PDF color management workflow (4)

In InDesign, links to OPI and images are often problematic. If we change the OPI link in the PDF file, PitStop will display the correct ICC profile.

We should note that in all cases, the PDF file generated by Distiller for the same document will show correct color characteristics when measured using PitStop or EyeDrop. This is because PitStop must be consistent with how different applications output PDF files. Obviously, using Distiller to generate PDF files will reduce a lot of trouble.

Lantana Crackerjack 4.0. This common plug-in can be used for color printing of PDF documents. Without this feature, digital PDF files limit the amount of information that can be processed, which is useful for the display or inkjet printer proofing process, and even in many workflows can not drive the production output device.

The Crackerjack, which sells for less than $500 (and sells for less than $800 with Enfocus's PitStop Professional), is a very useful tool for printing production even without the need for color separations. It can support color separations of built-in RIP files for mixed colors, color separations, and files. Different Crackerjack window settings can be stored, and the Crackerjack Pilot can be configured to automatically process PDF files, using a combination of these settings in a hot folder. This product provides a very sophisticated and sophisticated production output demand control program, and also sets special options such as halftone screening and special angle settings.

Color conversion in Crackerjack is limited. (Similar to PitStop Pro, this symbolizes that it needs to work hard to catch up with the new version of PDF and has a possible functionality in Acrobat applications.) The ICC profile has some support features - using ICC profiles can go from RGB to CMYK conversions - but ICCbased colors in device-independent PDF files Before you use Crackerjack for output separations, be sure to convert to the target CMYK space first (using tools such as PitStop Pro).

Lantana PDF Imageworks. This $300 package is Lantana's solution designed to examine, adjust, and reconfigure files in PDF files, including the ability to edit OPI links. Since the software is mainly image-centric, it cannot check or change the color space definition of a vector or text. It can define ICC-based image encoding (including Distiller) of certain source images, but the current product version does not have the function of performing ICC-based color conversion, nor does it have the function of re-tagging and unmarking ICC-based images.

Since the release of the PDF 1.2 (in Acrobat 3) version in 1996, the PDF workflow has shown great dynamism in the printing and publishing arena. With the addition of the ICCbased color space in the PDF 1.3 (in Acrobat 4) version, it has become possible to archive and produce professional publications using a single digital file format.

Distiller application software plays an important role. The key to correctly marking colors using ICC profiles is to properly configure Distiller. We believe that Distiller is the most reliable way to create device-independent PDF managers that deliver the best possible color on the original target output system and a variety of different output systems such as desktop printers and calibrated displays.

Although many applications have the ability to directly store or output PDF files, the ICC-based encoding colors in PDF files from different sources are not the same. In order for most application software to produce reliable PDF files, it is recommended to first generate device-related Postscript files and then use Distiller to process them. In workflows that have used Postscript Manager for archiving and reprinting applications, converting Distriller to a device-independent PDF manager is the best choice.

Plug-in programs are necessary. The main limitation of Acrobat for high-end printing production is that it cannot directly output color separations from PDF files. This feature can be implemented using InProduction in Acrobat 4.05 or Crackerjack in 5. We believe that InProduction is a better choice for defining the color space of a PDF page object, but its version limitations are more serious.

Crackerjack has the ability to control the output of various functions, including detailed configuration of the output device, PPD and media selection. It can add printer logos and preview color separations in version 4. But basically speaking, neither of Crackerjack nor Imageworks has the sophisticated tools necessary to inspect and convert color in device- and device-independent PDF files, although both are used in professional print production.

In contrast, PitStop is very good at checking and mixing the color of PDF files—especially when dealing with files generated by Distiller. The ultimate goal, of course, is to create a workflow that marks all color objects properly in the creative process. On that day, we also need to continue studying error checking and correcting tools.