Remote proofing, digital proofing, remote digital proofing, soft proofing… what do they all mean?
There is a lot of confusion surrounding remote proofing terminology. In our global economy, where companies can be a world away from one another but still expected to work within tight production timelines, it is important to establish efficient approval processes. Understanding how to capitalize on the benefits of remote digital proofing can help reduce time and cost, thereby improving profitability. In today’s Remote Digital Proofing Q&A, let’s debunk common misunderstandings surrounding remote digital proofing and how organizations can benefit from the technology.
1. Does remote digital proofing simply mean soft proofing?
Remote digital proofing can sometimes refer to soft proofing (viewing a proof on-screen), but it can also refer to hard copy proofing remotely in a customer’s office.
Soft proofing falls into two main categories: colour-critical work and review of content only. A calibrated monitor system that uses ICC profiles to accurately mimic CMYK output on-screen is required for accurate colour reproduction. For reviewing and approving content remotely, a simple PDF on any screen will work just fine.
For hard copy remote digital proofing, proofing equipment is physically placed in a customer’s office. This is primarily used when the printer and client do a lot of work together that requires colour accuracy. Although this type of system can take time and monetary resources to set up, reducing the time and costs associated with couriering hardcopy proofs can benefit both printer and client in the long run and strengthen partnerships. Technology like GMG’s proofing software provide a platform for which remote proofs can be output at the customer’s site with consistent, accurate colour. Most importantly, the customer does not need to have any prior colour management knowledge or expertise because the system is controlled remotely at the printer’s site. GMG Solutions has a fantastic YouTube video that simplifies the hard copy remote digital proofing concept. Watch the video here: http://tinyurl.com/cq7b24n.
2. Do I need an expensive system and software to benefit from remote digital proofing?
Absolutely not. If your company produces jobs that are black-only or simply require “pleasing colour” (versus precise colour matching), PDF’s can be used.
The latest version of Adobe Acrobat (Acrobat XI Pro) has some very powerful soft proofing and collaboration benefits that build upon the features of previous versions. The latest version provides users with the ability to view a proof, as well as add and manage all users’ comments from a centralized location. Once approved, a customer can sign the PDF by typing or drawing their name or by adding an image or certificate signature. New to Acrobat XI Pro is the Adobe EchoSign service which allows users to send documents for signature approval and track them online.
3. Why do I need a specific system to view colour-accurate proofs? Why can’t I use any monitor to view these proofs?
Viewing conditions are important, especially when dealing with a colour-critical job. When only checking the positioning or content of a proof, any monitor will do. If colour matters, a standard monitor may not provide the necessary level of calibration control and fine tuning to provide accurate colour representation. Most monitors have issues reproducing accurate representation of cyans and graphic arts monitors help combat this issue. Graphic arts monitors (such as EIZO) enable users to view an extended gamut on-screen that better matches colour to press.
With regards to understanding colour, monitors produce colour using the additive colour model (RGB), whereas ink-on-paper employs the subtractive colour model (CMYK). When using a device that displays colour in RGB (monitors) to replicate colour of a final printed image that will be in CMYK (on a substrate) specific monitor profiles designed to mimic CMYK must be employed.
Some colour-accurate soft proofing systems also include a neutral-coloured hood that surrounds the monitor to prevent environmental distractions and lighting conditions from affecting the way the colour is viewed on-screen.
4. What are the major benefits of remote digital proofing?
The main benefit of remote digital proofing, compared to traditional proofing methods, is the time savings achieved in the proofing stage, correction cycles and approval process. This becomes even more critical when the printer and client are in vastly separated locations. Avoiding delays and mitigating bottlenecks in the proofing cycle helps improve efficiency.
When sending remote digital proofs for on-screen content approval, costs associated with proofing equipment, material, time and labour can be eliminated, thereby allowing for more competitive pricing. Courier costs and potential courier delays (traffic, unforeseen circumstances, etc.) can also be avoided.
Other benefits include better tracking and improved communication with the annotation tools available in soft proofing applications.
5. Who are some the companies involved in colour-accurate soft proofing systems?
Remote Director is “soft proofing made easy”. It is a web-based system that allows colour-accurate proofs to be verified and approved by anyone, anywhere, at any time. Beyond the basic viewing capabilities of the system, there are more advanced controls such as total ink warning, gamut warning and measurement tools. There is also a “compare tool” which allows the user to view the differences between various versions of the proof to observe all details carefully. Different versions of the same proof sit side-by-side and by clicking on the “page differences tool” Remote Director highlights the changes. As the proof is being reviewed, users can make comments that will be seen by all other users, enabling collaboration. The user also has the ability to print a copy of all annotations made to the proof and the status of each proof in a given project. To find out more, visit www.remotedirector.com.
Kodak MATCHPRINT Virtual Technology provides a platform to view SWOP-certified, colour-accurate proofs with calibrated LCD monitors in controlled lighting conditions. This software system provides on-screen colour control upstream via INSITE Prepress Portal, as well as downstream on press via PRESSPROOF Software. The system provides reliability through colour conformance check functionality that ensures the colour monitor is in tolerance. It also provides an audit trail of changes made to the document. To find out more, visit http://tinyurl.com/8kwszlm.
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom is a photo management tool with editing capabilities within one interface. With Lightroom 4 (the most current version is 4.2) came the much anticipated soft proofing feature, whereby a user can select various output profiles to view the way their image will look when printed on a colour-managed device. Users can create a “soft proof virtual copy” that maintains the settings of the original image and adjusts the image based on a particular paper profile that can be viewed in “library mode”. Lightroom 4 understands monitor profiles, output profiles and the gamuts of each, so the software will highlight colours that are out of gamut from the monitor (RGB) to the printed copy (CMYK). This helps users better understand and manage colour clipping from monitor to press sheet. To find out more, visit http://tinyurl.com/85rjf8g.
As in many industries, complicated uses of terminology can perpetuate confusion among users and the printing industry is no different. What’s important to remember is that remote digital proofing can mean soft proofing for colour accuracy and/or content and it can also mean hard copy proofing remotely at your customer’s location. Remote digital proofing does not have to be an expensive or complicated proposition to set up, especially if using it for reviewing content or jobs that require “pleasing colour” versus precise colour accuracy. Systems that provide excellent annotation, collaboration and approval tools make digital remote proofing an excellent time and cost saving option.