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Software for prepress

Prepress that thinks ahead.

Since 1988 ArtCom has been developing software that connects data flows, simplifies production planning and automates recurring steps – for offset, flexo and gravure printing.

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Printing processes
Offset · Flexo · Gravure · Packaging
Process steps
Data intake · Imposition · RIP · Proofing
Experience
Software for the graphic arts industry since 1988
Printed sheet with control patches, an open magazine and packaging samples on a dark worktable
From printed sheets to packaging: prepress prepares a range of print products for production.

Overview

What prepress covers

Prepress connects the finished design with the running press. This is where data is checked, items are arranged, colors are defined and production data for plates, cylinders or proofs is generated.

The exact sequence differs by printing process and by company. What matters is a reliable data flow without unnecessary manual handovers – from job intake through to approval.

  1. 01 Data intake and preflight
  2. 02 Imposition and production planning
  3. 03 Color management
  4. 04 RIP, plate or cylinder data
  5. 05 Proofing and approval

Printing processes

Three processes, three priorities

Preflight, color management and approval stay the same across all processes. What differs is the end result of prepress – a printing plate, a printing sleeve or an engraved cylinder.

Web offset press with a running paper web in multicolor printing

Offset

Focus on sheet imposition and plate layout: arrange the items, assign plates sensibly and reduce the makeready effort at every plate change.

Close-up of a photopolymer flexo printing plate with barcode and lettering in relief

Flexo

Focus on arranging the printing forms and on screening: position sleeves and items, match screens and tone value curves.

Close-up of an engraved printing cylinder with screen cells and relief areas

Gravure

Focus on cylinder layout and engraving data: plan circumference and repeat, generate engraving data and screening parameters.

Day-to-day production

Solving recurring tasks in a targeted way

Not every problem needs a complete system. ArtCom modules can be deployed and combined to fit the process you already have.

Print planning and plate changes

Plan job sequences and plate layouts so that makeready effort and material consumption go down.

Impose PlateManager

Color consistency and softproof

Transform color spaces in a controlled way and judge print results reliably on screen.

ColorXChange PressProof Softproof

Data intake and approvals

Bring together and monitor milestones, data versions and approvals in the browser.

WebCheck

PDF inspection and version comparison

Inspect production PDFs in the browser, examine color separations and make changes between file versions visible.

PressLens

Cylinder layout and engraving data

Generate complex layouts, screens and engraving data for gravure, flexo and anilox applications.

FlexoManager DLManager FlexoOptimizer

Sequence

A possible workflow with ArtCom

The modules can be used on their own or as connected building blocks. The exact sequence depends on the printing process, the machinery and the systems already in place.

  1. 01

    Receive data

    Organize data versions, deadlines and approvals.

    WebCheck
  2. 02

    Plan production

    Arrange items, jobs and plates efficiently.

    Impose · PlateManager
  3. 03

    Control color

    Transform color spaces and optimize ink usage.

    ColorXChange
  4. 04

    Generate data

    Output RIP, plate or cylinder data.

    DLManager · FlexoManager
  5. 05

    Check and approve

    Review results on screen and coordinate them.

    PressProof · Softproof

Software

Products for prepress

From a single process building block to an integrated workflow: the products cover different tasks and printing processes.

Impose

The swiss army knife for offset and gravure printing

ColorXChange

Control and save ink with precise color space transformation for all print methods

FlexoManager

Cylinder layouts for laser engraving in gravure, flexo and anilox production

PlateManager

Manage plate changes, replacement plate orders and version approvals at the press console

PressProof

The final proof - color consistency at prepress

Softproof

Softproof in your browser at your control

PressLens

Inspect production PDFs in detail and make changes visible

WebCheck

Production flow, approvals and communication perfectly under one roof

DLManager

Software package for creating engraving data for packaging gravure printing

FlexoOptimizer

Fully automatic and optimal arrangement of print jobs

Technology base

Under the hood

Proven components for rendering, screening, trapping and automation form the technical basis of many ArtCom solutions.

Adobe PDF Print Engine ArtRipX ArtTrap Workflow Manager ArtRobot ArtScreen

Since 1988

Software from Bremen for the graphic arts industry

ArtCom was founded by a team of computer scientists at the University of Bremen. Today its solutions are used worldwide in gravure and offset prepress as well as in flexo printing.

1988
Founded with a focus on computer graphics and software for the graphic arts industry.
Worldwide
Systems for gravure, offset, flexo and the associated production processes.
Bremen
Development and personal support in one location.

Frequently asked questions

Questions about prepress

What does prepress mean?

Prepress covers every step between the finished design and the printing press: data intake and preflight, imposition, color management, RIP, plate layout or cylinder engraving, plus proofing and approval.

Which software is used in prepress?

Depending on the printing process, this includes workflow and RIP systems, tools for preflight and imposition, color management and proofing solutions, and software for plate layout or cylinder layout.

How do offset, flexo and gravure prepress differ?

Offset printing focuses on sheet imposition and plate layout, gravure on cylinder layout and engraving data, and flexo on arranging the printing forms and on screening. Preflight, color management and approval remain important across all processes.

Can prepress be automated?

Yes. Many recurring steps can be automated, from data intake through production planning and RIP to checking and approval. Which modules make sense depends on your existing workflow and printing process.

Explore prepress tasks

Next step

Let's talk about your prepress

We look at your current workflow and work out together where automation and integration deliver the greatest benefit.

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