PrintFactory sets the reference for large format production efficiency

Monday, November 8, 2010

PrintFactory 4.1 introduces JDF compliancy, variable data handling and true shape nesting

Four Pees, exclusive world-wide distributor of the PrintFactory software suite for banner, sign and super wide format printing announces the immediate availability of PrintFactory 4.1. With this new version, PrintFactory becomes the most complete large format production suite in the market.

Advanced automation and integration through JDF

With Four Pees as alliance partner of HP in the creation of JDF features and specifications for wide-format applications, PrintFactory 4 is one of the first software suites to extensively support JDF for standards-based integrated production automation. It produces and consumes JDF on different levels.

  • The PrintFactory Editor prepares a job for production: tiles, grommets, tunnels, true shape nesting, color edits, shape edits, etc. It produces JDF instructions directly to the PrintFactory RIP or to the next workflow component (e.g. 3rd party RIP).
  • The PrintFactory RIP consumes JDF and processes a job according to the embedded specifications, including standardized/normalized printing.
  • PrintFactory offers different possibilities to fully automate most tasks and integrate with Web-to-print and MIS/ERP systems. This is done through JDF-based logging of each of the processes so that jobs can be tracked throughout the flow.
  • JDF-based variable data template files, populated with the actual variable data in the RIP, can be used by PrintFactory.

Expanded Editor functionality

The Editor is the PrintFactory application for job preparation, job verification and correction. Version 4.1 features a completely new Finishing Tool. This tool makes applying finishing elements like folds and tunnels for flags, grommets (or eyelets) and seams for banners a breeze. You can freely set folds, extra bleed, grommets and fold lines to the design. The new Combine Tool introduces True Shape Nesting and Variable Data handling. On Step-and-Repeat jobs, True Shape Nesting will detect the actual edges of an object and optimize the media usage based on the actual shape of the object rather than its bounding box. The Combine Tool also allows introducing variables in a design and link them to a data file with text and images for variable data printing.

PrintFactory 4.1 also adds “Preflighting”. Preflighting can check color space, text size, image resolution and other aspects of a file before sending it to production. The PrintFactory Editor allows you to create checklists and reports and fix errors when opening a file, avoiding expensive mistakes or other quality issues, not immediately visible on screen.

More intuitive and faster color profiling

PrintFactory 4.1 has a completely revamped Calibration and Profiling Wizard for more accurate, more productive and more economic printer profiling. Apart from a new ink-bleeding chart the wizard also features new quality/ink consumption presets:

  • “Economy”: uses a minimum amount of ink but can compromise print quality
  • “Quality”: maximizes the print quality, no restriction on ink amount
  • “Quality ECO”: optimizes the ink usage while maintaining the quality, providing best of both worlds

New printers

This new version of PrintFactory introduces support for the HP Scitex LX and Roland VP, XC, SP and RS models.

Pricing and availability

PrintFactory 4.1 is available immediately and is free to existing 4.0 users. The JDF and Variable Data capabilities come as Add-On options. Please contact your local reseller or sales@fourpees.com for detailed pricing.

About PrintFactory

PrintFactory v4 is the most complete production suite for banner, sign and super wide format printing that is set to revolutionize the way you run your print shop. PrintFactory provides all the professional job preparation and file correction tools you need to produce more and faster with minimum waste and guaranteed superb results. 
More information on www.print-factory.net.

About Four Pees

Named after the four P’s of marketing – product, price, place and promotion – Four Pees markets, distributes, integrates and supports solutions for the print and publishing industry. The company focuses on solutions for collaboration, automation and quality optimization for the commercial print, publishing, packaging and large format printing markets.

Four Pees is worldwide exclusive distributor of the callas software pdfToolbox and pdfaPilot product ranges, the most complete PDF processing solutions for the print, publishing and document archival markets, ProofMaster, for color-accurate contract proofs and PrintFactory, the most complete production suite for large format printing. Other represented brands include axaio software, Barbieri, CtrlPublishing, Elpical and ICS.

Four Pees was established in 2007 by Tom Peire and has quickly grown into an industry innovating team with a background in leading companies such as Artwork Systems, EFI, Enfocus, Kodak and Vutek.
For more information, visit www.fourpees.com.

Press Contact

Four Pees
Daniela Mahlke
Mail: daniela.mahlke@fourpees.com
Web: www.fourpees.com
Phone: +32 9 237 10 00