EFI has partnered with Ghent Workgroup (GWG) to launch a new service to make it easier for print service providers to achieve certification for digital presses and printers driven by the former’s Fiery range of DFEs.
Users can achieve Ghent PDF Output Suite 5.0 Conformance Certification using EFI Fiery digital front-end (DFE) print servers. The new certification, which takes less than an hour to apply for, uses PDF test suites from GWG, an international organisation of graphic arts users.
This allows print and packaging service providers to prove they can print PDF files correctly and so better promote themselves as a partner of choice to existing and potential customers, according to EFI. Once certified, customers receive a digital badge to show their PDF output workflow is compliant with the PDF/X-4 standard (ISO 15930-7:2010) for use on their website and for other marketing purposes.
Certified companies also have their name and location displayed on the GWG website. The certification is valid for two years and is currently available for €380 in Europe (£328 at current rates) and US $399 in North America.
EFI Fiery vice president of sales and marketing John Henze said, ‘Print producers are very familiar with conformance to colour standards in terms of expected results, happy customers and reduced waste – the interpretation of PDF files needs to be thought of in the same way, it’s equally as important. On the latest Fiery DFEs, set up for certification and ongoing conformance takes seconds.’
Printers that already use Fiery DFEs with their digital equipment for cut-sheet or wide-format production can order the certification service from EFI online. EFI will send personalised GWG test forms along with a short video on how to set up their Fiery server to achieve a pass. Once printed, Fiery users can take photos of their output via smartphone and send them to EFI for evaluation. EFI and GWG expect complete the certification within a week of receiving output photos.
GWG chair David Zwang added, ‘We are delighted that EFI is joining us in this effort. The test form consists of six pages, and especially with the newer generation of Fiery servers, EFI has made it easy to submit and print them.’
