AT WEBCOM

At Webcom we run your file through a series of processes to make them print ready and to ensure the best output quality. These processes include: trapping, imposition, cover proofing, text proofing and outputting directly to printing plates or to our digital press. Webcom also provides additional prepress services such as file revisions and scanning.

PREFLIGHTING

"Preflighting" is the process of checking a document with the goal of catching any potential problems prior to final printing. All elements in the document should be examined carefully in order to prevent poor output. Failing to preflight a document properly could result in having to return to the document’s application in order to make the appropriate corrections. This could add up to a tremendous amount of wasted material, lost time, and added expenses, particularly for large jobs.

IMPOSITION

Our imposition experts lay out the book pages for maximum efficiency based on press specifications such as roll widths and folder configurations, etc. Imposition is not something that our customers would do for themselves.

TRAPPING

We prefer to apply trapping values here at Webcom. We use industry-standard methods with specific settings for each of our presses. This ensures consistency in how traps are applied to your artwork.

COLOUR PROOFING

Colours are proofed on a PictroProof digital proofing device. Its advanced thermal development and transfer technology allow us to tint the photographic paper to match the press sheet, allowing a more accurate simulation of how the cover will appear on press. Our digital proofer is calibrated to match Webcom’s press conditions. That means that what you see is a closer simulation of actual press conditions. The digital proofs will also show trap lines.

TEXT PROOFING

Digital text proofs (often called "Digital Bluelines") replace the conventional film-based bluelines (dylux or Vandyke’s). These proofs are double-sided, laser printed pages, which indicate the trim box and imposition specific information of your job.

These double-sided lasers are imposed and RIP’ped (raster image processed), unlike the hardcopy you originally supplied to us. Your files are sent to a device similar to a platesetter, the data is captured and then saved to a file. The file that is created is a full-sized, imposed image of the plate. This file is then separated into individual pages and sent to the laser printer. This imaging process allows all of the files you supply us to be inspected for digital process integrity.

These digital text proofs should be used for inspecting imposition and file integrity issues and are not indicative of overall image quality, tone reproduction and/or retouching. Check for issues such as text reflow, trim, bleeds, graphic position, margins, and bindery-specific allowances on these proofs. We recommend that when images are scanned for your job, they be inspected before the imposition stage. Webcom offers random proofing of supplied images at 2400 dpi (the same resolution as the platesetters) on phototypesetting paper. Please speak to your Sales Representative or Project Manager for more details on this service.

COMPUTER-TO-PLATE (CTP)

The final stage of the prepress process is the direct imaging of your press-ready file onto printing plates. By eliminating the need for expensive camera-ready art and labour-intensive film, CTP can lower your production costs and cut turnaround times. You’ll also enjoy a higher quality product because a first generation digital image is used to image every printing plate, so there’s no printing dot degradation. Working in a digital format also allows for greater flexibility in how your data will be output. Materials that were traditionally confined to the printed page can now be reformatted for use in other digital media or efficiently reimposed for alternative print processes.

The CTP process doesn’t generate any waste film materials or chemicals, which also makes the process much more environmentally friendly than traditional plate making methods.

SCANNING

Scanning of your images is an additional service that Webcom offers. We can scan original images or existing hardcopy for use in our all-digital workflow.

Image Scanning
Webcom can scan your reflective or transparent art and place it into your document. For this service we ask that you supply cropping and sizing information. This is an additional process and extra charges are incurred. For a complete price estimate, please contact your Project Manager.

Page Scanning
When digital files cannot be used or simply do not exist, Webcom’s page scanning capabilities are used to bridge the gap between conventional and digital technology. Hard copy and film can be converted into digital format, which can then be used in our all-digital prepress workflow.

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