| Preflight for Graphic Design and Prepress, an | | | | post-flight, indicating when in the workflow |
| Application or Process? | | | | the file is actually verified. To Preflight |
| | | | is proactive quality control, Postflight is |
| Designers and prepress operators often think | | | | reactive quality control. Preflight is good |
| of Preflight as an application. An | | | | manufacturing process, Postflight is not. |
| application that runs on files to verify | | | | This may be a nice topic for later. Take my |
| files and identify potential problems. I | | | | word on it and avoid Postflight workflow |
| have trained hundreds of operators in how to | | | | schemes. Real craftsmen and professionals |
| prepare First Time Right Postscript and PDF | | | | find and fix all problems at the earliest |
| files. That's the first thing that I set | | | | possible point. Many of these tools below |
| folks straight on. | | | | are actually post-flight oriented tools. |
| | | | |
| Preflight is a process. It's a process of | | | | Preflighting, The Older Expensive |
| going through every predictable problem that | | | | Applications for the job at hand: |
| can happen with your printing job. If you | | | | |
| think it's a software that you run and that's | | | | Markzware FlightCheck Classic: This preflight |
| it, you are not going to be able to produce | | | | software is developed by Markzware Software. |
| First Time Right PDF files. There are many, | | | | Markzware's FlightCheck Classic is a |
| many things that software cannot even check | | | | standalone application that scans, verifies |
| for, and things unique to YOUR jobs, | | | | and collects each job for output. Currently |
| customers, company that are important. | | | | available as version 5.8 (6.0 was due out |
| Things that MUST be checked to ensure success | | | | this fall), Although it was the gold standard |
| and accuracy. | | | | for years and is still a great tool, the |
| | | | software is not staying current with releases |
| 50% of commercial printing is headed for a | | | | of software. Example Quark Xpress 7. |
| delay or additional costs: | | | | Markzware's FlightCheck Classic will |
| | | | preflight a wide range of digital file |
| Publishers and printers regularly report more | | | | formats, including PDF documents and those |
| than 50 percent of the digital files they | | | | created in most popular native application |
| receive are improperly prepared to spec. | | | | programs (QuarkXPress, Adobe InDesign, |
| Thus, these files will need preflight & then | | | | PageMaker, etc.). Ground Controls enable |
| repair to go forward. This may be done by a | | | | users to highlight potential problems, out of |
| publisher, printer, or kicked back to the | | | | more than 150 choices, for which to search. |
| graphic designer. At stake is the budget and | | | | Single-user licenses for Windows and Mac |
| schedule of the print project. Now, think | | | | users are available for about $400. This |
| about that... 50% of commercial printing | | | | software is no longer recommended because |
| projects are destined for a delay in schedule | | | | development does not stay current with the |
| or additional costs when submitted! | | | | support of new application versions that it's |
| | | | users face every day like Quark Xpress 7. |
| A graphic design project may be made for | | | | |
| print, web, and or video. Depending on the | | | | Markzware FlightCheck Collect!: This |
| type of media, documents must be prepared | | | | preflight software deemed the "lite" version |
| exactly to specifications based on final | | | | of Markzware's FlightCheck Classic, |
| output media. Common file flaws include fonts | | | | FlightCheck Collect! inspects for common file |
| not embedded or supplied, color space(CMYK | | | | problems, like improperly assigned color |
| vs. RGB, or inappropriate use of Pantone or | | | | space, missing fonts and image or resolution |
| specialty colors), and resolution conflicts. | | | | conflicts. Once preflighted, the application |
| These are some of the many things that can be | | | | can then collect the document, including |
| identified quickly by Preflight tools. A | | | | images, extensions and screen and printer |
| Preflight tool is utility software that is | | | | fonts, for output. Markzware offers Windows |
| specially suited to help identify these file | | | | and Mac versions for around $180. This |
| issues. | | | | software is no longer recommended because |
| | | | development does not stay current with the |
| Preflight Software, helpful, required, but | | | | support of new application versions that it's |
| not a Whole Solution: | | | | users face every day like Quark Xpress 7. |
| | | | |
| So there are tools that help. But what about | | | | Markzware HawkEye: This preflight software |
| things you have to identify by visual | | | | from Markzware is HawkEye, a preflighting |
| inspection? What about bleed and trim | | | | tool designed specifically for designers and |
| margins, placement and position, checking | | | | content creators. It runs as a plug-in to |
| dates on event ads and coupon ads. What | | | | most popular desktop publishing applications |
| about checking every full page ad that is a | | | | like QuarkXPress, Illustrator, Acrobat, |
| repeat to be sure that the folio (page | | | | FreeHand and more. Before content is created, |
| number) is deleted or updated. What about | | | | designers can create specifications (known as |
| copy flow from 2 successive documents in a | | | | TrueFileSpecifications) for each job they |
| publication. These are all things that must | | | | plan to create. For example, an art director |
| be checked visually by a human. So, if you | | | | can choose the color schema or font set to |
| want to be a top notch designer or prepress | | | | use. If the designer mistakenly places an |
| operator, there is a list of important | | | | element into the document that doesn't meet |
| Preflight items that you, the human, must | | | | the TrueFileSpecifications, he or she is |
| check. I always advise people to develop and | | | | immediately alerted to the discrepancy. Users |
| update THEIR LIST every time a mistake is | | | | can also choose to forbid saving or printing |
| found or caught. Use the list as a checklist | | | | a file that is in a "failed" or "unfixed" |
| often enough that it becomes completely | | | | state, helping to better manage revisions, |
| automatic to you as you prepare and process | | | | versions and cut down on consumable waste. |
| graphics files. If you get burned on a | | | | This product from Markzware was advertised |
| project, think of making that a part of your | | | | and was on a seybold Hot Picks 2002 but may |
| preflight checklist. An example or beginning | | | | have been pulled or may have never made it to |
| preflight checklist can be found at this URL, | | | | market, unable to confirm at Markzware's |
| review it and use it as a starting point. | | | | site? |
| | | | |
| Preflighting Applications, Help, and History | | | | PDF/X-1 Verifier 2.0: This preflight |
| of Preflight: | | | | software developed for the DDAP (Digital |
| | | | Distribution of Advertising for Publication |
| I once read an article that stated Preflight | | | | association, this application verifies the |
| Applications were invented in the 1990's. | | | | integrity of PDF/X-1a files, the professional |
| Actually, preflight applications are nothing | | | | format of choice for print advertising. This |
| new at all. The early layout applications | | | | application is suited for both digital ad |
| like Quark Xpress, Aldus PageMaker, Adobe | | | | designers as well as file recipients like |
| Photoshop, Ready Set Go, were the first | | | | publishers, prepress suppliers and printers. |
| preflight applications. Preflight | | | | It offers pass-fail results or more |
| applications were invented in the 80's, and | | | | comprehensive preflight reports. DDAP members |
| have been improved upon and developed since. | | | | can purchase single-seat licenses for about |
| Today there is a Free Preflight Tool | | | | $95; non-members pay about $125. |
| available called FreeFlightâ„¢ at the URL | | | | |
| below, you can download the software free and | | | | Apago PDF/X-1 CheckUp: This preflight |
| get free help and support. | | | | software developed by Apago offers PDF/X-1 |
| | | | CheckUp 2.5, a plug-in to Adobe Acrobat that |
| There is also an online community at that has | | | | preflights and produces PDF/X files. It |
| extensive and free, user to user support. I | | | | supports both ISO (International Standards |
| help folks there most every day and the site | | | | Organization) PDF/X-1:2001 and PDF/X-1a:2001 |
| is chock full of great insider tips, tricks, | | | | standards. Mac and Windows versions are |
| problems and solutions. I would encourage | | | | available for Acrobat 4.0.5 and 5.0, for |
| any designer, publisher, or printer to join | | | | about $250ea. |
| and participate, teach or learn. All | | | | |
| experience levels are welcome to post and | | | | Enfocus PitStop Professional: This preflight |
| answer questions at this site. | | | | software developed by Enfocus Software, |
| | | | PitStop Pro preflights and edits PDF |
| Examples of First Preflight Software Tools: | | | | documents. It checks for 140 potential |
| | | | problems and offers 70 automated correction |
| Example (A) PageMaker has a links palette | | | | features. After running the document through |
| that scanned through the document providing a | | | | preflight, users can edit existing objects |
| report about images linked/missing, RGB/CMYK, | | | | and text, or add new elements. It's also |
| Tiff/EPS, etc. This was a preflight results | | | | equipped to re-map color space or tag/detag |
| report covering the main document AND many | | | | images with ICC (International Color |
| support document files combined. Thus | | | | Consortium) profiles. The software comes with |
| Pagemaker was a preflight tool that could | | | | several common PDF profiles to select |
| report on files originating from other | | | | according to a file's final destination. |
| applications, like scans. It would give the | | | | Windows and Mac versions of PitStop |
| user a list of confirmations and or problems | | | | Professional are available for about $550. |
| identified that was to be used to repair and | | | | Enfocus Pitstop is a great tool for repairing |
| prepare files prior to output. | | | | bad PDF files. However, it is not |
| | | | recommended as a Preflight solution. Since |
| Example (B) Quark Xpress has had a usage | | | | the PDF is the end result, to check a PDF |
| palette, when called, it scans through the | | | | files is really Postflight, a good preflight |
| open document providing detailed reports | | | | workflow is about making good PDF in the |
| about fonts used/missing, images used/missing | | | | first place. |
| modified, image types, image colors, image | | | | |
| paths. This was a preflight results report | | | | Extensis Preflight Pro: This preflight |
| covering the open document AND many support | | | | software is developed by Extensis, Preflight |
| document files combined. Thus Quark Xpress | | | | Pro inspects entire folders of native |
| was a preflight tool that could report on | | | | application documents created in popular |
| files originating in other applications, like | | | | desktop publishing applications like |
| scans. It would give the user a list of | | | | QuarkXPress, Acrobat, Illustrator, PageMaker, |
| confirmations and or problems identified that | | | | Photoshop and FreeHand. Following preflight |
| was to be used to repair and prepare files | | | | inspection, the software then collects the |
| prior to output. Additionally Quark Xpress | | | | job for output. Mac version is available for |
| may have started collect for output, a | | | | about $400. |
| feature mentioned in other patents from the | | | | |
| 1990's regarding preflight software | | | | TIFF/IT-P1 Checker: This preflight software |
| invention. | | | | developed for DDAP by Congruent Development, |
| | | | TIFF/IT-P1 Checker is a bundle of software |
| Example© Adobe Photoshop was used to | | | | tools, that includes TIFF/IT-P1 Preflight. |
| inspect and verify images. Back in the day, | | | | Suited for both digital ad and packaging |
| a user would grab all the Tiffs and Eps | | | | designers, it also represents a low-cost tool |
| placed into a job. The selected files drag & | | | | for any manufacturing partner that receives a |
| dropped onto Adobe Photoshop would | | | | large number of TIFF/IT-P1 files. It's |
| automatically open and display the color | | | | available in both Mac and Windows versions |
| space in the title bar of each file, CMYK/RGB | | | | and costs about $100 for DDAP members, $180 |
| Grayscale etc. Thus Adobe PhotoShop was a | | | | for non-members. |
| preflight tool that could report on files | | | | |
| originating from other applications. An | | | | Asura & Solvero: This preflight software |
| operator could open the Image size palette | | | | created by OneVision Software AG, Asura |
| and verify resolution before closing each | | | | eliminates frequently occurring production |
| document. Thus a semi-automatic preflight of | | | | problems in PDF, EPS and PostScript files, |
| graphic images was performed. So, yes, Adobe | | | | with the help of hot-folder specifications. |
| Photoshop was and still is a preflight | | | | Asura preflights incoming files, while |
| application and a file repair application | | | | Solvero automatically repairs common |
| that could inspect and identify problems in | | | | problems. The system keeps a log of all |
| files which it did not originate. | | | | changes made to a file. According to the |
| | | | developer, this coupled solution is most |
| Preflighting, Today's Hottest Current | | | | popular among newspaper publishers, which |
| Applications: | | | | receive a wide range of digital file formats. |
| | | | |
| QuarkXpress 6.5, QuarkXpress 7, Adobe | | | | AdCheck: This preflight software developed |
| InDesign CS2, these applications have built | | | | by Total Integration, AdCheck 2.1 allows |
| in preflight function these days. Unlike all | | | | users to open and view production-image |
| other preflight software, these are native | | | | format files, including TIFF/IT, CT, HC and |
| function that is fast and effective. Best of | | | | LW, using a standard Mac workstation. Its |
| all, they come at no additional cost to the | | | | Show Info prompt provides detailed |
| designer, publisher, or printer. These are | | | | information about the file, including size |
| built into both of today's most common | | | | and colors used. |
| preflight applications. | | | | |
| | | | Markzware MarkzNet: This preflight software |
| However, there's a few very critical holes in | | | | developed by Markzware, MarkzNet is not an |
| the built in preflight of these applications. | | | | out-of-the-box preflighting solution. Rather, |
| No need to worry, there's a FREE preflight | | | | it's a blend of the company's popular |
| application caller FreeFlightâ„¢ that has | | | | FlightCheck technology with systems |
| been recently released to address this. The | | | | integration. For high-volume production |
| application is a free download from a Quark | | | | environments, MarkzNet provides a Web-based |
| Xtension and Adobe Plug-In developer site . | | | | portal into a company's production workflow. |
| FreeFlight is a must have tool that | | | | Customers submit files with drag-and-drop |
| supplements the use of QuarkXpress and Adobe | | | | simplicity. Files are automatically inspected |
| InDesign CS2 built in preflight. You can | | | | for flaws or conflicts with the recipient's |
| download and read about FreeFlightâ„¢ at | | | | specifications and either pass or fail. |
| this URL. | | | | Failed files are rejected and both recipient |
| | | | and sender are immediately alerted to the |
| "Preflighting" as a printing term came to | | | | problem. If the file passes, it's |
| popularity in the 1990s as printers and | | | | automatically forwarded to the next stage of |
| service bureaus ensured that problematic | | | | production for a truly seamless digital |
| files would be caught and fixed before they | | | | workflow. This software is not recommended |
| found their way into CTF (Computer to Film) | | | | because it is a web based tool and has proved |
| workflow. In this century the term has | | | | to be really slow and not productive to many |
| evolved into other variations, like | | | | users. |