Software

GMG is positioning its ProductionSuite application as the most comprehensive production solution on the market for indoor/outdoor advertising businesses. The GMG ProductionSuite is available with immediate effect from GMG distributors and will also be demonstrated at FESPA 2012 on GMG’s stand H22 in Hall 3 and at the stands of its partners, JetSet (C38), Roland DG (H30) and Zünd Systemtechnik (P10).

GMG ProductionSuite targets both GMG’s typical, quality-oriented users, as well as those who put strong emphasis on maximum productivity. GMG ProductionSuite offers the entire range of functions required today in a modern wide-format production environment. It is a modular system, comprising Editor, RIP, SmartProfiler and PrintStation and currently supports over 800 output devices.

A flexible licensing model permits custom installation: from a simple configuration on one computer with only one RIP, one Editor and functions for driving one or two output devices, all the way to an extensive decentralised configuration with several editors that can send jobs to over ten printers and cutters. GMG ProductionSuite runs under Mac OS 10.5 - 10.7, Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7.

The GMG ProductionSuite Editor is the application’s central processing unit

Simple, intuitive tools support highly efficient workflows. Users have access at all times to precision visuals that profile output quality. This way, a user can monitor every single detail of the end result prior to actual printing and, if necessary, edit work right in the application. The integrated Tiling Tool makes it easy in just a few steps to prepare tiled images very precisely for later assembly. The tedious process of calculating scaling factors to determine material input is eliminated, because images are edited right in the final format.

The GMG ProductionSuite Editor displays all settings required for processing in one main window. It takes just a few mouse clicks to define and position pockets, hems, grommets and pole pockets. The Editor even calculates the required number of grommets and, using a simple checkbox, the user can choose to omit corners. By accessing native data formats, such as PDF, PSD and AI, the GMG ProductionSuite Editor enables the variable editing of closed file formats. It is just as easy to implement a long production run with a number of different motifs, as it is to change individual images, texts, graphics or other elements. Integrated data preflight and process automation options round out the extensive range of functions.

The GMG ProductionSuite RIP

The GMG ProductionSuite RIP runs in the background, entirely independently of the work steps in the Editor. Print jobs requiring full computing power can thus be prepared while others have already been sent to the RIP.

To be able to check the final RIPped data prior to printing, the image in the Output Inspector corresponds exactly to the colour separations and colour quantities in the actual print data.

The GMG ProductionSuite SmartProfiler

Based on definitive colour profiles and printer calibrations, the integrated SmartProfiler can identically align several printers of similar type.

One fundamental feature in this connection is the precision processing of spot colours. With this GMG technology, previously reserved for high-end proofing, spot colours can be converted precisely to the printer’s colour gamut.

The GMG ProductionSuite PrintStation

Thanks to a user interface that visualises device- and media-dependent imposition, data can easily be grouped and prepared for production. Individual print jobs can be variably combined and optimised so as to ensure optimum material use and cutting sequences. The goal is to greatly accelerate order processing and significantly reduce material use.

Additional options

With its additional functions, such as Industrial Cutting, True Shape Nesting, Screen- and Variable Data Printing, the GMG ProductionSuite also fulfills some of the more unique requirements. Licensing an additional option not only expands the functionality of one work station, the option also is made available to all other associated main applications.

Rising demands on quality in the wide format segment prompted GMG to enter the market

For Ian Scott, managing director of GMG GmbH & Co. KG, entering the wide format market is a logical step in view of the company’s strategy, which has never compromised on the pursuit of quality. “With recalibratable spot colours, powerful editing options and support of some 800 output devices, we are now making all our know-how also available to the best wide format producers."

For more information, please visit www.gmgcolor.com

Clarity Software will premiere its new, 'super-efficient' Clarity Professional v4.1 software at FESPA Digital 2012 in Barcelona.

The company states, "We know more accuracy means more profit, and with v4.1 you experience a whole new level of information flowing through your system, allowing you to make positive and accurate decisions.You naturally go with the flow and find it even easier to choose when to accept or reject a job, thanks to the increased visibility across your data. You deserve to earn the maximum profit from your jobs and v4.1 gives you the tools you need to increase your bottom line."

The new v4.1 enables users to benefit from the re-developed Job Costing and Cost Analysis functionality to understand the true margin on a job, and take advantage of the genuine margin uplift opportunities that could be hiding in their business.

There are new stock management developments in the Goods Handling module to help reduce errors, wastage and stock holding, faster quoting speeds with enhanced costing calculators and new Cost Types for precise cost management of outsourced jobs and resources, such as a press or a cutting machine.

Many companies have mountains of left-over stock after a job has been completed. Being able to optimise material usage is paramount to being competitive and in v4.1 you can plan to utilise your off-cuts and partial rolls for absolute stock efficiency.

Clarity Professional v4.1 dynamically integrates with Clarity Software’s cloud-based e-marketing system Clarity Marketing. It synchronises key customer and prospect information with Clarity Marketing in real time via the internet.

Clarity Professional v4.1 is a fully flowing and tailored MIS software system. It empowers commercial activities from cloud-based e-marketing through to detailed cost calculating and quoting, and escalates shop floor production, delivery and fitting efficiencies to enhance customer service and business profitability.

For more information, please visit www.clarity-software.com

Color-Logic is now shipping its new visualiser tool, which enables graphic designers and brand owners to visualise the complete array of Color-Logic metallic and decorative effects on their designer workstations.

Announcing the new visualisation tool, Color-Logic Director of Sales and Marketing Mark Geeves comments, “Our new Color-Logic FX-Viewer™ permits designers and brand managers to accurately visualise all Color-Logic metallic hues and decorative effects. The Color-Logic FX-Viewer is an integral part of the basic Color-Logic software, which creates five-colour files for printing with metallic inks or with white inks on metallic substrates."

He continues, "Using our software, designers can both create and view the metallic look and special effects of Color-Logic files right on their desktop workstation monitors, and thus verify visually, in one easy step, how their designs will appear when printed. It is no longer necessary to cycle through costly design iterations or expensive proofing to verify decorative effects.”

For more information, please visit www.color-logic.com

The colour management experts at GMG will be at Fespa Digital 2012 in Barcelona presenting their new GMG ProductionSuite, the company‘s first wide format solution for demanding users. Interested visitors can take a closer look at the new GMG ProductionSuite at GMG‘s stand (H22) in Hall 3, and at the stands of its partners JetSet (stand C38), Roland DG (stand H30) and Zünd Systemtechnik (stand P10).

Further opportunities to learn more about GMG ProductionSuite’s capabilities will be available at the FESPA PRINT SHOP LIVE. In addition, the software company will be showing its pioneering GMG ColorServer and GMG SmartProfiler at the HP stand G5.

GMG ProductionSuite comes as a modular system, comprising Editor, RIP, SmartProfiler and PrintStation. With recalibratable spot colours, powerful editing options and support of some 800 output devices, GMG is set to establish new standards in quality and productivity.

For more information, please visit www.gmgcolor.com

SAi International (SAi), a leading provider of solutions for the professional signmaking, large format digital printing and CAD/CAM for CNC machining industries, has announced that it will officially unveil its new PixelBlaster print production software on its stand (J46) at FESPA Digital 2012 (Barcelona, 21st – 24th February).

As the latest offering from SAi’s growing line of comprehensive, professional software solutions spanning design to production, the modular and scalable PixelBlaster uses standardised printing to ensure predictable and consistent print quality and colour. This means that in print facilities operating a number of different devices, PixelBlaster ensures each machine outputs the exact same colour, regardless of the brand of hardware and the type of inks/substrates being used.

Eliminating the need for multiple software programmes to run production, PixelBlaster has been designed to reduce bottlenecks, streamline workflows and increase profitability. The software offers a complete production solution from file verification, job preparation, colour management, RIP to analogue or digital, and finally output check and production.

PixelBlaster has been specifically introduced to meet the needs of users in super-wide high volume print production environments, as well as the increasingly important specialty printing sector which embraces substrates such as glass and ceramics. Using modular building blocks, PixelBlaster can also be easily tailored and scaled to fit users’ needs in mixed Macintosh or Windows environments. 

Commenting on the launch of PixelBlaster, Gudrun Bonte, Product Manager at SAi, says, “Many print service providers increasingly run a mix of different output devices from different manufacturers. PixelBlaster acts as a nucleus to pull these together and ensure consistent print and colour quality regardless of the equipment or media.”

She adds, “We therefore feel that PixelBlaster offers new tangible performance features, not offered by similar production software options currently available on the market. These solutions typically focus heavily on the print preparation element, whereas PixelBlaster is a genuine start-to-end, modular and scalable solution covering pre-flight to production that can span an operation’s entire print hardware line-up.”

“The company’s collective industry expertise and colour knowledge have given birth to this revolutionary new product,” adds Sarit Tichon, Senior VP Worldwide Sales at SAi. “PixelBlaster is the first solution of its kind to deliver standardised printing to the large format industry. This in itself ensures the software fulfills its aim of addressing and meeting the specific needs of those operating in today’s demanding print environments.”

During FESPA Digital, SAi’s specialist team will showcase all of PixelBlaster’s production tools from file verification, RIP to digital and analogue, proofing, N-Color support, contour cutting, output check and preview, last minute correction tools, easy tiling, to automated finishing options for grommets, Fotoba marks, hems, pockets or sewn-in webbing. 

SAi’s new PixelBlaster production software solution is available now. For further information, please e-mail Info@SAintl.eu or call +32 2 725 52 95

Color-Logic has announced that the instructions and technical support information for its Process Metallic Color System are now available in other European languages - including French, German, Spanish and Italian - in addition to the original English.

Announcing the new translations now available, Color-Logic Director of Operations and eCommerce Dave Bowden comments, ”Our Process Metallic Color System is rapidly being adopted by global brand managers, graphic designers, and their printers around the world - particularly in Europe and Latin America. These new translations will make it easier for those Color-Logic customers and their clients to enjoy the benefits of the most advanced metallic printing system available. Those still considering the Color-Logic process can see us at drupa and in partners’ booths at FESPA. ”

Color-Logic develops colour communication systems and software tool sets for a variety of special effect printing applications. Color-Logic provides brand owners, product managers, corporations, and their advertising agencies the ability to differentiate themselves and their clients with a simple print production process that yields dramatic results. Color-Logic special effects utilise the existing workflows of printers and designers, yielding dynamic results without the use of special equipment. Color-Logic supports the value of print and works with designers and printers to enhance their printed media.

For more information, please visit www.color-logic.com