Looking for the Impossible a High Quality $5 proof

[Mjetz]

We have a Kodak XP4 and 2 Integris. We want to dump the integris proofers. The Epsons are out of warrenty and they never really made the customers or Pressmen happy.

So what I'm looking for the impossible. A cheap $5 proof with the best quality I can get. The $5 is our cost, we plan to charge $10 to $15. Any suggestions?

I've looked at Lantran and Veris - but I can't get a real cost on these.

[colorblind]

If you're talking about Latran, forget the $5 cost per proof! Our material cost is about $70 USD for a 23x30 CMYK proof! By the way, what does your $5 stands for? Letter size proof? Tabloid? Is it only the material cost? At that price, you can only consider inkjet proofing (with it's pros and cons) but will need a good rip ($$$) to drive it plus the hardware.

[Mjetz]

4/C process letter size proofs. I know this is impossible, but I have to make the attempt for the boss. That way he can go to his boss and say we can't do it.

It's a fools errand. I know.

[mattbeals]

My Veris proofs were about $3.75 per 9.5 x 12. That's assuming my memory of the costs are 750 for the paper/ink, 50 sheets per box, 4 proofs per sheet is correct.

[Nicolas]

what "kind of" 4/c cymk color space would you like to match? You should take a look on GMG ColorProof in combination with Epson or the new HP-Z.

[Mark]

Which epson do you have with the integris?
We are in the process of switching to Kodak Matchprint epson 9800 and I like the results better than our Integris epson 10600.

Matchprint software is sooooo much nicer than Integris 1.1
Same for Profile Wizard Mio 4 versus 2.6.

[stargate]

Yes. It can be done. After you buy the software/hardware of course.

My cost is less than $5 for G7 matching high-quality inkjet proof letter size. It can be lower if you use cheaper paper. Any inkjet based rip (gmg, Oris, EFI etc) pared with Epson 4800 and decent paper can do it. Some will give you better match easier and some not but all of them can do it. My pressman don't complain at all about my inkjet proofs.

Derek

[Jim Stone]

Everyone's looking for it!
This is kinda like looking for the cheap Rolls-Royce.
quality costs, and when your are running thousands of sheets of paper to a certain colorspace, it would be nice if you had a reliable "visual image".
Having been in the printing field for over 45 years i have seen and dealt with most proofs. We actually used "colorkey" once. Then "Chromalins" and on to "Matchprint". Ah, those were the days, I could ,make the same film proof six different ways and then the pressman had to match me.
Most of the proofing solutions todauy are good. The problem lies in the dedication of the color management specialist that is responsible for the initial setup. You see, some companies, who look only at the bottom line profie, have given their installers strict orders to "install and get out, using "canned" profiles". Not every epson prints exactoy the same. The profile built in Minn. may not install good colorspace in Salt Lake City.
I am a color specialist, not cheap and some might say "picky" with color. I have made "Star Proof", AbsoluteProof" BestColor, EFI XF (integres), and Colorblind all work and work well. I do not walk into a shop, downlioad a profile and linearization for a printer from an ftp site and walk out. The process is much more complicated than that. But, done once, well, your proofs anr reliable and your color is repeatable, to the presses' color gamut.
Do not throw out a process until you have studied how it was setup. Nothing is "plug-n-play! Consult a professional (not a salesman) for the next direction you will take.

[stargate]

I did not say that anyone can do it if you have a software and hardware.

I said that it can be done. You have to know what are you doing or hire someone who can help you.

Derek