How to Reduce the Labor Time for Jobs in Prepress

Automation reduces labor time for jobs in prepress.

Preparing jobs for print can be very challenging. Prepress jobs require a lot of labor and time and use many software applications in efforts to satisfy customers. Workplace efficiency and accuracy become priorities, so automating tasks becomes a solution to save money, improve workplace performance and increase customer satisfaction. A reduction in labor time for jobs in prepress involves automated software such as FreeFlow solutions by Xerox Corp.

Instructions

1. Use Freeflow Express to Print to decrease the time it takes to prepare for prepress jobs. This software is easy to install and it also offers templates for preparing files. The predefined templates reduce the number of steps required to program print jobs such as books, brochures, business cards, manuals and postcards. In addition, the virtual printer converts files into PDF's as soon as it opens them. The software is easy to use and it minimizes the need for training.

2. Use FreeFlow Makeready. It provides prepress activities in a single "what you see is what you get" environment to promote easy job programming and reduce errors. You can reduce labor time for jobs in prepress by simplifying the proofing and approval process with document preview menus that allow you to quickly view printing pages or book layouts. You can also improve document accuracy and reduce both errors and rework through page programming.

3. Exercise your skills with FreeFlow Process Manager. This software will enable you to maximize your printing capacity by doing more in less time and with fewer mistakes.

4. Use Prepress Workflow software by Rampage Inc. This software enables you to preflight, proof from digital masters, and prevent errors that increase labor time. You can also reduce labor time and simplify press scheduling by processing pages before or after you decide how to impose them. Additional features of Rampage Press Workflow that reduce labor time include its client/server architecture, which maximizes productivity by distributing setup and tracking to clients; its reusable workflow templates; its auto load balancing-distributing workload across multiple Rampage applications; a Softproof application to monitor proofs from plate data and prevent mistakes; and job pickup to decrease preparation time for repeat work.

References

• Rampage Inc: Rampage Prepress Workflow
• Xerox: Reduce: Automate process steps to reduce costs