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When customer proofs don't match...
Hi All,
I've got the following question regarding working to customers proofs for colour on-press:
I'm currently working in a studio with two Artpro workstations outputting to a Creo Trendsetter: processing mainly direct mail work. It is often the case that customers send in colour proofs of their own to accompany the digital files they supply, which we must match on press. The problem is that there are seldom control strips on the proofs and so we have no idea of the dot gain or output profile - often the proofs are sent via agencies or other third parties that we are unaware of. In some cases we are able to establish a relationship with the customers' agency or repro department and acquire details of their proofing profile - but more often than not we are unable to do this.
The solution we are using is a library of custom output curves - but these seem to work with limited success: some jobs work, others (especially with difficult colours) will not - despite the pressmen tweeking all the settings available to them.
We deal with known problem proofs by outputting an inhouse proof for visual comparison before issuing the job the plates, but this is expensive and time consuming. Our proofer is a Dupont Cromalin 4Q (soon to be replaced) and takes an age to produce even a C6 envelope. When the worst comes to the worst we have to effectively "proof on-press", making adjustments and outputting new plates. This is hellish expensive considering the repro time, plate materials, and standing press time (for example out KBA Rapidia machine costs around ?350/hour).
I appreciate that there are probably no magic bullets for these issues, but am keenly interested to hear how other printers approach this type of thing and if anyone else has any similar headaches!
Look forward to replies!
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