A smooth, accurate and cost-effective transition from ordering and pre-press to printing and finishing is vital to any successful print business. Hence, pre-flighting software, workflow and RIPs, designed to help the print process run as smooth as possible, are essential.
Preflighting ensures that all print files are correctly formatted and of the desired type. It checks that fonts are not corrupt, that image files are in the correct colour format and that colour profiles are included, as well as ensuring document size, margins, bleeds, marks and page information all fit within the constraints of the output device.
Automation gains
Workflows help printers automate and track the process of moving a printable job through pre-press, proofing, approval, platemaking, printing and finishing. When looking to invest in a workflow system that supports web-to-print, it’s important that you choose the level of automation that’s right for your business and whether you want a software-as-a-service (SaaS) or a self-hosted model.
"The potential benefit of SaaS is that you are not having to invest in IT, but you are putting the business in the hands of a third-party so there are security issues with that," says Trevor Dodsworth, head of product marketing in business-to-
business at Canon UK.
According to Dodsworth, many printers are now clued up on the benefits of a good workflow management system thanks to the growing awareness and use of variable data printing and web-to print, which are currently high on people’s agenda.
"What we’ve found is that, when we are talking to customers – whether they are commercial or inplant – we are very rarely talking about hardware," says Dodsworth.
The main feature of any workflow system is to find the most cost-effective way of printing a job. If, for example, the job requirement is 20 copies of a 50-page document, the workflow tool will reroute this to the appropriate work station, create a job ticket and ensure it’s produced in the most cost-effective manner possible.
In today’s business environment, where margins are key, a good workflow is a powerful weapon in a printer’s armoury. There are lots of different products and providers to choose from so if you’re weighing up a purchase make sure that you do your due diligence. Check that the software provider offers training on the product and is on-hand for troubleshooting advice.
WHAT'S NEW IN: Preflighting, workflows & RIPs
• Last month, Danish software provider WebProof launched a workflow that it says delivers the same functionality as Enfocus Switch, but is free of charge
•EskoArtwork launched its first workflow for wide-format printing, i-Cut Suite at Fespa. I-Cut Suite updates and extends the SignUp cutting workflow tool and features PDF preflighting and correction, structural design and nesting. I-Cut Suite is modular and prices start at €1,500 (£1,250), rising to €6,000
•GMG has launched FlowConnect, a software that integrates its colour management software with Enfocus Switch workflow automation technology. Initially supporting GMG’s ColorServer and InkOptimizer packages, the integration with Switch makes it possible to increase productivity and production reliability, according to GMG
•Shiraz Software has updated the server version of its wide-format RIP to support HP’s Designjet L65500 and L25500 latex printers. The software includes support for HP’s matched media profiles
