I-Cut Suite updates and extends the SignUp cutting workflow tool launched two years ago at Drupa to drive the Kongsberg tables, with PDF pre-flighting and correction, structural design, graphics preparation and nesting.

"In wide-format, we’re known as a hardware company for our Kongsberg tables, but EskoArtwork is 80% a software company, as is recognised in the commercial print and packaging markets," said sign & display product manager Ruben Cagnie.

"Our wide-format workflow now goes from A-Z, rather than just covering Z – the finishing," he added.

According to the firm, the inclusion of PDF pre-flighting technology from the firm’s Enfocus division will help wide-format printers to streamline their pre-press operations and reduce reprints for faulty files.

Cagnie said the wide-format market was very insecure about PDF files, as it  lac­­­­ked the tools to check them.

"Currently, the market relies on application files such as Adobe InDesign, QuarkXpress and CorelDraw. That means that problems tend to be found after ripping, or even worse, and more expensively, on the print itself," he said.

The software can be integrated with any wide-format RIP and Cagnie said that it provided more user control and editability of cutting profiles and layout than the tools built into most RIPS.

I-Cut Suite is modular and prices start at €1,500 (£1,250), rising to €6,000. In time, more automation will be added and it will include the firm’s Automation Engine technology, which is being shown as a demo at Fespa.