Compose Systems’ Star Proof proofing solution now supports X-Rite’s i1iSis automated chart reader

PRESS RELEASE

Press Contact:
Véronique Froment:
veronique@highrezpr.com
Tel: + 1 603-537-9248

X-Rite and Compose Systems Extend their Partnership to Offer Automated Accurate Dot-for-Dot Proofing Workflow

Compose Systems’ Star Proof proofing solution now supports X-Rite’s i1iSis automated chart reader

GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan, September 11th 2009 – X-Rite, Incorporated (NASDAQ: XRIT), the world leader in color management, measurement and communication technologies, and Compose Systems, an established developer of prepress workflow, digital color proofing and print publishing solutions, today announced that they have extended their long-standing partnership to offer prepress professionals an automated dot-for-dot proofing solution to produce high quality screened contract proofs on inkjet printers. The new solution will be shown for the first time at Print 09 on Compose Systems’ booth (booth # 6555).

Compose Systems has optimized the newly announced version of its Star Proof proofing technology (version 6.0) to offer seamless support for X-Rite’s i1iSis automated chart reader. The combination of the two technologies will enable customers to quickly and accurately produce and verify spot colors to deliver top quality proofs on an inkjet printer.

With its Actual Dot feature, designed to replicate original screening and dot patterns at proofing resolutions, Star Proof 6.0 delivers contract proofs with a hard dot, sharp images, accurate color and fine detail - just as they would appear on the press. Using ROOM (RIP once output many) proofing architecture to resample the same set of high-resolution separations that are sent to the platesetter/imagesetter, Star Proof ensures data integrity between proof and print.
Using X-Rite’s i1iSis high-speed automated chart reader as part of their workflow, Star Proof users will be able to quickly and easily measure full spectral data from their simulated spot colors, and avoid wasting time hand-scanning rows or reading individual color patches. With the i1Isis, users are able to calibrate simulated spots, by exporting their spot color definitions, and use the iSis to read them back to Star Proof for optimal accuracy.

Combined with i1Isis, Star Proof gives users a comprehensive set of tools to achieve excellent color matching between proof and press, offering traditional color calibration and fine controls for matching inks via color shade, calibration curve and dot gain compensation. Star Proof uses the spectrophotometric readings provided by the i1Isis to analyze and compare printing press target charts and proof printer calibration charts. The readings are input to Star Proof, which then creates a system profile for the specific printer and saves this for future use. Using i1Isis, Star Proof can also prepare a color curve with the appropriate gamut which users can then fine tune for even more precise color matching.

PlateController – A screen printers’ story

PlateController has been on the market for several years. This versatile tool was initially developed as a troubleshooter for CTP tiff catchers and for simple step-&-repeat processes. But over the years, the toolset has been expanded as such, that it became a complete solution for offset, flexo and screen printers. Besides raster file formats like PGB, 1bit Tiff, Ras and Len, PlateController can now process PDF as well to meet the requirements of PDF workflow.

PlateController has a very low entrance level for the operator. The WYSIWYG approach allows setup of your production in hours but the system remains flexible because of the manual interaction. It would take too much time to describe all the different tools in PlateController but feel free to download the brochure from our website. http://www.compose.com.hk/products_production_platecontroller.html

I rather talk about some applications that turned out quite successfully. The forms and label market do not really require imposition with signatures. In many cases imposition is time consuming and requires templates for all different jobs. PlateController can operate with or without templates allowing the operator to work on-the-fly with the jobs in the queue. In addition to that the user can simply change one parameter and the dynamic structure changes all the add-ons like marks, gutters, overlaps, bleeds, and other related items. It is as simple as working with film but require less effort. I would simple like to invite you to a web-demo to convince you. Please schedule with support@compose.co.uk or sales@compose.co.uk

Latest developments now allow full automation for standardized jobs and that is where we get to NSSystem, a “heat transfer for textile”-printer in Denmark. Just before Drupa, Sefar AG, formar worldwide distributor for Sign-Tronic CTS contacted us about PlateController. We met and related immediately to the concept that was designed by the customer in Denmark. By the time Drupa was finished, the first beta version was a fact and ready to install.

Because there is no such thing as a solution for screen printing, we would like to introduce PlateController as the first product that embeds most of the functionality to step up to Computer-To-Screen and be extremely productive in the prepress area. In combination with EWF, ideally for smooth data transition and integration of different processes like trapping, ripping, onscreen proofing and many more, PlateController fills out the different canvas sizes automatically with colored or separations without human intervention.

Here are a few comments by Niels Rask Technical Manager at NSSystem.
What does the solution do? [NR] “It is a complete workflow, from where we save the file. Then rip it, place it on the plate and put it out to our StencilMaster.”
Why did you choose this particular solution? [NR] “Because it was what we wanted, and it was our idea.”
Why did you make the purchase? [NR] “Because we have a clear goal, of where we want to be with our screen system, in the future.”

Compose will certainly try meet every screen printers’ requirement whether it is related to flexibility, productivity or quality. For more information about integration and functionality, contact Compose.

About NS System
NS System a/s is a 100% Danish owned company which was founded in 1965, and employs 70 people. We produce heat-transfers in screen printing, and digital printing. We aim to be up front in digital developments, both in workflow and digital equipment. Our mission is to sell advertising in print quality through our dealers to anyone who wants to buy. http://www.nssystem.dk/


Compose Systems Europe. Home Barn, Canada Farm Road, Pinden, Dartford, Kent DA2 8EA, UK.
Tel: +44 1474 700 500 Fax: +44 1474 700 510
Email: sales@compose.co.uk - Homepage: http://www.compose.co.uk/

StarPlate

For more information, contact Compose Systems Europe.

Home Barn, Canada Farm Road, Pinden, Dartford, Kent DA2 8EA,
UK.Tel: +44 1474 700 500 Fax: +44 1474 700 510
Email: sales@compose.co.uk - Homepage: http://www.compose.co.uk/

Unlimited workflow(s) with EWF!


Prepress production has been evolving rapidly trying to keep up with the new developments on the hardware market and DTP. Many processes have moved from manual labor to a digital process. That requires new skills of the operators and tools to maintain a streamlined prepress production. However the know-how of the operator remains a strong element in the production area.

Let me introduce to you, Composes’ workflow concept. The modular Express Workflow has been on the market for many years doing exactly what is required, namely transferring data from one process to the next. Whether the data format is PostScript, PDF, TIFF, EPS or any other format, the workflow configuration takes care of the data.

“What is special about that?” I hear you say, and we agree. That is what all workflows do. It is just one of many products to choose from. So what makes Express workflow so unique or why should you even consider working with this product.

Imagine a concept, where a print production manager or a production planner, submits the job when the plates are required in the press room and the plates are waiting for the printer to be picked up a couple of minutes later?

Automated processing requires evaluation of your production environment. Generally we are talking about the product specifications, available presses and finishing. Compose’s production software for imposition, step&repeat and print optimizing handles most of the exceptions, not only manually but it can be setup as an automated process in the workflow via the automation queues. But also tasks like trapping, CIP3, proofing, are managed automatically.

http://www.compose.com.hk/products_production.html

Express workflow offers full integration of production processes and remote access via browser. The widget, allows set up of multiple standardized production methods, with the option to adjust the parameters on request. With a simple drag and drop, the job will automatically run the job task list without human intervention or error.

Do you have too many parameters to standardize and streamline your production? Check if Compose can offer what you have been looking for, to streamline your Prepress from DTP to final print.

For more information, contact Compose Systems Europe.

Home Barn, Canada Farm Road, Pinden, Dartford, Kent DA2 8EA,

UK.Tel: +44 1474 700 500 Fax: +44 1474 700 510

Email: sales@compose.co.uk - Homepage: http://www.compose.co.uk/

The missing link for narrow-web printers!!

Unfortunately, I did not win last weeks lottery and I did not receive a fat check of 100.000,-€ from last month’s raffle. But earlier today, a courier brought me a package with some books I ordered a while ago. I signed off the delivery sheet and received the yellow duplicate. I opened the accompanied envelope with the transaction form. 2 free tickets for the cinema. Maybe my luck is changing?

But was this coincidence that most of the documents (except for the books) were printed on a narrow-web press, why? I hear you ask. Narrow web presses are very fast machines and provide the ability of inline finishing options like perforation, die cut, slitting, roll to roll rewinding, ...




The downside of using a narrow-web press is the place where the plate and the blanket are mounted to the cylinders. This area is non-printable, and we call this the “GAP”.




To make the most of the press a simple solution would be, to add a blank area on the top or bottom of every job to shift into the gap-area. However, this is liable to many errors while adapting the job, or a point of discussion for the customer who does not want to compromise on his design. This is in many cases very inefficient and not cost-effective because of the long time to get the job to the press.

“GAPFINDER” offers a tool set to eliminate all the problems related to narrow web prepress and plate making. Using 1bit tiff data for input and output, not only the content of the job is secured, but it also allows simple connectivity with other systems.
Most important features of “Gapfinder” are:

• Automatic or interactive image optimization per colour to fit the job in the printable area, including split on 2 plates for continuous colour
  


• Adding colour or monochrome register marks with automatic colour matching and colour order arrangement
  


• Input and output hotfolder structure for connection with existing workflows or published Gapfinder parameters integration with Compose’s EWF
  

The increase of productivity, reliability and the reduction in plate making errors results in a fast ROI, only depending on the plate volume. With standardization of the workflow and the elimination of human intervention Compose can ensure quality and productivity in your prepress department.


For more information, contact Compose Systems Europe.

Home Barn, Canada Farm Road, Pinden, Dartford, Kent DA2 8EA, UK.
Tel: +44 1474 700 500 Fax: +44 1474 700 510
Email: sales@compose.co.uk Homepage: www.compose.co.uk

Compose Europe

Welcome to the Compose System (Europe) Blog page

My name is Simon Cuthbert and I will be introducing you to some of our more technical products, and show you how they can assist in the more obscure Printing environments.

Simon