Pre-press workflow
We provide guidance on the preparation of any type of electronic files you send to us, to ensure they have a smooth transition through our workflow. This includes the correct settings for spot colours for coated and uncoated stock papers.
For litho printed jobs, we use computer-to-plate technology, calibrated to meet the ISO standard. This is particularly important where hybrid litho and digital printing is used within the same document.
SPM invested in the Compose Express pre-press workflow to provide digital proofing software for our Epson 7880 inkjet printers. The main reason for choosing this workflow was its ability to produce accurate halftone dots from screened TIFF files from a Harlequin RIP. This was the first commercially available workflow to be awarded JDF certification by PIA/GATF on behalf of the CIP4 JDF development organisation.
Both Macs and PCs can access the Windows 2003 server platform to provide either raster (TIFF and similar) or vector (PDF) workflows from end to end.
Stored workflows can be accessed and monitored from web browsers on networked machines. Browser and hot folder operation is possible, but Express WorkFlow 3 also introduces small Widget windows for job submission. These sit on the Windows or Mac desktop and offer a smarter alternative to hot folders, letting you select from a list of workflows before choosing more pre-set options, so each job is configured individually. Behind the Widget menu is a Java client linked to the Compose server.
Express WorkFlow can be configured from a choice of up to 35 modules « including programmes such as Enfocus PitStop (for pre-flight), Jaws PDF Creator or Adobe Acrobat Distiller (for PDF creation or re-purposing) and Preps or DynaStrip (imposition). Several levels of proofing modules are also available: VisualProof (for soft halftone proofing); ContentProof (a basic layout proofer); DI Proof (higher-grade data-integral ROOM proofs); and StarProof halftone digital proofer for inkjets. This includes wide- and grand- format inkjet printers used for display purposes.
Input formats include PostScript, PDF, EPS, PCL and one-bit TIFF. The imposition modules PRI Station, PDF Imposi-tion and Plate Controller use Express WorkFlow's JDF module to manipulate page placement and generate folding, creasing and cutting instructions. Job tracking uses JDF to allow users to search for jobs by any criteria. JDF tickets can be exported for ink-zone profiles, folding, creasing, trimming and cutting. Trapping, imposition, soft proofing are also included.
Design & Pre-press
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