The goal of the PDF workflow system is to deliver electronic documents to film or plate recording devices, or to digital printers or printers with little operator intervention. At the same time, these tools are designed to be flexible enough to facilitate changes or revisions to documents without having to restart them. There are 5 basic steps generally handled by PDF workflows:
PDF normalization
Once the PDF workflow system receives input (most tools receive a variety of formats), the first step is to normalize the input. AdobeNormalizer is the standard across all existing PDF workflow tools. It converts input files to PDF and provides basic preflighting capabilities. Most systems contain additional preflighting functionality to check for missing components, qualify font size, or control the use of color. In addition, most tools can also allow printers and publishers to configure settings to meet their production requirements.
Pre-check
Additional software is often used to check file errors, job settings, and file details that are ignored during the normalization process.
Make up white
Makeup can be done automatically with standard settings, or follow complex rules based on image categories and colors. Adobe provides a Job Ticket Processor (JTP) for Filled White, and each PDF workflow tool vendor provides alternative methods.
Group Edition
Page independence in PDF format allows pages to be reclassified in the middle of the assembly process to meet production requirements. Adobe provides JTP for group editions, and there are many other third-party tools that support group editions via PJTF (portable job ticket format).
Raster image processing
In this step, the files are converted from object-oriented code and mesh line images to mathematically positioned points (bitmaps) that are to be imaged on film or plates, when digital printers or printers are used It is directly imaged on paper. Since the raster image processing sets the resolution, this step is usually performed after specifying a file for a specific output device.
Of course, depending on the requirements of a job, each workflow is different. The PDF workflow tools of Agfa, HeiDelberg/Creo, Scitex, and Screen support basic steps, including options for image replacement, color correction, screening, and proofing. They provide standard and specific solutions for processing job tickets, or provide interfaces for establishing workflows.
The most basic architecture
In general, the most basic body structure of a PDF workflow solution that appears in the market today is a two-tier client/server or a three-tier thin client system. The client/server system is most suitable for such a production environment, namely, the workflow. Each one is in the same position and on the same network.
With the support of distributed functions such as remote soft proofing and Web-based authentication, the thin client system is suitable for a decentralized environment. Many of today's thin client systems even allow several individuals to access workflows via the Internet.
Behind these conditions, each workflow system should have a stable and reliable database. Relational databases are the key to processing hundreds of different types of job-printing production every week. Popular database systems (such as Oracle8i and Microsoft SQL) provide various options for reporting and management tools, and are easily integrated with business systems. The detectability of the workflow is related to its architecture. Even small print jobs require systems that can dispatch different workflow steps across different servers, so that complex refill jobs are not required to block other jobs. In addition, this system should be able to balance load tasks and power up two or more processors to complete a single task.