When a PDF is received, the system makes an analysis of the document. For this, we use Callas PDF technology. Only when images are too low resolution or fonts are not embedded in the file can the system not proceed and the designer is asked to include the appropriate source files. In all other cases, the system continues with the print-ready process.

To get the colors right, the system uses the European Color Initiative standards for various printing techniques and paper types such as offset, gravure and newspaper printing. These are defined in so-called ICC (International Color Consortium) profiles. All the (common) ECI ICC profiles are supported by the expert system. We only need to define which profile is required for the file to print perfectly. The system checks whether all color settings meet these requirements.

Then we look for possible problems. For this we use the Ghent WorkGroup (GWG) standards. Depending on the printing technique, a document that is ready for printing must pass some 80 to 100 checkpoints. For each point, we have defined what needs to be done to resolve it. So if a page does not meet the standards, it is automatically adjusted. For example, if the GWG standard requires black text with a font size smaller than 12 points to be on overprint and the expert system encounters black text smaller than 12 points which is not on overprint, the expert system will make sure that this text is put on overprint. Thus, 80-100 different checks are done and fixed when needed.

For the users, seeing the final result is hugely important (WYSIWYG). Therefore, color management and transparency flattening takes place in the expert system so that designers can immediately view the print-ready PDF.