Soft Proofing and Remote Collaboration: Soft proofing technologies have advanced significantly, allowing for accurate digital proofing on calibrated screens, reducing the reliance on physical proofs and expediting the approval process. Remote collaboration tools have also improved, enabling geographically dispersed teams to work together seamlessly and enhance overall efficiency. These advancements have collectively transformed the prepress landscape, enabling faster, more accurate, and more flexible workflows. While each of these improvements plays a vital role, the overall shift toward digitalization and the associated benefits it brings have been widely regarded as the greatest advancement in prepress technology over the past 25 years. Jay A. Shah, Bharat Tin Works I agree the graphic arts and prepress functions have undergone a lot of change. The software for processing artwork like CorelDraw and Adobe Illustrator now offer a lot of tools and flexibility to our designers to work with, making their lives simpler. Another great improvement in prepress technology is the CTP technology for processing metal printing plates. We take pride in being the first can-making company in India to adopt this technology in 2020. Our company has been in the can-making business since 1965 and we bought our first metal printing line in 1979. However, the plate making process did not witness any change since then. It was the old traditional method that was followed where positives were made and then plates were exposed. However, CTP has been a game changer for us. CTP technology was initially introduced to us in 2017. We had our reservations back then on the same due to the bulky design of the machine and its processor and the complexity. However, CTP machines too have undergone tremendous upgrades from manufacturers like Fuji and Kodak where Kodak offered us their latest model Trendsetter 1600 F in which they had eliminated the processor unit altogether as well as made the design compact and user-friendly. This is when we decided it is time to invest in the same and we truly feel this is one of the greatest improvements in prepress technology. Jeff Montross, Reece Brothers I would say the biggest improvement on the prepress side would probably be more software based than anything else.
Computer processing speeds are constantly getting faster and software continues to become more user friendly. The ability to create job profiles and download them on the press allows for initial ink settings to be adjusted prior to running jobs. This helps to reduce make ready times and get the jobs into production quicker. Also having metal proofs, instead of paper proofs, provides for a truer color match. Mike Miller, Silgan Closures CTP (Computer to Plate) has improved the quality of images that are put on the press plate and improved development of the aluminum press plates. Using films to process press plate created many problems and inconsistency in alignment of images from plate to plate. Aluminum press plates have come a long way in durability and improved background. Q2: What are the most significant challenges from your perspective? Brian Bates, RSI The two most significant challenges in my perspective have been and continue to be: Color Management and Reproduction: Achieving consistent and accurate color reproduction across different devices, substrates, and printing processes remains a challenge. Color management requires careful calibration, profiling, and collaboration between designers, prepress operators, and print service providers. Ensuring color accuracy throughout the prepress process, from design to final print, can be demanding. Time and Cost Pressures: There is an increasing demand for faster turnaround times and cost-effective solutions in the graphic arts industry. Prepress operations need to find ways to reduce production time without compromising quality. Implementing automated workflows, efficient file handling, and streamlining processes are essential to meeting these time and cost pressures.
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FUNDAMETALS Newsletter
Q2 2023 [7]
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