APPE processes PDF/VT – a new version of the format developed for personalised print workflows.

"We believe APPE 2 and PDF/VT will finally fulfil the promise of variable data printing," said Adobe PDF Print Engine senior product manager Mark Lewiecki.

"This is the next generation end-to-end PDF workflow for personalised publication."

The company claims the new workflow and file format address industry demands for a simpler variable data workflow and so will enable a growth in personalised print above its current level of 10-20% of all digitally printed pages.

To date, most personalised print workflows have remained based on PostScript rather than PDF. PDF/VT, in which the V stands for Variable and the T transactional, will simplify the creative workflow, especially proofing and approval and brings more advanced graphics, with features such as native transparency handling.

Riley McNulty, research manager for document solutions at market research firm IDC, said: "Printing is a thin margin business; anything that strips out cost and streamlines processes is beneficial.

"Variable data has been around for a while, but adoption has been slow. To manage all elements from start to finish through an integrated PDF-based workflow is a strong value proposition."

At Drupa, workflows from Creo, DirectSmile, GMC, Pageflex, Printable and XMPie will be shown using PDF/VT. Demonstrations will show the full process up to printed output.

Hardware vendors such as EFI, Kodak, Xerox and Océ are building products based on APPE 2. The first are expected to ship by the end of this year, although Adobe is leaving it to its partners to confirm their own product plans.

APPE 2 builds on the original APPE, which Adobe launched at the last Ipex in 2006.

To date it has been installed at more than 2,000 print sites around the world, mostly in CTP systems. APPE 2 widens the scope of the product to digital presses.

The software is scalable to enable it to be configured to drive the latest generation of high-speed digital presses and features intelligent cache management to speed up the processing of personalised documents.