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Automated PDF Workflow Solutions for Wide-Format Printers and Flatbeds
By Eileen Fritsch
Automated PDF Workflow Solutions for Wide-Format Printers and Flatbeds
Agfa Graphics Asanti
www.agfagraphics.com
Simplifies and integrates steps for color-consistent, error-free production of signs and display graphics on wide-format printers from many manufacturers. PDF preflighting, easy-to-use color calibration modes, and robust imposition tool for ganging smaller jobs on large printers. Place cut lines for efficient automated cutting of standard or nested irregular shapes. Connects with Asanti Storefront.
Agfa Graphics Apogee 9
www.agfagraphics.com
Comprehensive production hub for graphic arts drives computer-to-plate devices, supports digital printing, and delivers optimal output for sign and display applications. Connects with Web Approval proofing portal and Apogee Storefront.
Caldera version 10
www.caldera.com
Uses 64-bit data handling of APPE 3.3 for faster processing of massive and complex files. PrintBoard production overview enables remote monitoring of print jobs. Supports production of wall graphics, textiles, ceramics, glass, wood and CAD printing. Connects with Caldera PDF Preflight and Flow+ modules. Nexio JDF toolkit connects Caldera RIP with Print MIS, accounting, and logistics software. Read more about Caldera's approach to automation and the APPE in their "Gamut" magazine which can be read on their website or downloaded in PDF format.
ColorGATE Production Server
www.colorgate.com
Production RIP software for optimal color rendering and consistent reproduction in large-format printing, textile or screen printing, digital presses or print-and-cut workflows. Family of products include options for brand-marketing campaigns, entry-level production, computer-to-screen, and industrial inkjet production, HP Indigos, flexo packaging. Manufacturer Editions for Canon, Epson, HP, Mimaki, Mutoh, and Roland
Fiery XF RIP
w3.efi.com/fiery-wide-format
EFI Fiery XF RIP software connects with most major eco-solvent, solvent, and UV-curable printers, including models from HP, Epson, Canon, Mimaki, Mutoh, and Roland. Uses color-management tools specific to wide-format graphics such as Intelligent Clean Color and Full Gamut mode. Fiery XF Spot Color option automates the color matching of brand colors on multiple devices.
EFI Fiery XF proServer
w3.efi.com/fiery-wide-format
Fiery proServer is a high-performance hardware/RIP software combination for fast processing of files EFI VUTEk superwide format UV inkjet printers. Uses APPE with application-specific chips for fast processing and load balancing of PDF files on two 5-meter EFI VUTEk printers. Integrates seamlessly with EFI Digital Storefront and Pace Print MIS system. Bi-directional communication between Fiery XF proServer and select VUTEk printers allows direct job submission from Digital Storefront.
Esko Production Suite
www.esko.com
Pre-production software tools for packaging, signage, and display production. Facilitates collaboration between brand owners, retailers, designers, package manufacturers and print-service providers. Suite 14 includes modules for: structural packaging design and manufacturing; 3D design and in-store simulation; step and repeat and imposition; workflow automation; color management; RIP, screening and output control; asset management; and palletization and shipping optimization.
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Esko iCut Suite for Large-Format Printing and Finishing
www.esko.com
Esko Automation Engine streamlines preflighting and editing of PDF files, layout, tiling, nesting and cutting of signs, POP displays, folding cartons, and custom shipping boxes. Can add bar codes, create packing sheets, and extend graphics for banner, flag, and textile finishing. Optimizes cutting paths and creates bleeds for contour-cut images. Tiling supports billboards, building wraps, printed walls, and store displays. Saves templates for frequently decorated walls that require irregular sized tiles. Generates backside layout for double-sided printing. I-cut Vision Pro reduces set-up time at the digital finishing table by correcting for slight distortions between printed graphics and contour cuts.
Fujifilm Edition of Caldera Grand RIP
www.fujifilm.com
Renders PDF files for output on more than 800 proofers, cutters, computer-to-screen systems, and many models of inkjet printers including Fujifilm printers. Analyzes cost of each printed job. Helps designers match corporate spot colors with new Color Book. Optimizes ink usage. Backed by Fujifilm service and support.
Fujifilm Edition of ColorGATE Production Server
www.fujifilm.com
Uses APPE engine to render PDF files for more than 750 proofers, wide-format flatbed and grand-format inkjet printers, computer-to-screen systems, and industrial cutters. Modules for custom profiling, device synchronization, quality assurance, C7 calibration, cost calculations, proofing, and print-and-cut workflow.
Fujifilm XMF Workflow Production Suite
www.fujifilm.com
Includes Workflow module for imposition and proofing. Options include PrintCentre module for hosting web-to-print online ordering and generation of static and variable data print. XMF Remote enables remote job submission, review, and approval on a wide range of platforms. XMF ColorPath is cloud-based color management for ensuring color-matched output on screen print, offset, digital presses, and wide-format inkjet.
GMG Production and Color Management Solutions for Wide Format
www.gmgcolor.com
Uses proprietary, high-end color management system to produce consistent, repeatable brand colors across multiple print platforms, including superwide and flatbed inkjet, digital presses, and offset, flexo, gravure, and screen-printing presses. Works with more than 800 devices, including industrial flatbed presses and digital cutting systems from Zund and Kongsberg. Includes tools for PDF preflighting and editing and definition of pole pockets, hems, grommets, and cutting lines. Real-time output preview of job set-up. Generates separate print files for printers and cut files for cutting devices. Modules for variable-data printing, true-shape nesting.
HP SmartStream
www.hpwsn.com
Workflow modules that can be used to design scalable end-to-end workflows for specific products, such as: brochures and booklets; photo books; labels; personalized marketing campaigns; corrugated packaging; vehicle graphics; outdoor graphics; temporary textiles; and exhibition and event graphics. HP Workflow Solutions Navigator shows which HP SmartStream modules to use to manage production on HIP Indigo presses or HP Scitex or Latex inkjet printers driven by EFI, Caldera, Onyx, or ColorGATE RIP software. Modules can automate finishing, including binding, assembling, packaging and shipping. Other features include automated reprinting, kitting, and job prioritization. Production Center supports all digital front ends and provides instant visibility to each job at every step of production. Automatically flags jobs that are late.
ONYX Thrive
www.onyxgfx.com
Scalable, end-to-end PDF workflow that renders all incoming files (including PS, EPS, and PDF) in Adobe PDF Print Engine. Can RIP multiple jobs simultaneously to keep work flowing. Higher-end versions include ONYX Color for generating color-managed previews. Quick Set automation tools are familiar to ONYX RIP users. Optional add-ons: ONYX Textile Edition RIP; Adobe Illustrator plug-ins for Vehicle Wraps and Sign and Banner production. ONYX Connect JDF module allows connections with Print MIS and job-submission programs.
Tucanna tApproval
http://tucannatflow.com/tflow-approval/
Streamlines production of print-ready PDFs by facilitating communications between customers, art department, and customer-service rep. Collaboration tool for submitting, annotating, preflighting, and tracking jobs and files. Cloud-based or self-hosted.
Tucanna tFLOW
http://tucannatflow.com/
Accepts preflighted and approved PDF files and processes them for printing on large-format digital printers, digital presses, and offset presses. Files are preflighted, automatically corrected and optimized, and sent to the printer with the correct ICC profiles for job requirements.
This article appeared in the SGIA Journal, January / February 2015 Issue and is reprinted with permission. Copyright 2015 Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (www.sgia.org). All Rights Reserved.
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