I’m looking to upgrade our RIP and have been told to invest in a single RIP that natively interprets multiple file formats. Which formats are important? What are the benefits of this?

When a RIP interprets a file format natively, the file is not converted into another format for printing. The advantage of this is that there are no conversion steps that might introduce errors into the printed job, so it’s the best way of ensuring consistent, high-quality output. You’d be making a wise investment in a RIP that can process multiple file formats in this way because it will read the job you have submitted, automatically recognise the file format (whether it’s PostScript, PDF or XPS) interpret the file and send it down a common rendering pipeline. All jobs will be processed the same way and you rule out the risk of different behaviours occurring in, say, colour management or trapping between PostScript and PDF.

There are other benefits, too: you don’t have to worry about which file format your customer sends you; if you use one RIP for multiple formats you reduce training costs in your pre-press department; and, native rendering can be quicker. Native rendering of PDF files, such as with Harlequin, also means that you don’t have to flatten transparency.

As for which formats are important, it really depends on the type of workflow you have invested in and the type of customers you have. Despite the fact that the PostScript format was introduced more than 20 years ago, it is still important for high-end printing and widely used, even though PDF as a print format is hard on its heels. Some segments of the industry will also need XPS, especially inplants and print shops that undertake corporate printing. If you’re taking print jobs from unsophisticated buyers, you may also consider asking them to create XPS files if they have Windows Vista as a way of rationalising the files you receive, and guaranteeing inclusion of all fonts required. Even if you don’t do much printing for such groups now but see them as a growth area, you should really think about investing in a native XPS RIP. There are now more than 180m users of Vista worldwide and each has the ability to create XPS files.

Martin Bailey, chief technology officer, Global Graphics Software

Our client wants us to attach 10,000 credit card-style tip-ons to the inside of its next mailer, which is a 250gsm 6pp DL roll-fed self-mailer. Do you have any advice?

First and foremost, the credit card tip-ons must be printed in a specific and useable order to facilitate the correct matching of the card to the mailer. This job would almost certainly need to be hand-worked as opposed to any automated gluing line due to the nature of the mailer. Typically the mailing piece would be received ‘flat’ but pre-creased to facilitate hand folding and tabbing after the credit card had been affixed.

I would recommend using a peelable glue dot that comes packaged in reels on a backing paper in three strengths: low tack, high tack and super high tack. They can either be affixed manually or via a hand-held application gun.

For your job, I would opt for a high-tack dot, which would prevent the credit card breaking loose and slipping out of the self-mailer. The 250gsm card would have enough composite strength to enable the card to be removed by the recipient without tearing the mailing piece.

Speed is, of course, entirely media dependent but in your case expect a minimum of 250 pieces per operative per hour. If this run is to be undertaken on a regular basis, the procedure could be automated with the aid of camera matching of the cards to the mailer and using an automated gluing line.

Full automation of adhesive dispensing would be required for large regular runs such as tip-on affixing to magazines prior to polywrapping, and all of the polywrapping or enclosing machine vendors would work with you to look at the particular application requirement and source a suitable solution.

Jason Boxall, director, Pro-Active UK

I have only ever sold print to end users but would like to diversify by taking on more trade work. Do you have any advice on how to establish the trade printing side of the business?

Trade customers normally keep the elements they prefer in-house, and sub-out non-core items. Generally they are user-friendly and know what information is required and, if a query does arise, are comfortable resolving issues over the phone – particularly if they have faith in the supplier’s judgement. One of the best things about working for trade is that customers know the business, understand the technical terminology and have realistic expectations of what can be achieved.

Building up a good client list of trade customers is all about service. Receiving referrals and recommendations by word of mouth is always great, but that doesn’t mean you should forget about the importance of advertising.

To do trade work, it is essential you maintain a good reputation for price, quality, discretion and delivery.Trade customers pitching for work can also base some of their matrix prices on prices we submit to them.

But just like any print sector, working for trade has its downsides. When the market hardens – as it has at the moment – those same trade customers can be tempted to try to produce specialist work (in our case large-format) in-house rather than have presses standing, even though it’s more awkward and ostensibly more expensive.

Pricing work for the trade market can also be extremely demanding, because prices by definition have to be competitive enough to withstand additional handling margins to justify trade users processing the work on behalf of end-users.

Deadlines can be another bugbear. When working for fellow printers, it’s good practice to play your customers straight, which could occasionally mean declining a job if it can’t be delivered on the requested date. Unfortunately, sometimes you may face the irritating situation of losing a job because you can only guarantee delivery, say, the next day (perhaps because of limitations on material supply), only to find the competition said yes, but delivered later anyway. It’s little consolation to be told ‘don’t worry, they were penalised for it’.

Dominic Clark, managing director, Dominion Print