Esko reports compliance with GWG PDF Output Suite Version 5.0

PDF Output Suite version 5.0 has been created for users who process PDF files in the graphic arts industry, as an aid to determine whether their workflows are conforming to the PDF/X standards. It helps determine whether workflows are behaving as expected and identify errors quickly and easily before any errors can impact customer work. The most important tool of the GWG PDF Output Suite version 5.0 package is a six-page PDF with an amalgamation of 48 patches ready to start testing immediately. Each patch tests a specific property of a PDF/X file. The patches can be used on their own, but the intention of the suite is that the patches are grouped together for more effective testing.

Compared to PDF Output Suite 4.0, version 5.0 contains additional patches to test ICC-based objects allowed in PDF/X-4. Ghent Workgroup PDF Output Suite version 5.0 was created for users who process PDF files in the graphic arts industry, as an aid to determine whether their workflows are conforming to the PDF/X standards. It helps determine whether workflows are behaving as expected and identify errors quickly and easily before any errors can impact customer work.

The most important tool of the Ghent PDF Output Suite version 5.0 package is a six-page PDF with an amalgamation of 48 patches ready to start testing immediately. Each patch tests a specific property of a PDF/X file. The patches can be used on their own, but the intention of the suite is that the patches are grouped together for more effective testing.

Compared to the Ghent PDF Output Suite 4.0, version 5.0 contains additional patches to test ICC based objects allowed in PDF/X-4. GWG added these new patches to test device independent workflows. The patches do not use ICC-based blending spaces in isolated transparency groups since their processing is not clearly defined in PDF 1.6.

up added these new patches to test device independent workflows. The patches do not use ICC-based blending spaces in isolated transparency groups since their processing is not clearly defined in PDF 1.6.

Results of processing the output suite in an Esko workflow were verified by the GWG Process Control Subcommittee. All 48 test patches in the output suite were processed ‘perfectly’ using Esko Software Platform applications and workflows, with Esko adding that it was the first company to achieve perfect results across its entire software suite.

Lieven Plettinck, director of software engineering at Esko, said: ‘We have a long-standing relationship with GWG, and as a result our solutions remain fully compliant as new developments occur. Our customers know that it is part of our ongoing commitment to product innovation to collaborate with a number of standards bodies to remain at the forefront of developments.

‘As a result, with the introduction of advancements such as GWG PDF Output Suite version 5.0 and our proven compliance, we can assure customers they will immediately benefit.

‘We are particularly excited by the latest version’s focus on packaging. This will deliver significant benefits to packaging and label converters in terms of improved consistency.’