Esko brings innovation to packaging design and pre-press with native PDF editor

ArtPro+ features a complete clean sheet design, which Esko said addresses the needs of today’s packaging and prepress professionals. It runs on both PC and Mac, features a state-of-the art 64-bit architecture and is 100 percent PDF native. A no-charge upgrade is available for existing ArtPro and PackEdge customers on maintenance contracts. In addition, in October, subscription options will become available that convert the ArtPro+ investment from a capital to an operating expense.

ArtPro+, it can be integrated with an automated workflow that performs repetitive tasks in the background and, while ArtPro+ is a clean-sheet design, Esko has maintained compatibility with previous versions to ensure a smooth transition during and after the upgrade process for existing ArtPro users. All archived files from Esko editors remain fully editable in ArtPro+.

ArtPro+ is part of the Esko Software Platform, the latest version of Esko’s portfolio of integrated software for design, pre-press, workflow automation, color management and supply chain collaboration in packaging, labels, displays and signs.

Bernard Zwaenepoel, Esko senior vice president, Software, said: ‘Users who have adopted ArtPro+ have already consistently reported greater efficiency and faster job turnaround using the new editor.

‘ArtPro+ is ideal for packaging designers and prepress professionals that don’t yet have a dedicated design and prepress tool. With ArtPro+, users get an easy-to-use solution with a short learning curve, enabling them to professionally and efficiently complete packaging and label pre-press.’

ArtPro+ has a unique and intuitive user interface that features a tool selector wheel that provides the user instant access to the right tools wherever they are working in the design, removing all clutter from the screen. Jonathan Cannon of Imagenet and his team, users of ArtPro+, said: ‘The user interface of ArtPro+ delivers a true “next level” user experience.’

‘In this redesign, we have completely restructured the user interface in order to display information in context; where it is needed, when it is needed,’ commented Zwaenepoel. ‘Feedback from existing and new editor users confirms that this unique feature greatly contributes to their ability to work faster and more intuitively, dramatically increasing productivity.’

Anthony De Meyer of St-Luc Labels & Packaging confirmed this view, and said: ‘ArtPro+ is fast and straightforward with a clean interface that keeps the operator focused on the job.’