User Guide English Xerox CX Print Server, Powered by Creo, for the Xerox DocuColor 7002/8002 Digital Press Version 1.
Copyright Eastman Kodak Company, 2009. All rights reserved. This document is also distributed in Portable Document Format (PDF). You may reproduce the document from the PDF file for internal use. Copies produced from the PDF file must be reproduced in whole. Trademarks Kodak, Brisque, Creo and InSite are trademarks of Kodak. Adobe, Acrobat, Adobe Illustrator, Distiller, Photoshop, PostScript, and PageMaker are registered trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated.
any kind, whether express or implied, including, but not limited to, any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement.
Contents 1 Getting started 1 Printing this guide....................................................................................................................................1 System overview.....................................................................................................................................2 Overview of the Workspace....................................................................................................................3 Turning on the CX print server.....
vi Xerox CX Print Server, Powered by Creo, for the Xerox DocuColor 7002/8002 Digital Press Performing a preflight check...........................................................................................................34 Viewing and printing a preflight report............................................................................................35 Preflight Report window..................................................................................................................
Contents vii Imposition overview........................................................................................................................73 Previewing an imposition layout.....................................................................................................74 Printing a business card job...........................................................................................................76 Printing a saddle stitch job......................................................
viii Xerox CX Print Server, Powered by Creo, for the Xerox DocuColor 7002/8002 Digital Press Activating remote tools.................................................................................................................131 Installing the Remote Site Manager in Windows.......................................................................... 132 Adding Creo color servers to the Remote Site Manager .............................................................133 Viewing the printer status.........
1 Getting started Printing this guide Change the paper size to print this document on any printer. 1. Open the PDF file in Adobe® Acrobat®. 2. From the File menu, select Print. The Print dialog box appears. 3. Select the desired paper size, for example, A4 or letter. 4. In the Page Scaling list, select Fit To Printable Area or Shrink To Printable Area. Note: The names in the Page Scaling list vary according to the version of the Adobe Acrobat software. 5. Click OK.
2 Chapter 1—Getting started System overview The Xerox CX Print Server, Powered by Creo®, for the Xerox® DocuColor® 7002/8002 Digital Press is an on-demand prepress system that uses advanced prepress technologies to drive the Xerox DocuColor 7002/8002 Digital Press. The CX print server enables you to print from computers running the Microsoft® Windows® operating system and Apple® Mac OS® operating system software.
Overview of the Workspace 3 ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● PostScript (composite or pre-separated files) (levels 1, 2, and 3) Adobe PDF (versions 1.2 through 1.7) EPS Creo VPS (Variable Print Specification) Xerox VIPP® (Variable Data Intelligent PostScript PrintWare) VIPP.VPC (VIPP Project Container) PPML (Personalized Print Markup Language) PPML.
4 Chapter 1—Getting started workspace includes tools and options that enable you to fully customize and manage your server and jobs. Workspace area Description Toolbar Consists of shortcut buttons for the Import window Center , Calibration , Spot Color Editor Imposition Template Builder Printer Status panel , Resource , Gradation , , and Alerts The Printer Status pane displays information about the current printer status—for example, Printing, Ready, Warming up.
Turning on the CX print server 5 Workspace area Description Process and Print queues Consists of the Process Queue, which lists the files to be processed. After a file has been processed successfully, it moves either to the Print Queue (the upper area) or to the Storage area. Indicates that the queue is ready for processing or printing. Indicates that the queue is suspended. You will need to release the queue in order to process and print the jobs in this queue.
6 Chapter 1—Getting started Notes: If the workspace does not automatically appear, open the application from the Windows Start menu. By default, you can open the workspace without logging on each time. If you want each user to log on, clear the Auto Log On checkbox in the Preferences window, and then assign each user an access level and password. There are three different access levels available: ● ● ● Operator (default): Enables the user to operate the CX print server and configure the Preferences.
2 Setting up your computer for printing Setting up your computer overview Printing Methods Some methods for printing with the CX print server: ● ● Submit the job to one of the CX print server virtual printers. The job is spooled and then processed or printed (according to the selected job flow of the virtual printer). If you use this method, you can print from any software—for example, Microsoft Word— and use any file format from any Windows and Apple Mac®. Drag the job to a hot folder.
8 Chapter 2—Setting up your computer for printing The default virtual printers are: ● ProcessStore ● Files sent to this printer are automatically processed and stored in ready-to-print (RTP) format in the Storage area. Later, you can submit an RTP job for printing, or change the parameters of the job and resubmit it for processing or printing. ProcessPrint ● Files sent to this printer are automatically processed and immediately sent to the press for printing.
Setting up printing on a Windows computer 9 Setting up printing on a Windows computer Adding a network printer to your Windows computer To print from a Windows computer, you first need to add a CX print server virtual printer to your client workstation. Tip: Following are some shortcut tips for setting up a printer. The full procedure is detailed below. ● ● Locate the CX print server in My Network Places, and then double-click on the network printer you want to install.
10 Chapter 2—Setting up your computer for printing Loading the Print Driver software for the first time Requirements: A network printer must be defined on your computer. Load the Print Driver software after installing a network printer so that the CX print server will be ready for printing. 1. Open a file with its corresponding application—for example, open a PDF file in Adobe Acrobat. 2. From the File menu, select Print. The Print dialog box appears. 3.
Removing the Print Driver software 11 Removing the Print Driver software Perform this procedure if you need to upgrade to a later version of the Print Driver software or if you want to install the Print Driver software for a printer with a different name. Requirements: All applications must be closed. 1. From the Windows Start menu, select Settings > Printers and Faxes. 2. Right-click the network printer that you want to remove, and select Delete. 3.
12 Chapter 2—Setting up your computer for printing ● ● Windows Server 2003 Mac OS X Drag the required fonts from the computer to the HF_Fontdownloader hot folder. Setting up printing in Mac OS Installing the Print Driver software in Mac OS During the installation of the Print Driver software, the PPD file is automatically copied to your computer. In versions earlier than Mac OS 10.4, you must copy the PPD manually. 1. From the Go menu, select Connect to Server. 2.
Defining a printer with the Print Driver software in Mac OS 13 Note: If you deactivate the Print Driver software, you can still use the PPD because it has been installed already. Defining a printer with the Print Driver software in Mac OS Requirements: The following information must be available: ● IP address and computer name of your CX print server ● Name of the network printer that you want to use with the Print Driver software 1.
14 Chapter 2—Setting up your computer for printing Removing the Print Driver software Perform this procedure if you need to upgrade to a later software version of the Print Driver software. Requirements: All applications must be closed. 1. Open the System Preferences window, and double-click Print & Fax. 2. In the Print & Fax window, select the network printer that you want to remove. 3. Click delete (-), and then click OK. 4.
3 Calibration Calibration overview Obtaining the most satisfactory print quality on your printer depends on a number of issues. One of the most important issues is steady toner density. Toner density is affected by many factors such as heat, humidity, and service settings. Toner density also tends to vary over time. Such variations cannot be totally eliminated, but you can perform the calibration process to compensate for them.
16 Chapter 3—Calibration Defining the inline spectrophotometer as the calibration device By default, the Inline Spectrophotometer is the selected calibration device on the CX print server. If the X-Rite i1® spectrophotometer is connected to your CX Print Server, you can switch to the Inline Spectrophotometer in the Preferences window. 1. From the Tools menu, select Settings. 2. Under Administration, click Calibration Device. 3. Select the Calibration is done using Inline Spectrophotometer option. 4.
Creating a calibration table using the Inline Spectrophotometer Creating a calibration table using the Inline Spectrophotometer Requirements: The media that you choose must be loaded as SEF, and the printer must be ready for printing. 1. Suspend the Process Queue. 2. Make sure that the Print Queue is released and that no jobs are running. 3. From the Tools menu, select Calibration. 4. Define the parameters as follows: a. In the Paper Coating list, select either Coated or Uncoated for the paper type.
18 Chapter 3—Calibration d. In the Screening area, select the screening method for which you want to create a calibration table. Note: You can select all screening methods. The server creates a calibration table for each screening method that you select. e. The Save as box displays an automatic name for the calibration tables according to the media name. If required, you can type a different name. The screening number is appended to the resulting calibration file name. 5. Click Calibrate.
Creating a calibration table using the X-Rite i1 spectrophotometer 19 1. From the Tools menu, select Calibration. 2. In the Number of copies box, type the number of copies you want to print. 3. Click Print. The calibration chart prints.
20 Chapter 3—Calibration 4. Step 2 of the Color Calibration Wizard appears. Follow the instructions in the wizard to complete the calibration. 5. After each color sweep, wait for the check mark to appear next to the appropriate icon and follow the instructions as listed. Note: Make sure that the separation columns on the chart are scanned in the order they appear in the icons: Cyan > Magenta > Yellow > Black.
Mapping jobs to calibration tables 21 Notes: ● ● If at any stage the scanning has not been completed properly, click Reset and scan again. If an error occurs while you are scanning the chart, an alert message appears. Click OK and re-scan the charts. 6. To save the calibration table, do one of the following: ● ● Select As default name to automatically name the calibration table using the screening method, meda type, and date. Select Save as to type your own name.
22 Chapter 3—Calibration
4 Printing a file in Windows and Mac OS Printing a file to the CX print server Requirements: A network printer must be defined on your Windows and Mac computer. This task describes how to print from a Windows computer, and can also be followed for printing from a Mac. 1. Open a file with its corresponding application—for example, open a PDF file in Adobe Acrobat. 2. From the File menu, select Print. 3. In the Name list, select the desired network printer—for example, _Print. 4.
24 Chapter 4—Printing a file in Windows and Mac OS 2. Locate the CX print server, and double-click it. A list of all the shared folders, hot folders, and printers appears. 3. Double-click the desired hot folder—for example, HF_ProcessPrint. Tip: You can drag the hot folder icon to your desktop to create a shortcut to the hot folder for future use. 4. Drag the desired files to the hot folder. All the files are processed and printed automatically, according to the hot folder workflow.
Password protect jobs 25 9. In the Print Queue area, right-click the password-protected job that you want to print, and select Release to print. The Secure Printing dialog box appears. 10. In the Password box, type the password that was defined for this job. 11. Click OK. Your job is unlocked and printed. When the printing is finished, the job is automatically deleted.
26 Chapter 4—Printing a file in Windows and Mac OS
5 Printing from the color server Importing and printing a job You can import a job: ● ● ● When a page-description language (PDL) file—for example, PDF or PostScript—is created on a computer that is not connected to the CX print server When a PDL file is located on a folder on the network, or on external media, such as a CD-ROM When the desired file resides locally on the CX print server 1. From the File menu, select Import. 2.
28 Chapter 5—Printing from the color server Editing a job overview You can preview and edit any PDL and RTP job that is in Storage Area. PDL files are opened in Adobe Acrobat software, and RTP files are opened in the Job Preview & Editor tool. In Adobe Acrobat, you can view and edit the PDL job as you would normally. In addition, this version of Adobe Acrobat includes the Pitstop plugin that includes more editing tools.
Moving a page in a job 29 Moving a page in a job Move a page in an RTP job to a new location within the job. When you move a page, the page numbers are updated accordingly. 1. In the Job Preview & Editor window, click the Thumbnails tab. 2. In the Thumbnail pane, click the page that you want to move. 3. Drag the page to the target location. Note: The red marker indicates where the page will be inserted. 4. Click Save As to save the changes in the job.
30 Chapter 5—Printing from the color server 3. Click Merge Jobs. Note: Only those RTP jobs that have the same page size and orientation as the job that you are editing appear in the list. 4. Select the job with the page that you want to merge and click OK. The job opens in a separate window. 5. Do one of the following: ● To merge one page, select the page that you want to merge and click Merge.
Finding the CMYK values of a specific area 31 Finding the CMYK values of a specific area Use the Show Color Values tool in the Job Preview & Editor window to find out the CMYK values of a specific area on the page. A processed job must be displayed in the Job Preview & Editor window. 1. In the Job Preview & Editor window, click the Show Color Values button. 2. Move the pointer to the location on the page where you want to measure the color values and click.
32 Chapter 5—Printing from the color server ● ● ● OPI: detects whether OPI is used.
Analyzing a PDF job 33 Note: Since the Preflight Report dialog box lists all key job components (missing and found), you can use this report to view the existing (found) key job components—for example, the list of the existing fonts in a job, and their corresponding paths. Analyzing a PDF job You cannot use the PDF analyzer or perform a Preflight check on PDF files that are locked or protected. If you do, a message will appear stating that the file is encrypted. 1.
34 Chapter 5—Printing from the color server Performing a preflight check Check the status of key components before the job is sent for printing. You cannot use the PDF analyzer or perform a Preflight check on PDF files that are locked or protected. If you do, a message will appear stating that the file is encrypted. 1. Open the Job Parameters window of the job that you want to perform a preflight check. 2. Select Services, and then select Preflight. 3. Select the Run preflight check box.
Viewing and printing a preflight report 35 Viewing and printing a preflight report 1. Right-click the job in the Storage area, and from the menu, select Preflight report. 2. Click the desired report option to see the results for that option. 3. To print the report, click Print. 4. To save the preflight report, click Save and browse to the desired location. Note: If more than one preflight check is run on a job, the latest preflight report overrides the previous one.
36 Chapter 5—Printing from the color server Preflight options The Source column indicates whether the font is embedded in the file or was found in the Font Library. Exceptions Lists the dynamic page exception commands found in the file. Indicators Missing Not preflighted Found Appears when key components in the job are not found. Appears if you did not select the preflight option for the preflight check. Appears when all of the files are found for the selected option.
Assigning a color set to your job 37 color and quality settings for a specific data type or a printed product characteristic.
38 Chapter 5—Printing from the color server Secure printing overview The CX print server enables you to protect sensitive data and control its printing. Following are some of the options available: ● ● ● The Disk Wipe utility enables you to work in a more secure environment, by permanently removing data left by files that you have deleted.
6 Managing jobs Archival and retrieval of jobs To keep enough disk space free, back up jobs and their related files to an external server and then delete them from the Storage area. You can retrieve archived jobs and files later for further use. Archiving is a method of backing up and storing a job and enables you to increase the available space on your disk. A cabinet file (a compressed file) that contains all the files related to the archived job is created at the selected location.
40 Chapter 6—Managing jobs Retrieving a job Requirements: You can only retrieve jobs that have been archived. Note: If you are retrieving a VDP job, then you need to restore the cached elements first. When you retrieve a job, the archived job retains the original job name, and not the name assigned when archived. The files related to the job (for example, PDL) are also retrieved and the cabinet file is not deleted. You can retrieve more than one job at a time. 1.
Duplicating jobs 41 4. Select one of the following: Send to Storage: to send the job to the selected server’s Storage area. ● Send to print: to send the job to the selected server’s Print queue. 5. Click Send. ● Duplicating jobs Requirements: You can duplicate a job only if it is in the Storage area. In the Storage area, right-click the job, and select Duplicate. The selected file is duplicated and is given the name of the original job followed by the suffix _dup.
42 Chapter 6—Managing jobs Job Reports Accounting Viewer overview The Accounting Viewer provides information about all of the jobs that were printed successfully through the CX print server. The report is in the form of a tab-delimited file and contains detailed information about the printed job, for example, job size, processing time, and number of pages. You can filter, sort, and print the report.
Printing a job containing gray RGB elements as black and white ● ● ● 43 Print a job in black and white Print a job that contains grayscale RGB elements as black-andwhite or black only Print a job that contains grayscale CMYK elements as black only Note: Grayscale TIFF and EPS images created in CMYK applications (such as Adobe Photoshop® software) are counted correctly as B&W instead of Color in both the CX print server and the Xerox DocuColor 7002/8002 Digital Press billing meters.
44 Chapter 6—Managing jobs After the RTP job is created on the CX print server, you can export it as a Brisque job from the Storage window. When the customer logs on (using their unique username and password), they can see the status of their jobs, view a thumbnail of all pages in each job, and quickly identify which pages require further corrections. The customer is able to measure color density, make annotated comments, and approve pages.
Exporting an RTP or PDL file as a PDF file 45 Exporting an RTP or PDL file as a PDF file You can export any RTP or PDL file located in the storage folder to PDF format. 1. Select the job in the CX print server Storage area. 2. Right-click the job and from the menu, select for RTP files Export as PDF2Go or Export PDF for PDL files. 3. For RTP files, select Print Optimized or Screen Optimized, and then click OK. Note: Screen optimized format creates a low resolution version of the job. 4.
46 Chapter 6—Managing jobs
7 Managing color Color tools overview The CX print server provides you with a number of tools and options that enable you to adjust and improve the color quality in your jobs. The following tools are available: ● Profile Manager ● Spot Color Editor ● Gradation Tool ● Calibration table manager ● Media and Color Manager Managing color and profiles A profile is a file that describes how a particular device reproduces color.
48 Chapter 7—Managing color The source profile defines the RGB color space of the object’s source: characteristics such as the white point, gamma, and type of phosphors used. The output profile defines the gamut of an output device, such as a printer. The Color Server (or host-based Content Management System (CMS)) uses a deviceindependent color space to translate between the source color space and the color space of the output device.
Managing color and profiles 49 4. Define the parameters as follows: a. In the Warm up Print box, it is recommended that you type 10, which is the default value. Warm-up print settings defines the number of copies of a file that is printed before the standard ECI chart is printed and measured by the inline spectrophotometer on the press. Because the performance of the press is best after several pages have been printed, it is recommended that you print at least 10 copies of the warm-up file. b.
50 Chapter 7—Managing color screening number and GCR level are automatically added to the profile name. g. In the Save in area, leave the Profile Manager selected. Your new profile will be saved and added to the list of exisiting profiles in the Profile Manager in the Resource Center. If the Profile Manager already contains a profile with the same name, the new profile overwrites the existing profile.
Importing a destination profile 51 linked to the relevant media type in the Media and Color Manager window. Importing a destination profile If you saved a profile in a location other than the Profile Manager, you must first import it before you can print a job using it. Note: After you import the profile the file becomes *.icm format. 1. From the Tools menu, select Resource Center. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. The Resource Center window appears. In the Resource list, select Profile Manager.
52 Chapter 7—Managing color 3. Select Source Profile tab. 4. Click the Import button. 5. In the Source profile area, click the Browse button. 6. Locate and select the required source profile, and then click Open. The new emulation name is displayed in the Emulation name box; if you would like to change the name you may do so. 7. Click Import. The new source ICC profile is added to the Color Flows tab in the job parameters window.
Mapping media using the Media and Color Manager tool 53 Note: The destination profile is applied to the selected media type during the RIP. 1. In the Resource Center, select Media and Color Manager. 2. Select the media type from the list on the left. 3. On the right-hand area of the Media and Color manager window, select the desired screen, profile, and calibration table that you want to map to your paper stock. 4. In the Profile list, select the desired profile. 5.
54 Chapter 7—Managing color Next: To apply this profile with the media type in your job, in the job parameters window select Color > Color Flow. In the Destination area, select Linked in the Destination Profile list. See also: Mapping jobs to calibration tables on page 21 Managing calibration tables Calibrations window You can edit and view any of the calibration look-up tables (LUTs) that are stored on the CX print server.
Managing calibration tables 55 ● ● ● Calibration tables created in the Calibration Wizard. None: This is a default option and cannot be edited. Jobs that have this option selected are processed and printed without using a calibration table. Normal (default table): This is a default table and cannot be edited. If a calibration table has not been created for the media type, Normal weight, and screening method that you are using, the Normal calibration table is used when you process and print your job.
56 Chapter 7—Managing color Info Graph During printing, the CX print server automatically replaces the CMYK values in the RTP file with new values that compensate for the printer’s current performance level. Separations The graph displays cyan, magenta, yellow, and black separations. You can see information about each separation by clicking the desired separation button. Or you can view all the separations together, by clicking the button that shows all four colors.
Managing spot colors 57 2. In the Resource list, select Calibrations. 3. Select the calibration table that you want to add an entry, and click the Editor tab. 4. From the Separation list, select the desired separation to that you want to add an entry. The file and printer values for the separation that you selected appear in the File Value and Printer Value lists. 5. Select a row in the value table, and click the Add (+) button. 6.
58 Chapter 7—Managing color Individual job pages can contain RGB, CMYK, and spot color elements. A spot color is a specially mixed ink that enables you to reproduce colors that are difficult to reproduce with CMYK inks. The CX print server Spot Color Editor enables you to edit the values of every spot color in the Spot color dictionary. You can edit these values without affecting the graphics, images, or lineart page elements.
Adding a spot color 59 Adding a spot color 1. From the Tools menu, select Spot Color Editor. 2. In the Spot Color Editor dialog box, click the add (+) button. 3. Type the new color name as it exists in the original file. Note: The spot color names are case sensitive and should match the name as it appears in the DTP software. 4. Adjust the CMYK values as required. 5. Click Save. 6. Click Close.
60 Chapter 7—Managing color The new color is added to the custom color dictionary. If you created a new spot color for an RTP job, make sure you reRIP the job before printing. Editing a spot color 1. From the Tools menu, select Spot Color Editor. 2. Do one of the following actions: ● ● In the Color list, search for the desired color. In the Spot color dictionary list, select the color dictionary that contains the color you want to edit.
Spot color variations overview 61 Note: You can only print a spot color chart for CMYK values. 1. From the Tools menu, select Spot Color Editor. 2. Click Test Print. 3. Select a Spot color dictionary from the list and then select the pantone patches that you want to print. 4. Click Print, and then select the following: In the Screening list, select the desired screening method. 5. Click Print, to print the spot color test chart.
62 Chapter 7—Managing color The spot color variations feature enables you to set: ● ● ● The variation of cyan, magenta, and yellow dot percent, by selecting variations of 1-7%. The default selection is 2%. The change in the hue, by selecting variations in the cyan, magenta, yellow, red, green, and blue axis The brightness, by increasing or reducing the K value by up to 20%.
Printing a spot color variation 63 7. To select a different brightness setting for the selected color patch, click a color patch under Brightness. The K value of the selected color patch is increased or decreased according to your selection. 8. Click Select. 9. Click Apply. The spot color with the new values is added to the Custom Dictionary. 10. Click Close.
64 Chapter 7—Managing color 2. In the Color list, type the name of the spot color. The spot color is automatically selected from the spot Color list. 3. Click the Variations button. The Variations dialog box appears. The spot color is in the center of the color patches and is designated as "0". 4. Select the desired color patch. 5. Click Print Variations. 6. Do the following: In the Tray list, select the desired tray. In the Screening list, select the desired screening method.
Defining an RGB color as a spot color 65 Defining an RGB color as a spot color The RGB spot workflow applies to line work, graphic, and text elements. 1. From the Tools menu, select Spot Color Editor. 2. In the Spot Color Editor dialog box, click the Protect RGB tab. 3. Click add (+). 4. In the Color name box, type a name for your color. 5. Type the RGB source values and the CMYK target values, or select a spot color from the Entire Predefined List. 6. Click Save. 7.
66 Chapter 7—Managing color 2. In the Spot Color Editor dialog box, click the Protect Gray tab. 3. Click add (+). 4. In the Color name box, type a name for your color. 5. Enter the Gray source value and CMYK target value, or select a spot color from the Entire Predefined List. 6. Click Save. 7. On the Protect Gray tab, select the color. 8. If necessary, in the Corrected column, adjust the CMYK values. 9. Click Apply.
Color adjustment with the Gradation Tool 67 2. In the Spot Color Editor dialog box , click the Protect CMYK tab. 3. Click add (+). 4. In the Color name box, type a name for your color. 5. Enter the CMYK source value and CMYK target value, or select a spot color from the Entire Predefined List. 6. Click Save. 7. On the Protect CMYK tab, select the color. 8. If necessary, in the Corrected column, adjust the CMYK values. 9. Click Apply.
68 Chapter 7—Managing color Previewing a job 1. From the Tools menu, select Gradation. 2. Next to the Preview File box, click Browse. 3. Select the job that you want to preview, and then click Open. The Original and Edited views display your job. Creating a new gradation table 1. From the Tools menu, select Gradation. 2. In the Gradation Tool window, modify your gradation table as required. 3. Click Save . 4. In the Table name box, type the name of the new gradation table. 5. Click OK.
Editing a gradation table 69 Editing a gradation table When you open the Gradation Tool, the default gradation table, DefaultGradTable, is selected in the Gradation Table list, and is displayed in the graph. This table serves as a baseline and consists of a 45° gradation curve, with Brightness and Contrast set to 0, and Contrast Center set to 50. All of the color separations are selected.
70 Chapter 7—Managing color 5. To remove a point on the curve, select the point and then click Remove. 6. To reset the gradation curve to a 45° curve, click Reset. 7. To revert to the original gradation settings, click Revert. 8. To remove the last change you made to the gradation graph, click Undo. Correcting an image using Photo Touch-up The photo touch-up options correct common flaws found in JPEG RGB format images in PDF files. 1. Open the Job Parameters window for the desired job. 2.
Correcting an image using Photo Touch-up 71 ● Correct underexposure, overexposure, and minor color-cast problems in photos. Image noise: ● Reduce noise (such as granularity caused by high ISO settings) in a photo. Shadows and highlights: ● Bring out details in the dark and light areas of a photo. Red-eye: ● Remove the red-eye effect in photos taken with a flash.
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8 Production workflows Print using imposition Imposition overview Imposition is the process of positioning page images on a virtual sheet of paper so that when a printer or digital printing press prints the sheet, the page images will be in the right order. It is part of the process of producing finished documents. In addition to page images, you can add various marks to the sheets to aid the production process. These marks show where the paper should be folded or trimmed.
74 Chapter 8—Production workflows Step and continue: The step-and-continue method enables you to place different pages of a job on one sheet so that the sheet is filled to capacity. Cut and stack: The cut-and-stack method is used to print, cut, and stack pages while preserving a certain order. When the cut stacks are piled one on top of the other, the entire job ends up in the desired order. The cut-and-stack method is useful primarily for high-volume variable information jobs.
Imposition layout Preview window 75 You can open the Preview window at any time and keep it open to check your imposition settings as you select them. The Preview window dynamically reflects any changes that you make. 1. Open the Job Parameters window for the desired job. 2. Click the Imposition tab, and make sure that an imposition method has been selected. 3. Click the Preview button. The Preview window appears.
76 Chapter 8—Production workflows Imposition Conflict If any parameters conflict, Imposition Conflict appears in red in the Preview window and also on the Imposition tab. Conflict indications A red border along the edge of the page indicates where the conflict exists. ● ● If the red border appears along the upper and lower edges of the page, a conflict exists in the height value. If the red border appears along the left and right edges of the page, a conflict exists in the width value.
Print using imposition 77 3. Import your business card file to the ProcessPrint virtual printer. The file is imported to the Process queue with a Waiting status. 4. In the suspended Process queue, double-click the business card file. The Job Parameters window appears. 5. In the Job Parameters window, under Print, select the Paper Stock parameter. 6. In the Paper size list, select 11 x 17. 7. Click the Imposition tab. 8. In the Imposition Method list, select Step & Repeat. 9.
78 Chapter 8—Production workflows 12. Click the Preview button to preview the layout. The Preview window appears, displaying a schematic representation of your imposition layout. The layout of three columns by eight rows appears with no imposition conflict. 13. Leave the Preview window open, and, if necessary, drag it to the right. 14. Select the Spacing & Marks parameter. 15. In the Marks list, select Crop marks.
Imposition Template Builder Tool 79 8. Click the Preview button. A schematic representation of the imposition layout appears. Note: When you print your job, a space of 0.39 inches or 10 mm is automatically added between the two sets on the sheet. 9. Close the Preview window. 10. Click Submit. Your job is processed and printed according to the imposition settings for two sets per sheet. You have used most of the sheet's space and saved on paper. You can also easily cut and staple the two brochures.
80 Chapter 8—Production workflows On the CX print server, you can use the Imposition Template Builder to create templates for similar types of jobs that have the following imposition settings in common: ● ● ● ● Imposition method Columns and rows Simplex/duplex Binding For example, if you want to create an imposition template for A4sized brochures printed on A3 paper, you could create a template, called “A4Brochure”, and select the following settings: ● ● ● ● ● Imposition method: Saddle Stitch Columns:
Editing an imposition template 81 Buttons Notes: ● ● When Simplex is selected, only the Front view is available. Sheet size is set on the Imposition tab. The sheet size that appears in the template viewer is dynamic. It changes to accommodate the parameters that you choose. Front Click to view the front pages. Back Click to view the back pages. Both Click to view both the front and back pages simultaneously.
82 Chapter 8—Production workflows Rotating both the front and back sides of a page 180 degrees 1. Select the desired page. 2. Select the Apply changes to front and back check box. 3. Click the Rotate 180 button. Changing the position of a specific page on a press sheet You can change the location of a page on a sheet as needed. Changing the location of a page is often necessary when the Step & Continue imposition method is selected. 1.
Simulating a job with your template 83 Note: The page number that was previously in the target location is not automatically moved to another location. To retain this page, manually move this page to a new location. If you have a duplex job and the Apply changes to front and back check box is selected, the page number for the back side of the page also changes. Using the example above, page 6 would be on the back side of page 5.
84 Chapter 8—Production workflows 3. In the Type list, select the pages in your job in which the media type will be different. 4. Depending on the option you selected in the Type list, perform one of the following steps: ● ● For Page range, type the page range in the box. For Front cover or Back cover, select the Duplex check box to print the first two (or last two) pages of the job as the cover page (back cover).
Printing dynamic page exceptions 85 identifies the setpagedevice commands and maps them to the selected types of paper. The printer then uses those types of paper for the job. Page exceptions and inserts that include setpagedevice commands are called dynamic page exceptions. The CX print server supports dynamic page exceptions for the following file formats: ● ● ● PostScript VPS PDF Printing dynamic page exceptions Requirements: A file with embedded setpagedevice commands. 1.
86 Chapter 8—Production workflows Print tabs using the Creo Color Server Tabs plugin for Acrobat Tabs plug-in overview The Tabs plug-in is a Creo plug-in, developed for use with Adobe Acrobat. The Tabs plug-in enables you to create and place tabs in your unprocessed job (PDF or PostScript), manage the tab and text attributes, and save a set of attributes for future use. Tabs plug-in window Text attributes - tabs Tabs Size The size of the tabbed sheet.
Print tabs using the Creo Color Server Tabs plug-in for Acrobat 87 Text attributes - tabs Orientation of the tab. Top Offset The value for the distance between the upper edge of the paper and the upper edge of the uppermost tab. Note: The units in the Tabs plug-in are set in the Acrobat Preferences dialog box. Bottom Offset The value for the distance between the lower edge of the paper and the lower edge of the lowest tab. Length The length of the tab. Width The width of the tab.
88 Chapter 8—Production workflows Text attributes - text The font size for the tab text. Color The color of the tab text. Bold Bolds the tab text. Italic Makes the tab text italic. Underline Underlines the tab text. Alignment The alignment of the tab, according to the orientation of the tab. The orientation that you select determines the alignment buttons that are displayed.
Print tabs using the Creo Color Server Tabs plug-in for Acrobat 89 Text attributes - text Automatically wraps the text onto the following ine when the entire text does not fit on one line. Text on both sides The same text appears on both sides of the tab. Direction Direction of the text. ● Vertical ● Counter-clockwise ● Clockwise Note: The Direction options are available only for portrait jobs.
90 Chapter 8—Production workflows Content # Before Page Text Thumbnails area Remove The tab number. The page number that the tab precedes. The text that appears on the tab. A thumbnail view of the job with page numbers and tabs indicated. Removes the selected page or tab. Settings Saved Settings Save Delete Lists the saved settings files. Saves the currently selected settings in a file. This settings file can be applied to other PDF or PostScript files. Deletes the selected settings file.
Print tabs using the Creo Color Server Tabs plug-in for Acrobat 91 3. In the Tabs area, set the tab attributes. 4. (Optional) In the Text area, set the attributes of the text on the tabs. 5. Click the Content tab. 6. In the Before page column, click the first cell and type the number of the page that you want the tab to precede.
92 Chapter 8—Production workflows 7. In the Text column, type the text for the tab. The tab appears in the thumbnail area. 8. To add more tabs, repeat steps 6 and 7. 9. Click Apply to apply the tab settings to your document. The Tabs Printing window closes, and the tabs that you added become part of the document. 10. From the Acrobat File menu, select Save, and then close Acrobat. 11. Process and print the job. Managing tabs Changing the location of a tab 1.
Replacing a page with a tab 93 4. In the thumbnail area, click the tab that you want to move, and drag it to the desired location. The tab moves to the selected location and the tab numbers are updated accordingly. Replacing a page with a tab 1. In the Storage window, right-click your unprocessed job, and select Job Preview&Editor. The job opens in Acrobat software. 2. From the Plug-Ins menu, select Tabs Printing. The Tabs Printing window opens, displaying the Text Attributes Text Attributes tab. 3.
94 Chapter 8—Production workflows After creating tabs in your file, you can save the tab text attribute settings and the tab locations and captions (text on the tab). 1. In the upper part of the Tabs Printing window, click Save. 2. In the Setting Name box, type a name for the tab settings. 3. Select the Include Tab location and Caption check box to save the locations and text of the tabs that you created. 4. Click Save. The setting is saved in the Saved Settings list.
9 Variable data printing jobs Variable Data Printing jobs Variable Data Printing (VDP) is a form of on-demand digital printing that produces customized or personalized documents targeted to a specific individual. Within a single document design, elements such as text, graphics, and images are changed from one printed page to the next based on recipient information garnered from a database. These documents can include bills, targeted advertising, and direct mailings.
96 Chapter 9—Variable data printing jobs elements and each authoring program does so in a slightly different manner. The format you choose can be a stand-alone format that covers all aspects of document design, data management and text capture or it can be an extension of an existing program that enables the creation of VDP documents and VDP jobs.
About PPML 97 Self-contained graphical entities that can be line art, text, raster images or a combination of these types. Reusable elements are represented in PostScript and can be stored as EPS files when appropriate. Reusable elements include clipping and scaling instructions as well as the image data. Inline Elements Unique information is drawn from a database and is embedded in the sub-job. This data prints only once for individual booklets.
98 Chapter 9—Variable data printing jobs 3. Under Cache global VDP elements, make sure the Always cache global VDP elements check box is selected. 4. Click Save. Archiving VDP elements If you have finished printing a large VDP job and you know that you will need to reprint it in the future, you should archive the VDP elements and retrieve them when needed. You can archive your VDP job folder in a location that you specify. 1. From the Tools menu, select Resource Center. 2.
Deleting VDP Elements 99 Deleting VDP Elements VDP elements that are no longer in use take up valuable disk space on the CX print server. To free up disk space, you can delete the VI elements that you no longer need. 1. From the Tools menu, select Resource Center. 2. In the Resource list, select Cached VDP Elements. Your VDP jobs are listed in the left pane. In the right pane, all of the VDP elements that are associated with your job are listed.
100 Chapter 9—Variable data printing jobs
10 Job parameters Print tab in the Job Parameters window Edit and change print parameters and options for your job. Parameter Option Description Copies and Pages Number of copies Enter the number of copies that you want to print. For imposed jobs Pages changes to Sheets. Pages Print range: Includes the following options:All, Odd pages, Even pages, and Pages. Note: For VDP jobs, the Pages option changes to Booklets.
102 Parameter Chapter 10—Job parameters Option Paper stock Description The following options are available: ● ● ● Use Paper Stock: Select the desired paper stock. If you select Undefined, you can set the desired parameters in the Paper size, Media type, and Media weight lists. Paper size: The paper size that you want to use. For custom paper sizes, you need to specify the required width and height.
Print tab in the Job Parameters window Parameter Color Set 103 Option Description Rotate 180 Rotates your job by 180°. The following options are available: ● ● ● ● Photos of people: Recommended for jobs such as family photo albums. Outdoor photos:Recommended for jobs that include mainly photos of landscapes. Corporate documents: Recommended for jobs that are mostly office documents, such as presentation files, web pages, and files with charts and logos.
104 Chapter 10—Job parameters Imposition tab in the Job Parameters window Set and apply imposition settings to your job. Parameter Option Description Imposition Method Method ● ● ● ● ● ● Preview None: The default option. Imposition parameters are not available and the thumbnail viewer does not display an image. Step & Repeat: Prints multiple copies of the same image so it fills up a larger sheet. This method is used mainly for printing business cards.
Imposition tab in the Job Parameters window Parameter Templates 105 Option Description Preview Enables you to view your imposition layout and settings. You can open the Preview window at any time and keep it open to check your imposition settings as you select them. The Preview window dynamically reflects any changes that you make. Layout ● ● Best Fit: Automatically calculates the most suitable number of columns and rows.
106 Parameter Chapter 10—Job parameters Option Description Marks ● ● None: Does not apply any marks on the imposition layout for the printed job. Crop marks: Prints the lines that indicate where the sheet should be cropped. The Both Sides check box prints crop marks on both sides of the page. Notes: ● ● Margins ❐ You can scale only an image, or the entire sheet proportionally.
Imposition tab in the Job Parameters window Parameter 107 Option Description Bleed The value that you enter depends on the paper size and imposition method that you choose. You can select between Maximum bleed or enter a Custom bleed size.
108 Chapter 10—Job parameters Quality tab in the Job Parameters window Apply settings to your job to improve the quality of image and text elements in your job. Parameter Option Description Image/Graphics Quality Image quality ● ● High: Improves the quality of low resolution images in a job. Normal: Processes the image in the job according to the standard resolution of the press. The High option improves the quality of images in a job.
Quality tab in the Job Parameters window 109 Parameter Option Description Trapping Enable Trapping Applies trapping to your job. Trapping is a solution that solves misregistration between color separations in both offset and digital printing. This occurs no matter the accuracy of the printing device, and results in white lines around objects on top of a background (in a knock-out procedure) and also between adjacent colors.
110 Parameter Chapter 10—Job parameters Option Description Dot 200 Applies a high dot-type screen. The screen of each separation is printed at a different angle. Dot 300 Applies a high dot-type screen. The screen of each separation is printed at a different angle. Dot 600 Applies a very high dot-type screen. The screen of each separation is printed at a different angle. Line 200 Applies a high lpi line-type screen. The screen of each separation is printed at a different angle.
Color tab in the Job Parameters window Parameter 111 Option Description Contrast Contrast is generally used to make last-minute adjustments to the print job after proofing. By adjusting the Contrast setting, you can control the difference between the light tones and the dark tones in your image. Gradation The following options are available: ● ● ● ● ● ● None: The printer applies maximum dry ink coverage. This is the default setting. Cool: Blue tones appear clearer.
112 Parameter Chapter 10—Job parameters Option Description CMYK rendering intent Rendering intent enables you to compress out-of-gamut colors into the color capability of the press you are using. The desired rendering intent should be selected to preserve the important aspects of the elements and applied to RGB and CMYK elements. All printers, monitors and scanners have a gamut or range of colors that they can output (or view in the case of a scanner).
Color tab in the Job Parameters window Parameter Option 113 Description used for mixed pages that contain both presentation graphics and photographs. ● Emulate source paper tint Emulates the original paper tint if it is included in the profile. Notes: ● ● ● You cannot select Preserve pure CMY colors when selecting Emulate source paper tint. If the job is simplex, only the front side will be printed using the tint emulation.
114 Parameter Chapter 10—Job parameters Option Description Original file values Uses the CMYK values from the file. Destination Profile Uses the destination profile selected under Color > Color Flow, and applies it to the equivalent spot CMYK values. Protected Colors Note: If you protect RGB, gray or CMYK colors, all colors with that specific combination found in the job will be protected. For example, a specific color combination used in a logo may align with a color used in an image in the job.
Photo touch-up tab in the Job Parameters window Parameter 115 Option Description Ink Saving GCR: Conserves toner by replacing the gray component (CMY) of pixels with black toner. Selecting Normal gives you a smoother image quality. Selecting High, gives you a less smooth image quality (adds black into flesh tones). The gray component replacement also prevents the consequences of excessive toner buildup, such as flaking and cracking , or the "curling" effect that may occur when printing transparencies.
116 Chapter 10—Job parameters Finishing tab in the Job Parameters window Apply these settings to specify how to finish your job. Parameter Option Description Finishing Module Includes the following options: ● ● OCT (Offset catch tray): The Offset checkbox is selected by default. If you don’t want to use an offset between sets, clear this check box. Note: If the page size is larger than A3 (standard or custom), the Offset check box is unavailable.
Exceptions tab in the Job Parameters window 117 Parameter Option Description Slip Sheets Slip sheets between copies Prints slip sheets with your job. If a job is collated, the slip sheets are printed between sets. If a job is not collated, the slip sheets are printed between groups. ● ● Image Position Tray: The tray in which the specified media type is loaded. Frequency: Type the number of slip sheets you want to print. The default is set to 1; a slip sheet is printed between each set.
118 Parameter Chapter 10—Job parameters Option Advanced Options Description The Advanced Options is available only when you select Page Range, from the Type list. Destination profile Select either the same destination selected for this job or from the list of available destination profiles. You Can also select per page or range of pages. Image Position The following options are available: ● ● ● Same as job: This options allows you to have the image position be the same as the rest of the job .
Services tab in the Job Parameters window 119 processing time for PDF and PostScript files with repeated elements. Parameter Option Description Admin page Print admin page The administration page contains job-related information such as the job title, page size, number of pages or sets, and the sender name. The administration page is printed in the same order as the job, for face-down printing, the page is printed before each set and for face-up printing, the page is printed after each set.
120 Chapter 10—Job parameters Parameter Option Description Preflight Run preflight Checks the status of key job components before the job is sent for processing. You can select from the following options: ● ● ● Fonts High resolution Spot colors Your job is RIPed and the missing components are identified. Split to Booklet Split to Booklets Splits a PostScript, PDF, or large VI job that does not have a booklet structure into booklets.
Services tab in the Job Parameters window Parameter 121 Option Description ISO conformance level The ISO conformance level is printed in the margin of the sheets within a job. For example: Validation Print according to ISO 12647-7. Printer description The name and model of the printer is printed in the margin of the sheets within a job. Color server description The name and model of the color server is printed in the margin of the sheets within a job.
122 Chapter 10—Job parameters
11 Setting up your color server The Preferences window This window contains several tools that enable you to manage your system and resources. Most of these settings are configured during the First Time Setup. You should consult with the site administrator before changing any of the server and network settings. To access the Preferences window, from the File menu, select Preferences. Option Description Server Setup Displays the computer (host name) name of the CX print server and current date and time.
124 Chapter 11—Setting up your color server Option Description Image Disks Enables you to adjust the image disk threshold in order to set the minimum free disk space required to process files. Configuration Backup You can backup and restore your system configuration to a local hard drive, network drive or to CD or DVD media. Calibration and Color ● Localization Displays local settings on your system, includes, region, unit measurements, and user interface language.
The Preferences window 125 Option Description Queue Manager In the Job batching policy area, select one of the following: ● ● Enable job batching to print jobs that have similar attributes one after the other without the printer pausing in between. Disable job batching to discontinue printing jobs that have similar attributes and enable the printer to pause in between printing jobs.
126 Chapter 11—Setting up your color server Option Description JDF/JMF The CX print server receives the JDF job ticket via hot folders, returns JDF output with job accounting information, and submits JMF (Job Messaging Format) signals with the job's status. If the JDF job has a target path specified in the job, JDF output is always created. For JDF jobs that do not have a specified target path, the JDF output is only created if this option is selected.
Setting up a virtual printer 127 Setting up a virtual printer Virtual printers The CX print server provides three default virtual printers (network printers). Virtual printers are used for automating workflows, which then define job streaming. They contain preset workflows that are automatically applied to all print jobs processed with that virtual printer. There is no need to reset job settings for each job, thus increasing printing efficiency.
128 Chapter 11—Setting up your color server defined in the PPD file use the default parameters set for that particular virtual printer. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. From the Tools menu, select Resource Center. In the Resource list, make sure that Virtual Printers is selected. Click Add (+). In the Name box, type a name for the new printer that you want to add. From the Based on list, select an existing printer with similar settings. The Publish on the network check box is selected by default.
Restoring the configuration 129 You can back up your configuration to a local hard disk, network drive, or to CD or DVD media. Note: It is recommended that you backup your configuration to external media or to a network drive before reinstalling the operating system and software. 1. From the File menu, select Preferences. 2. 3. 4. 5. The Preferences window appears. In the Preferences window, select Configuration Backup. In the Configuration backup area, click Browse. The Save dialog box appears.
130 Chapter 11—Setting up your color server Tools for maintaining your system The CX print server includes a number of tools to help you maintain your system. Following are some of the tools available: ● ● ● Formatting the Image Disk: Formats the image disks and deletes all the files located in the Storage area. Disk wipe: The Disk Wipe utility enables you to work in a more secure environment, by permanently removing data left by files that you have deleted.
12 Working with color server tools on your computer Creo Remote Site Manager Remote Site Manager overview The Remote Site Manager enables a site manager to monitor the status of the CX print server and other Creo color servers connected to printers on a network. It also enables you to operate these servers from a remote computer.
132 Chapter 12—Working with color server tools on your computer 2. Select Remote Tools Setup. 3. In the WebViewer setup area, select Enable Webviewer. 4. In the Remote workspace setup, select Enable Remote Connection. Tip: In this area, you can view Connection Status and how many clients are connected. 5. Enter the amount of hours that you want the CX print server to logoff automatically using the arrows in the Logoff Automatically after option. 6.
Adding Creo color servers to the Remote Site Manager 133 4. In the \Utilites\PC Utilities folder on the CX print server, locate the Remote_Site_Manager.exe file. 5. On your computer, double-click the Remote_Site_Manager.exe file. The Remote Site Manager is installed on your computer. The Remote Site Manager icon appears on your taskbar after the application is started. 6. Click OK.
134 Chapter 12—Working with color server tools on your computer 8. Click Save. Your new server's name appears in the Remote Site Manager right-click menu. Viewing the printer status Requirements: Before you can use the EZ Connect tool, you must add a server. After you have added a server, you can view the print status of the server's Queue manager in the EZ Connect tool. 1. On the taskbar, right-click the Remote Site Manager icon. 2. In the menu that appears, select EZ Connect.
Using the Web Center 135 4. Click Submit. The selected job is printed. Using the Web Center Overview of the Web Center The Web Center is a web page that provides online information and can be accessed from a Windows or Mac computer. You can connect to the Web Center with the Internet Explorer 5.0 (or later) and Apple Safari™ browsers.
136 Chapter 12—Working with color server tools on your computer See also: Easy VDP File Creator tool on page 141 Selecting an Easy VDP File Creator template on page 143 Adding records manually to your variable data job on page 145 Creating and printing the variable data job on page 147 Office Hot Folder tool The Office Hot Folder tool enables you to automate the printing of Microsoft Office files when you work remotely.
Creating a hot folder 137 1. On the CX print server, locate the D:\Utilities\PC Utilities folder. 2. Double-click the Office_HF.exe file. The Office Hot Folder tool is installed on your computer, the Office HF icon appears on your taskbar, and the Office Hot Folder tool appears. All network printers that are currently on your computer appear in the window. 3.
138 Chapter 12—Working with color server tools on your computer 2. Drag the file to the hot folder. Your file is automatically processed and printed according to the hot folder workflow. Creo Color Server Job Ticket software Creo Color Server Job Ticket overview The Creo Color Server Job Ticket software enables you to create a Job Definition Format (JDF) file. This JDF file contains a set of printing parameters (job ticket) and may also include the path to a file to be printed using those parameters.
Installing the Creo Color Server Job Ticket software in Windows 139 language of the job parameters window that you work with are the same, set the language of your computer's operating system to the same language as the color server that you are creating the job ticket for. Installing the Creo Color Server Job Ticket software in Windows 1. From your computer, navigate to the /Utilities/PC Utilities folder on the color server. 2. Double-click the CreoColorServerJobTicket.exe file.
140 Chapter 12—Working with color server tools on your computer 3. Click Save. 4. In the Save Template dialog box, type a name for the job ticket, and click Save. The job ticket is saved in the path defined in the Preferences window. The default path is: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users \Color_Server_Client_Tools\CreoColorServer_JT \V1_0\CreoColorServer_JT \CreoColorServer_Server_JT__1\servers \FactoryDevice\JT files.
Easy VDP File Creator tool 141 4. In the Browse dialog box, locate the file that you want to print using the job ticket, and click Open. Note: The file must be in a location that is accessible to the color server, otherwise, the file won't be printed. 5. Click Submit. The file is sent to the color server and is printed according to the settings defined in the job ticket.
142 Chapter 12—Working with color server tools on your computer See also: Overview of the Web Center on page 135 Connecting to the Web Center on page 135
Selecting an Easy VDP File Creator template 143 Selecting an Easy VDP File Creator template The first step in creating a variable data job is to select the type of job and template that will be printed. 1. Open the CX print server Web Center, select Links, and then select Easy VDP File Creator. The Easy VDP File Creator tool opens and lists the templates available. 2.
144 Chapter 12—Working with color server tools on your computer 3. In the Design and properties area, select the template for your job. Note: When you select a template the properties appear showing the variable data fields assigned to that template. Each template has a different set of fields that are suitable for that job. 4. Click Continue to add data records. Next: The next step is to add records to your job.
Adding records manually to your variable data job 145 Adding records manually to your variable data job The next step in defining a job using the Easy VDP File Creator tool is to assign the information that will appear on the printed variable data job. In this step you add the variable data directly in the Easy VDP File Creator tool. 1. In the Easy VDP File Creator tool, select Manually. 2. In the Variable Data area, type in the data for each field.
146 Chapter 12—Working with color server tools on your computer Adding records from a database to your variable data job The next step in defining a job using the Easy VDP File Creator tool is to assign the information that will appear on the printed variable data job. In this step you can upload an Excel file containing the variable data information that you want to appear on each record. Note: The Excel file must include the same fields as defined in the properties of the template that you selected. 1.
Creating and printing the variable data job 147 3. Type in the data for all the records that you want to create. 4. When you are done, save the file and then close Excel. Next: The next step is to create the job and submit it for printing. Creating and printing the variable data job The final step in creating a variable data job using the Easy VDP File Creator tool is to create the job and submit it for printing to one of the CX print server. 1.
148 Chapter 12—Working with color server tools on your computer See also: Overview of the Web Center on page 135 Connecting to the Web Center on page 135
13 Troubleshooting Job History window The Job History window lists all of the messages that were generated during the workflow of the selected job. You can view the job title and owner (the user name of the system from which the job originated) near the top of the window. Job Information Job title Sender Show Type The job's file name. The user that sent the file to print.
150 Chapter 13—Troubleshooting Handling alerts and frozen jobs If your job has failed or is frozen, you can view an alert message about the failed or frozen job. 1. In the workspace, do one of the following: ● ● ● In the Print queue click the frozen icon that appears next to the frozen job. In the Storage area click the failed icon that appears next to the frozen job. Select the job with the failed or frozen icon and then click the Alert button on the toolbar.
Aborting a job 151 Aborting a job Requirements: A job is processing or printing. Right-click the running job in one of the queues, and select Abort. The job moves from the queue to the Storage area. The Aborted status is assigned to the job, and the next job in the queue starts running. Resume printing Resume printing an aborted job. Right-click the aborted job in Storage area, and select Resume printing. The job continues printing from the last page that was printed.
152 Chapter 13—Troubleshooting Printing system messages Print a list of system messages from the Message Viewer window. 1. From the Info menu, select Messages Viewer. 2. Filter and sort the message list as desired. ● Click any message type icon —for example, Error—in order not to list such messages. Click a column header to sort the list by that column. 3. Click Print List.. The Print window is displayed. 4. Set the printing options as desired, and click OK.
14 Glossary absolute colorimetric A method of color matching during the translation of files from one device to another. The absolute colorimetric method refers to the use of device-independent color space. amplitude-modulated (AM) screening A type of halftone screening in which the size of the dots varies but the spacing between dot centers is constant. For darker areas, the dots are bigger, and for lighter areas, they are smaller.
154 Chapter 14—Glossary booklet In a variable information (VI) job, a personalized copy of a document. A booklet can consist of several pages, but the entire document is targeted at a specific individual or address. VI jobs contain elements that differ from booklet to booklet, including text, graphics, pictures, and page backgrounds. bounding box In a PostScript file, the smallest rectangle that encloses all of the graphic elements. The bounding box is specified by two sets of coordinates.
155 Brisque Page A folder generated by the RIP process and residing in the Brisque Job folder. A Brisque Page contains rasterized page information that consists of a LW or NLW file. A Page can also include a CT file and one or more NCT files. cache To store data after it has been accessed so that future access will be faster. calibration curve A curve that represents the percentage at which the software adjusts an original tint during screening to produce the target output.
156 Chapter 14—Glossary color cast The predominance of a particular color that affects the whole image in the original, proof, or reproduction. A color cast is due to an excess of a color pigment or light. It is most obvious in gray and near-gray areas. color channel A single color, such as red, green, or blue.
157 color match (verb) To keep colors consistent when converting one color space to another—for example, RGB to CMYK. color profile A description of the range of colors that a device can produce. A color profile makes it possible to convert the color space of one device (such as inkjet printer) to another device (such as a computer monitor). color rendering dictionary (CRD) A three-dimensional lookup table for transforming all process color models.
158 Chapter 14—Glossary composite mode A mode of operation in which all the color information associated with a particular page is described on one page of a PostScript file. During RIP, the file is separated into process colors and spot colors, one file for each color. This mode of operation is the fastest and most efficient in most cases. contrast The ratio between the light tones and the dark tones in an image. If you increase the contrast, highlights become lighter while shadows become darker.
159 CT file format A four-color (CMYK) continuous-tone (or contone) raster file format. Gradient tones and continuous-tone data are sometimes converted to CT format. database A software module that holds site configuration information, edition plan information, and the current state of each process and planned item. At least one workstation at each site must have a database installed.
160 Chapter 14—Glossary density A measurement of the ability of light to be absorbed by an ink and paper combination. A darker tone has a higher density than a lighter tone. density range The range of density from highlight to shadow on a film negative or positive or on the printed image. It is calculated as the mathematical difference between the densities of the darkest and the lightest tone values. device An individual occurrence of a physical device that reproduces an image.
161 device link profiles helps shorten the conversion path in certain applications and saves computing time. device profile A type of ICC profile that represents the relationship between colorant tint values of a device and the resulting color. It has two sets of color mapping tables: one set maps device colorant tint values to the profile color space while the other set maps the profile color space to device colorant tint values.
162 Chapter 14—Glossary frequency-modulated (FM) screening A method of creating halftones where the spots are all the same size, but the frequency or number of dots changes in a given area. There are more dots in a dark area and fewer in a light area. frozen job A job for which the appropriate paper stock is not available: for example, the correct paper type, size, or weight. gravure printing A printing method in which the image is engraved through a screen below the surface of a cylinder.
163 grayscale A reflection or transmission film strip showing neutral tones in a range of graduated steps. This scale is used as a test/check of the printing conditions, and is often attached to the printed image above or on the side as a color bar. halftone screen On halftone output, the fine grid that positions the halftone dots. head-to-head A type of layout in which the tops of the pages are facing in.
164 Chapter 14—Glossary job ticket template (JTT) The name by which a process template is referred to in a Brisque environment. JTT files have a .jtt extension. L*a*b* A device-independent color measurement system that measures Lightness (or Luminance) and two color coordinates, A (red/green) and B (blue/yellow). It may be used as an intermediate color space used when converting from one color space to another (for example, from CMYK to RGB).
165 LW file format A file format that contains line work data. LW files support CMYK only (no spot colors) and up to 256 colors. new line work (NLW) file format NLW file format An LW file format that supports spot colors (up to 28 spot separations plus the four process colors) and up to 65,535 different colors. normalize A step in the refining process that creates PDF pages from input files. The resulting PDF files contain refined pages.
166 Chapter 14—Glossary pre-separated file A PDF, PostScript, or TIFF file that contains a separate page for each color in a document. A standard process color job would have four pages—one for each process color. A job with spot colors would have a page for each spot color and a page for each process color. printer description file A PPD file or PDF file that Apple Macintosh® software uses to prepare pages and documents for specific output devices.
167 images in page layout. You can create and edit a PSImage file in various applications, such as PSImage Exporter in Photoshop, Copydot Toolkit, and oXYgen software. If you edit a PSImage file (for example, you add a mask or a clipping path), the workflow software applies your changes to the high-resolution file and automatically replaces the PSImage file during the RIP process. relative colorimetric A method of color matching.
168 Chapter 14—Glossary screen angle The angle at which a halftone screen is set for printing halftones. Proper screen angles minimize moiré patterns. shadows The darkest part of an image (original and reproduction). A shadow has densities near the maximum. In a reproduction, shadows are printed with dot areas between 80 percent and 100 percent. sheet Both surfaces of one printed press sheet.
169 smooth scaling The ability to maintain the same detail and smoothness with different degrees of enlargement. Smooth scaling allows you to scale up low-resolution images without creating a jagged appearance. source profile The specifications for how the CMYK and RGB values in a file should be interpreted as an actual color when displayed or output through a given device. spine trim size The space between adjacent pages on a printed sheet.
170 Chapter 14—Glossary stochastic screening A digital screening process that converts images into very small dots of equal size and variable spacing. Also referred to as frequency-modulated (FM) screening. substrate Any printing surface to which ink will adhere. Also referred to as stock. TIFF Acronym for Tagged Image File Format. TIFF is a file format used to describe, store, and exchange bitmap images.
171 trapping A printing technique in which adjacent printed colors are slightly overlapped to ensure that white space does not appear between the colors. variable information (VI) job A job in which printed materials such as bills, targeted advertising, and direct mailings are individualized for specific recipients or purposes. variable print specification Formal language designed for effective production of variable information documents.
172 Chapter 14—Glossary
Index A Aborting a job 151 Accounting Viewer 42 Admin page 119 Alerts window 151 APR/OPI 120 Archiving a job 39 B Backing up the configuration 128 billing 42 Black overprint 109 Booklet 96 C Calibration 15 Calibrations window 54 Color Adjustments,Brightness,Contrast 110 Color Flows 111 Color mode CMYK 110 Color Mode Grayscale 110 color set assigning to your job 37 Color Set 103 Color tab 110 Color tools 47 Components 2 Copies and Pages 101 Creo Color Server Job Ticket 138 D Deletion Policy 124 destinatio
Job Report 42 Job Slug 120 L Proofing the job 36 Q Queues Process Print 5 Layout 102 Localization 124 M R Managing color profiles 47 Mapping media Media and Color Manager tool 52 Remote Site Manager 131, 132 Installing in Windows 132 Remote tools activating 131 Remote Tools Setup 123 Remote Workspace 134 Resource details 4 Restoring the configuration 129 Resume printing 151 Retrieving a job 40 Reusable Elements 97 Rotate 180 103 N Network printer adding to your Windows computer 9 Network printers 7
V Variable Data Printing jobs 95 Variable Print Specification (VPS) 96 VDP document formats 95 VDP elements archiving 98 VDP Elements deleting 99 manage 97 VDP elements, retrieving 98 virtual printer adding editing 127 removing 128 virtual printers 8 Virtual printers 127 W Web Center 135 Connecting 135 Workspace 3
