The paperless office may not exist but the creation of the world’s first paper-free proofing system could
be a step towards achieving it in pre-press. London-based Colour Systems has addressed some of the hottest industry topics with its closed-loop workflow. The environment, e-commerce and customer care
are all considered in the system, designed to streamline the production of the 18 European editions of Reader’s Digest.

Colour Systems has been calibrating the Reader’s Digest pre-press workflows since 2002. “We built up the partnership slowly. After working for its UK magazines, Reader’s Digest decided we should streamline its European titles as well,” explains Nikki Brin, senior account manager at Colour Systems.

The decision to introduce a paperless closed-loop system was the result of long talks between the two firms. “We wanted to harmonise the whole workflow, otherwise the European editions are left to their own devices,” says Howard Reynolds, Reader’s Digest’s global pre-press manager. Colour Systems first introduced a centralised European workflow for the magazine five years ago. Although, up until now, the workflow had been confined to content.

The new system, handling both colour and content, has been in action since February and has already delivered numerous benefits. “The Proof Positive software means we don’t use any paper or inks so it’s a very environmentally-friendly application,” claims Brin. The system has helped Reader’s Digest cut carbon emissions, as it no longer couriers paper proofs back and forth. Scheduling has also been improved as deadlines can be squeezed, slashing production times. “All the pre-press for the 18 editions is produced in a two-week cycle, so we wanted to streamline the process as much as possible,” adds Brin.

The magazine pages are converted into PDFs through the Proof Positive remote proofing system and then e-mailed to the local editors to be checked on screen. “It is such new technology,” says Brin. “The system behind it is Dalim’s Dialogue. This was only released last year and we have adjusted it to our needs.” It took over a year to build the workflow, which was then subjected to extensive testing from proofing right through to print. Colour-controlled Eizo monitors and detailed profiles are vital components. “We would never have recommended firms to proof on screen until now as an average computer monitor would not be able to display such accurate colours,” explains Brin.

Introducing a completely paperless system requires a radical change to the way firms think and work. “At first the idea sounded dramatic to the editorial teams,” admits Reynolds. Brin agrees that there will always be some concerns surrounding such an unfamiliar method of proofing. “It is a completely different psychology checking a proof on screen rather than on paper. Its principles can be hard to demonstrate, but more people are getting used to seeing proofs online. It made sense that this system was the next logical step.”

To standardise and streamline the workflow, Colour Systems approves the colour internally. Brin and Reader’s Digest’s European art director Martin Colyer take sole responsibility for all colour proofing.
Colour Systems is already planning to introduce the service to its other clients and is currently installing the system for Swedish publisher IMP. “Eventually everyone will be using it,” comments Brin. “Even for internal proofing we want to get rid of paper proofs. The cost and environmental benefits are huge.”

Reynolds also want to build on the partnership. “We like Colour Systems’ innovative way of thinking. Its workflow processes are constantly evolving.” Reynolds hints that he would be keen to introduce the system into other areas of Reader’s Digest but remains tight-lipped on any exact plans.

Publishers are piling on the pressure to achieve shorter turnaround times and cost savings through an environmentally friendly process. “It seems that the whole world is moving online,” says Brin. “And online is definitely where pre-press is heading.”

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Repro house Colour Systems
Project Paperless closed-loop proofing system
Purpose of project To streamline pre-press magazine production
Number of pages 178
Benefits Environmentally-friendly workflow to cut production time and costs