Remote Press Checks

[Bill W]

One of our new customers wants to do remote press checks for color. Appreciate any and all education on this process.

Thanks.

 

[Stephen Marsh]

billw, I am not familiar with "remote press checks" (the client would need to be at the press, not remote, would they not?) - however remote and or virtual proofing is more common (proofing, not press checks).

Many vendors offer remote proofing solutions (hardcopy).

I know that Kodak offer "Kodak Matchprint Virtual Technology" for certified remote softproofing.

If the press operator was also using "Kodak Pressproof Software" then you would know that both the client and the press operator were using the same Matchprint Virtual Technology to view the same softproof (sans harcopy proof).

One would then hope that the press matches the virtual proof!

MATCHPRINT Virtual Technology - Kodak Graphic Communications Group
PRESSPROOF Software - Kodak Graphic Communications Group

If you are based in AU/NZ, then please feel free to drop me a private message for more info on these Kodak solutions.

Best,

Stephen Marsh

 

[mattbeals]

You can use tools like ICS Remote Director along with well calibrated high quality monitors in a controlled viewing environment.

 

[gordo]

One of our new customers wants to do remote press checks for color. Appreciate any and all education on this process.

Thanks.

One such system was developed to the conceptual, as well as technical feasibility, level by one of the main graphic arts vendors, however it was never made into a commercial product. A small amount of research was done to determine market interest in such a product. Most of the interest was in the packaging sector.

However, AFAIK, no vendor has brought such a system out as a product although it is certainly a feasible technology. All the components are readily available today - it just needs to be put together.

What it would have allowed is remote press checks. I.e. real time verification of press work color vs proof (or master) as well as monitoring critical color areas for match. Press sheet content (e.g. hickies, missing text, etc.) could also be checked. It also allowed the press operator to know whether press adjustments, e.g. a solid ink density move, would actually correct, or not, a color issue. The system did not require the use of color managed monitors. If they had an iPad they could do a remote press check as long as the customer had access to an internet connection.


best, gordon p

 

[Xlb]

Remote Press Checks

There is more than standing at a press.

 

[fiatlux]

There is more than standing at a press.

....and.....?

FL

 

[Xlb]

Remote Press Checks

How about a Pressroom check?, Procedure check?, Condition of the equipment check?, Maintenance Log check?, Manning of the equipment check?, Safety check?, what do the waste bins look like?, how do they manage waste sheets?, Is it as clean as Safeway or does it look like a the inside of a Dumpster?, a check if they have in-house ink capabilities?, want more ?

 

[mattbeals]

Greg, is that you?

 

[fiatlux]

How about a Pressroom check?, Procedure check?, Condition of the equipment check?, Maintenance Log check?, Manning of the equipment check?, Safety check?, what do the waste bins look like?, how do they manage waste sheets?, Is it as clean as Safeway or does it look like a the inside of a Dumpster?, a check if they have in-house ink capabilities?, want more ?

I have never heard of a print buyer checking any of the things you listed during a press check. Most of what you list might be part of an evaluation of prospective print suppliers in order to qualify which ones are worthy of quoting on a specific job - but not during a press check, i.e. when the press is running and the customer is evaluating the print output or as the OP said: colour.

FL

 

[mattbeals]

Not something I would normally examine during a press check. As FL said, more during the evaluation process. But... They are still important to keep in mind as you make your way around the shop for the presscheck. Everything looks great on a tour but how they keep things day to day can tell a lot about how they run things and level of pride in their work. And that pride or lack of pride will show. But then again, I'm not a pressroom guy. I was a buyer though.

 

[fiatlux]

Not something I would normally examine during a press check. As FL said, more during the evaluation process. But... They are still important to keep in mind as you make your way around the shop for the presscheck. Everything looks great on a tour but how they keep things day to day can tell a lot about how they run things and level of pride in their work. And that pride or lack of pride will show. But then again, I'm not a pressroom guy. I was a buyer though.

I think that evaluating a printshop is a separate topic.

The OP topic was about doing a remote press check.

FL

 

[mattbeals]

Yup, still is the topic. Just adding a side note. At any rate, it would be very interesting to see such a group of technologies come together with some live jobs and customers.

 

[gordo]

Yup, still is the topic. Just adding a side note. At any rate, it would be very interesting to see such a group of technologies come together with some live jobs and customers.

It probably won't happen as a commercial product. It's the nature of product development. :-(

Click here: http://printplanet.com/forums/re-print/20232-product-development


gordon p

 

[Cornishpastythighs]

Would this be what you are looking for.
See the article on Lithotel.
Myrna Penny

 

[Bill W]

Greetings,

It appears the product that the customer is referencing is Remote Director by ICS. Anyone use this product?

 

[meddington]

AFAIK, Remote Director is a soft proofing system, with all the benefits/drawbacks over a hard copy proof, but not intended or geared as a replacement for press check/approval (which would be concerned with visually/numerically validating the press run towards the proof). ICS used to market Press Check with an optional wide-format scanner to scan the press sheet for visual comparison, but I can't find any current info on this product.

 

[Bill W]

Greetings,

While the testimonial in this link is a bit dated, it appears that at one time Remote Director was used to remotely approve a press run.

ICS uses Remote Director system to conduct first color-accurate remote press check - Printing Industry News from WhatTheyThink

 

[gordo]

Greetings,

While the testimonial in this link is a bit dated, it appears that at one time Remote Director was used to remotely approve a press run.

But they don't actually say "for color approval" in that article.

The press operator is using a softproof at press and eyeballing the match "the pressman used a Remote Director display located press-side in a special light booth ... to compare the contract proof to the press sheet. Based on that comparison, he adjusted the ink keys on press, brought the press up to color, and produced a press proof."

The scanned image of the press sheet was then made available to a remote customer to "inspect the press sheet for registration, dot structure and traps, specify last-minute changes and confidently approve the job." No mention of color.

best, gordon p

 

[Bill W]

Greetings,

Guess I kind of jumped to a conclusion that color was also involved by reading:

"By viewing a calibrated display color-managed by Remote Director software to GRACoL requirements for #1 paper"

 

[gordo]

Greetings,

Guess I kind of jumped to a conclusion that color was also involved by reading:

"By viewing a calibrated display color-managed by Remote Director software to GRACoL requirements for #1 paper"

Actually, the article is not very clear. Being a marketing guy I take each statement and try to read what was written rather than read into the text. Nowhere does it specifically state that one can do a remote color press check. A remote color press check is a big deal so if that was the case I'm sure that they would have explicitly stated that fact. Instead, what I read is that the press operator eyeballs the color comparing the press sheet to the monitor proof. (This is BS but that's another issue). Then he scans the press sheet and sends it to the customer who checks it for everything except color - I assume relying on the press operator's decision that the color is OK. Note that it doesn't state that the customer communicates anything about color back to the press operator. If this was a remote press check then I'm sure that the article would have stated something to the effect that the customer "can sign off on the color match" or the customer "can request a color move" - but it doesn't.

best, gordon p