CIP4 has released the final specification for version 1.0 of the Job Definition Format (JDF).


"Everything is in place," said John Sweeney, CIP4 marketing officer and director of colour measurement systems at Graphic Micro-systems. "The first product demonstrations will probably be at Print 01 in Chicago, but the real products will come at Ipex."


Seven active working groups are developing the standard, funded by CIP4 member companies.


JDF will integrate the design, production, management, manufacturing and delivery of printed products.


"This collaborative effort on JDF brings together key players in the industry and validates the role of open, robust workflow standards towards realising new supply-chain efficiencies," said Adobe vice president of Internet Printing Systems George Cacioppo.


The membership list of CIP4 reads like a whos who of manufacturers including MIS, pre-press, press and finishing firms, major print groups, e-commerce firms, trade bodies and academic institutions. "The membership list for CIP4 compared to CIP3 is telling," said Sweeney. "Its finally real."


Story by Barney Cox