DAL Quarterly Meeting
Latest News
The next meeting will be likely to take place later in the Summer. For further information contact hannah@leafagency.com
April 21st, 2004
Meeting Notes, Wednesday 21st April - William Goodenough College
OneVision Sponsor Update
Please see Iain Boyle's presentation, as posted with these notes.
Soft Proofing
Andrew Wilson introduced this discussion on what is being considered as an important move for the industry. The following organisations were represented:
Creo - Maria Machera talked about the fact that their product Synapse InSite is much more than a soft proofing solution as it includes job tracking, manages the approval process and much more. The point was made that no software needs to be installed on the client end and that their intention with this product is to let the end user have full visibility of the whole workflow. As a result of feedback from customers, there will be more functionality added in the near future. For further information, please visit www.creo.com.
Target Colour/eProof Solutions - Niall Coady provided an information sheet on eProof to all attendees. He commented that eProof is a communications tool for many different environments that provides an accurate soft proof on screen. The product can be tailored to suit individual workflows for both you and your clients.
More information can be found at www.eproof-solutions.com.
Dalim - Gee Ranasinha talked about Turning Point Technology's Dialogue product. The reason for developing this product was due to the fact the company felt they had never found the right solution for online soft proofing. This is one module of a wider automated production workflow system (TwiST) that can plug into anyone's workflow and is entirely open. For further information you can visit www.t-point.co.uk.
Kodak Polychrome Graphics - Craig Robertson mentioned two products in this market, RealTimeProof and MatchProof Virtual. Concentrating on the latter, this product has been used in the US for the last couple of years but now the concept of colour accurate virtual proofing via customised monitors is being marketing in this country. Further information can be obtained from www.kpgraphics.com.
AppleCart - Dominic Duffy took a different angle and split soft proofing into two areas, content and colour. Soft proofing for content is something we do everyday when viewing pdfs sent to us via email, however soft proofing for colour is a much bigger issue. There needs to be a great deal of communication and automation in this area and we still have a big hill to climb. For more info see www.applecartsolutions.com.
The issue of whether monitor technology is the main cause of colour issues within soft proofing was raised and it was put forward that we try to get some monitor manufacturers involved in the next meeting. The manufacturers from the panel are also going to provide us with a list of approved monitors.
Trust was a much used word when referring to soft proofing. It was felt that the trust between users needs to be strong and all parties have to be educated about the plus and minus points of soft proofing before starting to rely on it.
The issue was raised as to how you can verify colour on a soft proof. How can you guarantee that the lighting conditions etc are going to be exactly the same at either end. At this stage there isn't an answer, which is one of the reasons soft proofing has not been widely accepted.
In regards to soft proofing for content, the process of emailing a pdf is seen as much more cost effective than installing a system. However it was pointed out that with some systems users can all access the same file and comment on it collaboratively. The point was also raised that people generally print the document out before looking at it anyway!
The need to establish different expectations for different market sectors was discussed. For example the risks involved with soft proofing are very high for the glossy mags as they are extremely colour critical, whereas other areas of the market are willing to accept lower standards of colour.
From the client perspective it was emphasised that they have to know the implications for them when soft proofing. Is it going to make their lives easier because if it isn't they there is unlikely to be buy in from their end.
The point was raised as to whether there is or should be a set of best practise guidelines between the manufacturers so that whatever system was being used, there wasn't huge differences between the results. It appears that there isn't such a document at the moment and that the industry has to move further forward before this can be done.
Proof4Press
Marcus updated us that both Dupont and Creo have had their devices approved. KPG and Agfa are both very close and a number of RIP manufacturers are applying for approval. At present the standard is geared towards high quality magazines, but the group will be trying to address the requirements of other types of magazines in the near future.
There are documents available on the website for RIP standardisation testing, please see www.pass4press.com. Also, the online preflighting specification has been completed and is now live.
File Transfer Discussion
Andy Eakins delivered a presentation on the current file transfer market, with particular reference and statistics as to where the industry stands on ISDN and other methods of transferring files. Andy's presentation is posted alongside these notes.
The cost implications of ISDN are still seen as prohibitively high and many of the audience still send and receive a lot of CD's. Due to the fact that BT's ISDN systems are used widely for phone networks, they are unlikely to drop the cost of line rental.
There was comment that it isn't all about just file transfer costs. The price of many systems in the market is more acceptable and the whole workflow process is becoming streamlined with open technology, so file transfer should just be one element of this rather than being a standalone cost implication.
Special Offer
Pro2col is pleased to offer all Digital Ad Lab members a free file transfer audit during either May or June. Being independent Pro2col can offer you impartial advice, meet with you to discuss your requirements or demonstrate solutions. Working with most suppliers in the industry and having extensive knowledge of legacy systems, including 4-Sight/WAM!NET ISDN solutions, we are well placed to be able to advise on most solutions available to fit any budget.
Pro2col, formed since the closure of 4-Sight, is an independent file transfer consultancy. If you would like to discuss your requirements without the hard sell contact Pro2col by telephone (01202) 399429 or email info@pro2colgroup.com quoting ref. DAL0604.
EFI Sponsor Update
The presentation given by Lisette Sens is posted alongside these notes.
Next Meeting
The next meeting will take place towards the end of July. We will be including highlights from Drupa, but if there is anything anyone sees and wishes to raise please let me know, hannah@leafagency.com. Another area of discussion may well be OS X, with particular reference to font management. Please email me if you have any specific topics of discussion you would like raised.
Disclaimer: Please note that this document is merely an interpretation of what took place at the meeting. It is intended to be as non-vendor specific as possible and does not quote any individual directly.
OneVision
Presentation (PowerPoint doc)
EFI
Presentation (PowerPoint doc)
Presentation
to Adlab (zipped file)
Attendees (apologies to anyone who is missing)
| Andrea St Hill, Caspian | Andrew Bailles Collins, OneVision |
| Andrew Wilson, Unity Publishing | Andy Eakins |
| Annette Kilroy, Mack Brooks | Anthony Kay, ACCA |
| Antony Barrington, Admagic | Antony Newson, Alphagraphics |
| Barney Cox, PrintWeek | Bill Greenwood, Gilchrist |
| Billy Lucas, Admagic | Bruce Finn, Headley Brothers |
| Brent Martin, Colour Emotions | Bob Russell, Dupont |
| Brian Sunderland | Chris Bunnett |
| Christopher Reed, William Reed | Craig Robertson, KPG |
| Craig Santus, WAM!NET | Clare Young, Splash |
| Chris Osborne, KPG | Darren Batchelor, Rapida |
| Darren Murray, Springboard | Dominic Duffy, Applecart |
| Dominic McGill, Fairs & Exhibitions | David Mitchell, Applecart |
| Gee Ranasinha, TPT | Hannah Newberry, Leaf Agency |
| Harvey Jones, Exponential-e | Iain Boyle, OneVision |
| Ian Stockdale, Maddison Bell Media | James Lewis, Pro2col |
| Jim Duggan, Headley Brothers | Jocelyn Lomer, isdn datacom |
| John Charnock, St Ives | Kevan Hamman, JPY |
| Lisette Sens, EFI | Marcus Kirby, TFG |
| Maria Machera, Creo | Mark Fudge, United Advertising |
| Miranda Clegg, Vio | Meurig Evans, Haymarket |
| Michael Mann, Economist | Michael Perkins, Quark |
| Mike Watson, TPT | Niall Coady, Target Colour |
| Nick Finegold, Icon Repro | Richard Harris, Guardian |
| Rose Fenton, Electronic Solutions | Rog Fogwill, Adfast |
| Rob Brack, RBI | Robert Thurston, Brand Images |
| Ruth Clarke, Splash | Sue Kingsley, Exponential-e |
| Stephen Douglas, FEP | Steve Emerson, TPT |
| Savio Luis, Vio | Simon Turner, Haymarket |
| Steve Davies, Electronic Solutions | Steve Ricks, Studio One |
| Stuart Lynch, Solutions 4 Images | Tim Cox, ROI |
| Tim Daly, WAM!NET | Tom Vine, PMM |
| Trevor Attridge, Y&R | Vince Pitman, Square |
| William Morrish, Interoute | Harpreet Castleton, Magenta |