Screen Soft Proofing: WYSIWYG (1)

In printing, when people become accustomed to the screen, they never stop pursuing the "what you see is what you get." With the continuous improvement of hardware and software technologies, we are getting closer and closer to "what you see is what you get", and the soft proofing of the screen is becoming more and more important to the printing industry. For many Chinese printing companies, whether the screen soft proofing can be recognized and developed quickly? Where is the screen soft proofing? For this reason, this reporter interviewed industry experts and front-line practitioners to discuss the screen together. Soft proofing related technologies. Here, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to Yin Yangfang, Mr. Xie Tiesheng, an industry expert who has given us help, and Mr. Liu Wenbin, Mr. Liu Wenbin of Beijing Wenwendi and Mr. Chen Yaxiong of China Business!

(A) What is the screen soft proofing

1. What is the screen soft proofing

In general, screen soft proofing is a proofing method that simulates and displays the effect of print output on the screen. It allows the print job to be previewed on the monitor at any time before printing, that is, the monitor replaces the original paper and other media. In fact, this method is not very novel. Nowadays, many people often preview page content by exchanging PDF files. It can also be interpreted as a primitive method for soft proofing of screens.

Since ICS Remote Proof 2.0 was the first screen-based proofing system to win SWOP certification, soft proofing has become a newsworthy topic. Immediately afterwards, Kodak Polygram introduced its screen soft proofing system - Matchpr (t) t V1rtual.

The SWOP certification confirms an incredible concept. Thanks to this industry-renowned SWOP certification, the screen soft proofing system has credibility, so that people can use the SWOP certified soft proofing system to directly view the printing effect on the screen without having to rely on the actual proofing to simulate printing. After the effect, you can lose hard proofs.

2. The use of screen soft proofing

The screen soft proofing can be used for the printing job from the design production, until the graphic preview in the printing process, and even can be used as a contract digital signature between the printing factory and the customer.

Remote proofing is another application field of screen soft proofing. Remote proofing based on the display has two main methods. One is to transmit PDF files by mail transmission, and the other is to directly transmit files to the client's FTP site. Both methods implement customer checks of page content and layout, or use sophisticated color management systems to simulate hardcopy proofs.

3. The realization of soft proofing of the screen

Behind the soft proofing of the screen is the support of color management technology. To display the output printing effect on the screen, the key is the consistency of the screen display effect and the hard proofing. Therefore, with ICC color management technology, it can be to a certain extent. Implement soft proofing on the screen. Of course, related hardware such as monitors, screen correction instruments, and standard light sources are also required.

There are many ways to achieve soft proofing on the screen. Now many graphics and image software include the function of formulating ICC files. Therefore, it is also possible to achieve soft proofing of the screen to some extent, but it is not professional enough.

Today, there are many professional soft proofing systems on the market, including hardware and software options, and prices are generally acceptable. Some manufacturers even provide products for contract signing. In China, in addition to professional software for soft proofing of screens, many printing companies are now using Photoshop, InDesign, and other general graphics software for soft proofing.

(b) why the screen soft proofing

When it comes to screen soft proofing, hard proofs must be mentioned. Proofing has two main functions. First, it provides users with printing proofs that are equivalent to the printing effect. It is for customers to modify and sign samples. It is a way of conveying customer's intentions in the production chain. Second, it is used to connect prepress and printing departments. The bridges, which check the quality of prepress production, provide the correct guidance for the printing press. Therefore, proofing is an indispensable part of the printing process.

Whether it is traditional mechanical proofing or emerging digital proofing, it will take a certain amount of time, which may become a bottleneck in the printing process. Especially now, more and more people need to check and sign samples, such as front-end designers, printing customers, printing operators, etc., and more often, these departments are located in different places. At this time, soft proofing is not only a very ideal model, but also essential. Otherwise, it takes a lot of time and manpower to transfer proofs. In this sense, soft proofing on the screen can save a lot of money.

While saving time and cost, fast feedback is also a big advantage of soft proofing. Prior to the use of soft proofing, some businesses, especially prepress production of high-end albums, often need to be revised repeatedly. It is necessary to negotiate and confirm with customers repeatedly. If hard copies are used, they must be output repeatedly, which is not only a cumbersome process, but also causes problems. The waste of digital proofing is many times. Screen soft proofing makes it possible for multiple people to view and annotate proofs at different locations at the same time. The document can be edited instantly and interactively, and proofing can be performed remotely to effectively control publishing requirements. For urgently demanding jobs such as magazines, screens can be soft proofed within the publishing house to reduce the time for confirmation.

(to be continued)