CIP3/CIP4 and its PPF, JDF format files

CIP3/CIP4 is an international cooperative organization. CIP3 (International Cooperation for Integration of Prepress, Press and Postpress) means "pre-press, printing, and post-press integrated international cooperation." CIP3 has now been changed to CIP4 (International Cooperation for Processes in Prepress, Press and Postpress), which more specifically expands the scope of "integration" to the prepress, printing and postpress processes.

This international organization consists of dozens of internationally renowned prepress, print, and postpress manufacturers. The first of its work is to establish the working mechanism of the integrated digital workflow and establish a common data format, linking the printing and postpress processing processes more closely with the prepress processing.

The various production control data generated by the prepress process can be received and translated by the various steps of the post process to apply these control data to printing and postpress production. It is necessary to establish a device-independent print production file format. This is one of the main tasks of the CIP3/CIP4 organization. Since 1994, the CIP3 organization has started to develop the Print Production Format (PPF) and published the first version of the CIP3 PPF specification in 1995. The development of the data format was undertaken by the Frauenhofer Institut for Computer Graphics in Germany.

The print production format PPF is written in Postscript language. The main information it contains is:

(1). Information management for this printing task.

Information for each sheet: sheet composition (double-sided/single-sided), halftone transfer characteristic for printing/printing, folding method and data, four-color low-resolution image for calculating ink area and control data, trimming The position of the data, register rules, and the density and dispersion data of each measurement block in the print control strip, the allowed density difference, color difference, and so on.

(2) Postpress processing methods (Hardcover/Flat Loading, Collation, Folding, Stapling, Gluing, Attaching, Three-sided Cutting, etc.) and various corresponding data.

(3). Private data

From the previous figure, we can see that in the digital workflow, the prepress stage can collect and store the various information needed for printing and printing in the PPF file and transfer it to the corresponding printing equipment and post-press processing equipment. In the past, printing and finishing equipment used the production control information provided by PPF to quickly enter normal working conditions to produce qualified printed products.

The limitations of PPF are:

(1). It still cannot meet the truly complete digital production process control. For example, the PPF file contains data on the “how should I do it?” of the equipment in each process and step. However, information on how to “do what” and “whether or not the equipment meets the requirements” cannot be fed back.

(2). It does not replace the effectiveness of the Management Information System (MIS);

(3). It has not been able to participate in the exchange of information concerning customer e-commerce, electronic data exchange, etc.

Based on the work of PIC3, in order to more widely meet the needs of printing and publishing, e-commerce, automation and computer integrated manufacturing, during the Drupa Expo in 2000, implementation of changes from CIP3 to CIP4 organization, and decided to establish a job description format JDF (Job Definition Format), JDF will merge the advantages of PPF and other related data, to lay the foundation for the future development of the digital process.

The JDF format was developed by Adobe, AGFA, Heidelberg, and MAN Roland and written in XML. In 2001, the organization began to publish the Job Definition Format (JDF) specification. The latest version is JDF Specification Version 1.1, which was released in April 2002.

The goal of creating a JDF file is:

(1) Using JDF as a "digital standard Job Ticket", from the birth, execution, and termination of a printing task, to its affiliation, recording and tracking its status at any time. Provides information for proper control of the system and equipment.

(2). The use of JDF to connect customers, print commerce agencies, management information systems, and prepress/print/print production departments is a close and organic link.

It can be seen that JDF intends to exchange information on the printing production, business, and related information management in a wider range of areas and to control it more efficiently.

A significant development of JDF is the feedback of information. For example, in the JDF file, the ink zone adjustment data of the printing press, the control bar density/chromaticity data, the registration tolerance data, etc., can be used as the preset data of the adjustment machine and transmitted to the printer console. These are PPF format files, but the JDF also requires the system to be able to feedback: “Is the density/chromaticity data already reached the preset data after printing starts?” and “Is the registration error more than the allowable error?” And other information. It is even necessary to feedback “whether the color characteristics of existing prints satisfy the ICC Profile”. In order to control the system "very understand."

JDF defines each related department, process step, and equipment as "nodes" and is divided into different levels. Each node can receive information and can report the status of the "task" to the production control system.

Obviously, all-digital processes that rely on JDF files to link the entire printing process are complete and detailed. The status of a print job at all levels and stages must be "preset and feedback." This puts forward higher requirements on the equipment and management systems of relevant units and departments.

Implementation Prerequisites and Status Quo of CIP3/CIP4 Digital Workflow

To achieve the CIP3/CIP4 digital workflow, you need to have a number of conditions, including:

(1). Networked environment: Establish network connections among customers, commercial agencies, prepress/print/press units. At the same time, within a certain unit, there is also a need for a network connection between the information management system and the production equipment.

(2) When purchasing equipment, manufacturers are required to provide equipment that supports PPF/JDF file transfer and processing.

(3) Establishing and integrating Sun Ji's Integrated Production System (CIM) and Management Information System (MIS), linking production equipment to the aforementioned systems.

At present, the digital workflow control system can perform digital control of the entire printing production process and generate PPF files that conform to the specifications. Some printing and postpress equipment manufacturers have also developed printing and postpress equipment that can read CIP3 PPF data.

company's facility

Graphics Microsystems CIP3Interpreter
KBA (Kaobao) CIPlink
Komori PCC Prepress Data Conversion System, Bladesetter
Mitsubishi (Mitsubishi) PPC Server
Heidelberger (Heidelberg) Prepress Interface CPC32-CIP3
MAN Roland (Manroland) Prepresslink
Sakurai (Sakurai) CIP3 Interface
Shinohara (Sasahara) 52IVP and 74IV

At present, the implementation of digital workflow is still in its infancy in China, and there are still many tasks that people need to make unremitting efforts. However, it is clear that the implementation of digital workflow in China's publishing and printing industry can greatly enhance the level of technology, management, and informationization, and thus promote the digitalization of the entire society and contribute to the development of the information society.

Author: Kim Yang Source: "Today's print"