First, the dialogue between the printer and the customer

The printing industry is changing with each passing day. With the continuous popularization and development of CTP technology and all-digital processes, digital proofing as a new technology is being accepted by more and more printers and customers, with a wide range of equipment, solutions and color management software. After intense competition, the competition among manufacturers has become increasingly fierce, and digital proofing has become more and more intense... However, when this “digital” trend became an inevitable trend, digital proofing gradually exposed some insufficiencies and shortcomings, such as: China's printing industry For the lack of uniqueness of printability, there is a lack of uniform standards for digital proofing equipment, and the color between various types of printing equipment is not stable. It is impossible to achieve true color management; digital proofing management software and printing machines, imagesetters and other ancillary equipment The matching is not suitable; some printing companies cannot make good use of digital proofing, mistakes and mistakes, and it is difficult for the printed products to catch up with the proofs. Not only can they really shorten the cycle and reduce costs, but they also cause customers to complain incessantly.

Let's listen to the customer's complaints and the voice of the printer:

The customer complained: “Usually, we send the produced electronic file to the color printing factory or the export center for digital proofing. Sometimes it goes smoothly without any errors. After the proofs are signed, we can make plates and print; but there are often unexpected mistakes. At this time, they had to return the documents to us for revision, and then take them back to re-proof the sample. Such a model took time and effort, often reciprocating back and forth, perhaps even a dozen or so, with one or two small errors. It is difficult to meet our timeliness. The requirements lead to longer production cycles and higher production costs. How can we minimize the incidence of errors? In order to do more with less?"

The printer’s helplessness: “In fact, we also feel a headache and helplessness in the mistakes of the proofing process. Not all errors are caused by us because some errors are hidden in the customer’s electronic files. In addition, when we get After the digital proofs, some customers were dissatisfied with certain elements, layouts or colors of the proofs, and felt that they were different from their own ideas. At that time, they requested to modify the electronic documents. The round trip extended the cycle, the sample modification process was cumbersome, and the number of Costs, affecting normal production arrangements, must also bear the customer's continuous complaints...

In general, a large-format proofs would be more expensive, and the cost would naturally not be low. The customers would find it difficult to bear. We feel very grieved and frustrated. We also hope to find an effective solution to this problem. ”

Second, the prospect of digital proofing technology

From the technical prediction report of the American Printing Technology Foundation (GAFT) in 2002, we can see that in the next few years, the printing industry has put forward new requirements for digital proofing technology. These new requirements and the current lack of digital proofing do not However, they are reflected in color management, remote proofing, shortening the production cycle, and providing value-added services. Here we will look at the trends of digital proofing by quoting the predictions of experts from some giant companies in the industry:

1) Enhancement of color management

The core technology of digital proofing is reflected in the application of color management. The quality of color management directly determines the success of digital proofing.

Larry Warter, director of the Fujifilm Corporation in the United States, said: "The proofing technology in the printing industry is at a watershed stage. As an industry, we are transitioning from the "match" phase of the same density and dot gain values ​​to the color Labs absolute. Value, thus opening the door for future proofing technology development."

2) Promotion and Popularization of Remote Proofing
From the dialogue between the above customers and printers, we can see the practical significance of remote technology for digital proofing. If remote proofing technology is available, the color printing factory or the output center can directly proofread the electronic documents of the customer at the other end, which eliminates the fatigue of the customer's back and forth travel, thereby increasing the production efficiency and shortening the production cycle.

AGT/Seven’s Ed Saturn commented on remote proofing: “Many of my clients are looking for a web-based digital workflow. Using it, a work created in New York can be disseminated globally in a reliable and easy manner. ."

3) Provide value-added services, shorten production cycle, strengthen customer relations

Whether it is a printer or a customer, it has always emphasized the production cycle. Because for them, the length of the production cycle directly determines the timeliness of a job, but also seriously affect the level of production efficiency and cost. How to strengthen the relationship with customers through value-added services; how can we shorten the production cycle as much as possible so as to increase production efficiency, enable a win-win situation between printers and customers, and maintain a good and stable cooperation relationship? These issues have been tied up with printers, and their solution may be the key success point for each printing company to stand out.