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• International Color Standard Set

On January 21st of 2007 the GRACol committee combined their efforts with SWOP to establish, what we believe to be the pinnacle of color value standards.  We are proud to have met the requirements of the G7 standard and have been awarded a certificate of compliance.

The first step we took was to recalibrate all our presses to the new gray balance G7 profile specifications. Using closed loop color and having established calibration, we are able to capture and print the full gamut of the print color spectrum.

In order to make use of the improvements on our presses, we made further upgrades to our PATHway/Remote system. As files are received through PATHway, the PDF is automatically preflighted to a PDFx1a standard. On page file acceptance our software converts the PDF to a lab color file. The color is optimized, utilizing color balancing formulas, under color removal, gray component replacement and proper ink density lay down. This means that we now have a file that allows us to print higher densities which enhances the true color values. Then the file is returned to the PDF format ready for further processing before it appears on Remote for customer viewing. All this is automatic and takes seconds.

At press side when the closed loop color reaches exact density we know that we are printing the exact color of that value according to G7 standards. Monitors accurately calibrated at press side confirm we are printing correctly. Our customers and our press operators are confident that the page file is printed optimally. The day for hard proofs, (that is paper proofs) is quickly disappearing. We now have available a package which includes a high end monitor, special calibration software, and an auto calibration device. Attached to your MAC which is setup online for Remote viewing, you will see the pages exactly the same way we are going to print. In our opinion, there is no longer any good reason to buy or pay for hard proofs.

As part of our new program we are able to print much finer line screens than previously possible. Instead of the customary 133 line as many publication printers use. We print conventional 150 line screen, HF 175 and HF 200 depending on quality of the stock. We are excited about our improvements and know we are ahead of the curve with these achievements.

• Common Problems to Avoid
  1. Incorrect page size. The document size should match the trim size of the job.
  2. Type near trim. Type that is placed near the trim could be trimmed off due to mechanical variance. Be sure that type or any other object not meant to bleed is at least 3/16" away from trim.
  3. Insufficient bleed. To ensure that an object prints to the end of the page, extend anything that should bleed 1/8" further than the trim on the top, bottom and face of the page.
  4. Poor RGB to CMYK conversion. In some cases, RGB images are converted to CMYK when a PDF is made. The results can range from good to very poor. It's a good idea to convert images to CMYK in Photoshop to avoid any poor conversions.
  5. Low resolution or low quality images. Because images come from many different types of media, the resolution and quality can vary. It's a good idea to open the PDF's you create and check the quality of the images. If an image looks poor in the PDF, it will also look poor when printed.
  6. High ink density. SPI recommends no more than 280% total ink density. Cyan + Magenta + Yellow + Black = ink density.
  7. Faded or washed out black. A "rich black" should be used whenever large text, graphics, boxes or backgrounds are to print as black. Use the values of 40% cyan, 30% magenta, 30% yellow and 100% black, to create a rich looking black.
  8. Spot colors. Unless printing a 5th channel, spot colors will be converted to CMYK when processed. This means that the color will change and the printed piece will not match the PDF that was created. The color difference should be minimal, but there will be a difference. To avoid this, only use "process" colors.
  9. Fonts not embedded. Even though fonts may appear correctly in a PDF, if they are not embedded, they can not be processed.

If you need any further explanation on any of these common problems, contact your CSR. (Customer Service Representative)

• PATHway/Remote Update - February
  On monday February 12th, we successfully installed the most recent release of Pathway/Remote software. We're looking forward to improved speed and stability throughout the workflow, and also a few new features.

Pathway/Remote has added the ability to "batch approve" pages.
Meaning you can select any number of pages within the Page Browser and approve them at the same time.

Pathway/Remote has also been enhanced to handle large jobs better.
The Page Browser now loads only the pages within the window, so you don't have to wait for the entire list to load.

PATHway Submit and Remote users will need to download and install the updated applications. PATHway Submit will not notify you that there is an update available. (You can get the updated application here) Simply download and install the updated software. For Remote, simply open the application you've always used, and you'll get a window telling you that there is an update. Simply download and install the updated software.

As always, let us know if there is more we can do to make things better for you.

• PATHway/Remote - April 2006
  Although we support many file formats including native applications. Most of our customers are providing PDF files from either QuarkXPress or InDesign. When providing PDF files, it is important to use the proper settings detailed in the download section of this website. When these settings are utilized and your files pass flawlessly thru our system, they become certified as PDF/X-1a.

  The pinnacle of pre-press automated file transfer and approvals systems is our new PATHway/Remote. This is a single page PDF remote workflow system. As you create your pages in the PDF format, you simply print them as easily as you would print to a Laser Printer. The file (page) is recognized in PATHway. Now the fun begins. PATHway has been previously set-up to provide you a custom specific workflow to meet your needs. The page is automatically pre-flighted and will either pass pre-flight or reject pre-flight. If it is rejected, you will be immediately notified by e-mail, containing the pre-flight report. Our pre-flight will automatically make structural corrections to your file, such as RGB to CMYK and many other repairs. You pay only for the accepted files. When the file is accepted, it proceeds thru the workflow to provide the characteristics to meet your specific needs. Your CSR will be notified via e-mail of all accepted files.

  Our system automatically saves your submitted PDF, a PATHway PDF/X-1a, a 1 bit Tiff and a 2400 DPI remote proof file. These files are kept for a period of 90 days. Remember we have a Rip once output many (ROOM) workflow, so all files are absolutely matching. For your security, we automatically mirror all files and send via fiber-optic to our other company building. All pages passing thru PATHway will be automatically uploaded on remote for your viewing, within a short period of time. Once a page is up on Remote for you to approve, you will automatically be sent an email. If you wish to submit a revised file, be sure to name it the same as the original file, and it will replace the original.

  Once we are notified by remote, that you have approved your pages, they are imposed for plating. Before the plating stage, we create an imposition color-calibrated proof for the use of our press personnel. There is no charge for this proof. All hard proofs are created at 300 dpi. Soft proofs on remote can be viewed at 2400 dpi. Because of our Gracol 7 technology, calibrated presses assure automatic color settings. There is no need for you to produce a proof for us. If you wish, Remote will allow you to download data for proofing at your site.

  When you use PATHway/Remote, you will be using the most economical digital technology for fast turn-around. No more saving your files on disc. No more FedEx charges. No more delays while proofs pass back and forth from our location to yours. It’s all done on the internet.

To summarize the information above, our presses are calibrated for exact color reproduction, as are our proofs. If you provide PDFX-1a files using our settings, we're going to produce on-press reproduction by today's exact standards. Also if you do provide PDF files, you do not have to provide any Laser proofs or proofs of any kind. Our proofs will be used at press.