.pdf vs .ps RIP times on freeflow

A lot of the work I do is never meant for Igen. It is variable print meant for black and white, with pre-printed background from offset press. But they like to run out of stock, and I have to finish in a hurry on blank paper. I use GMC to make new files including background. I guess these backgrounds are pretty ornate sometimes. This all works, but....

I am finding it hard to figure out a good configuration to make these files not take a hundred years to RIP on the IGEN freeflow. you know....print...wait...repeat. On these files....print quality is usually "no biggie" it's usually a "hurry before mail date" sorta thing. SO I AM INTERESTED IN RIP SPEED!!!!!!!

postscript, and pdf are my two choices. I like .pdf just for viewing purposes....but it seems to RIP forevah just like .ps.... so.....

I break them off into small files for handling. takes 15 minutes + for 360 variable pages with pdf background to RIP.



what do you all prefer? Or are there GMC options to make this simpler? Or is it all about making the pdf smaller to start with?

 

note: pdf is appearing to be "slightly faster" makes sense I guess.

 

Do you have the parallel RIP enabled?

We had alot of photo-calendars we needed to RIP during the christmas time, we reduced the RIP time alot by enabling parallel RIP.

 

Oh...Okay. I disabled this because I cannot preview files when that option is enabled...
Ill give that a shot.

 

to be honest freeflow rip speed is generally very unimpressive, because of that we choosed a Fiery for our Xerox CP800

 

I dont think you are able to activate parralel RIP without buying a upgrade, we did that.

 

Quick thoughts - The RIP doesn't need to process .ps files as they are already .ps, but, the .ps files may be quite larger than if you distilled the .ps to .pdf. So, while the .ps files may RIP faster the .pdf file will be smaller and RIP fast also.
I have had .ps files go from 1GB to 20MB as a .pdf.
You could make everything but the VI as a background page and merge with the VI at the RIP. I don't have any info on RIP speed for this. I need to impose out of XMPie and FreeFlow sux at imposing VI.
Sorry if I'm rambling.

 

Hey do you print ascending face down? This has got me through some long rip time with both formats.

 

when I took over the machine, I knew nothing BUt over time I noticed All queues were face up (so inverting), including the VInyl paper queue. huge waste.... I have switched to face down ascending. But even then, it will print a few...wait...print a few...

I think I found the answer. For those not set up for igen, I will just make pdf's and see how that goes..


@Stiv. I have heard of that. But I have ZERO clue how that is done. No training. ANd it seems like it would be a huge ordeal for our process. THe background pdf's exist in GMC. Pulled from a graphics folder. I would have to cut them out and send to Igen? Maybe I'll look into it....

 

Hi Peels,

The files you're trying to RIP - are they graphic, blend or drop shadow heavy? While large files will slow down a RIP, a complex graphic can drag it down even more. We had a test file that was under 500K and had over 4 million elements. Killed every RIP.

If quality is not an huge issue, try rastering the PDF as a test. It will be large in file size but simpler for the RIP to chew. You also don't need to worry about transparency flattening, complex blends, or a high quantity of vector objects.

Regards,
Greg

 

hmmm


the only time I have trouble is when it is NOT planned for Igen... the background is meant for offset, then we make layouts with GMC. When INEVITABLY, production runs themselves out with spoilage, I have to rush and combine them. I have troubles with transparency....multi up images cut each other off...because we make each layout bigger than finished piece to allow for bleeds.

On these MOST times, quality is indeed, not a huge issue, but time is...

thank you for the write up

 

The Fiery is A horrible rip. It had A lot of quality issues whith transparency. I would choose FF over the Fiery evry time.
at least for the IGEN. The Fiery had some cool features but overall was very problematic. For me the FF is a fast rip and I am very impressed with what I have ran so far.

 

Also try turning off trapping with complex vector images. The rip is interpeting all theses paths and points and
trying to decide what to spread and choke which creates a lot of problems. If you can get away without trapping
try this it may help you.