Native PDF Imaging Model

Eliminate the need to convert PDF documents to PostScript for printing.

Adobe PDF + JDF

Combine the strengths of Adobe PDF for content definition with the power of JDF for workflow automation.

Live Transparency

Since the PostScript language is predicated on an opaque object model, transparent objects (such as drop shadows) must be converted, or "flattened", to opaque objects. Objects are often flattened at the early stages of a print workflow. Additional steps (such as the ones below) occur next, and at the end the entire job is prepared for the final output device.

Transparent objects, therefore, are subject to two transformations: an "early" rasterizing process to flatten transparent objects; and a second "late-stage" transformation at the end of the job, to rasterize the entire job for the output device. Because two operations are required, and occur at different ends of the workflow, often by different individuals and/or processes, problems occur:

• Incorrect colorspace conversion during early flattening - in many instances the colorspace of the target device is not known or not specified correctly. As a result, any color conversion which occurs during the "early" stage is not consistent with conversions that occur at the "late" stage.
• Incorrect resolution during early flattening - target resolution is often not known (or incorrectly specified) during "early" flattening. Like early colorspace conversion, this can result in inconsistencies between early and later stages.
• Early flattening prevents late-stage edits - objects that are flattened at the early stages lose their "intelligence" as they're converted to raster data. This prevents the possibility of later-stage edits to correct/update data, and often results in much more complex, time-consuming workflows.

Adobe PDF Print Engine supports "live transparency"; since PDF inherently supports transparent objects, there is no need to "pre-process" them. Transparent objects therefore retain their intelligence until the final production stage. And since no operations are performed on the job, no errors are introduced. Transparent objects are rendered at the final stage, along with all the other content in the job, ensuring consistency and compatibility with the target output device.

Job Previews That Render Identically to Final Output

Job previews are a vital part of any print workflow system. Print production personnel as well as consumers rely on online- and hardcopy previews as assurances of final job quality.

While PostScript is required at the final stage, PDF is often used as the preferred file format for job previews (PostScript files are too large; PostScript viewers are not as available or feature-rich as Acrobat). Since different rendering engines are used in preview vs. final output, the possibility of discrepancies between the two exist.

PDF Print Engine-based applications use the "Adobe Common Renderer" (ACR) for both previews and final output rasterization, thus ensuring that what you see is indeed what you get.

Advanced Screening Technology

Advanced screening technology is available through StudioRIP Screening, an optional module which offers 16-bit technology, enabling better precision than the default screening in Adobe PDF Print Engine. For addtional information, visit our StudioRIP Screening product page.