Stephen Miller, CreoScitex's packaging and printing specialist, believes that there will be a leap forward in prepress technology in 2001.
Earlier this year, CREOSCITEX released the most challenging package prepress system based on the PDF file format. An interview with Mr. Stephen Miller, one of the senior executives of Prinergy Powerpack, on the prospect of this new technology.
Q: You have been at the most important stage of technological growth in the industry. What do you think has the greatest impact on the productivity of the packaging industry?
SM: This started with a cheap, low-end desktop publishing system. The price and user friendliness of the Mac Workbench has given more people access to digital opportunities and has accelerated our transition to digital products. This may be followed by a package integration system with overprints and impositions and various functions.
Now that there is a wide-format output device, it is not necessary to output a small film before making a make-up. Simply using developed communication facilities to transfer document data within the country and even the world is very fast. Finally, it is sent to a computer-to-plate system. The production efficiency has been greatly improved.
Pp: What do you think about the application of CTP in the packaging industry?
SM: Most of the CTPs are used in the commercial printing industry. Customers send the generated electronic documents to printers and paper processing plants with the platemaking department.
In this way, we must abandon the original "security" method of film as the only way to transfer from customers to traditional printing factories. This is important because it involves a lot of responsibilities. The responsibility of those who make film or use CTP to make plates is very important. They are the first choice to ensure that the content is completely correct.
Once the content on the film or plate is approved by legal, market, and engineering personnel, the data is locked. The next thing to do is to continue processing.
To make use of CTP equipment, you must ensure that the printer receives a digital file that contains the complete content. This is the basis of the Prinergy Powerpack system and the work done in PDF format. The environment we have developed allows customers to simply prepare a PDF file remotely and save it as a file with overprinting, color management, and even light imposition layouts.
Before the document is passed to the paper product processing plant, the document should be confirmed and can be previewed but not modified. Paper product processing has a set of plate layout templates in its system. Drag and drop the previous preview onto the template, and then expose the plates. This model gives us the ability to link the JIT digital printing system to the printer so that the printer can change the layout according to the needs of different periods.
PP: Why can't I use Postscript files for processing?
SM: Postscript is a page description language that is mainly used for output devices. PDF gives us a device-independent space in which we can see all the operating elements that are exactly the same as the finished product.
PP: There are many detailed descriptions of PDF now. Which aspects are not suitable for using PDF?
SM: In CreoScitex we explained this question: "The problem is not in the PDF file format but in the tools we use to process the file.
PDF is the industry's strongest framework and a standard file format. It has developed rapidly, not only in color, but also in image overprinting, even sunblocking, and other needs.
One of the misconceptions about PDF is that you can only get continuous four-tone images. This is not correct. PDF provides a total of eight channels. Powerpack's plan is to support all eight channels.
Similarly, the PDF standard is inexpensive, easy to use plug-ins and Java components, and adds some added value. It gives us a more open digital environment. We don’t have to decide whether to use “all†or “all without†some kind of tool. Everything is open and gradually adaptable. Various tools will continue to emerge, making production more efficient.
When entering the Beta test phase, many problems will be resolved. We emphasize the homework management system because we believe that the use of PDF tools can bring greater benefits to the work of adjustments.
PP: Talking about the operating management system tools, how do they improve the prepress process?
SM: There are some isolated work processes in modern enterprises, and the technology among them is getting better and better. We have PCC workstations and ArtPro workstations. The only connection between them is the schedule. It runs continuously every day and says, “How is the work going? Have you been there?
The Prinergy Powerpack server is a document delivery hub. People in the factory can keep abreast of the progress of the work and facilitate cooperation between various departments. This is also an environment that we all work together to complete. For example, if there is an urgent job, I may want to start planning the layout and another person doing the overprint. The core of everyone working together is Powerpack's powerful Oracle database. Worldwide, we have installed hundreds of identical Prinergy structures.
It works like this, Powerpack has a Process Plan component that can explain the production chain of a product in detail. The set production plan enables the production to be highly repeatable, consistent, and does not require too much professional and technical personnel to participate. For example, a clerk may not need the operator's assistance when presenting proofs to the customer.
Inside the PDF, there is also a set of portable job ticket (PJT) that records a subset of job information. When a new process plan is created, relevant data from the plan can be automatically entered into the PJF related fields. For example, when the red value in a color management is specified as 485, or the trap value is 10/1000/inch, these parameters will be stored in this document.
The historical operation of the job will be logged into the Oracle database. When the job needs to be edited and re-run, the prepress manager can get all the work done before. The data can be used to make invoices. Customer report.
Finally, Powerpack also incorporates web-based tools so that jobs can be downloaded, uploaded, and viewed online, enabling internal and external network calibration. This phenomenon has greatly accelerated the approval process and cycle time of packaging operations. It also allows us to truly realize global communications.
Pp: What is the next development of packaging before printing?
SM: I think the networked workflow is the next step. Once people realize its convenience, the value it adds will see that the Internet will develop rapidly. For example, if you log into our server and agree to a design plan, I can receive feedback within seconds. This will save a lot of time compared to traditional contact methods.
Networking is not just in the industry, but everywhere - you can buy raw materials through the B2B website, and customer representatives can also fill out questionnaires online. Once you see its prospects, you can analyze your company's structure and plan for a networked workflow.
Packaging workflow: several suppliers
Agfa - Apogee PDF workflow, based on NT platform, DECTM and INTELTM processors. The control center contains interfaces to PDF wizards, PDF RIPs, and output managers.
Barco - The PackEdge workflow, a standards-based PC that provides open formats, specialized tools, and compatibility with ICC.
CreoScitex - Prinergy Powerpack accepts standard file formats that can drive third-party output devices and extend it with third-party plug-ins.
The Heidelberg-PackPilot system includes Heidelberg's color management, scanning and output components with ArtPro software for PowerMaintosh.
Earlier this year, CREOSCITEX released the most challenging package prepress system based on the PDF file format. An interview with Mr. Stephen Miller, one of the senior executives of Prinergy Powerpack, on the prospect of this new technology.
Q: You have been at the most important stage of technological growth in the industry. What do you think has the greatest impact on the productivity of the packaging industry?
SM: This started with a cheap, low-end desktop publishing system. The price and user friendliness of the Mac Workbench has given more people access to digital opportunities and has accelerated our transition to digital products. This may be followed by a package integration system with overprints and impositions and various functions.
Now that there is a wide-format output device, it is not necessary to output a small film before making a make-up. Simply using developed communication facilities to transfer document data within the country and even the world is very fast. Finally, it is sent to a computer-to-plate system. The production efficiency has been greatly improved.
Pp: What do you think about the application of CTP in the packaging industry?
SM: Most of the CTPs are used in the commercial printing industry. Customers send the generated electronic documents to printers and paper processing plants with the platemaking department.
In this way, we must abandon the original "security" method of film as the only way to transfer from customers to traditional printing factories. This is important because it involves a lot of responsibilities. The responsibility of those who make film or use CTP to make plates is very important. They are the first choice to ensure that the content is completely correct.
Once the content on the film or plate is approved by legal, market, and engineering personnel, the data is locked. The next thing to do is to continue processing.
To make use of CTP equipment, you must ensure that the printer receives a digital file that contains the complete content. This is the basis of the Prinergy Powerpack system and the work done in PDF format. The environment we have developed allows customers to simply prepare a PDF file remotely and save it as a file with overprinting, color management, and even light imposition layouts.
Before the document is passed to the paper product processing plant, the document should be confirmed and can be previewed but not modified. Paper product processing has a set of plate layout templates in its system. Drag and drop the previous preview onto the template, and then expose the plates. This model gives us the ability to link the JIT digital printing system to the printer so that the printer can change the layout according to the needs of different periods.
PP: Why can't I use Postscript files for processing?
SM: Postscript is a page description language that is mainly used for output devices. PDF gives us a device-independent space in which we can see all the operating elements that are exactly the same as the finished product.
PP: There are many detailed descriptions of PDF now. Which aspects are not suitable for using PDF?
SM: In CreoScitex we explained this question: "The problem is not in the PDF file format but in the tools we use to process the file.
PDF is the industry's strongest framework and a standard file format. It has developed rapidly, not only in color, but also in image overprinting, even sunblocking, and other needs.
One of the misconceptions about PDF is that you can only get continuous four-tone images. This is not correct. PDF provides a total of eight channels. Powerpack's plan is to support all eight channels.
Similarly, the PDF standard is inexpensive, easy to use plug-ins and Java components, and adds some added value. It gives us a more open digital environment. We don’t have to decide whether to use “all†or “all without†some kind of tool. Everything is open and gradually adaptable. Various tools will continue to emerge, making production more efficient.
When entering the Beta test phase, many problems will be resolved. We emphasize the homework management system because we believe that the use of PDF tools can bring greater benefits to the work of adjustments.
PP: Talking about the operating management system tools, how do they improve the prepress process?
SM: There are some isolated work processes in modern enterprises, and the technology among them is getting better and better. We have PCC workstations and ArtPro workstations. The only connection between them is the schedule. It runs continuously every day and says, “How is the work going? Have you been there?
The Prinergy Powerpack server is a document delivery hub. People in the factory can keep abreast of the progress of the work and facilitate cooperation between various departments. This is also an environment that we all work together to complete. For example, if there is an urgent job, I may want to start planning the layout and another person doing the overprint. The core of everyone working together is Powerpack's powerful Oracle database. Worldwide, we have installed hundreds of identical Prinergy structures.
It works like this, Powerpack has a Process Plan component that can explain the production chain of a product in detail. The set production plan enables the production to be highly repeatable, consistent, and does not require too much professional and technical personnel to participate. For example, a clerk may not need the operator's assistance when presenting proofs to the customer.
Inside the PDF, there is also a set of portable job ticket (PJT) that records a subset of job information. When a new process plan is created, relevant data from the plan can be automatically entered into the PJF related fields. For example, when the red value in a color management is specified as 485, or the trap value is 10/1000/inch, these parameters will be stored in this document.
The historical operation of the job will be logged into the Oracle database. When the job needs to be edited and re-run, the prepress manager can get all the work done before. The data can be used to make invoices. Customer report.
Finally, Powerpack also incorporates web-based tools so that jobs can be downloaded, uploaded, and viewed online, enabling internal and external network calibration. This phenomenon has greatly accelerated the approval process and cycle time of packaging operations. It also allows us to truly realize global communications.
Pp: What is the next development of packaging before printing?
SM: I think the networked workflow is the next step. Once people realize its convenience, the value it adds will see that the Internet will develop rapidly. For example, if you log into our server and agree to a design plan, I can receive feedback within seconds. This will save a lot of time compared to traditional contact methods.
Networking is not just in the industry, but everywhere - you can buy raw materials through the B2B website, and customer representatives can also fill out questionnaires online. Once you see its prospects, you can analyze your company's structure and plan for a networked workflow.
Packaging workflow: several suppliers
Agfa - Apogee PDF workflow, based on NT platform, DECTM and INTELTM processors. The control center contains interfaces to PDF wizards, PDF RIPs, and output managers.
Barco - The PackEdge workflow, a standards-based PC that provides open formats, specialized tools, and compatibility with ICC.
CreoScitex - Prinergy Powerpack accepts standard file formats that can drive third-party output devices and extend it with third-party plug-ins.
The Heidelberg-PackPilot system includes Heidelberg's color management, scanning and output components with ArtPro software for PowerMaintosh.
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