A decade ago, proofing was a complicated process. A chromalin print of the job would be produced and then either posted or couriered – depending on the expediency of the job – to the designer for final sign off. It was expensive and time-consuming. There had to be an easier way. The obvious viable alternative was soft proofing – the viewing and approval of proofs online. At the time there were a number of obstacles standing in the way, among them, slow internet speeds and a lack of suitable software options. However, over the past few years the soft proofing market has come of age, thanks to software developers investing bundles of cash into creating products that take the time and the financial strain out of the proofing process. As a result, the market has been flooded with an array of options, some with more merit than others. The latest addition is Proofstream 6.0, which launched in November last year.

Developed by Canadian-based company Nustream Graphic, Proofstream allows users to collaborate on any job from anywhere in the world via a standard internet browser, which enables real-time collaboration between users to take place. By tracking jobs until they are approved by nominated users, the company claims that it reduces the opportunity to introduce errors – and, like all soft proofing options, it’s much greener than using physical proofs, which require transportation for delivery.

In Europe, the product will be distributed by Nustream Europe, based in Derby. The man tasked with spreading the good word about Proofstream is pre-press industry stalwart Colin Taylor, who has taken on the mantle of Nustream business development manager for Europe and Asia.

Tried and tested
Taylor explains that Proofstream was previously sold as Webpage, a proofing package that has been around for six years or so, until the rebrand in November, which saw the product boosted with a range of new features. He argues that the key difference between it and its competitors is that rival products focus solely on simple job approval.

"Proofstream differs from this by not only providing a collaborative approval solution, but also the ability to build and manage workflows allowing the automation of many manual tasks normally associated with job creation and approval," explains Taylor.

"From remote job submission, file pre-flighting and standardising, to displaying back-to-back imposition proofs for approval and submission to CTP, inkjet or digital presses. Proofstream can even automate and track via its database all of the processes involved in pre-press, design and print production, providing information on the whole job process."

The new software has been released in four different versions to suit various sizes and types of user. Proofstream Lite is the most basic version. Designed for a "straightforward printer/customer relationship" it centralises proofing needs by automating emails and the sending of PDFs to a client each time an adjustment is required. The Standard version of the software allows full control of all tasks within a pre-press department – or from a remote site – in addition to its file approval and collaboration tools.

"Proofstream Standard gives a pre-press department full control to get all processes of the job right through powerful decision making tools before producing hard or printed copy," says Taylor. "This attention to detail is what helps to ensure that the job is printed correctly, first time every time."

Then there’s Proofstream Pro, Nustream’s flagship proofing product, which includes functionality such as drag and drop page changes via the flatplan and a detailed log of the job via a database. This latter function is useful if a dispute arises on where, when and who requested a correction.

"Both printer and publisher are able to work in harmony knowing that a full log of activity exists to back up any claims regarding corrections and changes," explains Taylor.

The Pro version also features Proofstream’s virtual booklet tool, which allows users to see their job as a final finished book or brochure.

"Nothing unusual about this you might think, until the detail is examined," says Taylor. "Users can zoom the page, outline areas and add notes and corrections, and decision makers can approve pages as they scroll through the job. Turn off the notes and corrections and they are left as colour-coded drawing pins, meaning that everyone is informed of where the job is being worked on and who is working on it."

Heavy-duty use
And finally an Enterprise version is available targeted at "heavy duty printer/publisher partnerships". Enterprise allows services and production to be shared across several servers for load balancing. Whichever version you plump for, Proofstream will integrate with virtually any existing pre-press workflow displaying rendered data, or it can operate with a standalone workflow using its own built in rendering.

According to Nustream, the beauty of all versions of the software is its ease of use. Approving a job entails logging in, selecting the page in question and then simply clicking to approve it. Training on the product is provided but Taylor says that "because Proofstream is web-based and works with all popular browsers without the need to download heavy, bespoke client applications," it is easy for new users to get started.

An added bonus for users is the recent addition of Apple iPhone and iPad compatibility. "The technology of these products is a great fit with the immediacy of the proofing cycle in general and the capabilities made available by the Proofstream software," explains Taylor.

The obvious markets for the product are pre-press houses, publishers, design agencies and commercial printers. Taylor says that a version of the product specifically designed for packaging is currently in development and the company will be looking for beta sites for this in the near future.

So how much does it cost? Taylor explains that unlike some soft proofing products Proofstream has no click charges or storage limitations. For the Lite version, prices begin at £2,000 whereas the fully featured Enterprise version, excluding hardware, installation and training, will set you back around £12,000.

"Proofstream is significantly less expensive than all its rivals on a like-for-like basis, many of which operate on an ASP basis making it difficult to compare on price as they are paid for monthly," says Taylor.

Making life easier
The product started shipping on release and there are currently around 40 installations worldwide – this figure includes upgrades from previous software versions.

Taylor refuses to divulge sales targets, but given the modern-day pressures placed on the pre-press process, coupled with Proofstream’s range of different versions that cater to users both large and small, he’s confident that the product will be a resounding success.

"Research has shown that errors at the proofing stage, such as the failure to carry out a correction, can cost the printer more money than any other problem," explains Taylor. "Digital technology and workflow should make the process easier but the software at the hub of the system has to be created with a proper understanding of the whole production process and the individual needs of each participant in the approval cycle. The team at Nustream bring a wealth of experience and understanding to this area of software development and that is what separates Proofstream from other products currently on the market. We are convinced that Proofstream represents both a price and performance breakthrough for this sector."

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SPECIFICATIONS
Platform
Windows
Price
Lite: from £2,000
Standard: from £3,000
Pro: from £4,000
Enterprise: from £12,000
Contact
Nustream
01332 364108