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There is no doubt that software has helped make life significantly easier for sign-makers of all shapes and sizes in the UK. Gone are the days that companies have to keep paper copies of all their invoices and receipts thanks to management information systems, while CAD (Computer Aided Design) and similar software products assist with the design and delivery of signage applications.
Much can also be said about the impact of RIP and pre-flight software on the sign-making industry, with these offerings now playing a major role in the production of signage of all kinds. However, while all this may be true, the key question remains: which one is best for my business?
Here, SignLink speaks with developers and suppliers of this software to learn more about the full benefits of the products and what sort of an impact they can have on a signage business.
Achieve your goals
First, it is important to establish what these software products actually do. RIP, or raster image processor, software translates, or rasterises if you will, computer vector files such as InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, PDF, and JPG to a raster image. This image is also known as bitmap and is composed of a matrix of dots, allowing the printer to understand the image and deliver high-quality print.
O Factoid: RIP, or raster image processor, software translates computer vector files such as InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, PDF, and JPG to a raster image O
Pre-flight software, sometimes referred to as PDF quality control, is used to check any PDF documents that form part of a job. The software ensures that these files are suitable for use in print – obviously a key consideration in signage jobs such as banner printing, posters, and even vehicle graphics.
One supplier that is well placed to offer guidance and advice on products like this is Onyx Graphics, which specialises in software solutions for the wide-format print sector. Jonathan Rogers, international marketing manager for Onyx Graphics, explains that sign-makers are continually focused on providing excellent customer experiences with quality products and fast turnaround times. As a result, their production needs to be fast, efficient, and free from manual error.
“RIP software that includes tools for everyday automation is just one way to achieve this goal,” Rogers says, adding: “For sign-makers, this may include an easy way to apply common job settings to any file, easy placement strategies, as well as tools to make finishing simpler such as adding bleed, grommets, sewing marks, tiles, and more.
“Technology is not slowing down and industry expectations can, and do, rapidly evolve, so sign-making businesses need to be responsive as buyers adjust their needs. With new tools becoming available in response to market need, keeping software current is one way to continue to meet print buyer expectations.”
Technology is not slowing down and industry expectations can, and do, rapidly evolve, so sign-making businesses need to be responsive as buyers adjust their needs”
Rogers builds on this point by highlighting the dangers of under investing in software; not just RIP and pre-flight, but any software that should be regarded as invaluable to a sign-maker.
“Under investing in a software solution could mean the difference between keeping and losing a customer,” Rogers explains, continuing: “In today’s environment, buyers expect quality products and fast turnaround times and without the right solution to automate production and produce consistent output, print buyers may go elsewhere.
“Similarly, the right solution can help internal efficiency to print more jobs per day, directly impacting the bottom line. Under investing in a solution could have a negative impact on production capacity.
“A good first step for any print business is to look internally first and decide what features and functionalities will help them improve production efficiency, production capacity, save time and media, while at the same time providing the tools needed most to serve their print buyer customers.”
With this in mind, what sort of solutions does Onyx Graphics have on offer to the market to help sign-makers ensure they are delivering the best possible quality of work to customers, while at the same time cutting out errors and improving their production set up?
The latest option from Onyx Graphics includes a new drag-and-drop user experience for file management, tools for everyday automation, as well as a new colour reference library to help users ensure accuracy with colours in the final piece.
“Users can drag-and-drop files directly into the RIP-Queue or Quick Sets tab for the chosen automation setting to apply to any job,” Rogers says, adding: “Auto-trim, split copies, and one-click colour calibration, for example, are all tools for everyday use that save valuable production time and reduce media waste.”
The latest software from Onyx Graphics includes a new drag-and-drop user experience for file management
Rogers also points to the Onyx Colour Reference Library, an incredibly useful tool that can be integrated into design software with the smart PDF showing in- and out-of-gamut colours for any printer and media combination. This allows the users to see what they can print on that day, which can then be showcased to their customers. The latest version of Onyx Graphics’ RIP software is being offered on a free 30-day trial direct from the company’s website.
Adding value
Another leading developer in the ideal position to help with software queries is SAi, which specialises in RIP software for printing and sign-making programs in all kinds of production environment. Annette Plummer, vice president of marketing at SAi, says RIP software is all about productivity and efficiency, and a quality RIP solution will streamline a workflow and complement the capabilities of a printer or cutter so users can maximise productivity, as well as use their media more efficiently.
The SAi Connect dashboard includes aggregated media and ink usage, which can be filtered by date, device, or media type
“It is important to select a RIP software that supports various types of workflows: printing, cutting, print-and-cut, and direct-to-vinyl,” Plummer explains, adding: “In a print-and-cut workflow for example, a RIP software that supports barcodes and OPOS Xtra Marks assures a seamless transition between the printer and cutter with accurate alignment, which in turn reduces material waste.
“The ability to RIP and print simultaneously is another time saving feature to consider. With this feature, you never have to wait for one job to finish before queueing the next so you can process more jobs in a day. This capability enables you to effectively balance your workload between multiple printers or cutters.”
Plummer goes on to explain that RIP systems can also help support with added value in print work, giving the example that if a printer being run by a sign-maker uses white or specialty inks, then they should look for a RIP software with advanced features to simplify this type of job preparation.
“The RIP should have the ability to handle multi-layer artwork with white and spot colours on separate layers,” Plummer says, continuing: “Also, it should have the capability to create transparencies, add masks, and assign white output channels with just a few clicks.
“RIP software should have a user-friendly, visual interface so you can easily preview jobs and check details before files go into production. The ability to quickly add, re-size, copy, rotate, tile, and nest jobs is essential to running an efficient shop.”
Leading on from the subject of benefiting from these additional features, Plummer says it is offerings such as this that make it so important for sign-makers to ensure their software is up to date, otherwise they risk missing out on added value. Older software products do not offer or support this speciality work, meaning sign-makers are not able to offer the services to customers, and they could then in turn miss out on valuable and profitable work.
“Each software release offers new time-saving features to improve your productivity.” Plummer says, adding: “Updating your RIP software on a regular basis helps ensure you are using the most efficient workflow and are getting the best quality output from your equipment and media.
“Technology is continually advancing. Leading software companies work in collaboration with various manufacturers to ensure that their RIP software supports the latest technology advancements in printers, cutters, ink, and media.
“There is a two-fold cost to underinvesting in RIP software that impacts both your profits and your return-on-investment. The first cost is time spent on job set up. If you are not using a high-quality or up-to-date RIP software, it takes more time to do basic job preparation for every job that you do.
“The more time you spend setting up a job, the higher your costs, the less profit you make. In addition, during the time you’re preparing files, your printer or cutter is sitting idle. Idle production time means you are not earning a return on your capital equipment investment.”
Looking at the latest RIP options from SAi, Plummer highlights the new version of SAi Flexi software, which includes the SAi Connect dashboard where users can see useful statistics about their print production. Data includes aggregated media and ink usage, which can be filtered by date, device, or media type.
The latest version of SAi Flexi software includes the SAi Connect dashboard where users can see useful statistics
“These metrics are available on an individual job basis as well. SAi Flexi takes RIP software a step further by providing the production data you need to better manage your business operations,” Plummer says.
From speaking with just a couple of suppliers, it is easy to see the benefits of having quality software in place for a sign-making business. But what is perhaps more important is how businesses should ensure their software is up to date if they are to truly capitalise on these benefits.
To avoid the dangers of sticking with an outdated software that does not have all the features of a more up to date product, investing in the latest options or ensuring your systems have been updated means you can take full advantage of the latest developments, allowing you to offer an even wider range of services to customers.
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