Cost-efficient workflow for packaging imposing/nesting

[imperfectoutlaw]

Hello, we are a small to medium printing house in Europe. We use sheetfed offset printing and lately the main focus has become packaging. Please recommend how to cost-efficiently update our prepress workflow / imposing software.
1. I am mostly interested in packaging imposing / packaging nesting. Is there something that would work with CorelDraw generated die cuts (.cdr/.pdf/.swg/.dxf) and print-ready pdf-s from clients?
2. Should we replace CorelDraw for drawing different packaging die cut lines to something automated? ArtiosCAD is something like that but seems very expensive.
3. For updating preflight I am thinking of Callas pdfToolbox because it is a standalone program (upgrading our old Adobe Acrobat Pro+Enfocus Pitstop combo to the newest versions would be more expensive) but any recommendation is welcome.

 

[sveibl]

Take a look at Printfactory.cloud. They are popular in Europe and breaking into US market. While a software mainly for color it has a very powerful layout program for nesting. Very inexpensive 1st step.

 

[GoaAhead]

Take a look at Printfactory.cloud. They are popular in Europe and breaking into US market. While a software mainly for color it has a very powerful layout program for nesting. Very inexpensive 1st step.

Took a look on their web page. Almost too good to be true. Is anybody using their software?

 

[sveibl]

Took a look on their web page. Almost too good to be true. Is anybody using their software?

All of Europe, See www.proofnation.com. contact John, I'm sure he has US references

 

[tiliaty]

Hello, we are a small to medium printing house in Europe. We use sheetfed offset printing and lately the main focus has become packaging. Please recommend how to cost-efficiently update our prepress workflow / imposing software.
1. I am mostly interested in packaging imposing / packaging nesting. Is there something that would work with CorelDraw generated die cuts (.cdr/.pdf/.swg/.dxf) and print-ready pdf-s from clients?
2. Should we replace CorelDraw for drawing different packaging die cut lines to something automated? ArtiosCAD is something like that but seems very expensive.
3. For updating preflight I am thinking of Callas pdfToolbox because it is a standalone program (upgrading our old Adobe Acrobat Pro+Enfocus Pitstop combo to the newest versions would be more expensive) but any recommendation is welcome.

Check out tilia Phoenix for all print imposition (CAD-based, books, labels, nesting, planning) from Tilia Labs:

• CAD Workflow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wj2uccXzUGA
• ImpositionAI Explained:

 

[michaelbialko]

Kodak offers Pandora which is a Packaging based step and repeat software designed to work with any CAD file format. Pandora has SmartLayout technology to automatically build layouts via your MIS system