Preflighters around the world: This is you
Posted by Marco on Jun 23, 2009 in
cPDF
In 2008 Enfocus wanted to find out who exactly their clients were. They held a survey. 4.840 users responded. Now who was using what kind of software and on what platform? Where do they live? What’s their primary business? How frequently do they use PDF-files? Do they even check incoming PDF files? And… what were the errors those files contained?
For starters: Most users live in the USA and the number two country using Enfocus software is The Netherlands. That’s suprising really. I always thought Belgium (the home of Enfocus) would be the number two country to adopt Enfocus software).
What’s your primary business:
What’s your job:
What’s your platform: (no surprise here)
How frequently do you use PDF files?
Do you preflight incoming PDF files?
How many of the preflighted PDFs fail?
What were the most common errors?
Special thanks to Dimitri for the numbers.
August, 4th: This article has been edited at the request of Enfocus.
Comments
#1 Tele2002 | June 26, 2009 | 07:53 CET
Hey Marco, brilliant that you have been able to get these numbers and it would appear that my own post on Preflight, Postflight and Automation may actually have a point. I argue that when you are preflighting a PDF file where you don’t have the source files; you are in fact postflighting the document, and with the two largest problems being ones that need to be corrected with the source documents then this really does ring true.
Take a read and share your opinion: http://tunicca.wordpress.com
#2 Marco | June 26, 2009 | 14:13 CET
Hi Tele2002, thank you. Enfocus was kind enough to let me have the ‘scoop’. I read you were in Brussels yesterday? So was I! Did you visit the Enfocus meeting or the Enfocus + Callas + Aiaxo + DMP meetings? Did we meet? I’ve bookmarked your blog. You are indeed POST-flighting the file. A great new tool for this is the new: PDF Standardizer. http://www.enfocus.com/product.php?id=5093
#3 hapagirl | June 26, 2009 | 14:56 CET
Marco, I think what you have here is, as Tele2002 put it, brilliant. As a preflighter myself (I have been out of work for over and year and knew nothing about the survey) every single answer rang true. Another valuable resource that PitStop brings to the table is the repurposing of PDF files. Enfocus gives us the ability to proof the same PDF that goes to print. I have had many a headache in the old days when we would create a PDF from the source files to proof and then print postscript files to RIP. There were VERY OFTEN issues with type, trap and spot colors that would not be on the proofed PDF.
#4 Tele2002 | June 29, 2009 | 10:55 CET
Hi Marco, I was indeed there, just using one of the demo suites before heading off to our hotel for the ADAM partner event the following.
PDF Standardizer is an interesting concept and one I’m not sure the market really understands yet, but something I think will transition the business requirements to over the next 18 months.
hapagirl, where are the pdf’s you create destined for? Workflow rips? Online? etc etc just curious….
http://tunicca.wordpress.com
#5 hapagirl | June 29, 2009 | 13:52 CET
We were using a Prinergy RIP for offset then downstreaming to a spire RIP for digital presses with XMPie thrown into the mix for 1-to-1 printing. Basically a little bit of everything.
#6 James | June 30, 2009 | 08:58 CET
As an Enfocus reseller in the UK we received and completed this survey and I’ve been looking forward to the results ever since. Really well documented Marco I think our customers will be interested in reading your article too.
#7 Marco Kramer | June 30, 2009 | 09:32 CET
Thank you James. By all means, spread the word
I really have Dimitri from Enfocus to thank. He presented the data last week and allowed me to publish it.
#8 Léon van Schie | June 30, 2009 | 10:48 CET
Surprisingly enough, a lot of printers and service bureaus still don’t preflight. Those who have participated in this research are (due to the fact that Enfocus has initiated it) are most likely to use their products. But there is a large group of graphic related companies out there that don’t!
What’s more disturbing is that a lot of desktop publishers leave the preflighting of documents over to the printer. My opinion is that this has a lot to do with digital (color) reproduction systems that swallow almost anything and do a lot of image enhancement on low-res material. RIP’s are getting too good and allow you to make mistakes easily.
What Enfocus does with their products has a huge impact on the industry! They deliver great products that help with standardizing and the creation of good PDF material. I truly hope they will become more successful over time, and that more and more companies will adopt (read embrace) the standards. That makes it a lot easier for all of us I think.
#9 hapagirl | June 30, 2009 | 13:31 CET
I think it’s up to us to spread the word. WE need to pressure our supervisors and owners to stress the need for client education. When you’ve answered the same “preflight for dummies” questions five times in the same hour it’s time to press for change. When things are slow, THAT is the time to repurpose your time. Have your account administrators and client services take you to their top notch clients and teach them how to do it right. That is, of course, a double-edged sword. Once you have taught them, “the powers that be” may think they don’t need you anymore.
#10 Marco Kramer | June 30, 2009 | 20:54 CET
I agree. Educating your client will hopefully strengthen the ‘relationship’ and provide more business. Let them see you as problem-solver and print-guy. I don’t think you’ll loose the client. After all: in our job there’s always something new to learn
Software and technology evolve… So must we.
What Leon says is correct too. Enfocus has had a huge impact on the way we do business. Standards (PDF and ISO) give us the freedom we need to communicate with printers all over the world.
#11 Laurens | July 8, 2009 | 20:27 CET
Nice - thanks for posting this data. I’ve added a link to this page on my own preflighting fan page at http://www.prepressure.com/pdf/basics/preflight
Regarding Pitstop being popular in Belgium: it is, but the poll doesn’t tell you in which country Enfocus products are popular. It shows you from which countries people like to participate in polls
#12 Marco Kramer | July 8, 2009 | 20:38 CET
Yes I suppose so! I didn’t know about Prepressure and have bookmarked it. Looks like I’ve got me some reading to do! Great info about JDF as well.
The boys from Markzware also wrote about this topic: PDF Preflight Problems; same as fifteen years ago -Enfocus survey results
http://www.markzware.com/blogs/pdf-preflight-problems-same-enfocus-survey/2009/06/26/
#13 Lien | January 19, 2010 | 14:00 CET
For now I’m using Pitstop. I’ll have a look at prepressure (thx for sharing that one!). Anyone any expiernce with this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UScLscc3AbY?
#14 andy | May 20, 2011 | 17:28 CET
Never heard about the Pitstop yet but I find it very useful, thanks for the link!
#15 smart sealer | June 1, 2011 | 18:19 CET
Sometimes is just hard to educate your client, I agree it can bring more business but it depends on character and many others too. I would prefer though a good relationship with a client for a long time.
#16 nottingham | June 12, 2011 | 22:46 CET
I would love to have one client for a long time but this is very hard to achieve, it’s kind of ideal situation for anyone.
#17 Copywriting Nottingham | June 27, 2011 | 13:04 CET
In this modern world, it’s nice to know the best thing out of nothing. The post actually telling everyone the advantages of Enfocus as a kit for business. Thanks Marco
#18 Dottie Winsor | January 24, 2012 | 05:25 CET
We should do everything to impress a client. They are our money. Not a bad graph though. What about for now? Got it already? Please do post it.