Compose System Unveils New Soft Proofing Solution

Compose System is to unveil Visual Proof - a new generation 'across the LAN' soft proofing product designed to integrate with modern production systems.

Visual Proof takes soft proofing to a new dimension by enabling users to softproof the ripped 1 Bit TIFF, Harlequin PGB and Len File Formats - right down to the dot angle and shape, before they commit to exposing on film or plate.

The software resides on Mac or PC - once a file is RIPped, users have the opportunity to view the ripped files from their desktop.

By doing so, the operator has the facility to check each individual colour as if it was a film or plate.

Overprints, screen rulings, the screen angles of the separations - even the density of ink coverage can be easily and accurately checked before exposure.

Visual Proof supports an in-depth check of traps by enabling the user to zoom in from 1 to 800 percent.

Each colour can be viewed individually or Visual Proof will build up to a composite view - a handy feature for checking if overprints are correct.

Visual Proof is a solid complement to Star Proof, Compose Systems' true dot proofing solution, as both systems work with the RIPped data resulting in full data integrity.

Once the job has been approved, it is automatically sent to the output queue for exposure to film or plate.

Steve Donegan, European sales and marketing manager at Compose, comments: "Feedback from our users indicates that Visual Proof delivers a sophisticated level of soft proofing accuracy that is ideally suited to demanding flexo specifications such as those encountered in label production".

"For example, an operator can measure the size of the dots in a chosen area such as the highlight, check traps or check and measure the overall ink coverage (TAC) in shadow areas to ensure that the files do not have so much ink that the job will setoff".

"Visual Proof serves as a definitive final check before output, particularly if a hard copy is not required".

Time is a valuable resource at Landor Associates, a busy international branding and design company in London, and using Visual Proof has resulted in greater accuracy and noticeable cost savings.

Tim Shorten, production director, explains: "Visual Proof supports close inspection of dot for dot imagery and tints, and quickly projects each colour separation much like a progressive proof".

"We can see a dot for dot preview and easily view and measure details in the separation".

Visual Proof boosts productivity by enabling Landor to navigate colour separations independently of the other production operators.

"We also save money because Visual Proof detects visual and technical errors in our colour separation before we output to digital proofs", states Shorten.

The Visual Proof product family offers a versatile solution that will integrate with both TIFF and Harlequin workflows, and is available on both MAC and PC Platforms.

Visual Proof can dramatically enhance total system throughput by allowing the operator to preview RIPed files without halting the RIP from processing other files and output.

Visual Proof supports remote viewing and approval of output from multiple RIPs prior to imaging.

Operators can view RIPed files from their own desktop, ensuring every job is correct prior to imaging.

Client stations also have the capability to read RIPed data, zoom in and out to check type, traps, measure screen angels, density and other criteria, from anywhere on the network while the RIP continues to process other files.

Other key features are the ability to merge separations (such as P blue CV and P Blue CVC) and most significantly, the ability to also print what has been soft-proofed.

This facilitates the production of a content proof that can be signed off and included in the job bag for the pressman to use when the job is printed on the press.

Visual Proof Professional is available immediately and priced at 1495 euros or GBP995.

Trial CDs valid for 30 days will be handed out from the Compose booth K58 in hall 7 during Labelexpo in Brussels, Belgium, September 26 - 29, 2007 .

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