GMG has released ColorServer 4.9, an updated version of its automated colour conversion software with an increase in file processing times.
ColorServer 4.9 comes with support for the PDF/VT-1 variable data printing (VDP) file format. PDF/VT-1 is specifically designed for the efficient digital printing of a wide range of variable data and personalised content such as transactional/transpromo, personalised direct mailshots, catalogues, photobooks, coupons, tickets.
ColorServer automates the colour normalisation of PDF files, providing accurate colour conversions form CMYK to CMYK, RGB to RGB, RGB to CMYK, CMYK to RGB and spot colour to CMYK while preserving the integrity of the black channel.
Part of the challenge of variable-data printing is the extremely fast file processing requirements to ensure just-in-time delivery to the digital printing press. The company has addressed this issue with ColorServer 4.9 from two directions. The current 32-bit version of the application has been optimised to deliver extremely fast file processing times. Up to 3,500 variable-data PDF pages per minute can be individually colour-managed. Secondly, for even higher performance GMG is releasing a 64-bit native version of ColorServer 4.9, which in effect offers almost unlimited file processing capabilities to feed even the most demanding variable data applications.
The Paper Adaption Tool in ColorServer allows print service providers to recalculate a file’s colour data against a particular support material, even if the particular proof simulates a different final stock. For example, the Paper Adaption tool could adjust your print data to match an ISOcoatedV2 proof, even if your production material is different.
With ColorServer 4.9, the Paper Adaption Tool has been improved by offering a better quality of profile simulation, as well as the ability to offer custom gamuts for particular substrates.
According to the company ColorServer 4.9 offers an extremely accurate CMYK to RGB lossless conversion process that enlarges the colour space back to the file’s original Adobe RGB values. This allows for colour space normalisation within an RGB-based image database, only performing the device/process specific CMYK conversion at the final output stage.
‘GMG ColorServer 4.9 takes our expertise in colour transformation, management and simulation to higher levels and new markets,’ said Birgit Plautz, manager Business Unit Graphic Arts. ‘The inclusion of a powerful, quasi-real-time colour managed workflow based around the PDF/VT-1 format offers a compelling value proposition to variable data applications such as transpromo and document management, which we are very excited about. At the same time ColorServer 4.9 includes a raft of new or enhanced features designed to deliver real-world benefits to any print services provider looking for a fast, accurate and easy-to-use solution to rationalise output to a definable colour space independent of any particular print process or device.’
