computer up to date,” Anwar says, adding: “By doing so you avoid potential bugs and incompatibilities, but you also ensure you have a system which is as efficient as it can be, and most importantly, one that matches or surpasses your competitors. “As for quality, it would be foolish to compromise on the benefits a good workflow can bring. An efficient workflow automates pre-press tasks to provide more reliable quality and greater consistency of output. It greatly reduces the potential for error, not only by taking out the human element for some processes but enabling better diagnostics and error correction where problems occur.” Anwar goes on to say that a good workflow will include trapping, imposition, pre-flight, and have the ability for automation. He explains that modern printers are likely to run a variety of equipment from flatbed and digital to lithographic presses and proofing machines, and therefore a workflow should be able to output to many devices, offering consistent content output and colour matching with only one RIP process or one common workflow. As to what SOS can do to help, as an independent supplier, SOS is able to offer the widest range of workflow solutions including Screen, EFI, Fujifilm, and Hybrid. It is also the only company able to offer Kodak’s Prinergy Evo workflow on a subscription basis. Prinergy Evo includes features such as vector PDF or TIFF output, CIP3, batch trapping, advanced pre-flight, and workflow templates. “Starting from as little as £288 per month, customers can enjoy all the advantages of this long-established market-leading workflow product without the sizeable investment required for a one-off installation,” he says. “This is an ideal opportunity for printers wishing to upgrade and improve upon their current workflow or take the plunge into automated pre-press systems for the first time, without breaking the bank. We believe that users will quickly see a return on investment through time and labour savings, with more reliable output quality and a better customer service.” To put it simply, there is no overstating the importance of quality and up-to-date workflow software. Having this in place will allow you to make use of the latest features, achieve high productivity, and deliver the best service to your customers. 63 March / April 2024 - Issue 347 www.printmonthly.co.uk print, and audible formats to be read via screen readers. Plan Your Investment Meanwhile, Nic Chapman, director of Prepress UK, says workflow software needs to be kept up to date so that it can handle the latest applications. “Suppliers like Adobe are constantly updating and improving their software and the workflow has to keep pace with it, otherwise you find the speed of your workflow suddenly slows down or newer files simply don’t RIP,” Chapman explains, adding: “In reality it’s impossible to keep ahead of the game, but so important that you don’t just ignore that little black box in the corner of the pre-press department.” When looking to buy or upgrade a workflow, Chapman says it is important to make sure it has all the elements that you need. He says many workflows come with the basic modules but users have to purchase extra features. “During a demonstration, you are shown the full-blown workflow, with all of the modules, and not told which ones cost extra,” Chapman says, adding: “Make sure the workflow will cover your needs, and check exactly what you are getting for your money. “Nowadays, one of the most important things to check is the ongoing cost. Many companies are forcing you to go down the subscription route. This means that you will have to pay a rental every month, forever! If you stop paying the subscription, the software is turned off. Normally, even with the monthly subscription, you are still expected to buy the hardware platform from the workflow supplier. Is this the best solution? “For instance, our StudioRIP Workflow comes complete, there are no extras to buy. The software is yours once purchased, and all software updates are free-of-charge. Also, StudioRIP does not require you to purchase the hardware from us, though we do offer highly competitive pricing, as we can build our own system hardware.” Going into further detail on StudioRIP, Chapman says Prepress UK is currently supplying systems based on both StudioRIP XF 4.2 and Xitron Navigator v13. These are capable of processing the latest files on the latest operating systems for both design compatibility and system security. “StudioRIP has all-new proofing colour management tools providing everything needed to setup and output FOGRA compliant proofs on the latest inkjet printers, as well as older models still working away in pre-press studios around the country,” Chapman says. “Our PressProfiler package has grown to support JDF and XML job tickets from MIS, and pre-press systems providing comprehensive automatic set-up of Heidelberg printing presses, including XL2 and the very latest XL3 generations to automate print scheduling, paper settings, and job progress collection.” Essential to Printers Finally, Omran Anwar, technical support manager at SOS, believes that workflow software is becoming increasingly important to the modern printer. He says keeping a workflow up to date is essential. “We all know how modern technology is continually evolving; keeping your production software at the latest version is just as important as keeping your phone or WORKFLOW SOFTWARE Enfocus has more than 270 applications in its app store 270 ▲Nic Chapman, director of Prepress UK, says one of the most important factors with workflow software is the ongoing cost ▼Omran Anwar, technical support manager at SOS, says keeping a workflow up to date is essential
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