Designing a Workflow using Switch, Pitstop & Ultimate Imposition

[Josh]

Hello,

We're currently designing a new way to deal with receiving files, preflighting and (possibly) imposition.

We run two Xerox DocuColor machines (Creo RIPs) and are looking to add a third and possibly a mono machine in early 2010.

This is how we currently work:

Client places an order online which generates a "job ticket" with an order number.
The client then emails artwork to a specified email address including the order number so we know which order the artwork relates to.
Myself or a colleague check artwork is the correct size, with bleed, CMYK etc, make any neccessary adjustments and send the client back a PDF Proof to check.
Once client approves PDF Proof the file is dropped onto a hot folder on the RIP and then the file is imposed on the RIP.

This is how we'd like to work:

As part of the order process the client uploads files to an FTP server (via a website script) this automatically names the files to match the order number ie Order 1234 would create 1234.pdf
(we've pretty much got this part sorted)

Does anyone have any ideas on the best way to transfer the file from the FTP site onto the RIP, integrating as much automation (preflighting, imposition) as possible.

The type of work is quite a mixture, Business Cards, A6, A5, DL Flyers, Posters, and a lot of A5 & A4 Booklets. Although the majority of files are PDFs we do also get JPEGs and TIFFs.

Any ideas or advice would be much appreciated!

[mattbeals]

Sure, I've done similar systems for companies around the country. Are you working with a reseller yet?

[WiseGuy]

Josh,
Enfocus, Dynagram, Tools4Media and Alwan are holding a Webinar on December 4th showing the basics of this sort of workflow.

Here's the link to the Press Release: Enfocus to offer Automation and Web-to-print Webinar Series - Printing Industry News from WhatTheyThink

And here's the link to sign up: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/419941049

You should probably join into this webinar... you'd have direct access to experts from these companies and maybe you'd get some good idea's. We'll be showing our inpO2 Imposition product with Switch for automated prepress and web to print workflows doing just the sort of work you're looking at solving.

Come on and join in!
Michael Reiher
Director of Sales and Marketing
Dynagram

[Josh]

That's great, I'll certainly look into that.

We're UK based and not currently working with a reseller, simply been looking into the idea and these names have come up.