Abcs of Digital Workflow

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ABCs of WorkflowA GUIDE TO STREAMLINED PRODUCTION


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ABCs of Workflow

A Guide to Streamlined Production


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Contents

IntroductionIntroduction 1

Enabling Factors 3

What is WorkflowWorkflow: What It Isand What It Is Not 5

Its More Than a Box Its a Toolbox 6

Receiving and Preparing Files 7

Composition 8

Its All About the CustomerArtwork, Images and Fonts 11

Preflighting 12

PDF or PostScript? 12

Processing JobsProofing 15

Remote Proofing 16

Soft Proofing 16

Color Management 16

Trapping 17Imposition and Preparing for Print 18

RIP 19

Output Management 19

Variable Data Printing 19

Archiving 20Post-Press 20

Focus on Finishing First 20

The Business of WorkflowEstimating 21

Quoting 22

Planning 22

Scheduling 23

Getting Paid 23Supply Chain Management 24

The Role of JDF and CIMThe Role of JDF and CIM 25


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vi Introduction 1

Introduction

Shorter runs. Reduced turnaround times. Increased pricing pressure. Viable

alternatives to print. These are just a few of the trends that are affecting theprinting industry. And none of them are going away anytime soon. While sup-

pliers to the industry are continuing to deliver more hardware features and

functionality at a better price performance as technology continues to evolve,

suppliers and service providers alike have come to the conclusion that bet-

ter, faster, cheaper hardware, while important, is not the ultimate solution to

addressing the impact of these trends.

Instead, increased focus is being placed on improving the flow of work through

the printing operation, from the initial customer inquiry through shipping of final

product. Producing more work with

the same resourcesthat is, improv-

ing efficiency throughout the entire

operationis the key to running a

more profitable operation. And a

guaranteed method for achieving that

result is the deployment of a rational,

logical path for work coming into the

operation, using as much integration

and automation as possible.

Of course, manufacturing a printed

product has not historically lent itself

to deploying process automation in the same way that manufacturers of

appliances, apparel and automobiles have been doing for years. But the good

news for the graphic arts industry is that process automation is finally feasible,

despite the fact that we are still essentially in the business of manufacturing

custom products.

IntroductionMaking the Right ChoicesWhat About Existing Equipment and Software? 29Build or Buy? 29

The Hidden Costs of Workflow 31

Staff Training 31

Customer Education 31

Infrastructure Investments 32

Planning a Smooth Implementation 32

Selling and Marketing Your New Capabilities 32

EFI Workflow SolutionsInteroperabilitya Critical Consideration 34

EFI PrinterSite, EFI PrinterSite Exchange, EFI PrintSmith Site 34EFI Digital StoreFront 34

Third Party Web, Prepress and VDP Applications 35

EFI Print MIS Solutions: Hagen, Logic, PSI and PrintSmith 35

EFI JDF Connector 36EFI OneFlow 36

EFI ColorProof with Best Technology 37

EFI PrintFlow and AutoCount 37

EFI Balance and EFI MicroPress 38

EFI Fiery 38

EFI Fiery Graphic Arts Package 38

Glossary

That is what workflow is all

aboutautomating and integrating

the process of manufacturing

printed products to ensure a

rational, logical flow of work from

customer engagement through

delivery of the printed piece.


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2 Introduction Introduction 3

And that is what workflow is all aboutautomating and integrating the pro-

cess of manufacturing printed products to ensure a rational, logical flow of

work from customer engagement through delivery of the printed piece. Its

about doing more with less and delivering more customer value. Its about

differentiating yourself in a marketplace where high quality and competitive

price levels are a given. Its about relieving your staff of the burden of perform-

ing non-productive repetitive tasks and unleashing their creativity to develop

value-added services that will generate new revenue streams. Its about better

positioning yourself for continued growth in the future regardless of the accel-

erating changes that are coming your way in an industry that is more dynamic

than ever before.

Enabling Factors

What are the major developments that have made possible a more streamlined print

manufacturing process in an industry where it sometimes feels as though nothing

has changed since Johannes Gutenberg invented movable typeor at least since

offset printing began to gain ground in the early part of the last century?

There are two critical enablers that have contributed to the accelerated pace of

change and brought more efficient manufacturing processes within our reach:

A print production process that is increasingly driven by digitalthe sub-

mission of digital files, digital proofing, digital print devices, the flow ofinformation to computer systems that manage both production and the

back office; and

The development ofand compliance witha robust set of industry stan-

dards that ensures that the disparate parts of the production and manage-

ment process can communicate amongst themselves in a meaningful way.

Suppliers to the graphic arts industry have

embraced the work of CIP4 (The International

Cooperation for the Integration of Processes

in Prepress, Press and Postpress, an industry

standards body founded in 1995 as a joint ini-

tiative of vendors for the graphic arts industry).

And you can barely open a trade publication or

read a press release without reading about JDF (Job Definition Format) whose

most prominent features, according to CIP4, are its ability to carry a print job

from genesis through completion, its ability to bridge the communication gapbetween production and Management Information Services, and its ability

to do so under nearly any precondition. This is a powerful confluence of fac-

tors that has changed the printing industry forever. It is enabling us to deploy

more flexible manufacturing configurations and to gain more control over the

production process in a constantly changing environment. And workflow is at

the heart of it.

The good news for the graphic arts industry is

that process automation is finally feasible,

This is a powerful con-

fluence of factors that

has changed the printing

industry forever.


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4 Introduction What is Workflow 5

What is Workflow

Workflow: What It Isand What It Is Not

Workflow is not

a brand or a boxed solution although a number

of suppliers do offer workflow product suites with

excellent functionality and productivity. While one of

these workflow suites might very well meet all your

needs, it is important to understand how they stack

up relative to flexibility, scalability and compliance

with standards so that you can ensure that workflow

solutions you invest in today will meet your needs

tomorrow as well.

An effective workflow will comprehend all aspects of

production and business management, incorporat-

ing as much automation as possible across products

and solutions from multiple vendors. Above all, an

effective workflow will eliminate unnecessary rekey-

ingor better yet, the need for any keying at all,

reducing errors and speeding the job through theproduction process.

Workflow is The execution of and the

interaction between

Receiving and

preparing files

Proofing

Imposition and Preparing

for Print

RIP and Print

Post-Press (Finishing)

Archiving

The Business of Print

Supply Chain

Management

The key is not to key! Capture data at

the source, or only key in once


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6 What is Workflow What is Workflow 7

Its More Than a Box Its a Toolbox

Whether you buy a pre-packaged workflow or build your own, there is obvi-

ously more to implementation than cracking the shrink wrap on a box and

running Set-Up from a CD. Workflow lies at the heart of your businessit is, in

fact, your business. And changing the way your company manufactures print

will affect every corner of your organizationpeople, processes, and technol-

ogy. This is not a trivial task and should not be taken lightly. And regardless of

the approach you choose, you will find a need to customize the workflow to

the needs of your particular business and your customers. The important thing

is to establish a standardized workflow with operating procedures that can beapplied no matter what type of job you receive.

Lets take a look at the individual process steps and the implications of auto-

mating workflow. You are no doubt already performing all of these activities;

the goal of implementing an integrated, automated workflow is to allow you to

perform them betterfaster and with less human intervention and opportunity

for error, ultimately saving you time and money, positioning you to provide

exceptional customer service. Lets face it, one of the most significant differen-

tiators for any business in any industry is customer service. If you dont provide

an exceptional customer experience (and the bar is being raised every day),

your customers will seek other alternatives. Dont lose sight of the customer

as you reinvent your production workflow.

Receiving and Preparing Files

The majority of work today is being receivedor could be receivedin elec-

tronic form. Files can be delivered on electronic media, uploaded to an FTP

site, attached to an e-mail or provided via a Web job submission tool. Receiving

files electronically versus in hardcopy or film format eliminates stepsand

timefrom the production process, for both you and the customer. Even if

customers are starting with paper documents, it can often be easier for them

to scan their files and transmit them electronically than to deliver hardcopy

originals. Scanners are inexpensive, and accessible in most offices. And most

networked copier/printers these days have a scan-to-file feature that makesconversion of paper to digital easy. Many scanning solutions, whether using a

standalone scanner or a networked copier/printer, have the ability to produce

PDF filesa de facto file transmission standard that can be viewed on almost

any computing platform and edited with readily available software. Developed

by Adobe but placed in the public domain to encourage third party develop-

ment, PDF delivers smaller file sizes than native scan formats because it has

file compression built in to it.

EFIs OneFlow provides theoperator with a graphical inter-face that unifies all the toolsyou need for Digital and Analogprepress work into one easy-to-use control center.


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8 What is Workflow What is Workflow 9

Composition

Print shops have varying levels of involvement in document composition. Some

shops simply receive print ready files or camera ready paper-based materi-

als, faithfully reproducing them according to customer direction. Others may

offer graphic design or other types of creative services. Besides Adobe Acrobat

to handle PDF files, there are a few other nativeor document creationappli-

cations that are commonly used to create files for print. These include:

Adobe InDesign. Relatively new

to the market but experiencing a

high rate of adoption, this desktop

publishing package integrates

with other popular Adobe prod-

ucts, including Acrobat (which

generates PDF), Illustrator and

PhotoShop, which are staples in

the graphic arts industry. Adobe

products all utilize a similar

user interface, including menus,

keystrokes and tools, making it

easy for users familiar with one

package to quickly learn another.

InDesign also supports publishing

to other media than print, includ-

ing Web, e-books and more.

Microsoft Office. Consisting of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook,Microsoft Office is the most widely used application suite in the corporate

world. As powerful and convenient as these applications are for the office

user, they are not designed to create complex, high-production-value docu-

ments for commercial printing. Nonetheless, printers have little choice but

to accept files generated by Microsoft Office applications and to learn how

to process them efficiently.

Microsoft Publisher. This is a Windows-only application (does not operate

on the Apple Macintosh) and is commonly bundled with PCs. It is a low-end

document layout application that is not known for its print friendliness,

but like Office, is in increasingly common use in the corporate and home

markets, and thus processes for handling Publisher files should be in place.

QuarkXPress. QuarkXPress has long been the leading electronic publishing

software, although Adobe InDesign has been gaining in popularity. Quark

has encouraged the third-party development community to develop what

the company calls XTensions, software plug-ins that can add increased func-

tionality to the base product. With QuarkXPress and a set of XTensions, thegraphic arts service provider has the tools required to create, design and

deliver high-quality documents for both print and electronic media.

It is important for the graphic arts service provider to have these applications

as well as any other applications common to the service providers customer

baseon hand in order to deal with not only last minute changes to native files

in lieu of sending them back to the originator, but also to properly process the

files for printing. For example, a customer might want to produce a catalog in

Macromedia Freehand. While this could be the printers worst nightmare, it is

even more of a nightmare if the printer does not have access to Macromedia

Freehand! Thus, these applications become a key element of the workflow tool-

box. One potential way to avoid the necessity of maintaining copies of a large

number of document creation packages is to advocate that your customers

submit their jobs in PDF format. For those that are willing to do so, you may

need to help them do this, either through training or provision of toolsan

investment that will be well worth your time.

As a further note, along with Web submission of print projects comes an

opportunity to add more services, including the establishment of a Web docu-

ment repository to make it easier for customers to manage their files and to

submit work for reprinting. The graphic arts service provider who has this

capability may also wish to offer customers the ability to work with a database

of pre-designed templates that protect their brand integrity but allow dealers,

franchisees, agents and sales staff to localize brochures within a defined set of

guidelines. This can significant increase the volume of work the print service

provider receives, as well as deliver market differentiation. Templates can be

created using the native application packages we have discussed here.

Page layout applications like Adobes InDesign havelong been a staple for professional users creatingdocuments for print production. Your workflowenvironment must be flexible enough to workwith your customers input files no matter whatapplication they use to create them.


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10 What is Workflow It's All About the Customer 11

Its All About

the Customer

Artwork, Images and Fonts

Managing images and fonts is critical to a smooth production process. Missing

images or fonts can cause a job to print or image incorrectly, or even cause theprinting or imaging process to fail, resulting in delays and added costs.

Tools such as Extensis Suitcase and Font Reserve, both popular font managers,

allow the management of fonts in both Windows and Macintosh environments,

are used in most prepress environments and are widely used by designers as

well. These products make it easy to manage, organize, preview and work with

fonts. These tools are especially important when using Mac OS X. For the print

service provider who accepts print-ready PDF files, it is important to ensure that

the PDF is created with fonts embedded in order to guarantee accurate printing.

Artwork and images are primarily provided in digital format in todays world.

These could be digital photos or other imagery in raster or bitmap format, or illus-

trations (drawings) created in applications such as Adobe Illustrator, in vector for-

mat. Vector files tend to be much smaller in size than bitmap or raster images.

Bitmap images can be stored in either CMYK or RGB format. Historically,

images were primarily delivered in CMYK format, but with the increased preva-

lence of digital cameras, which produce images in RGB format, RGB workflows

are an increasing requirement for management and processing of images.

Materials provided on hardcopy or film can be scanned to a bitmap format.

Leaving RGB images in RGB format offers the most workflow flexibility. Images

can be fine-tuned in RGB, and then converted to CMYK at the last minute for

printing (if conversion is necessary at allif your intended output device is a

digital printer, you might be able to skip this step entirely).

As the number of images, artwork files and even fonts that the graphic arts

service provider must manage continues to grow exponentially, simply storing


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12 It's All About the Customer It's All About the Customer 13

Before PDF workflow, jobs would be sent to a proprietary workflow system as

PostScript and converted to an internal format. An example of such a legacy

proprietary format would be the CT/LW format employed by Creos Brisque

workflow. Workflow processes would then be applied and problems fixed with-

in the proprietary format. Once the file was converted to the internal format,

job files were no longer susceptible to the problems associated with the native

applications that created them. However, because the format that these work-

flow systems employ is proprietary, only the tools within the workflow system

can be used to perform operations on the jobi.e., preflighting, trapping,

imposition, etc., all needed to be performed using proprietary technology.

PDF workflow, on the other hand, offers all of the advantages of working with

the job in one convenient format, but adds the benefit of the ability to use

a large variety of tools from multiple vendors because the PDF format has

become an industry standard. There are a wide variety of PDF tools and plug-

ins readily available in the market that can meet just about every need.

these files within a hierarchical (or folder) file structure rapidly becomes inad-

equate. To overcome this inefficiency, many graphic arts service providers have

implemented some type of content management database solution. Full details

about content management are beyond the scope of this booklet, but a simple

Internet search will generate significant information on the subject.

Preflighting

It is no surprise that graphic arts service providers commonly receive problem

filesfiles that are missing images, artwork or fonts or have other errors that

affect their ability to print correctly. Processes should be in place to address themost common file errors, and in promising delivery dates, extra time should

be allowed where possible

to deal with unexpected file

problems. There are a num-

ber of tools available to auto-

matically process incoming

files, identifying errorsand

often fixes for those errors

as well. This process is called

preflighting. Some preflighting software even has self healing properties that

can automatically fix problems during preflight. Common preflight applica-

tions include Enfocus PitStop (a PDF preflight tool), Extensis Preflight Pro and

Markzware FlightCheck.

PDF or PostScript?

PDF has become an industry standard in corporate environments for document

distribution and now for pre-production workflow applications. Regardless of

whether customers are supplying PDF files as input to the print production

process, PDF can be employed as a labor- and time-saving tool in the workflow.

And there are many advantages that can be gained by converting files to PDF

as they enter the production workflow.

Whereas a PostScript workflow makes you reprocess the entire file (or job) to

fix something on a page, with a PDF workflow you can select, view, and modify

a particular page or the entire job. The ability to process jobs in this way has

been important in high end production workflow for some time, and now it is

just as important for smaller shops that also need the ability to work on jobs in

the most efficient manner possible.

Modern PDF workflows provide numerous advantages over legacy Postscript RIP work-flows. Jobs enter the workflow either as PDF, or from a variety of native filescustomersdont have to supply PDF files, but they can. Other advantages include the ability to workon customer jobs using your choice of off-the-shelf tools, and the ability to change pagesfor revisions and corrections at any point before output.

There are a number of tools available

to automatically process incoming files,

identifying errorsand often fixes for

those errors as well.


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14 It's All About the Customer Processing Jobs 15

Processing Jobs

Proofing

The importance of proofing in the print production cycle cannot be underesti-

mated. Basically, with a proof you are presenting the customer with a proto-type of the final product you are going to manufacture. And the customer will

expect the final product to look like the proof in one way or another. Proofing

is how you communicate what you are going to produce and set customer

expectations. Most graphic arts workflows encompass three different types of

proofing processes:

Content, or Preliminary

Position, or Page Imposition

Contractthe final proof against which the job is produced

A Summary of proofing technologies and their appropriateness for customer applications.

Proof Type Color Laser B&W Laser Inkjet Halftone PDF Monitor

Content X X X X X

Position X X X X X

Contract X X X

Depending upon the complexity of the job and the individual customer require-

ments, some or all of these proofing stages may need to be included. Your

workflow system needs to provide the ability to generate any and all of the

different types of proofs your customer relationships will require. It should also

be noted that as color calibration tools continue to improve, you can expect to

see a migration to PDF or monitor proofs for certain types of contract proofs,

particularly in short-run, quick-turn applications where moving hardcopy

proofs around adversely affects an already tight cycle time.


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16 Processing Jobs Processing Jobs 17

Corporate CustomerNew York

PrepressWorkstation

PrepressWorkstation

Inkjet Proofer

Internet

Proofing Server

Inkjet/Laser

Inkjet/Laser

Corporate CustomerSan Francisco

Remote Proofing

With the proliferation of high-quality, relatively inexpensive inkjet proofing

devices, much of the proofing that was historically done at the print produc-

tion plant can now by done at the customer site. This is called remote proofing

and it requires careful color management on the part of the printer and the

customer to ensure color integrity between the two sites.

Soft Proofing

Soft proofing, or proofing on a computer screen, is gaining in popularity and there

are a number of products available that make it easy to incorporate soft proofing

into the production workflow. By its very nature, soft proofing is less expensive and

time consuming than other proofing methods. Soft proofing can easily be used for

the content and position steps of the process, and with appropriate color calibration

of computer monitors, may also be acceptable for contract proofing as well.

Color Management

A brief word about the complex topic of color management, an essential ele-

ment of digital workflow, is appropriate here. The purpose of color manage-

ment is to ensure that color values remain the same throughout the entire

process, including scanners, monitors, proofing devices, plate setters, digital

print devices and presses. Color management profiles, sometimes called look-

up tables or LUTs, are digital representations of each devices ability to process

the color information it receives from other devices in the workflow. Color

values are mapped from one device to another to maintain color integrity from

input to output.

While color management still requires a fair amount of expertise to ensure the

best color integrity throughout the entire process, color management solutions are

becoming smarter and more capable and can even allow customer involvement in

color-managed operations. Nonetheless, it is important to ensure that you have a

solid process in places to deliver color quality, consistency and repeatability.

Standards play a role in color management as well, with the International Color

Consortium (ICC) playing a leading role. The ICC has established standards for

creating ICC profiles, which are digital files with embedded information that

adjusts or corrects color and grayscale information based on the characteristics

or deficiencies of a device in a digital workflow, such as a scanner, digital cam-

era, monitor, digital printer, or printing press. ICC profiles can be interpreted by

any operating system or application that is compliant with the specification and

can also be embedded in images and documents to facilitate the movement of

color information among devices and networks.

Trapping

One final and important step in preparing a file for print is trappingthe pro-

cess of controlling how two colors that meet in a printed piece will interact with

one another. Trapping prevents inappropriate overlapping of colors, as well as

white spaces appearing between adjacent color elements. In a digital workflow,

trapping is an automated part of the process, although some manual inspec-

tion may still be required.

With .5 point trap(magnified)

With OverprintWithout Trap

Remote and Soft proofing can help save timeand money by significantly reducing the timebetween proofs and approvals, and by reducingcourier charges.

Trapping determines how two colors interact when they meet on the page. Trapping software builtinto a workflow system can automatically set the parameters of traps where the colors meet.


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18 Processing Jobs Processing Jobs 19

Imposition and Preparing for Print

Now that you have an error-free color-managed file in hand, the next step is

to actually produce the output, either by generating plates for an offset press

or preparing the file for printing on a digital output device, or in the case of a

hybrid workflow, quite possibly to both. Flexibility in this stage of the production

process is critical. With the reduced cycle times inherent in a fast-paced environ-

ment, it is increasingly common for a buyer to request a shorter (digital) run of,

for example, a brochure required for a trade show with a tight turnaround time,

while at the same a longer production run (offset) is produced for later distribu-

tion. Or in the case of a variable data project, static data may be printed using

offset (often termed offset shells) with variable data overprinted on a black &

white or color digital output device. An effective digital workflow must be struc-

tured to accommodate this increasingly common hybrid approach.

Depending upon the job content, finishing requirements and target output device,

an imposition step will most likely be required. Imposition is the arrangement of

pages on a press sheet so that they will be in correct order after the printed sheets

are gathered, cut and bound. Imposition is also used to make the most effective

use of a press sheet; for example, an A4 two-sided brochure may be printed two-

up (two images on a sheet), four-up (four images on a sheet), or even eight-up

(eight images on a sheet) depending upon the size of sheet the digital or offset

press can accommodate and the unit count being produced.

RIP

The final phase prior to actually producing images on plates or digital presses

is the RIPor Raster Image Processor. This step transforms the preflighted,

trapped, imposed, and color managed file into a format that is understandable

by the output device, whether it is a plate maker or digital press.

Most RIPs are PostScript based and either license technology from Adobe or utilize

clone software developed based on published Adobe PostScript standards.

Many RIPs support distributed processing for workload balancing and improved

productivity. Some vendors have created software that separates the RIP,screening and output device-driver processes so that screening the file and driv-

ing the output device dont cause a bottleneck in a particular server. The RIPping

process is generally output-device specific, which could result in the file being

RIPped twice in some workflows. However, post-RIPped files can be stored for

later reprinting by most print servers.

Output Management

Once the file is RIPped, it is important to

have maximum control over how it is

output, regardless of whether it is being

output to a digital print engine, CTP

device, proofing device or a monitor

for soft proofing. Some output man-

agement solutions are capable of

separating color from black & white

pages to ensure utilization of the

most cost effective printing technology

on a page-by-page basis, including insertion of

appropriate commands to ensure proper reassembly of

the job later in the workflow.

Variable Data Printing

As customer databases and the price/performance of color digital print engines

improve, one-to-one communications using variable data printing is gaining

ground. Please refer to EFIs ABCs of VDP: A Variable Data Printing Basics Guide,

for more information on this topic.

Imposition is the processof arranging a document orjobs pages for the particularconfiguration of a press, sothey can be finished withoutrequiring much manual inter-vention. Imposition software isnecessary to take advantageof output devices that printmore than a single page on asheet, and can automate thesheet layout and/or let theoperator manually control howthe document is imaged.


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20 Processing Jobs The Business of Workflow 21

Archiving

Once the job is complete, the chances are that you may either produce the same

job again or the customer may ask you to deliver digital media containing the job

as it was printed. Your workflow must include an easy way to save a job and put it

on the shelf for later use. In the old days,

printers stored film on a shelf, and when a

job reprint was required, the film was used

to create new plates. Todays equivalent of

film is a print-ready document stored on

digital media, either a CD, DVD or tape, orwithin the context of a content management (CM) or hierarchical storage manage-

ment (HSM) solution. The latter twoCM and HSMare database solutions that

enable more effective tracking, storage and retrieval of digital files, or digital assets,

than simply storing CDs, DVDs or tapes on a shelf.

Post-Press

Printers like to say that a job is not finished until it

is finished. Finishing includes cutting, collating, fold-

ing, stapling or stitching, and binding in a variety of

ways: saddle stitched booklets, perfect bound books,

wire or plastic comb binding, even tape binding. Finishing can be either in-line

(connected directly to the print output device or press); near-line (with finishing

completed at or near the location of printing) or off-line, meaning that binding

or finishing is completed as a separate process, usually in a different location

within the printing operationor even as an outsourced activity.

Focus on Finishing First

While a job is not finished until it is finished, an effective workflow must focus

on finishing first. What are the requirements for the job? How does that affect

the page imposition? What sheet size(s) lend themselves to the most effective

processing of the job in the bindery? What bindery equipment is located on-

site versus work that must be outsourced? What is the bindery workload; will a

bottleneck in that department cause the job to be late? What makes most sense

for an individual job, in-line or off-line? These are just a few of the aspects of

finishing an automated digital workflow must take into consideration early in

the workflow process.

The Business

of Workflow

In a perfect world, a print job arrives at the shop and is put through its paces

with no delays, delivered to the customer on timeor even earlyand cus-

tomer payment is received promptly. We dont, of course, live in a perfect

world, and workloads experience peaks and valleys. Management of the busi-

ness aspects of printingestimating, quoting, planning, scheduling, invoicing,

and management of the supply chain, including inventory management and

material purchasingare critical elements that must be taken into consider-

ation when implementing an end-to-end digital workflow.

Estimating

Estimating plays several roles in the print pro-

duction operation. First and foremost, estimating

determines how much a particular job will cost to

produce, and what the optimum customer price for

the job will be. During the course of developing

an estimate, all of the components of the job are

identified, and a determination must be made as to

whether all components are available in inventory

or some elements might need to be orderedand

what those order lead times are. The estimator

must also determine whether certain operations

need to be outsourced, and what prices and lead

times are for those operations. And a balance must

be struck between when the customer needs the product and the availability of

production resources in order to establish a feasible delivery date.

There are a wide range of estimating tools and procedures in place in the

graphic arts industry; not all of them are automated or efficient! In many

shops, the estimator relies on his or her knowledge and expertise more than

system capabilities, and may use anything from a pencil and calculator to a

spreadsheet to a formal estimating package, with the corresponding levels of

accuracy, productivity and process cost inherent in each.

Your workflow must include an

easy way to save a job and put it

on the shelf for later use.

A job is not finished

until it is finished.

A balance must

be struck between

when the customer

needs the product

and the availability of

production resources

in order to establish a

feasible delivery date.


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22 The Business of Workflow The Business of Workflow 23

Quoting

Once the estimate has been completed, a formal quote can be prepared for the

customer. A quote might be generated real time during the course of a Web

inquiry; it might be formally typed based on work the estimator has done; or it

could be generated automatically by the estimating system and presented for

review, modification and approval by an operations manager, sales representa-

tive, customer service representative or other key staff member.

Timely and accurate generation of a quote could make the difference between

securing a job, or not; and it could make the difference between a profitable,

or not-so-profitable, job.

Planning

Once the customer gives the go-ahead, the planning function must determine

the most effective way to produce the job. Sometimes the production meth-

odologies will align perfectly with the way the job is estimated; often they do

not, based on actual workload and production capacity available at the time.

Planners will also often be responsible for creating imposition schema, order-

ing materials not available in inventory and scheduling outsourced tasks.

Scheduling

A scheduler will then examine the overall shop load, the due dates of the

various jobs in the queue and strike a scheduling balance that hopefully has

everything in the shop going out the door on time. Schedulers commonly use

a white board, post-it notes, constant monitoring of the shop floor and other

ad hoc procedures to keep things moving smoothly. Individual scheduling

elements for a job may change multiple times during the process as various

priorities are balanced. In an increasingly complex and fast-paced world, these

ad hoc scheduling methods can cause significant workflow inefficiencies. As

a result, many shops are moving to more automated procedures utilizingdynamic scheduling software. Such automation can enable the consolidation

of the planning and scheduling steps.

Getting Paid

Finally, generating an accurate and timely invoice, either for delivery with the

job, for inclusion on account-based billing or for separate delivery by mail

or other means, is critical in an environment where margins may be literally

paper-thin and cash flows uneven. An inaccurate invoice can cause significant

delays in getting paid, eat up margins on what might have ordinarily been a

profitable job, and even result in a frustrated customer.

An inaccurate invoice can cause significant delays in getting paid,

eat up margins on what might have ordinarily been a profitable job,

and even result in a frustrated customer.

An estimating system can helpyou return quotes to customersmore quickly. Just as important,it will help to ensure that quotesaccurately reflect your realcosts-- resulting in improvedprofitability on each job.


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24 The Business of Workflow The Role of JDF and CIM 25

The Role of JDF and CIM

The key to managing the business of print effectively is the same as the key to

managing production workflows efficientlyand that is, dont key at all. Or cer-tainly, absolutely minimize the amount of rekeying of data required throughout

the process. The good news for the graphic arts service provider is that thisfor

both production and business managementis getting easier every day.

Thanks to the efforts of CIP4 and its members, huge strides have been made

toward the finalization of the Job Definition Format (JDF) standard which is the

cornerstone of the ability to implement computer integrated manufacturing

(CIM) in the printing industry. The printing industry has been slow to adopt com-

puter integrated manufacturing (CIM) techniques which have been in use in the

manufacturing industry at large for quite some time. Because we are a custom

manufacturing industry, automation can be somewhat problematic as compared

to manufacturing of such items as food products, apparel and automobiles. A

further complication has been the lack of consistent communication standards in

a multivendor environment that would allow disparate systems to easily talk with

each other as a job is being processed. Thats where JDF comes in.

The Role of JDF

and CIMSupply Chain Management

In addition to managing interactions with customers and the progress of a job

through production, workflow solutions also play a role in the management of the

rest of the supply chain. This includes careful management of inventory and of the

data that flows back and forth between your operation and that of your suppliers.

For example, effective management of your paper supply can result in significant

cost savings. Paper is the most expensive single component of a print job and it

costs money to have excess paper in storage. Effective supply chain management

will ensure that the appropriate paper is available when a job is scheduled to be

produced without requiring an excessive paper inventory.

Another aspect of supply chain management is managing outsourced service pro-

viders such as bindery trade shops. It is important to understand all costs through-

out the entire production process, whether the costs are incurred internally or via

an outside supplier. Waiting for suppliers to invoice you before you, in turn, can

invoice your customer can have a significant, negative impact on cash flow.

Supply chain management also encompasses managing downstream sup-

pliers such as mailing services and shippers. Timely exchange of information

is critical to ensuring customer satisfactionif the job gets delivered a week

late or if the mailing doesnt drop on time, it doesnt matter how beautiful the

printed piece is; the customer will be unhappy and may choose to eliminateyour firm from his or her supplier base.

Customers are part of the supply chain, too. An effective workflow solution will

help you in managing the process of change orders and authorized alterations

(AAs) from customers. When a customer sends you a change, that change

needs to be noted and tracked so you can charge for it as appropriate.

In implementing a workflow solution, be sure to think through the entire pro-

cess, from start to finish, involved in producing a customer job, leveraging auto-

mation and integration to cut timeand costout of the process, ensuring an

uninterrupted flow of data and materials throughout the entire supply chain.

It is important to understand all costs throughout the entire

production process, whether the costs are incurred internally or via

an outside supplier.


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26 The Role of JDF and CIM The Role of JDF and CIM 27

JDF (Job Description Format) is a comprehensive XML-based file format

and emerging industry standard for end-to-end job ticket specifications,

combined with a message description standard and message interchange

protocolcalled JMF or Job Messaging Format.

JDF is designed to streamline information exchange between different appli-

cations and systems.

JDF is intended to enable the entire industry, including media, design,

graphic arts, on demand and e-commerce companies, to implement andwork with individual workflow solutions.

JDF will allow integration of heterogeneous products from diverse vendors

to seamless workflow solutions.

And JDF, through its Job Messaging Format (JMF) component, offers the abil-

ity for two-way communication between business and production systems.

But as depicted above, JDF doesnt stand alone; it is part of a suite of things that

make CIM possible in printing. JDF is a technology that is enabling us to auto-

mate workflows and it is an enabler for CIM. One often overlooked benefit of JDF

is its ability to drive increased customer satisfaction for the print service provider.

Increasing profits is not always about cutting costs. Most printers would agree

that if they could increase the amount of business flowing into the firm, driving

up revenues while utilizing the same fixed cost base, the result will be an increase

in profits. If they could increase business volume, they could make up costs. With

its full implementation, JDF can help increase customer satisfaction and increase

business volume. The automation offered by JDF-

enabled products presents the print service provider

with a better view, for example, of when a job will

be completed, improving the ability to comply with

promised due dates. Thus, it is important to think

about JDF not only in terms of automation or cutting

costs, but also in terms of its ability to drive increased

customer satisfaction.

With JDF, graphic arts service providers are able to extend an automated com-

munications capability to the customer, increasing the ability to implement

a self-service model. While human interaction and relationships will always

be important in a service business such as ours, customers are increasingly

desirous of taking advantage of the Internet at a time and from a location that

is most convenient for them. This includes such capabilities as viewing online

proofs, checking job status, entering orders, uploading files and accessing

activity reports. With a fully implemented cross-vendor JDF-enabled workflow,

customers can even assess the viability of a job prior to submitting itwill the

design result in the job being too expensive, too time-consuming? These are

the types of things that often inform the buying decisions for a savvy buyer. To

the extent an effective self-service model is utilized, productivity is enhanced

for both the customer and the service provider. The end result is improved cash

flow and job throughput for the service provider, and improved customer con-

veniencecontributing to higher retention ratesfor the customer. Of course,

the service provider can still choose to filter information as appropriate. But the

traditional separation between customer interfaces and the production opera-

tion begins to erode, making the entire process much more customer-oriented,

and much more convenient for all parties to use.

In a nutshell, JDF, and its JMF component, bring the notion of computer-based

integration and automation to the printing industry, reducing bottlenecks and

improving overall business practices. It also comprehends the need to produce

CIP3

Business Systems

Management Systems

Creation PressPost Press &

DeliveryPre-Press

JDF is emerging as the most important technology for interoperability between equipmentand software in the print manufacturing environment. It creates a link between businesssystems, prepress workflow systems and production equipment, from digital output devicesto presses to finishing equipment.

JDF can help increase

customer satisfaction

and increase

business volume.


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28 The Role of JDF and CIM Making the Right Choices 29

Making the

Right Choices

What About Existing Equipment and Software?

As you look toward incorporating JDF-enabled solutions into your workflow,

you should be looking for solutions that will take into account your existingoperation, helping you incorporate your existing equipment into a computer

integrated manufacturing (CIM) environment. In other words, a JDF-enabled

workflow should work with your existing equipment and make it better in some

way. Solutions that include dynamic scheduling and

direct machine interfaces can enhance data collec-

tion and improve your overall production process.

Keep in mind that with effective workflow, the key

is not to key. With direct machine interfaces, sen-

sors, attached to presses and finishing equipment,

enable a flow of real-time information about the job

being produced to management and workflow solu-

tions. Prepress operators should be able to record

work they have done on a particular job right from their Mac without logging

it on paper and have that information roll right to the business systems. Over

time, JDF compliance will become an accepted and mandatory element of all

graphic arts solutions; but as that transition takes place, and as you are imple-menting your own workflow solutions, look for opportunities to begin taking

advantage of the power of JDF with each new component you acquire.

Build or Buy?

There are several major vendors who offer pre-packaged or modular work-

flow solutions, from EFIs Balance, Fiery, MicroPress and OneFlow workflow

solutions to Creos Prinergy or Brisque, to Agfas Apogee, to Heidelbergs

Prinect. While these solutions will offer answers to some of the knottiest prob-

lems faced when transitioning a production operation to a digital workflow,

the likelihood is high that they will not provide all the answers. Thus, while

pre-packaged solutions may form the basic scaffolding for a customized, end-

JDF compliance will

become an accepted

and mandatory

element of all graphic

arts solutions:

business communications in media other than print, helping customers make

appropriate choices about what isand what is notprinted, and placing the

service provider in the position of managing an entire range of multimedia

communications on behalf of the customer. In a time when the printing indus-

try is experiencing negligible growth and stiff competition from outside the

industry, this functionality offers a logical way for graphic arts service provid-

ers to diversify their portfolio of services, experiencing growth in spite of the

pressures on print.


19/25

30 Making the Right Choices Making the Right Choices 31

to-end digital workflow, they must also be able to be used in conjunction with

elements from other vendors that will fill out the functionality a shop ultimately

needs to put in place. So first and foremost, solutions should be assessed in

terms of their compliance with standards and the ease with which foreign

elements can be integrated. At the same time, man-

ufacturers of these solutions should be assessed

relative to their overall support of standards, the

likelihood that they will continue to be heavily

involved in the development and implementation

of emerging standards, and, of course, their finan-

cial viabilitywill they be around to support their

products in the future.

And keep in mind that the initial cash outlay in a

workflow investment isnt the only consideration

when calculating a return on investment (ROI). The

solution must improve production and business

efficiencies and enable you to accomplish things you could not do before

faster and more cost effectively.

In addition to implementing a digital workflow off of a pre-packaged base, the

graphic arts service provider has the option to approach workflow from a do-

it-yourself perspective. Here again, vendors supplying individual components

must have a heritage of support for standards and a demonstrated ability to

work well in multivendor environments.

And in either scenario, make sure the vendor or vendors you select can provide

the appropriate level of support for your applications, whether by telephone

or on-site visits, through thorough training and allowing you to act as your

own parts depot, or any other combination of reliable support metrics that you

believe will be required to meet your needs.

The Hidden Costs of Workflow

No discussion of workflow is complete without an examination of what could

be categorized as the hidden costs. Acquisition of the hardware and software

components is a clear hard dollar cost, but there are other elements you should

keep in mind as you build an investment strategy and consider your true return

on investment. Here are a few questions you can ask yourselfand your ven-

dorsrelative to hidden costs.

Staff Training

How easy are the new solutions going to be for your staff to use? Are they

complex and difficult to learn or do they build on a base of knowledge your

staff already has?

Who supplies the training, and are there fees associated with those

training services?

When a trained employee leaves, how difficult will it be to train a replace-

ment, and what will be the impact on organizational efficiency?

Customer Education

What impact will new operating processes have on customers? One of the

goals of implementing a digital workflow is to make it easier for customers

to interact with you; make sure you are achieving that goal.

What level of training will customers require and how will that training

be deployed?

How will you recover costs incurred in customer training activities?

The initial cash

outlay in a workflow

investment isnt the

only considerationwhen calculating a

return on investment

(ROI).


20/25

32 Making the Right Choices EFI Workflow Solutions 33

EFI Workflow

Solutions

EFIs solutions help its customers deliver better quality printed products,

streamline their operations, reduce costs, reduce turnaround times, and cap-

ture business and production information to help drive continuous operational

improvement. And they are designed to work in multi-vendor environments,

taking advantage of existing hardware and software and making them better.

As a software company, EFI is entirely focused on selling software solutions

based on their own merits, with no hardware agenda. EFI has partnerships and

alliances with all of the key industry players and is committed, in conjunction

with its partners, to bringing to market solutions based on open architectures

and compliant with industry standards.

EFIs Connected Workflow Strategy touches virtually every step of the print

production value chain. Lets walk through it:

Infrastructure Investments

Do you have adequate networking capability in place to handle the

increased traffic a digital workflow will entail?

How about storage? More digital information means more requirement for

storage, whether online, nearline or offline.

Do you have the right skills in your employee base? Will you need to add or

eliminate positions?

Planning a Smooth Implementation

As you transition to a new workflow, how will you stage deployment of new

processes, procedures and equipment without impacting your ability to

meet customer commitments?

How will you ensure minimum waste during the testing and transition pro-

cess? Rework is expensive and customers have little tolerance for delays.

Selling and Marketing Your New Capabilities

What marketing materials should you have to help communicate your new

capabilities to existing and prospective customers?

What resources are available to help you develop these materials?

How will you educate your sales force relative to new processes, products

and capabilities?

Will a new workflow entail a change in sales compensation plans?

These are a few of the questions you should be considering as you plan your

new digital workflow. The answers to these questions will help you more effec-

tively shape your acquisition strategy.

The answers to these questions will help you more

effectively shape your acquisition strategy.


21/25

34 EFI Workflow Solutions EFI Workflow Solutions 35

Interoperabilitya Critical Consideration

Throughout its entire portfolio of offerings, EFI has incorporated compliance

with the latest industry standards in order to ensure the highest level of

interoperability possible. While a graphic arts service provider can build an

end-to-end workflow based solely on products and solutions from EFI and its

partners, EFI recognizes that the reality of todays world is the need to interop-

erate in a multivendor environment. Thus, EFI has structured its offerings to be

able to fit into almost any environment, enabling the graphic arts service pro-

vider to optimize existing investments and to select best-of-breed components

based on the needs of the individual shop.

EFI PrinterSite, EFI PrinterSite Exchange, EFI PrintSmith Site

Production workflow starts with the customer. Thats why EFI has an Internet

solution that brings every shape and size of customer closer to the print sup-

plier by providing an integrated workflow right from concept to production.

The EFI PrinterSite suite of Internet

applications provides sales force auto-

mation and Internet-based fulfillment

applications for commercial printers.

EFI PrinterSite Exchange provides

Intranet and Internet job submission

with integrated job tickets and work-

flow automation for the commercial

print environment.

EFI PrintSmith Site provides an

integrated Web storefront for users

of the popular PrintSmith print man-

agement system.

EFI Digital StoreFront

EFI Digital StoreFront provides job submission, job ticketing and job status

tracking, along with full-featured e-commerce capabilities. The system creates

an end-to-end content and commerce workflow from the desktop of the cor-

porate user, directly to EFI Fiery, Balance and Micropress.

EFIs PDF generating drivers, included standard with Digital StoreFront, sim-

plify job submission and can be installed on unlimited corporate desktop work-

stations to drive traffic to corporate print centers. PDF delivery streamlines

workflow in the print center by delivering settings-correct files that require

virtually no operator intervention. The system is fully localized and available

today in English, French, Italian, German and Spanish. An entry-level version,

called DSF Express, includes Job Submission and Job Ticketing without e-com-

merce or add-on modules.

Third Party Web, Prepress and VDP Applications

EFI has a long track record of providing open solutions that enable customers

to configure customized solutions that best suit their individual needs using

components from a wide range of vendors, equipment and software based on

technical merit. Because EFI is a leader in the development and implementa-

tion of industry standards, including extensive involvement in the important

industry standards bodies, EFIs entire product portfolio is designed to interop-

erate with offerings from other companies who also embrace open standards,

including PDF, JDF and PPML.

EFI Print MIS Solutions: Hagen, Logic, PSI and PrintSmith

The print production environment is more demanding than ever before. The

ability for a printing enterprise to stay competitive is dependent on how effec-

tively it can manage the information inside the plant. Printers need powerful

software applications to help them connect all of the pieces of the printing

process to gain efficiencies and better manage their businesses.

No matter what kind of printing operationfrom digital to sheetfed to webEFI

has a business and production management solution that will streamline

operations, provide better visibility

into costs and finances and increase

profitability. The industrys best solu-

tionsEFI Hagen, EFI Logic, EFI PSI

and EFI PrintSmithmake it easy for

printers to automate and integrate

everything from estimating and cost-

ing to accounting, production man-

agement and more.

No matter what kind of printing

operation, EFI has a business and

production management solution

that will streamline operations

and increase profitability.


22/25

36 EFI Workflow Solutions EFI Workflow Solutions 37

EFI ColorProof with Best Technology

EFI ColorProof is the leading contone proofing solution for

production environments. EFI ColorProof operates in

the Windows environment and offers all network

users up to 15 input channels that can be individu-

ally configured for quality, color simulation and

output media. Files can be printed directly on

virtual PostScript printers or placed into hot fold-

ers. Everything else is automatic. EFI ColorProof

supports a wide range of printers from A3+up to 62-inch large-format production devices.

ColorProof is a key element in EFIs portfolio of

proofing and color management technologies

for commercial print.

EFI PrintFlow and AutoCount

EFI Auto-Count allows existing (or legacy) equipment to become part of

a printing plants CIM infrastructure. By adding Auto-Counts patented DMI

(Direct Machine Interface) sensorsalong with data collection hardware and

softwarestaff and operations managers can monitor speeds and feeds, and

track waste data from web and sheetfed presses as well as bindery and finishing

equipment. This data can then be used to tailor job costing and estimates for

future jobs, as well as to analyze the profitability of jobs that have already been

produced. EFI PrintFlow is a unique tool that provides the ultimate visibility

into plant operations. PrintFlow Dynamic Scheduling optimizes decision making

about which devices to use for which jobs, as well as the order and sequence in

which to run those jobs. It helps managers decide how to staff, and whether the

plant should take on additional workand at what price points for maximum

profitability. With PrintFlow, every cost center in the plant becomes part of the

CIM equation, even equipment that doesnt have computerized interfaces.

EFI JDF Connector

EFIs JDF Connector provides JDF connectivity between EFI products and

those from third-party vendors, including Internet, prepress workflow and

output solutions. EFI is committed to bringing the benefits of open standards

and Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) to its customers by providing

JDF-enabled solutions that conform to the latest published CIP4 standards.

EFI is committed to preserving the openness and integrity of its JDF-enabled

solutions and has integrated and tested EFIs JDF-enabled products with

JDF enabled products from a number of suppliers. Additionally, EFI is work-

ing closely with CIP4 in the development and implementation of a set ofInteroperability Conformance Standards (ICS) that will make it easy for buyers

to verify that a product complies with the latest JDF specifications. The EFI JDF

Connector supports the published ICS for both prepress and press.

A great example of a JDF Connector application in use today is the two-way

communication between EFI print management systems and third-party com-

mercial printing press systems to share job data such as press and makeready

times as well as good/bad counts. JDF Connector links directly to press

consoles, including K-Station from Komori and MAN Rolands PECOM, and

to onboard production management systems to provide a two-way flow of

information with little or no operator intervention. The goal is to allow printers

to more accurately configure the press and reduce waste. EFIs JDF Connector

will also interoperate with Heidelberg presses.

EFI OneFlow

EFIs OneFlow introduces advanced digital prepress capabilities in an easy-to-use, cost-effective software solution for any computer-to-plate, computer-to-

film, direct imaging, or digital printing environment, and OneFlow is also ideally

suited for hybrid environments using two or more

of these output methodologies. With one intuitive

interface, users can click and drag prepress func-

tions to design a customized workflow. EFI OneFlow

integrates powerful tools to convert files to PDF,

preflight, trap, impose, and screen, and offers a true

RIP Once Output Many (ROOM) architecture. This

next-generation, all new workflow system provides a

true workflow for hybrid shops, supporting both digi-

tal and offset workflows within the same system.

With one intuitive

interface, users can

click and drag

prepress functions to

design a customized

workflow.


23/25

38 EFI Workflow Solutions Glossary 39

Glossary

Bitmap Graphic A format for describing graphics that uses a collection of tiny

dots, called pixels, that together form a pattern. Raster graphics is another

name for bitmap graphics.

CIP4 The International Cooperation for the Integration of Processes in Prepress,

Press and Postpress, an industry standards body founded in 1995 as a joint initia-

tive of vendors for the graphic arts industry.

CMYK Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black; subtractive primaries of the color space for

conventional printing.

Content Management (CM) Electronic database management of images, text,

audio and video used in the production of printed or electronic materials by com-

bining rules, process and/or workflows to create, edit, manage, store, retrieve and

publish content.

DVD DVD initially stood for Digital Video Disc, but has since been redefined as Digital

Versatile Disc, a high capacity multimedia data storage medium that can accommo-

date a complete movie on a single disc, content rich multimedia or very high qual-

ity multi-channel audio. DVDs are available in read-only and various writeable and

rewritable formats. For more information on DVDs, visit www.dvdforum.org.

FTP File Transfer Protocol, a widely accepted protocol, or standard, for transferring

files via the Internet.

Hierarchical Storage Management (HSM) A data storage system that automati-

cally moves data between high-cost and low-cost storage.

ICC International Color Consortium, a standards body creating ICC profiles, digital

files with embedded information that adjusts or corrects color and grayscale infor-

mation based on the characteristics or deficiencies of a device in a digital workflow.

Imposition Grouping and arranging pages for efficient printing on larger sheets of

paper, taking into account the need to cut and bind the pages after printing.

EFI Balance and EFI MicroPress

EFIs Balance and MicroPress workflow software leverage the combined

power of multiple output devices to effectively handle the most demanding

jobs across multiple printers regardless of brand. With EFI Balance and EFI

MicroPress, handling complex jobs has never been easier, with in-line automa-

tion for reduced manual collation, decreased inventory with on-demand tab

printing, and load balancing to deliver increased throughput and split hybrid

color and black & white jobs.

EFI Fiery

Over 10 years ago, EFI made history when it introduced the worlds first print

controller. This groundbreaking product, branded Fiery, changed the way

people print. Suddenly, ordinary, standalone print-

ers and copiers were transformed into networked

printing devices that could be shared across work-

groups. Advertising agencies, graphic designers,

copy shops and other businesses could easily and

economically print documents in brilliant color or

black & white. Today, with over 1.2 million EFI print

controllers installed worldwide, EFI continues its

tradition of innovation and excellence. EFIs EDOX,

DocStream, Fiery and Splash print controllers pro-

vide solutions for every segment of the digital

printing marketfrom entry-level desktop printers

to production-level digital devices that can output up to

2000 pages per minute. EFI partners with all of the worlds leading printer/copier

manufacturers, ensuring that EFI is likely have a print controller solution to meet

the needs of any printing operation.

EFI Fiery Graphic Arts Package

EFI has also extended the scope of its Fiery family of products with an optional

package designed to meet the specific needs of the high-end prepress and

production markets. This includes capabilities such as auto trapping, hot folder

workflow, postflighting (a diagnostic tool designed to troubleshoot files at the

printing stage) and more effective handling of spot colors. With the optional

Graphic Arts Package, EFIs Fiery provides an advanced feature set which will

ensure its seamless integration into even the most demanding environment.


24/25

40 Glossary Glossary 41

JDF Job Definition Format, an XML-based industry standard designed to simplify

information exchange among different graphic arts applications and systems,

including Web-based systems. To that end JDF builds on and extends beyond pre-

existing partial solutions such as CIP3s Print Production Format (PPF) and Adobe

Systems Incorporateds Portable Job Ticket Format (PJTF)). It also enables integra-

tion of commercial and planning applications into the technical workflow.

JMF Job Messaging Format, the messaging component of JDF

Native application A software application used to create documents or files. This is

contrasted with standard file formats such as PDF. Adobe InDesign is an example of a

native application.

PDF Portable Doucment Format, a file format invented by Adobe Systems to

describe text and graphics in documents.

PDL Page Description Language, a computer language that describes a page for

printing. Printers and RIPs understand page description languages. Examples

include AFP (invented by IBM), PCL (invented by Hewlett Packard), PDF and

PostScript (both invented by Adobe Systems).

Plug-In A software module that plugs in to an application and adds features to

the application.

PODi The Digital Printing Iniative, PODi, which was formerly known as the Print

On Demand Initiative, is a not-for-profit multi-vendor initiative working to develop

the market for digital printing.

PostScript A page description language invented by Adobe Systems that is used

for describing the text and graphics in documents.

PPML Personalized Print Markup Language, an XML-based language for variable

data printing. Developed by PODi, PPML makes variable data jobs print faster by

allowing a printer to store text elements and graphic elements and reuse them as

needed. PPML is a non-vendor-specific language and is therefore considered to be

an open industry standard.

Preflighting Checking the integrity of a file prior to imaging to uncover and correct

errors, including missing elements, incompatible file formats, etc.

Rasterization The process of converting code that describes text and graphics into

the format that is understood by a printers print engine to print them on a page.

RGB Red, Green, Blue; additive primaries, primarily used in displaying images

RIP Raster Image Processor, a device or software program that converts page descrip-

tion language code to a format understood by the print engine so it can print pages.

ROOM RIP Once Output Many

Trapping Controlling the way in which two colors meet in a color printed piece to

eliminate muddy tones caused by too much overlap or white areas caused by too

little overlap

Vector graphic A format for describing graphics through instructions for drawing

the graphic by designating coordinates and drawing lines or geometric shapes

in relation to the coordinates. Vector graphics can be scaledthat is, enlarged or

shrunkbecause the instructions for drawing them remain the same.

Workflow the execution of and the interaction between the various steps of the

production process within a graphic arts production environment

XML Extensible Markup Language, a simple, very flexible text format derived

from SGML (ISO 8879). Originally designed to meet the challenges of large-scale

electronic publishing, XML is also playing an increasingly important role in the

exchange of a wide variety of data on the Web and elsewhere.


25/25

Auto-Count, ColorCal, ColorWise, Command WorkStation, DocBuilder Pro, EDOX, EFI, Fiery, the Fiery logo, Fiery

Driven, the Fiery Driven logo, Fiery Spark, MicroPress, OneFlow, Printcafe, PrinterSite, PrintMe, Prograph, Proteus,

RIP-While-Print, Splash, and Spot-On are registered trademarks of Electronics for Imaging, Inc. in the U.S. Patent andTrademark Office and/or certain other foreign jurisdictions. Bestcolor is a registered trademark of Best GmbH in the

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

ADS, AutoCal, Balance, Build, Digital StoreFront, DocStream, Estimate, Fiery Link, Fiery Prints, FreeForm, Hagen,

Intelligent Device Management, Logic, PrintFlow, PrintSmith, PrintSmith Site, PSI, PSI Flexo, RIPChips, Scan, SendMe,

VisualCal, WebvTools, the EFI logo, the Fiery Prints logo, and Essential to Print are trademarks of Electronics for

Imaging, Inc. Best, the Best logo, Colorproof, PhotoXposure, Remoteproof, and Screenproof are trademarks of Best

GmbH.

All other terms and product names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners, and are

hereby acknowledged.

2004 Electronics for Imaging

303 Velocity Way

Foster City CA 94404

(650) 357-3500

www.efi.com

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