SOFT PROOFING -- Is Printing Going Soft?

BY MARK SMITH

Technology Editor

In terms of the production process, proofing often is the last remaining physical tie between the print buyer and printer—except for the finished product, of course. Both parties have resisted changes to the status quo.

Soft, or monitor-based, proofing is a logical step toward a truly all-digital workflow. The notion of evaluating and approving work on-screen probably was suggested the first time work was produced digitally. Yet, the various solutions that have been introduced are still working to gain acceptance, especially for approval of color.

Issues related to monitor technology can still be sticking points, but the biggest barrier to broader adoption has remained people's trust in and comfort with hard copy proofing. So has soft proofing's time now finally come? As President Clinton infamously pointed out, the answer depends on how one defines that term.

Sending PDFs as e-mail attachments for clients to view on-screen is soft proofing in its simplest form. This is commonly done for content approval only.

Common Traits

Dedicated soft proofing solutions typically provide a similar set of added functionality. Enhanced collaboration tools and capabilities are pretty much standard, including e-mail notification, simultaneous viewing, approval reporting and activity tracking. Color management and evaluation (on-screen densitometer, etc.) features are also must-haves.

Most, but not all, of these systems support file streaming. There are different versions of the technology, but the basic idea is to reduce wait times and bandwidth requirements by eliminating the need to first download the entire high-res source file before viewing a proof.

Another potential point of differentiation is whether the solution is a server-based system or an ASP (Application Service Provider) offering.

With a server-based system, the software resides on a printing company's own Internet-connected server. This affords the printer greater control of the system, enables direct integration with production systems, provides the security of source files remaining within the plant and tends to be more cost-effective for volume users.

ASP solutions are said to make it easier to get started in remote proofing by providing the required infrastructure ready- made. They generally have low start-up costs and assess fees based on usage.

Beyond the basics, two systems stand out for having achieved SWOP (Specifications for Web Offset Publications) certification to support their use in critical-color, contract proofing. Kodak Polychrome Graphics' (KPG) Matchprint Virtual Proofing system and Integrated Color Solutions' (ICS) Remote Director provide similar functionality, but get there in different ways.

SWOP certification of any soft proofing system is seen as lending credibility to use of the technology for approving color. It should be noted that certification is tied to the specific monitor used in the system submitted for evaluation, so each product actually has multiple certified configurations.

There doesn't seem to be a consensus yet as to whether CRT or LCD displays should be the preferred solution for soft proofing applications. System developers tend to support both and leave the choice up to buyers.

KPG and ICS have mapped out a plan for extending the reach of soft proofing, but it remains to be seen if other vendors and printers, most importantly, will buy into it. Each gained further legitimacy by having versions of their systems added to the Color Proofing Roundup testing program being carried out by IPA, the association of graphic solutions providers. Past tests had been restricted to hard copy systems.

In the visual comparison portion of the testing, the soft proofing systems reportedly achieved a match to the printed test sheets that compared well to the range of results for the hard copy systems.

For Press Operators

The latest advance from both vendors is a product designed to bring soft proofing into the pressroom. KPG announced a Press Side version of its system intended for use by press operators and designed to work in that environment. ICS goes a step further with its PressOK scanning unit designed to digitize press sheets to enable remote press checks.

Printers considering implementing soft proofing should consider a couple of other issues regardless of the system. Figuring out how to charge clients—and getting them to actually pay—for proofs can be a challenge. Consistency in the pressroom and fingerprinting of presses are needed for accurate proofing with any system, but the process for matching a soft proof is no more difficult than what's required for hard copy.

The process starts with selecting a system from among the many on the market.

KPG's RealTimeProof actually is a suite of solutions, including server (Classic), ASP (RealTimeProof.com) or combination (Express) for high-volume users. All versions are based on Pixels-on-Demand technology, which uses a browser plug-in. New "Multiple View" and "Compare" capabilities enable users to review multiple proofs simultaneously on-screen and highlight changes in different versions of a proof.

KPG Matchprint Virtual Proof is a complete hardware and software (including RealTimeProof) system built into a kiosk to provide a controlled viewing environment. The SWOP-certified system is designed with two monitors, which originally was a matched set of CRTs, but now the company is offering an LCD version. It combines proprietary color science, monitor calibration and color management to accurately represent CMYK colors on a RGB display. (www.kpgraphics.com)

ICS' Remote Director enables reviewing of proofs on Mac and Windows systems. It is a software-only solution, but specific monitors on the developer's recommended display list must be used for SWOP-certified workflows. The software is said provide peer-to-peer communication with no uploading to a server and is free to install under a per-proofing pricing model. (www.icscolor.com)

Dalim Dialogue is distinct by virtue of being a server-only solution for Mac OSX and Linux platforms. Proofs can be viewed using a standard Web browser with no plug-ins required. Designed as a standalone product, the software can also be integrated into an automated production workflow like Dalim TWiST. Data can be streamed from popular file formats. (www.dalim.com)

Proof-it-Online is an ASP system that works via the FlashMark Viewer Web browser plug-in. Subscribers pay a fee based on the number of approval sessions they require per month. PDF, JPEG or GIF files are the preferred formats for proof uploads, but EPS, TIFF and other formats can be supported. (www.Proof-it-Online.com)

Cyan Soft offers a server installed solution, called eProof, that uses RapidImageView streaming technology. Proofs can be viewed via Java applets in a standard Web browser. Microsoft Word files are supported, along with the major graphic arts file formats. (www.cyansoftware.com)

GroupLogic's Imagexpo generates a static bitmap from the source file for use in soft proofing. It is a standalone software application that runs on Mac and Windows platforms. (www.grouplogic.com)

Leading workflow system vendors typically offer soft proofing through an add-on component, rather than as a standalone solution.

Agfa offers soft proofing capabilities as part of its Delano project management system. The capability to stream data or download entire files is a standard feature of the broader server solution, which clients can access via a Web browser. (www.agfa.com)

Creo has integrated soft proofing into its Synapse InSite Internet portal interface to production. Files can be pulled directly from its Prinergy or Brisque systems and fed to users with pixel streaming technology. (www.creo.com)

The OneFlow PDF-based workflow from EFI implements the ROOM (rasterize once, output many) concept to also support proofing. Soft proofing is provided by the "View" function, which supports CMYK and spot color data. Users can view raster data to check high-resolution signatures. (www.efi.com)

The Remote Access option for Heidelberg's Prinect Printready system includes two forms of soft proofing. Its pre-RIP "approval mode" utilizes the capabilities of Adobe Acrobat for reviewing and commenting on PDF files. Post-RIP pixel proofing is enabled by RealTimeProof technology under an OEM agreement. (www.heidelberg.com)

Screen (USA) offers soft proofing capabilities in several components of its TrueFlowNet workflow system. Each is a server installed component for a one-time product fee. Riteapprove integrates with Trueflow 3.0 and its internal file format to provide a Java-based client interface. Riteonline provides PDF proofing using a virtual print driver to support its online ordering and dynamic documents capabilities. Riteportal allows customers to proof PDF files as part of a Certified PDF job submission workflow. (www.screenusa.com)

Rampage Remote is a complete solution (Web server and software) for ICC-enabled soft proofing that integrates with workflow systems from Rampage Systems. It sells for a fixed price, including free client software for Mac and PC. (www.rampageinc.com)

Lucid Dream's OnTimeProof is a third-party online proofing solution design for use within workflows such as Heidelberg's Delta RIP or any 1-bit TIFF RIP. Proofs are generated from the actual RIPed data and can be viewed using standard Web browsers. (www.luciddream.com)

FirstPROOF Plus is Hamillroad Software's solution for post-RIP soft proofing in workflows based on Harlequin RIPs and TIFF files. Running on Mac or PC platforms, the latest upgrade adds an Inverse Dot Gain tool said to emulate the dot gain of an output device. (www.hamillroad.com)

A final option is adding soft proofing capabilities to proofing software designed to drive hard copy devices, particularly ink-jet printers. CGS Publishing Technologies (www.cgsusa.com) is now offering ORIS Soft Proof as a one-time chargeable option for its existing proofing application, enabling users to create and view a color-correct PDF file via a plug-in for Adobe Acrobat. Serendipity Software (www.serendipity-software.com.au) similarly included high-resolution soft proofing as one of the upgrades to Version 3.0 of its Blackmagic product.