In the past year and a half, everyone in the bookbinding field was talking about the workflow. In fact, the workflow is not a new invention. It is only a buzz word that has recently become a widespread concern. Managing the daily work in an orderly, timely and efficient manner is the goal that the company has been pursuing.

How to make the best use of digital workflow solutions in the bookbinding field. By incorporating data exchange technology into the post-press process, the productivity of bookbinding and other postpress businesses can be greatly improved.

The fact is that when the order arrives at the bookbinding factory, it has experienced a long and complex working period. By the time of binding, the product has been printed and has a certain value. The bookbinding department must be able to ensure that every operation is handled flawlessly, keeping in mind the current growing demands for quality, cost, and delivery deadlines. This means that every step of the process of stapling on the execution order must be error-free, cost-effective, and as fast as possible.

Over the years, many companies throughout the industry are considering the use of network speed and accuracy to optimize the efficiency of each process. Therefore, it is very significant to realize the digitization of the whole process. The data is generated directly from the prepress and printing links and is transmitted throughout the entire process. Finally, these data are transmitted to the post-press processing link.

About job

The dilemma is that despite the extensive network connection between prepress and printing operations, the postpress part still needs to be followed up. The solution is simple and the process is optimized by implementing advanced but easy-to-use digital workflow technology. In particular, two standards have now been developed, Job Definition Format (JDF) and Job Messaging Format (JMF). With these standards, fast and efficient data exchange can be achieved throughout the entire printing process. .

CIP4 (a pre-press, printing, post-printing process internationalization integration organization) is a global agreement that is responsible for the execution and use of digital technology in the printing process. CIP4 defines and expands the JDF/JMF standard. Using these standards enables all processes in the printing industry to achieve network connectivity. JDF is based on XML, using existing local solutions such as CIP3's Print Production Format (PPF) and Adobe's Portable Job Ticket Format (PJTF) to control the entire process.
Recent leading post-press equipment has almost all supported the JDF standard, which includes a standard interface that allows direct interaction between the bindery's management information system and its print finishing system. The data exchanged includes important parameters such as order status, machine status, overall production speed, current total amount, and net amount.

Many printing companies have successfully integrated digital workflow into postpress operations by leveraging the capabilities and diversity of JDF and JMF data exchange technologies.

JDF is basically very similar to old job files, but there is one big difference: they are digital rather than paper. The definition of the format is very simple, including all job-related electronic data, so that the production of a given job becomes smooth.阋 攀 攀 攀 谟冢龆ǖブ芷诙伎 榈 榈 榈 榈 榈 榈 榈 榈 榈 榈 榈 榈 榈 榈 榈 榈 榈 榈 榈 榈 詈蟛吠瓿 詈蟛吠瓿 詈蟛吠瓿 詈蟛吠瓿The DF offers complete compatibility, data exchange through all relevant system interfaces, creating a fully digital solution that enables faster delivery of information than previously used paper jobs The accuracy of the document is higher.

Prepare for JDF

To improve overall end-to-end productivity, a system that includes compatible devices may include: a perfect binder, a cutter, a three-sided knife, and each device is JDF-ready. ready.

To gain maximum flexibility and increase the speed and number of data exchanges, the individual components of the system can be connected to the central information management system of the bindery factory through open JDF and JMF standard interfaces, as well as Ethernet connections.

In addition, as far as JDF is concerned, a postpress line represents a single piece of equipment, so each component can also be interconnected via the network to provide more production efficiency. It is necessary to mention that not only large industrial companies can benefit from the JDF/JMF standard, but smaller-scale bookbinding companies can also use digital workflow and optimal data exchange capabilities to achieve significant efficiency gains.

Because the production specifications and other parameters do not have to be input again, the adjustment time and installation time before printing can also be significantly reduced. This is especially important in short-changing staple jobs.

Once JDF/JMF is in place, the bindery does not rely on a single producer, but instead chooses the components individually for multiple process steps in the workflow. This allows the bookbinding factory to handle more jobs more efficiently and at the same time better meet the unique requirements of different customers.

Data needs to be captured only once, so data can be consistent throughout the production process. This eliminates potential sources of error, such as two input or transmission errors, and makes the final change easy to implement.

Each electronic job ticket contains a complete set of planning and production data. Thanks to the use of JMF, the status of the entire production line is controlled and monitored, which allows the stapling task to be planned, coordinated, and completed more efficiently.

Since production data is sent back to MIS via JDF/JMF, the actual production costs are easily recorded for cost accounting and invoiced use. JDF/JMF enables the correct data to be immediately or later on, which enables an accurate analysis of the data, which can be used for the quoting process and the upcoming job schedule.