Global Graphics Software
Smart software components for Print OEMs and ISVs

News Release

3 October 2016

Global Graphics chairs new ISO task force for PDF workflow

A new ISO task force has set to work on producing a PDF standard to guide production workflow decisions and will make it possible to describe what a final printed piece is supposed to look like.  

The new task force is being chaired by Global Graphics’ CTO Martin Bailey and has been formed in response to requests from transactional printers to be able to include media selections and simplex/duplex controls in a PDF file.

When the PDF/VT Competence Center in the PDF Association reviewed this request they concluded that the benefits of a suitable solution would apply across the entire printing industry, not just in variable data applications.

Martin Bailey comments, “the new standard will enable graphic designers, file creators and buyers to describe how their final work should look without having to specify the details of the processes required to make it. The thought process is that the digital front end (DFE) on a digital press can map from that to the actual steps needed.

“As a simple example, a request for a specific substrate should be fairly easy to map to an entry in the media library in a DFE and therefore to tray selections (on a sheet-fed press) and to installing the correct ICC color profile. In closed loop workflows such as web to print the first mapping shouldn’t be necessary at all, because the media selection will be pre-populated from the same data as the media library.

“Our first goal is a standard for graphic arts, but there has already been discussion of following on with equivalents targeted more specifically at packaging and at wide format. If you’re interested in getting involved please contact your national standards body and tell them you want to work in ISO TC130/WG2/TF5. If you don’t know who to contact in your country, drop me a line and I’m happy to make introductions.”

Martin Bailey can be reached on martin.bailey@globalgraphics.com

Editors notes

About Global Graphics
Global Graphics (Euronext: GLOG) is a leading developer of software platforms on which our partners create solutions for digital printing, digital document and PDF applications. Customers include HP, Corel, Quark, Kodak and Agfa. The roots of the company go back to 1986 and to the university town of Cambridge, and, today the majority of the R&D team is still based not far from here. There are also offices near Boston, Massachusetts and in Tokyo.  Additional information is available at http://www.globalgraphics.com

Global Graphics is a trademark of Global Graphics S.E. which may be registered in certain jurisdictions. All other brand and product names are the registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective owners

Contact

Jill Taylor/Global Graphics

+44 1223 926489
Jill.Taylor@globalgraphics.com

Paula Halpin/Global Graphics Software

+44 1223 926017
paula.halpin@globalgraphics.com

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