Supplying film to printers has been completely eliminated, and although some print sites are producing imposed film it expects to be completely CTP within the next couple of months.

The last few titles to switch included the March issue of What Hi-Fi? and the April issue of Gramophone.

"It was a lot easier than I expected," said group pre-press manager Meurig Evans, "largely because of the suppliers and our production staff."

Errors and compensation claims have reduced, which it was originally feared would increase.

Before making the switch to CTP Haymarket, publisher of PrintWeek, worked with its repro houses and printers to ensure it had secure digital files. Work is sent to the printers in several special versions of PDF.

Files include ripped and screened PDF RS files, PDF files with vectorised text from Dalim Twist and files created using Agfas Apogee Create.

"I would never have gone at the pace we have with standard PDFs," said Evans. "The schedule for CTP was agreed after we settled on file formats."

Since the process began at the end of 2000 an average of five titles per month have switched, and group production director Chris Kings aim to complete the transition by the end of the first quarter has been met.

Benefits have been seen in cost, schedules and quality, with reduced makereadies and later deadlines for news and sales.

"Theres no doubt the magazines look loads better," said Evans. "The feedback has been enormously positive."

Story by Barney Cox