Pre-Press - Proofing

Whether they're on-screen or in your hand, today's proofs are more accurate than ever. By Mike Llewellyn FEW AREAS of imaging technology have seen the advances and diversification that have accompanied proofing. Hard-copy proofs have given way, at least partially, to "soft" proofs available for viewing in real time, over the Internet, on your customers' computer screens. On-screen densitometers can check the color accuracy of your computer screen. Those hard-copy proofs that remain are being produced with advanced ink-jet technology, mimicking an offset press to create a proof that's accurate down to a halftone dot. Patrick Floody, marketing manager for Creo, explains that while

Better color management and expanded spot colors are increasing the accuracy of halftone proofs and facilitating an all-digital workflow. It seems that every flavor of digital proofer is pushing to better mimic press conditions, deliver stable, accurate color and provide printers with the best tool for making the customer happy: the contract proof. Easier said than done? Maybe not. Contract proofers, sporting better color management, expanded spot colors and flexible multisetting capabilities, are prepared to push the contract digital proof to the next level. Kodak Polychrome Graphics reports that the Kodak Approval XP4 halftone digital color proofing system with Open Front End (OFE) will

Digital file transfer and remote proofing are speeding up workflows and making it easier for in-plants to communicate with clients. Your client wants the job done yesterday. In one scenario, the client downloads the job to disk, packs it up and transports it to you. You run a press proof and deliver it back to the waiting client. The client wants changes, so the whole process starts over again. Time elapsed: 48 hours (and counting). In an alternate scenario, the client merely drags the job file over to a folder on the computer desktop and sends it to you via a digital network. You