Proofyourself: The new color management system (below)

Mayerthaler referred to this step as "cleaning the machine," which means optimizing and correcting problems (which may be automatic). It can convert RGB and Lab color spaces to the required CMYK space, convert spot colors to CMYK (if necessary), check the image resolution (warning if the resolution is too low), and warn if the font is missing, Very thin lines are thickened by a specific minimum value and transparency is added to a single image. (For example, where two images are superimposed).

The last is proofing. After Harlequin deletes the file, it sends it (with the appropriate characterization file) to the proofer and the proofing machine will do the proofing on the appropriate paper.

Samples and other output. If you want to use other output devices, you need to use Proofyourself CL 20 or CL 60. These two products not only allow companies like Christinger to use multiple devices, but also enable you to deliver remote proofing to customers. In offset printing companies, they can send documents to different proofers, CTPs or imagesetters. Users can optimize output quality through built-in feature description files (as Christinger did). The high speed and low cost of this proofing can be surprising. In Switzerland, Mayerhaler is able to provide profiles for two proofing papers from Canon: Canon HR 101 High Resolution Paper (a lower cost uncoated paper) and Water Resistant High Gloss WRG (coated paper). Because the proofs made by these two papers look the same, users often use the cheaper HR 101 for internal proofing. For Mayerthaler, the cost per A3+ paper is only 0.40 euros, including ink and printing costs of 45 seconds. WRG paper is designed for customer proofing. It costs €1.40 each and it takes about 2 minutes to print. Users can order these two types of paper directly from Canon on the Internet.

Remote proofing. Of course, Proofyourself can also be used to make remote proofing. If the remote customer also has the same Canon W2200 proofer, then this complete profile can be used. Since the file size of a large-format print (such as a poster) can be automatically replaced with (in-line interpolation) A3+ format, the file after the cut-out process is usually only 3MB. If the remote client's output device is not the W2200, then if you want to achieve accurate color reproduction, you must have that device's feature description file.

automation. Since the Proofyourself workflow is a hot-folder method, this folder structure must be created for each user or job. From the creation of the PDF file to the automatic output of the proofing process, a total of four hot-folders are required for PDF creation, inspection, “cleaning” and proofing. For example, a Quark file may be copied to a hot folder on the Proofyourself server with the help of the "Print" button. A PDF file can be created in this folder and sent to the inspection folder. If it is correct, it will automatically enter the proofing folder (output as a proof immediately) or it can be saved in the queue, waiting for the user to release it into the proofing folder (if manual control is needed).

If people find PDF problems during the proofing process, the operator can drag this file into the “clean machine option, where the file will be sent to the inspection folder again. If it is correct, you can enter the proofing folder. Otherwise, the operator must intervene.

safety. The main problem of workflow management software is the destructiveness faced by the user once the operation fails. In order to prevent the destruction of Proofyourself software on the PC server, the computer will generate a copy of the original software each time it is restarted. So once the computer is damaged, just restart it. Mayerthaler can provide an aluminum box with files and spare drives. If there is a head crash or other damage to the hard drive, the spare drive can be put into use quickly.

Customer reference

Many of Mayerthaler's Swiss customers are publishers and printers, but there are relatively few design companies. This is because Swiss advertising agencies are not willing to make their own copies of the same, they prefer to let prepress companies do it. On the other hand, publishers have a long history of bypassing prepress companies. They need to produce their own copies to help protect themselves in the process of dealing with printers. Large publishers (such as Jean Frey Verlag of Zurich, responsible for publishing 22 trade magazines and 4 consumer magazines) use Proofyourself's software to ensure the quality and safety of their own work. A small publishing house (such as Boll Verlag of Urdorf, publishing a monthly Wohnrevue, a large-volume job) is also using Proofyourself for proofing before transferring documents and proofs to the printer.

A new business model

Since all the hardware is already in place, the software has been installed and tested, and the entire workflow is very easy to use, so the installation and training of the system is very fast. This is not only true in Switzerland, but also in other countries that use print distributors as their sales channels. This makes Mayerthaler's prices particularly attractive. In the past four years, Switzerland has installed 46 sets of Mayerthaler, and Germany, Austria, Scandinavia and Germany have also installed more than 10 sets, and this number is still growing every year.

Mayerthaler sells its systems through inserts, articles, manuals, retail stores, direct mail, and telemarketing. Selling products on their own websites, it will also be held with traders in trade shows in other countries or into the printing academy in Switzerland and Germany.

Proofyourself Creative sells for less than 20,000 euros, Proofyourself CL 20 costs about 24,500 euros, and Proofyourself CL 60 sells for 29,250 euros. This price does not include VAT (where applicable) and training fees (up to two days in Switzerland, €1,150 per day). If you allow you to choose a workflow for a large international marketer, then a price-appealing solution like Proofyourself workflow is their best choice.