Imposition suggestions for digital press run

[KCrom]

We have a client that we’ve been printing a monthly magazine – about 32,000 per month.

The guts are all static(28 pages – we print as 8 page sigs on our offset press) and the front and back covers are 4 variable pages -we print the covers on our digital press(Canon Varioprint iX).

Each month the customer provides us with print ready pdfs for the guts and then a very large print ready pdf document of all of the variable covers(we then booklet make off line).

Now, they are working on a new magazine which will be only about 1,000 to 2,000 copies per month during their startup phase. We want to run this new magazine completely digital on our Canon Varioprint iX with an inline bookletmaker.

Our issue with this is the only way we could make it work on the Canon is to send/rip a fat file(all pages, variable and static in one document) in order for it to be able to pull a different paper stock for the covers(100# cover) than the guts(80# text).


Our client is having trouble trying to figure out how to create the fat files for us and they really just want to continue sending us separate files for the guts and covers.

Is there a software solution where we could automate this where it will combine the 2 (very large) files into a usable document to send to the Canon?

Yes, we have asked Canon if they can make it work with their PrismaSync software and their tech said “no”.

 

[Ultimate]

We have a solution for you, contact me directly or via your Canon contact. Raymond @ imposition . com
Ray Duval
Ultimate TechnoGraphics

 

[jwheeler]

We would just pre-print all of the variable covers, then when you print the guts digitally, tell the rip to grab the pre-printed cover from a separate drawer or post-insert tray.

 

[kslight]

We would just pre-print all of the variable covers, then when you print the guts digitally, tell the rip to grab the pre-printed cover from a separate drawer or post-insert tray.

This is what I would do, also save some any warm up / cool down time required for changing back and forth between stocks.

 

[chriscozi]

This is what I would do, also save some any warm up / cool down time required for changing back and forth between stocks.

So long as you 'lie' to the rip and say that the preprinted cover is same as the text weight - yes you will save much time.

 

[kslight]

So long as you 'lie' to the rip and say that the preprinted cover is same as the text weight - yes you will save much time.

From a post insert tray as referenced in the post I quoted, it doesn’t make a difference.

 

[chriscozi]

From a post insert tray as referenced in the post I quoted, it doesn’t make a difference.

Correct. Only a post insert tray - if you have one which we/some do not.

 

[Ynot_UK]

I’d often wondered a good reason why to have a PI on a colour press. This is one, and probably a lot more economical for shorter run or infrequent VD jobs, than buying specialist VD software.

 

[bill kahny]

Fiery VDP can do this. The guts are the master and the cover file would be the only variable page using the enhanced freeform to define/map variable to page 1. I use the setup quite often.

 

[Ynot_UK]

Fiery VDP can do this. The guts are the master and the cover file would be the only variable page using the enhanced freeform to define/map variable to page 1. I use the setup quite often.

We have the OEM controller IC-609, not Fiery.

 

[bill kahny]

I'm surprised the other suppliers wouldn't have this feature available. A quick google of your controller and "overlay printing" lead to this video on a konica minolta. maybe it will help?

good luck

 

[narseman]

We have a client that we’ve been printing a monthly magazine – about 32,000 per month.

The guts are all static(28 pages – we print as 8 page sigs on our offset press) and the front and back covers are 4 variable pages -we print the covers on our digital press(Canon Varioprint iX).

Each month the customer provides us with print ready pdfs for the guts and then a very large print ready pdf document of all of the variable covers(we then booklet make off line).

Now, they are working on a new magazine which will be only about 1,000 to 2,000 copies per month during their startup phase. We want to run this new magazine completely digital on our Canon Varioprint iX with an inline bookletmaker.

Our issue with this is the only way we could make it work on the Canon is to send/rip a fat file(all pages, variable and static in one document) in order for it to be able to pull a different paper stock for the covers(100# cover) than the guts(80# text).


Our client is having trouble trying to figure out how to create the fat files for us and they really just want to continue sending us separate files for the guts and covers.

Is there a software solution where we could automate this where it will combine the 2 (very large) files into a usable document to send to the Canon?

Yes, we have asked Canon if they can make it work with their PrismaSync software and their tech said “no”.

Something like Planet Press (Obsolete/Replaced w/Connect?) should be able to process your static and variable pages into one big file. Just don't know how you'd program cover stocks inline. Prisma has a lot of shortcomings.

 

[2ndShiftProblemSolver]

Depending on the available data, this is likely something that Automation Engine can handle. I've used to to piece together files from various components in the past.

 

[Soft_Sam]

We have a client that we’ve been printing a monthly magazine – about 32,000 per month.

The guts are all static(28 pages – we print as 8 page sigs on our offset press) and the front and back covers are 4 variable pages -we print the covers on our digital press(Canon Varioprint iX).

Each month the customer provides us with print ready pdfs for the guts and then a very large print ready pdf document of all of the variable covers(we then booklet make off line).

Now, they are working on a new magazine which will be only about 1,000 to 2,000 copies per month during their startup phase. We want to run this new magazine completely digital on our Canon Varioprint iX with an inline bookletmaker.

Our issue with this is the only way we could make it work on the Canon is to send/rip a fat file(all pages, variable and static in one document) in order for it to be able to pull a different paper stock for the covers(100# cover) than the guts(80# text).


Our client is having trouble trying to figure out how to create the fat files for us and they really just want to continue sending us separate files for the guts and covers.

Is there a software solution where we could automate this where it will combine the 2 (very large) files into a usable document to send to the Canon?

Yes, we have asked Canon if they can make it work with their PrismaSync software and their tech said “no”.

Dynamic Imposition software "Imp" from www.insoftautomation.com will make imposition fully unmanned.