights, separate spot vs process colors, cost entire print runs, simulate substrate shifts
Brand managers	Find the closest Pantone match to any HEX color

Install

pip install mcp-print

Requires Python 3.10+. Zero external dependencies beyond the MCP SDK.

Configure with Claude Code

Add to your Claude Code MCP config (~/.claude/settings.json or project .mcp.json):

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "print": {
      "command": "python",
      "args": ["-m", "mcp_print"]
    }
  }
}

Restart Claude Code — all twelve tools will be available immediately.

Tools

Color & Pantone

Tool	Description
`pantone_to_cmyk_tool`	Convert a Pantone name to CMYK + HEX. Fuzzy matching — `"485C"`, `"pantone 485"`, `"Warm Red"` all work
`pantone_search_tool`	Find the closest Pantone colors to any HEX or CMYK value (top N matches by Delta E)
`cmyk_to_rgb_tool`	Convert CMYK values (0-100) to RGB (0-255) + HEX
`color_delta_e_tool`	Calculate Delta E (CIE76) between two CMYK colors with quality interpretation
`spot_color_separator_tool`	Given a list of design colors, recommend which should be spot vs process

Print Production

Tool	Description
`ink_consumption_tool`	Estimate ink grams/kg and cost for a print run (offset, flexo, gravure, screen, digital)
`print_cost_estimator_tool`	Full job cost breakdown: ink + plates + makeready + run cost
`barcode_ink_coverage_tool`	Ink coverage % for Code 128, EAN-13, QR, and Data Matrix barcodes
`preflight_check_tool`	Pre-press file validation — checks color mode, resolution, bleed, fonts, ink coverage, and transparency
`substrate_simulator_tool`	Simulate CMYK color shifts on different paper substrates (dot gain, absorption, tint)

Utilities

Tool	Description
`icc_profile_info_tool`	Parse ICC/ICM profile metadata (color space, device class, version, PCS) from any `.icc` file
`paper_weight_converter_tool`	Convert between GSM, lb text, and lb cover

Usage Examples

Once configured, just ask Claude naturally:

Pantone Lookup

"What's the CMYK breakdown for Pantone 485 C?"

Fuzzy matching accepts any format: "485C", "pantone 485", "485 coated", "Warm Red"

{ "name": "Pantone 485 C", "c": 0, "m": 95, "y": 100, "k": 0, "hex": "#FF0D0D" }

Reverse Pantone Search

"What Pantone colors are closest to #DA291C?"

{
  "matches": [
    { "name": "Pantone 485 C", "c": 0, "m": 95, "y": 100, "k": 0, "hex": "#FF0D0D" },
    { "name": "Pantone 485 M", "c": 1, "m": 93, "y": 99, "k": 2, "hex": "#FA0E03" }
  ],
  "search_type": "hex #DA291C"
}

Color Conversion

"Convert CMYK 100/44/0/0 to RGB"

{ "r": 0, "g": 143, "b": 255, "hex": "#008FFF" }

Ink Estimation

"How much ink for 10,000 A4 flyers at 35% coverage on offset?"

{ "ink_grams": 327.44, "ink_kg": 0.3274, "cost_estimate_usd": 8.19 }

Full Print Job Costing

"Cost estimate: 5,000 A4 flyers, 4-color offset, 120gsm, double-sided"

{
  "total_cost_usd": 628.14,
  "cost_per_unit_usd": 0.1256,
  "breakdown": {
    "ink": 11.34,
    "plates": 280.00,
    "makeready": 200.00,
    "run_cost": 136.80
  }
}

Color Matching QC

"Compare brand blue (100/72/0/18) vs proof (98/70/2/20) — is the Delta E acceptable?"

{ "delta_e": 3.41, "interpretation": "fair — noticeable difference" }

Delta E	Quality
< 1	Excellent — imperceptible
1 - 3	Good — barely perceptible
3 - 6	Fair — noticeable
> 6	Poor — obvious difference

Spot vs Process Recommendation

"Should these colors be spot or process?"

{
  "spot_colors": [
    { "nearest_pantone": "Pantone 485 C", "delta_e": 0.0, "reason": "Close match — use spot for accuracy" }
  ],
  "process_colors": [
    { "nearest_pantone": "Pantone 375 C", "delta_e": 8.2, "reason": "No close match — reproduce as CMYK" }
  ]
}

ICC Profile Inspection

"What color space does this ICC profile use?"

{
  "profile_name": "ISOcoated_v2",
  "color_space": "CMYK",
  "device_class": "Output (Printer)",
  "version": "2.4.0",
  "pcs": "XYZ"
}

Barcode Ink Coverage

"Ink coverage for an EAN-13 barcode at 37mm x 26mm?"

{
  "coverage_percent": 52.0,
  "recommended_ink": "Process Black (K: 100)",
  "print_method_suggestion": "offset — good resolution for medium modules"
}

Paper Weight Conversion

"What's 80 lb text in GSM?"

{ "value": 118.42, "from_unit": "lb_text", "to_unit": "gsm" }

Preflight Check

"Validate my file for offset printing: CMYK, 300 DPI, 3mm bleed, fonts embedded"

{
  "status": "pass",
  "checks": [
    { "name": "color_mode", "status": "pass", "message": "CMYK is correct for offset." },
    { "name": "resolution", "status": "pass", "message": "300 DPI meets the minimum of 300 DPI for offset." },
    { "name": "bleed", "status": "pass", "message": "3.0 mm bleed meets the 3.0 mm minimum for offset." },
    { "name": "fonts", "status": "pass", "message": "All fonts are embedded." },
    { "name": "ink_coverage", "status": "pass", "message": "Total ink coverage 280% is within safe limits." },
    { "name": "transparency", "status": "pass", "message": "No transparency detected." }
  ],
  "summary": "6 passed, 0 warnings, 0 failed out of 6 checks.",
  "recommendation": "File is ready for production."
}

Checks color mode, resolution, bleed, font embedding, total ink coverage, and transparency against the target print method (offset, digital, flexo, gravure, screen).

Check	Fail	Warning
Color mode	RGB/spot for offset/flexo/gravure/screen	RGB for digital
Resolution	Below 75% of method minimum	Below method minimum
Bleed	No bleed	Below method minimum
Fonts	Not embedded	—
Ink coverage	> 340%	> 300%
Transparency	—	Present (needs flattening)

Substrate Simulation

"How will CMYK 50/30/20/10 look on newsprint vs glossy coated?"

{
  "original": { "c": 50, "m": 30, "y": 20, "k": 10, "hex": "#73A1B8" },
  "simulated": { "c": 57.5, "m": 38.3, "y": 29.8, "k": 31.9, "hex": "#4A6B7A" },
  "substrate": "newsprint",
  "print_method": "offset",
  "adjustments": { "dot_gain_applied": 30, "absorption_k_added": 16.2 },
  "delta_e_from_original": 21.11,
  "warning": "Severe color shift — this substrate may not be suitable for color-critical work."
}

Six substrate profiles with different dot gain, absorption, and paper tint characteristics:

Substrate	Dot gain (offset)	Tint	Typical use
`glossy_coated`	12%	None	Magazines, brochures
`matte_coated`	18%	Slight warm	Art books, reports
`uncoated`	22%	Warm	Letterheads, books
`newsprint`	30%	Yellow/gray	Newspapers, flyers
`kraft`	25%	Strong brown	Packaging, bags
`recycled`	25%	Slight gray	Eco-friendly prints

Pantone Database

The built-in database contains 2,415 Pantone colors:

Series	Range	Description
Numeric	100–699	Yellows, oranges, reds, pinks, purples, blues, greens, grays, browns
7000 series	7400–7547	Extended gamut colors
Named	—	Black, White, Warm Red, Reflex Blue, Process Blue, Cool/Warm Grays 1–11, Hexachrome series

Every color is available in three finishes: Coated (C), Uncoated (U), and Matte (M).

Fuzzy matching handles format variations — "485C", "pantone 485", "485 coated" all resolve correctly.

Development

git clone https://github.com/kcgdz/mcp-print.git
cd mcp-print
pip install -e .
pip install pytest
pytest tests/ -v

108 passed in 0.19s

License

MIT

mcp-print

mcp-print

Who is this for?

Install

Configure with Claude Code

Tools

Color & Pantone

Print Production

Utilities

Usage Examples

Pantone Lookup

Reverse Pantone Search

Color Conversion

Ink Estimation

Full Print Job Costing

Color Matching QC

Spot vs Process Recommendation

ICC Profile Inspection

Barcode Ink Coverage

Paper Weight Conversion

Preflight Check

Substrate Simulation

Pantone Database

Development

License

Maintenance

Resources

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