Preflight for Graphic Design and Prepress, an Application or Process?
Software
4th Oct 2009
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Preflight for Graphic Design and Prepress, an Application or Process?
Designers and prepress operators often think of Preflight as an application. An application that runs on files to verify files and identify potential problems. I have trained hundreds of operators in how to prepare First Time Right Postscript and PDF files. That’s the first thing that I set folks straight on.
Preflight is a process. It’s a process of going through every predictable problem that can happen with your printing job. If you think it’s a software that you run and that’s it, you are not going to be able to produce First Time Right PDF files. There are many, many things that software cannot even check for, and things unique to YOUR jobs, customers, company that are important. Things that MUST be checked to ensure success and accuracy.
50% of commercial printing is headed for a delay or additional costs:
Publishers and printers regularly report more than 50 percent of the digital files they receive are improperly prepared to spec. Thus, these files will need preflight & then repair to go forward. This may be done by a publisher, printer, or kicked back to the graphic designer. At stake is the budget and schedule of the print project. Now, think about that… 50% of commercial printing projects are destined for a delay in schedule or additional costs when submitted!
A graphic design project may be made for print, web, and or video. Depending on the type of media, documents must be prepared exactly to specifications based on final output media. Common file flaws include fonts not embedded or supplied, color space(CMYK vs. RGB, or inappropriate use of Pantone or specialty colors), and resolution conflicts. These are some of the many things that can be identified quickly by Preflight tools. A Preflight tool is utility software that is specially suited to help identify these file issues.
Preflight Software, helpful, required, but not a Whole Solution:
So there are tools that help. But what about things you have to identify by visual inspection? What about bleed and trim margins, placement and position, checking dates on event ads and coupon ads. What about checking every full page ad that is a repeat to be sure that the folio (page number) is deleted or updated. What about copy flow from 2 successive documents in a publication. These are all things that must be checked visually by a human. So, if you want to be a top notch designer or prepress operator, there is a list of important Preflight items that you, the human, must check. I always advise people to develop and update THEIR LIST every time a mistake is found or caught. Use the list as a checklist often enough that it becomes completely automatic to you as you prepare and process graphics files. If you get burned on a project, think of making that a part of your preflight checklist. An example or beginning preflight checklist can be found at this URL, review it and use it as a starting point.
http://prepressforum.com/preflight/job_planning.html
Preflighting Applications, Help, and History of Preflight:
I once read an article that stated Preflight Applications were invented in the 1990′s. Actually, preflight applications are nothing new at all. The early layout applications like Quark Xpress, Aldus PageMaker, Adobe Photoshop, Ready Set Go, were the first preflight applications. Preflight applications were invented in the 80′s, and have been improved upon and developed since. Today there is a Free Preflight Tool available called FreeFlightâ„¢ at the URL below, you can download the software free and get free help and support.
http://FREE-PREFLIGHT.com
There is also an online community at PREPRESSFORUM.COM that has extensive and free, user to user support. I help folks there most every day and the site is chock full of great insider tips, tricks, problems and solutions. I would encourage any designer, publisher, or printer to join and participate, teach or learn. All experience levels are welcome to post and answer questions at this site.
Examples of First Preflight Software Tools:
Example (A) PageMaker has a links palette that scanned through the document providing a report about images linked/missing, RGB/CMYK, Tiff/EPS, etc. This was a preflight results report covering the main document AND many support document files combined. Thus Pagemaker was a preflight tool that could report on files originating from other applications, like scans. It would give the user a list of confirmations and or problems identified that was to be used to repair and prepare files prior to output.
Example (B) Quark Xpress has had a usage palette, when called, it scans through the open document providing detailed reports about fonts used/missing, images used/missing/modified, image types, image colors, image paths. This was a preflight results report covering the open document AND many support document files combined. Thus Quark Xpress was a preflight tool that could report on files originating in other applications, like scans. It would give the user a list of confirmations and or problems identified that was to be used to repair and prepare files prior to output. Additionally Quark Xpress may have started collect for output, a feature mentioned in other patents from the 1990′s regarding preflight software invention.
Example© Adobe Photoshop was used to inspect and verify images. Back in the day, a user would grab all the Tiffs and Eps placed into a job. The selected files drag & dropped onto Adobe Photoshop would automatically open and display the color space in the title bar of each file, CMYK/RGB/Grayscale etc. Thus Adobe PhotoShop was a preflight tool that could report on files originating from other applications. An operator could open the Image size palette and verify resolution before closing each document. Thus a semi-automatic preflight of graphic images was performed. So, yes, Adobe Photoshop was and still is a preflight application and a file repair application that could inspect and identify problems in files which it did not originate.
Preflighting, Today’s Hottest Current Applications:
QuarkXpress 6.5, QuarkXpress 7, Adobe InDesign CS2, these applications have built in preflight function these days. Unlike all other preflight software, these are native function that is fast and effective. Best of all, they come at no additional cost to the designer, publisher, or printer. These are built into both of today’s most common preflight applications.
However, there’s a few very critical holes in the built in preflight of these applications. No need to worry, there’s a FREE preflight application caller FreeFlightâ„¢ that has been recently released to address this. The application is a free download from a Quark Xtension and Adobe Plug-In developer site . FreeFlight is a must have tool that supplements the use of QuarkXpress and Adobe InDesign CS2 built in preflight. You can download and read about FreeFlightâ„¢ at this URL.
http://FREE-PREFLIGHT.com
“Preflighting” as a printing term came to popularity in the 1990s as printers and service bureaus ensured that problematic files would be caught and fixed before they found their way into CTF (Computer to Film) workflow. In this century the term has evolved into other variations, like post-flight, indicating when in the workflow the file is actually verified. To Preflight is proactive quality control, Postflight is reactive quality control. Preflight is good manufacturing process, Postflight is not. This may be a nice topic for later. Take my word on it and avoid Postflight workflow schemes. Real craftsmen and professionals find and fix all problems at the earliest possible point. Many of these tools below are actually post-flight oriented tools.
Preflighting, The Older Expensive Applications for the job at hand:
Markzware FlightCheck Classic: This preflight software is developed by Markzware Software. Markzware’s FlightCheck Classic is a standalone application that scans, verifies and collects each job for output. Currently available as version 5.8 (6.0 was due out this fall), Although it was the gold standard for years and is still a great tool, the software is not staying current with releases of software. Example Quark Xpress 7. Markzware’s FlightCheck Classic will preflight a wide range of digital file formats, including PDF documents and those created in most popular native application programs (QuarkXPress, Adobe InDesign, PageMaker, etc.). Ground Controls enable users to highlight potential problems, out of more than 150 choices, for which to search. Single-user licenses for Windows and Mac users are available for about $400. This software is no longer recommended because development does not stay current with the support of new application versions that it’s users face every day like Quark Xpress 7.
http://www.markzware.com
Markzware FlightCheck Collect!: This preflight software deemed the “lite” version of Markzware’s FlightCheck Classic, FlightCheck Collect! inspects for common file problems, like improperly assigned color space, missing fonts and image or resolution conflicts. Once preflighted, the application can then collect the document, including images, extensions and screen and printer fonts, for output. Markzware offers Windows and Mac versions for around $180. This software is no longer recommended because development does not stay current with the support of new application versions that it’s users face every day like Quark Xpress 7.
http://www.markzware.com
Markzware HawkEye: This preflight software from Markzware is HawkEye, a preflighting tool designed specifically for designers and content creators. It runs as a plug-in to most popular desktop publishing applications like QuarkXPress, Illustrator, Acrobat, FreeHand and more. Before content is created, designers can create specifications (known as TrueFileSpecifications) for each job they plan to create. For example, an art director can choose the color schema or font set to use. If the designer mistakenly places an element into the document that doesn’t meet the TrueFileSpecifications, he or she is immediately alerted to the discrepancy. Users can also choose to forbid saving or printing a file that is in a “failed” or “unfixed” state, helping to better manage revisions, versions and cut down on consumable waste. This product from Markzware was advertised and was on a seybold Hot Picks 2002 but may have been pulled or may have never made it to market, unable to confirm at Markzware’s site?
http://www.markzware.com
PDF/X-1 Verifier 2.0: This preflight software developed for the DDAP (Digital Distribution of Advertising for Publication association, www.ddap.org), this application verifies the integrity of PDF/X-1a files, the professional format of choice for print advertising. This application is suited for both digital ad designers as well as file recipients like publishers, prepress suppliers and printers. It offers pass-fail results or more comprehensive preflight reports. DDAP members can purchase single-seat licenses for about $95; non-members pay about $125.
http://www.ddap.org
Apago PDF/X-1 CheckUp: This preflight software developed by Apago offers PDF/X-1 CheckUp 2.5, a plug-in to Adobe Acrobat that preflights and produces PDF/X files. It supports both ISO (International Standards Organization) PDF/X-1:2001 and PDF/X-1a:2001 standards. Mac and Windows versions are available for Acrobat 4.0.5 and 5.0, for about $250ea.
http://www.apagoinc.com
Enfocus PitStop Professional: This preflight software developed by Enfocus Software, PitStop Pro preflights and edits PDF documents. It checks for 140 potential problems and offers 70 automated correction features. After running the document through preflight, users can edit existing objects and text, or add new elements. It’s also equipped to re-map color space or tag/detag images with ICC (International Color Consortium) profiles. The software comes with several common PDF profiles to select according to a file’s final destination. Windows and Mac versions of PitStop Professional are available for about $550. Enfocus Pitstop is a great tool for repairing bad PDF files. However, it is not recommended as a Preflight solution. Since the PDF is the end result, to check a PDF files is really Postflight, a good preflight workflow is about making good PDF in the first place.
http://www.enfocus.com
Extensis Preflight Pro: This preflight software is developed by Extensis, Preflight Pro inspects entire folders of native application documents created in popular desktop publishing applications like QuarkXPress, Acrobat, Illustrator, PageMaker, Photoshop and FreeHand. Following preflight inspection, the software then collects the job for output. Mac version is available for about $400.
http://www.extensis.com
TIFF/IT-P1 Checker: This preflight software developed for DDAP by Congruent Development, TIFF/IT-P1 Checker is a bundle of software tools, that includes TIFF/IT-P1 Preflight. Suited for both digital ad and packaging designers, it also represents a low-cost tool for any manufacturing partner that receives a large number of TIFF/IT-P1 files. It’s available in both Mac and Windows versions and costs about $100 for DDAP members, $180 for non-members.
http://www.ddap.org
Asura & Solvero: This preflight software created by OneVision Software AG, Asura eliminates frequently occurring production problems in PDF, EPS and PostScript files, with the help of hot-folder specifications. Asura preflights incoming files, while Solvero automatically repairs common problems. The system keeps a log of all changes made to a file. According to the developer, this coupled solution is most popular among newspaper publishers, which receive a wide range of digital file formats.
http://www.onevision.com
AdCheck: This preflight software developed by Total Integration, AdCheck 2.1 allows users to open and view production-image format files, including TIFF/IT, CT, HC and LW, using a standard Mac workstation. Its Show Info prompt provides detailed information about the file, including size and colors used.
http://www.totalint.com
Markzware MarkzNet: This preflight software developed by Markzware, MarkzNet is not an out-of-the-box preflighting solution. Rather, it’s a blend of the company’s popular FlightCheck technology with systems integration. For high-volume production environments, MarkzNet provides a Web-based portal into a company’s production workflow. Customers submit files with drag-and-drop simplicity. Files are automatically inspected for flaws or conflicts with the recipient’s specifications and either pass or fail. Failed files are rejected and both recipient and sender are immediately alerted to the problem. If the file passes, it’s automatically forwarded to the next stage of production for a truly seamless digital workflow. This software is not recommended because it is a web based tool and has proved to be really slow and not productive to many users.
http://www.markzware.com
Preflight Online: This preflight software developed from a partnership between Extensis and WAM!NET, Preflight Online is a Web-based solution for printers and publishers that need a custom-branded solution for receiving digital files from customers and advertisers. It accepts a wide range of file formats, including EPS, native Quark and Adobe PDF, preflights them and forwards files that pass directly to the recipient’s FTP server. There’s a one-time admin charge, as well as a monthly subscription fee that’s based on the customer’s actual inspection traffic. This software is not recommended because it is a web based tool and has proved to be really slow and not productive to many users.
http://www.extensis.com http://workspace.wamnet.com
TIFF/ITeyes: This preflight software developed by Rorke Data, enables users to view the complete data in TIFF/IT-P1 files, the widely adopted accredited standard for digital ad exchange. Users can measure X-Y coordinates, as well as CMYK values. http://www.rorke.com
SpeedFlow Check: This preflight software developed by OneVision, SpeedFlow Check is one component of a suite of tools that preflights, edits and imposes PDF, EPS and PostScript files. Files that pass SpeedFlow Check inspection are saved in PostScript or PDF form (depending on the manufacturer’s or publisher’s workflow) and sent to a hot-folder on the server. Problems may be fixed manually in SpeedFlow Edit and electronically routed to SpeedFlow Impose for impositioning.
http://www.onevision.com
Photoshop Tips for Digital Scrap Booking Enthusiasts
Graphic Design
3rd Oct 2009
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Scrap booking, a preview for the enthusiasts on how to create one we enlist some tips that would help you.
Creativity is something that uses imagination and there are various things in your house that you can use to create an attractive scrap book. Search the market to find collectables. There are so many decorative items you can buy without spending much. Inexpensive gems and fancy ribbons, the markets is filled with them. There is a lot that you can do with tiny things like sparkle stickers etc. Such efforts will bring great results.
If all these smalls bits of border outlining and fancy sparkle is not your taste then you can find things in your house, try creating a border outline with wood chips of your pencil sharpener then use pencil colors carefully to beautify that outline. Most of it is usually imagination and creativity, it’s your playground.
Now we shall learn the steps while designing an alphabet along with multiple patterns for a Digital scrap-booking project? Through this article you shall learn to create a text combining with design using Photoshop that helps you to make your own neat digital scrap booking. By the way of learning this process one could easily design alphabets and numerical, print and ultimately use to write names, titles or special heading on your scrapbook.
Now lets learn to operate Photoshop software, move the mouse cursor to click on file and select New to initiate a new document. Pick the size you’d like to create, like 250 x 400 pixel or what ever size you require.
Attention: All the above said steps can be found at photoshoptrail.com website, then use the option digital scrap booking available on the left menu.
Start with initiating a new document and save it, then create a new Layer, type with letter C and use the font – (Swis721 BlkOul BT) with 200pt and align it in the middle of the document.
Now go back and select the layer from last step and use keyboard to press Crtl simultaneously click on in use layer and select the letter C. Now select option gradient tool and choose a color option for example Dark Blue = #276D25 and Blue = #5C9159. Pull by using gradient tool diagonally from bottom right to top left corner and unpick the selection. Take the help of using the above said procedure you have learnt to make a Letter C with varying Blue color.
In the next step go to top menu bar, click on filters and then blur. You find that this way the letter C will turn the color a bit blurred.
In the next step we are shown how to make a shape which will be the design for the scarp book, this shape is created using the Pen Tool in the Photoshop toolbox palette. Now choose your color and fill it in with Gradient tool.
I hope that these steps have helped you well in trying to create the alphabet C with the color blue along with a design of your choice. To read and learn more you can always visit the site in the below signature.
7 Visualization Tools for Breakthrough Success
Visual Art
30th Sep 2009
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Visualization is the process of seeing in your mind’s eye something that you would like to do, have, or become. It’s building the prototype in your imagination first, thus activating the quantum Law of Attraction to create the corresponding physical reality.
Following are 7 visualization tools to help you make the most of this incredible power that’s available to you right now:
1. A peaceful, quiet place. First in importance among the various visualization tools is to find a place where you can enjoy total peace of mind for 15-20 minutes. Visualization is a personal experience that requires mental focus. That’s why you need a quiet place.
After you gain some experience in visualizing, you’ll be better-equipped to deflect outside noise and distractions. But for the beginner, it’s important to find your own sanctuary where you can be zero in on something you really want.
A safe bet is often a room at home with a door you can close behind you. But a peaceful place in a natural setting can be a tremendous enhancement to your visualization. Look for a secluded grassy knoll beside a babbling brook, or comfortable spot along a forest path.
2. Keep a pen and notepad handy and use it to write out the goal you’ll be visualizing. Articulating a desire helps you decide what you most want. When you get it down on paper, does it come to life? Or is there something else you really want to go for now?
Getting your thoughts down on paper helps you decide. A second advantage to writing it out is it helps you gain clarity and refine your objective in detail. The more detailed your description, the more it tends to fuel your desire.
3. An audio recorder is another powerful visualization tool. Any kind of recorder will do. Simply speak into the microphone and record what it is you want. Maybe it’s a new car, or wardrobe. Perhaps it’s a relationship, or you want to improve your own self confidence. It doesn’t matter what it is. Simply describe the result you want to have. Record your ideal scene with you already in possession of that which you seek.
4. Read the works of authors who reveal the magic of visualization. Look for Creative Visualization by Shakti Gawain and anything written by Neville Goddard or Denis Waitley. All three understood the power of the mind to visualize or simulate a desired outcome to in fact bring it about.
5. Use affirmations to strengthen your visualization sessions. Affirmations are positive, empowering statements of fact expressed in the first person. They are powerful visualization tools designed to present a new self-concept; that of actually being in possession of whatever it is you seek.
6. Guided visualizations make it even easier. When you can listen to a CD or download that includes relaxing music as a soothing voice takes you on an imaginary trip towards yours specific goal — that’s powerful! Guided visualizations help channel your thinking and get you focused on your specific goal.
7. “Reminder triggers” help keep you on your chosen path. Visualizations are empowering. But what happens when you’re finished a session and you head back out into the dog eat dog world of 21st century living?
You tend to forget about the direction you want to head in. That’s where you need a reminder trigger. Maybe it’s a special coin you carry in your pocket. Or it could be a goal card you keep with you that states clearly and succinctly what you’re working towards. Even something as simple as an elastic band around your wrist can help you snap back into living life on your terms, whenever you catch yourself going astray.
There you have it — 7 powerful visualization tools to enhance your sessions and your life. Apply these and you’ll find yourself taking a faster, more direct route towars the things in life you most want
Digital Imaging Systems: Safe, Efficient Image Storage
Software
29th Sep 2009
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Digital Imaging Systems are an excellent way for organizations to streamline their internal process by improving their capture, processing, storage and retrieval of images. Using Digital Imaging Systems, they can more easily share images and records via email as well as allowing for online access throughout the organization, and satellite locations, to documents and other valuable information.
Most typically, a digital image is created using a digital camera. However, some analog documents can be captured such as film photographs, printed papers and other documents and images that are scanned on a scanner or similar photographing device.
Organizationally speaking, it’s far easier to locate an image or document using a digital imaging system than it is using a paper filing system or microfilm organization system. Using a digital imaging system, storage is relatively minimal since information is stored digitally.
Storage cabinets and even the staff who manage them can effectively be eliminated as documents which once took entire rooms to store have been condensed down to a few computer discs.
Digital imaging systems in the medical field typically consists of fully configured systems of components designed to all work together to properly document and store patient medical records and images. Typical equipment used includes microscopes, cameras, interface cards, personal computers and imaging software. Additional components often include adapters for both microscopes and digital cameras to be used in capturing images for storage.
Specific to documenting injuries, digital imaging systems play a crucial role in the gathering, organization, storage, sharing and display of information pertinent to the patient’s injury.
One issue, however, is the problem of digital image authentication which, as technology evolves, so does the issue of the probability of image alteration. This potential problem is all the more reason to have a Digital Imaging System in place to securely store sensitive patient records.
Visit us at : DIGITALRADIOLOGYSOLUTIONS.NET
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