FILE FORMATS & STANDARDS -- Practices Make Perfect

Zwang contends that the workgroup's efforts raise the standard for printing, rather than play to the lowest common denominator of print production. "PDF/X actually is a lowest common denominator approach, which is why it has the shortcomings it does as a production tool," he says.

GWG's best practices cover more than just Adobe Acrobat Distiller settings, and tailoring them to specific market segments optimizes the results, Zwang argues. In addition to the nine segments already addressed, the group is developing specifications for packaging, office document printing and, possibly, silk screening. All completed specs are made available for downloading (free) from the organization's Website, www.ghentpdfworkgroup.org.