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''Watford" as a probability table Originally, “Watford is a destination where and when a page designed on a personal computer can be printed offset litho with the result as the designer expected.” It then became clear this would be an illusion depending on how pre-press could handle things. Also digital printing was included as Postscript Level 3 RIPs were implemented faster than for litho plate making. “Watford 2 is a destination when and where operators can take a PDF created on a personal computer and either create a litho plate or send an image to a digital press as the original design intended” Watford 3 is currently a probability grid of how likely it is that a PDF will print as expected. The current version has headings for rows and columns which may change. Also the percentages are a guess based on a small sample and gossip. So Watford is currently a prototype for a journey rather than a destination. The numbers below have been used for some time and reflect the actual and required levels of knowledge.
Bullet-proof However it turned out that the Litho CMYK area is where the highest chance of success exists as there are print customers with appropriate skills. Printweek reported (8 Sept 2000) that Dennis Publishing tested PDF for sections of PC Pro, quoting IT manager Ron Maslin- "Dennis decided to go PDF and wanted a bullet-proof system as part of its long-term aim of going CTP." Other aspects of this are covered at the Acrobat User Forum site and the Digital Ad Lab. The table above will be revised as evidence appears. Work on PDf workflows continues for example with the printers listed at Acrobat Services. "Watford" in California There are some links around "Watford" at Acrobat Services.com. Watford 4 Watford 4 will exist when a print buyer can specify every attribute of a job including copy and instructions. |
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