156 Graphic Communications
information and instructions contained in a JDF fi le
may be manually amended to allow for adjustments
or additions, such as completion dates, delivery
schedules, and client contact information.
This technology expedites production, reduces
errors that occur in the processes, and automates the
workfl ow of print production. Other workfl ow solutions
that are designed to optimize print manufacturing
processes include Kodak Prinergy™, Agfa :Apogee
Suite, Heidelberg® Prinect®, and EFI OneFlow®.
Summary
Today’s prepress professional must be
knowledgeable in both traditional graphic arts
techniques (such as fonts, mechanical trapping,
and color separations), and strong computer skills
(including the ability to navigate intranet and Internet
networks). Today, a single prepress professional
is capable of performing the duties of several
conventional prepress personnel from only a few
years ago. These expanding skills and responsibilities
will continue to grow as new technology and workfl ow
techniques enhance prepress functions, and extend
into all graphic communications processes, including
press and bindery operations. In the near future, a
single prepress operator may be able to control a print
job, from creation to fulfi llment, with commands from
a single computer workstation. The possibility of this
type of change emphasizes the importance of digital
and workfl ow technology, and will further change the
career opportunities and skill requirements in the
graphic communications industry.
Figure 7-38. A job ticket contains several fi les, which allow the operator to access customer information, specifi c
page data, processing details, and fi nishing specifi cations.