FILE PROCESSING SOLUTIONS -- Getting into the Flow

The prepress operation has opted to go the third-party route for imposition by integrating ScenicSoft Preps into its workflow. "We got started with Preps probably five years ago, so we have a lot of experience with it," Bacsik says.

A myriad of options are open to other printers in dealing with these issues. Several vendors are offering solutions designed to integrate the print customer directly into the preflight process, as well. With regard to trapping, design and layout applications, some printers have put some level of control in clients' hands, but any tools beyond that level still are being targeted to print professionals. The need to match the press configuration all but ensures imposition will remain in the domain of print providers.