The 1.3 Schema and Reference Implementation is based on the 1.3 version of JDF and marks the first version developed entirely under the CIP4 organisation.

It covers the exchange of data between customer and web-to-print ecommerce systems, and print estimating, scheduling and MIS systems. The standard covers a range of transactions such as estimates and approvals among others, and is accompanied by a range of Interoperability Conformance Specifications (ICS) for specific production systems.

These include MISCPS, covering data held in an MIS hooked into sheet-fed systems; PreCP, for prepress to conventional print set ups; and new ICS system maps: MISWeb and MISNews, for commercial and newspaper MIS to web press set ups.

The ICS documents add in support for late stage colour selection, the use of identical inks in different separations; multiple runs of a job on small presses; integrating the PreCP ICS with other production systems for a complete workflow; and versioning jobs.

"Extending automation and the benefits of automation to the customer is a priority for many printers," said CIP4 chairman Margaret Motamed. "One of the promises of automation is to eliminate redundant work ... and to make the entire process of designing, buying, producing and delivering print faster, more reliable, and more immediate to the ultimate consumer of the printed message. This version of PrintTalk, with its tight coordination with JDF, is an important integration milestone on the path to that objective."