A before and after picture showing the benefits of bleed control
Enfocus has re-engineered the functionality within PitStop 13 to increase the opportunities to preflight and correct PDF files, with a major focus on bleed issues.
According to the company the software has a re-designed Preflight engine that addresses the challenges of creating high-quality PDFs and is structured to ensure the submission of high-quality PDFs. It includes a new option to generate bleed where none currently exists and the ability for users to customise the language and content of the error messaging within Preflight reports, including the use of languages for which the software has not yet been localised.
Andrew Bailes-Collins, senior product manager responsible for the PitStop product family, explained, ‘As PDF files are now being used for more and more complex print jobs and deadlines are becoming increasingly tighter, it became obvious to the PitStop development team that the current Preflight engine needed some improvements in order to support the current and future needs of our users. The result is the next generation of PDF Preflight and correction. In addition to paying close attention to customer feedback, we unleashed the creativity of our engineering team to ensure that PitStop 13, which contains both enhancements and brand new functionality, stays ahead of market demands and secures our continuing leadership position in the preflight and auto-correction arena.’
New Preflight Restrictions allows checks and fixes included in a preflight profile to be limited to certain aspects of a PDF. For example, a PDF page box, a certain page or pages, a particular area or specific elements of a PDF, even different layers within a PDF file can each be checked in different ways, depending upon user requirements.
PitStop 13 users benefit from a much more targeted Preflight check, receiving fewer irrelevant warnings and errors. It also enables the ability to carry out complex quality control routines, thoroughly checking files in one processing pass.
Mr Bailes-Collins added, ‘Lack of bleed in supplied PDF files is still a major issue for our customers. Previous versions of PitStop displayed bleed if it was available and could automatically extend rectangular shapes to create bleed if none existed. Users could also manually manipulate a PDF to extend bleed if the file design allowed it. The new version is a leap forward, as it works by mirroring the individual objects that are close to or cross a PDF box to create bleed. These mirrored objects are also completely editable so the resulting bleed can also be adjusted manually if necessary, which we believe is unique in the world of preflighting. Bleed can be generated for single or multiple objects, as well as complete pages or documents, significantly streamlining workflow in the production process.’
