PDF and prepress area

We know that Postscript is a page description language developed by Adobe. It is an interface language that the desktop system outputs to the layout device. Its greatest feature is the ability to synthesize text and images. In a printed matter, it may contain text, line drawings, images, and other elements. Postscript uses these data elements to represent and describe the information. The RIP (Raster Image Processor) then quickly interprets this file described in the page description language as a dot matrix command that can control the output of the laser recorder, and then sends the dot matrix data to the recorder and controls it like a switch. The laser spot's "yes" and "none", and output the layout results to the film or CTP plate.
PDF (portable file format) was also developed by Adobe Corp. It has become the current open standard for electronic files worldwide, and it has completely overshadowed our original approach to data processing in the prepress area. PDF brought a profound revolution to the prepress industry.
A PDF document can contain all the elements used in the printing field: it can have text, graphics, images, etc. It can also be a graphic and text page; it can even add audio and video to the graphic and text page. information. And these feature documents can exist absolutely independent of the original production and processing software. At the same time, the PDF can retain all the information contained in the characters, fonts, layouts, and colors contained in the original feature document.
The PDF document is outstanding in that it is easy to edit and modify the file. Even if you want to modify a large version of a single page (such as A4 format), it is not difficult; even for a few single pages in the large version To replace it is also a matter of trouble. Therefore, PDF will be an ideal document format for imposition. PDF is a kind of information stored in digital form, which can optimize the compression of text and images. Based on its capabilities, PDF will be seen as a universal file format in the printing industry. It will be widely used in print media, online media, and electronic media.
PDF support software is now more and more, but most of the support is still in its infancy. Many software manufacturers have realized the flexibility of PDF and the security of data processing. It is only a matter of time before PDF is widely supported as a standard format like EPS or TIF. Currently, PDF output in the format of a data stream on an imagesetter or a plate output machine has been implemented. PDF documents can be exported by Acrobat to EPS format and finally to PS level 1. Explanation on the RIP, then output on the imagesetter or plate exporter if the user is using PS level3. In case of RIP, the PDF document can be interpreted directly on the RIP and output on the imagesetter or plate exporter because the PS file assumes the conversion between the PDF format and the EPS format. In addition level3. RIP has the ability to colorize PDF documents and convert documents to a suitable color space. However, first-generation and second-generation RIPs do not have this capability. Then for users who are accustomed to use or have only first- and second-generation RIPs, Acrobat software provides an extension software, the so-called "plug in." By using "plug in" and with the help of the "PDF output pro" software, we can have a company's PDF file processed on the local computer and then pass PS level 1. The interpretation of RIP ultimately has no difficult output.
Currently, in order to make PDF documents be used optimally in the prepress area, they are implemented through Jobtickets in Adobe's New Product PDF Catalog 1.3, which is usually in a standard data format (Protable Job Ticket). Format (PJTF) to indicate. By applying Jobtickets, PDF files can contain some control commands for output devices and post-processing devices. The PJTF may contain page processing other information (such as trapping parameters), output parameters (such as screening angle, number of screens, etc.) and some notes (such as delivery date, customer address, etc.). This PJTF file can be attached to a PDF document but does not change the contents of the PDF document. As a result, the combination of PDF and Jobtickets maximizes flexibility and product safety.
In order to automate the output of PDF streams, Adobe recently researched and developed Extreme technology, a new technology that was originally used for digital printing to provide Ren dern and handle multiple tasks simultaneously. Because PS handles files independently based on the amount of file data, Adobe Extreme then converts PS files, which makes post-processing and output easier. Adobe Extreme can provide multiple task queuing processing, and can pre-set each visit parameter in each task list. This technology will serve as the basis for the PDF data output system. Based on its high-speed processing characteristics, many manufacturers have already taken a look at this new technology.
Such browsing of PDF files is not limited by the operating system and network environment, and will also provide strong support for it as a basis for prepress development. PDF technology can not only provide benefits for the prepress processing field, but also has a lot to follow in the field of Internet and CD-ROM. Therefore, the PDF format will help transform the entire industry in the future, and it will also help guide prepress companies to media companies.