The Key Technology of Printing Digital Workflow JDF

JDF, the Job Definition Format, is an open file format based on XML (Extensible Markup Language) for describing and exchanging jobs. It is based on the PIP of the CIP3 Alliance and Adobe's PJTF data format. It covers all aspects of the printing workflow, and it integrates prepress, printing, and postpress. JDF establishes a bridge of communication between MIS (Management Information System) and product services, enabling timely tracking of printing jobs and equipment and prepress and postpress data, making pre- and post-computation calculations possible. A method for describing the entire process from when a customer places an order to when the final finished product is delivered to the customer is provided.

It is worth noting that JDF is an XML-based data exchange format rather than a product or application. It is a technology that can be combined with a product or application and is extensible. JDF not only horizontally integrates all the processes from prepress to postpress, but also integrates the vertical integration of business management and production planning management for receiving and shipping user information.

JDF's growth

In early 1999, the four major members of the CIP3 alliance—Adobe, Agfa, Heidelberg, and MAN Roland formed the JDF alliance and jointly developed the first version of JDF. The alliance is committed to combining the content of management information and process information with hardware and software devices, and considering that in addition to the vertical integration sought by CIP3, it also achieves horizontal integration and attempts to integrate with the Internet.

After Drupa 2000, the CIP3 Alliance and the JDF Alliance reached an agreement to merge into the CIP4 Alliance. The full name of the Alliance was added to the original 3 P's and the "Process" became "International Cooperation for Integration of Processes in Prepress." , Press and Postpress”. At the same time, the JDF Alliance directly transferred the intellectual property rights of JDF and the subsequent development tasks to the CIP4 Alliance. The CIP4 Alliance launched JDF1.0 in April 2001, JDF1.1 and 1.1A in 2002, and the latest JDF1.2 in 2003.

JDF features

Unlike other forms of live ticket voucher, JDF can describe all processes from the submission of a job task to prepress, printing, and postpress. The method is to convert every step in the production of the job into a node in the JDF file. A JDF node is an XML element. It can be related information about the production process, such as nails, folding, and cutting. May be information about the product such as the final printed product; it may also be both information.

Each individual node, ie each process, is determined by input and output resources. The inputs to a process include the various resources used by the process and the various parameters that control the process. For example, in a node that describes how to cut a book, the input may include various parameters such as the type of paper used on the page, the size of the page, the number of pages, and the use of these inputs to obtain the output of the node is related to the finished book. Information.

JDF makes printing truly digital

The two major systems in today's printing processes—management information systems (MIS) and production service systems that control production processes cannot be well combined, resulting in relatively independent information and inability to achieve coherent and efficient information exchange. This has become an issue. The outstanding issues of digital networkization in the printing workflow.

We know that PPF in the CIP3 era and Adobe's PJTF format were all developed toward the goal of establishing a common standard. The PPF file can record information such as prepress, printing and binding, and the PJTF file can record design and printing job information. To a certain extent, PPF can be used to produce service systems to improve the printing process. PJTF can be used to manage information systems (MIS) to manage business and production plans, but it is far from being able to fully realize the digitalization of printing.

JDF technology based on XML and built on PPF and PJTF is the best solution to these problems. The application of XML language is an important feature of JDF, because the XML language allows JDF to easily combine the network for unlimited development. In the JDF format, it is possible to create a digital file that can contain all relevant information on printing work. Specifically, this document contains the valuation, the quantity of printing, the printing materials requested by the customer, the typesetting method, and printing. Ways, binding methods, delivery dates, and more. Obviously, JDF connects the existing management information system (MIS) and the production service system that controls the production process organically. Through this process, JDF achieves the goal of comprehensive digitalized networking. The printing company's processes can also be automated with the JDF, eliminating the need to use paper and pen to write those annoying orders, and can track the progress and problems of printing at any time.

The current situation and development trend of JDF

Since the release of the first version, JDF has been gradually recognized and has played an important role in the corresponding products. Now, there are many products supporting JDF format on the market. Some printers and publishers who have gone faster The JDF element has been added to their production processes, such as JDF's advocates - the meta Dimension workflow and the Prenect family of management systems introduced by Heidelberg have adapted to the JDF standard. Agfa introduced the Apogee Series3 fully compatible with JDF, further expanding and simplifying the entire workflow. Its characteristics are applicable to any organization (from small printing plants to international institutions); flexible process monitoring and automation; workload distribution at any stage of prepress work, remote file transfer, digital printing Film transfer is simple and straightforward; it supports page-based workflows and workflows based on the entire large version, making work more flexible and satisfying different working methods and production requirements.

The domestic CIP4 organization member Beijing University Founder has also launched the ElecRoc process system that is specifically designed to create a complete digital bit process management environment. This system is not only easily connected to MIS (Management Information System), but also a powerful one. A JDF process-based workflow solution that includes four key technologies: JDF, XML database, PDF, and the Internet. For those companies or customers who are far away from the printing plant, they can use the Internet to identify, verify, proof, and output prints through ElecRoc.

It is worth mentioning that the digital workflow based on JDF has become a highlight of the drupa 2004 exhibition. JDF Parc, the performance stage of the JDF event located in Hall 4, is a live demonstration of the JDF solution. Its design is analogous to a JDF format print production process, where all visitors can “experiencing” the JDF-based open workflow in JDF Parc. The major printing equipment manufacturers can see JDF's love degree.




Source: Longjiang Printing Network