Preflight

duke prepress · #1 (**permalink**) 05-04-2009, 07:52 PM

Does anyone still preflight jobs if so what programs are you using.

Thanks

mattbeals · #2 (**permalink**) 05-04-2009, 09:19 PM

Yes, there is still a lot of preflighting going on. Two basic methods; native document preflight and PDF based preflighting. For native files the only really functional, and meaningful, preflight comes from FlightCheck.

For PDF based preflighting there are really only two major products. Callas pdfToolbox and Enfocus PitStop. Callas is the preflight technology in Adobe Acrobat, QuarkXPress, RAMPage, Xerox and a number of other OEM's. Enfocus has a number of OEM's as well but they also have PitStop for interactive editing and preflighting. PitStop is the de facto and de jure standard for native PDF editing. There are other PDF editors, but none with the same level of desktop implementation as PitStop.

There are others, but Markzware, Callas and Enfocus are the three real major players if you look at the installation base. Preflight is like an onion, it's got layers...

Lukas Engqvist · #3 (**permalink**) 05-05-2009, 01:07 AM

We have pitstop preflight scripts that are built in our queues warning for low res images and TAC above % (and failing job at a certain %) But find that software can't replace a good working practice. The problem with preflight tools is they are not as intelegent as a well trained operator. (A sleepy operator will miss alot though ;p ). Once a problem is identified it still needs to be fixed. Best is to go to the "native" document so that the error is not reiterated at rerun.

A hard copy proof is still for us a crucial preflight step, mainly because it means we can "preflight" post press.

cjwworld · #4 (**permalink**) 05-05-2009, 02:22 AM

We use Pitstop Professional.. We are not automated in any way.. Production Crew has ready made preflight scripts to check files

P-Rex · #5 (**permalink**) 05-05-2009, 07:22 AM

Acrobat has its own Preflight feature built in. Otherwise, PitStop or FlightCheck are good third-party software programs.

Check out this book for more information:

Amazon.com: Exploring Digital PrePress: The Art and Technology of Preparing Electronic Files for Printing (Design Exploration Series): Reid Anderson: Books

m0b33 · #6 (**permalink**) 05-06-2009, 04:20 PM

To be honest, if the preflight tools built into acrobat aren't good enough for you then Enfocus Pitstop has to be the way forward for you. It is so compatible with acrobat and supported workflows it's really a no-brainer. It's a piece of cake to get used to and you'll wonder how you ever did without it.