All-digital workflow for labels and packaging

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In early September 2001, ScenicSoft and CreoScitex announced expansion of their existing OEM relationship with a new agreement. CreoScitex will now offer both Preps and Pandora for use with their workflow solutions. A single version of Preps will be offered that can be used interchangeably in Brisque Prinergy and Impact workflows.

CreoScitex will now offer ScenicSoft's Pandora, a PDF-based step-and-repeat program for packaging and label printers. The packaging and label segment has long resisted open systems and all-digital workflows. However several all-digital workflows are emerging from vendors such as Barco, Artpro, CreoScitex Heidelberg and ScenicSoft. And as Bob Kutschke, CreoScitex' director for packaging workflow products says, "PDF has many advantages for consumer product companies and their packaging printers, converters and trade shops. For the first time, the concept of a digital master is reality - the file you design, trap, step, proof, and approve is the actual file that goes to plate. PDF saves time and increases reliability since there is no need to translate file formats and risk unintended changes". The flexibility of the PDF format, compared to traditional proprietary formats, allows packaging printers to utilise a variety of tools for editing, viewing, and exchanging digital one-ups.

CreoScitex has participated in the Pandora project from early stages of the its development. "After completing our own long and thorough analysis phase, which included visiting and interviewing packaging printers, we touched base with the Brisque and Prinergy teams", commented Tom Perry, ScenicSoft Pandora engineering manager. "It quickly became clear that both teams had a good handle on the specific requirements and needs of this fast-growing but somewhat overlooked segment of the printing market. . . ."

Pandora accepts PDF artwork and marks, as well as DDES2, CFF2, and DXF die files. Pandora's colour setup allows re-mapping of spot and process colours and conversion of spot colours to process, and supports Postscript Level 2 and Postscript 3 in RIP colour separations. Pandora can produce Postscript, PDF, Adobe PJTF job tickets, and PCF.

Pandora is developed entirely in Java, which enabled ScenicSoft to provide Windows and Macintosh versions in four languages with the very first release. Pandora is delivered on a CD with all languages and platforms supported, providing maximum flexibility for international users.

CreoScitex offers two packaging-specific workflow products: Prinergy Powerpack and Brisque Pack. Prinergy Powerpack is the first PDF-based workflow for packaging prepress, while Brisque Pack adds packaging specific features to the Brisque workflow.
Pandora 1.1, which is currently shipping, works with CreoScitex Prinergy Connect, Prinergy Direct, and iMPAct workflows. Pandora 1.2, released in September, allows full integration with Brisque Pack by adding support for the PCF format. Features enabling close integration with Prinergy Powerpack are under development and are expected to become available shortly after the Pandora 1.2 release.

Both packaging workflows can take advantage of InSite, the suite of Internet tools offering online remote proofing solutions. CreoScitex also produces the VLF Trendsetter and the Trendsetter 3244 for offset printers/converters and trade shops, and the ThermoFlex digital flexographic platesetter family for wide, mid-range, and narrow flexographic printers.

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