With the rapid development of computer technology and network technology and the arrival of the global digital network economy era, the traditional field of plate-making has ushered in new challenges and opportunities, new industry specifications, new software technologies, new hardware products, and new Solutions, new service concepts, new business models, new management ideas, etc. have been increasingly accepted and adopted by a large number of printing and printing plate companies. It can be clearly seen that along with the maturity of CTP technology, large-scale Laser photocopying still remains strong; digital proofing and digital imposition are becoming increasingly popular; digital printing and on-demand printing are in the ascendant; online remote proofing/output, and print e-commerce are ready to help the printing industry solve traditional production processes that cannot be overcome. Problems of improving quality and efficiency, improving management, expanding network business, and promoting the digital work management process for the development of the printing industry have been increasingly concerned by the market and the printing industry. They have entered the actual stage of commercial application and have taken over the traditional printing production. The responsibility of the process. These new technologies and new models will certainly help the printing platemaking companies in the fiercely competitive environment, greatly enhance their core competitiveness, and bring about an overall improvement in quality, efficiency, management, and efficiency.
So, what kind of graphic arts process can be suitable for a complex Chinese publishing and printing environment, and ultimately allow users to truly enjoy the benefits of digital, networked, and automated processes? A set of advanced workflow systems should have a complete graphic arts function module, such as: standardization of job processing, pre-check, trapping, color management, screen preview, digital proofing, digital folding, imposition, film, or printing Version output, CIP4 ink control, job management tracking, data statistics archiving, etc. In addition, the following points are more important issues for users when choosing a workflow:
1. Does the process use open specifications and standards that the industry follows
The most authoritative CIP4 organization in the global printing industry has unanimously adopted JDF as the norm for today's and future printing industries. JDF is an open and scalable specification for the complete process of publishing and printing. It covers graphic production, prepress, India, and India. Post-publishing and publishing of all continuous control information for the entire process of printing products, and connecting the printing production process with the management information system. JDF adopts XML language coding, which lays a solid foundation for publishing companies to expand online business and implement e-commerce. Only by using JDF as a work flow management system for electronic work tickets can a truly complete, efficient, automated, and manageable production of print jobs be truly realized.
As we all know, PDF has the advantages of embedded graphics, device independence, platform independence, reliability, openness, high compression, preview, and network transmission. It has met the needs of high-end printing and become a de facto printing and publishing company. The industry standard. An advanced, open workflow system must be able to support PDF well, which is beyond doubt. So almost all workflows claim to be PDF processes. However, this is far from enough. Users must recognize that a true PDF-based workflow, in addition to being able to process PDF files, is more important than PDF. The internal standard documents of the process, only such a process can allow users to really enjoy the benefits of PDF, ensure the integrity and consistency of the printed content, in addition, users can also choose an increasing number of PDF processing tools to keep the process open. And continue to expand.
From the point of view of development, more and more workflows have begun to abandon the old job ticket format and its own proprietary file format and begin to adopt open JDF and PDF as the unified standards of the process.
2. Does the process adapt well to a complex Chinese printing environment?
Good support for various Chinese typesetting software and various Chinese fonts is a function that workflows must possess in the Chinese publishing and printing environment. Some workflows solve the problem of Chinese output by means of Chinese font downloading. This is a general problem. Commercial printing environments are acceptable. However, for the Chinese print journal industry, this will greatly affect the efficiency and quality of the output. The process to be selected should be a Chinese-language environment that supports all typesetting and design software in both Chinese and Western languages. It supports all kinds of Chinese and Western languages ​​(TrueType/Type1/CID), fully follows the Chinese printing industry habits, and uses Chinese printing terms. Easy to use, easy to use, easy to operate, and without special training, you can easily grasp the workflow, which of course is what the majority of Chinese printing industry users expect.
3. Workflows that support remote proofing and remote output will have long-term development potential
Advanced workflows use advanced Internet technologies, PDF/JDF, Internet-based open architecture, and browser interface, all of which lay the foundation for e-commerce in the online printing and printing industry; remote submission and remote printing jobs. Proofing, remote management, etc. can be easily and safely implemented. Powerful users can fully use their workflow to build their own network printing business platform, to bring themselves closer to their customers, and to maintain their leading edge in the fiercely competitive environment of the printing industry.
4. Workflows with job monitoring and business statistics management functions will be welcomed by the printing industry managers
Advanced and improved workflows should also focus on the increasing management needs of the printing industry users. They should have certain rights management-based job management functions. They can query, track, audit, and use databases according to user-defined job tickets. Technology strengthens network-based business tracking and data statistics capabilities, and can export relevant data to printing companies' MIS or ERP systems, automatically linking the company's production processes and management processes, helping companies achieve objective and accurate digital management, and reducing Operating costs, enhance the company's internal strength, and greatly improve competitiveness.
5. Extensive equipment compatibility and protection of users' existing equipment investment are the characteristics that should be possessed by an excellent workflow.
Many advanced workflow systems are compatible with various output devices, including various types of CTF, CTP and laser proofing, digital proofing equipment and other output devices, and even printing and postpress equipment, and can be compatible with the user's existing hardware and software environment With such a workflow, users will be able to purchase their most suitable equipment flexibly and economically according to their actual needs and investment scale, and obtain maximum return on investment.
We all know that the production processes of almost no two printing companies are exactly the same. Therefore, according to the actual needs of customers, the workflow tailored to meet the basic functions must be tailored to the printing industry users of different scales. welcome.
In addition, due to its important functions, the workflow management system will become the core of management of printing and publishing companies. Therefore, besides considering the above factors, users must also consider whether the manufacturers can provide good services, including rapid localization. Support and long-term upgrade guarantees. Therefore, an efficient and smooth workflow management system requires perfect support and services.
Source: Digital Printing