Norwalk, Connecticut, USA — Industry adoption of contract-quality color monitor proofing gained momentum earlier this month with the installation of the SWOP-certified Kodak Polychrome Graphics Matchprint Virtual Proofing System at Grafico, a leading West Coast graphic design and prepress house. Grafico plans to use the Matchprint Virtual Proofing System to service its food packaging and consumer clients that require high-quality color. “Like everyone in the industry, we’re facing mounting time and cost pressures from our clients. Adding to the challenge is the fact that we work with global clients who are constantly in motion,” said Rene Negron, Executive Vice President, Grafico. “The Matchprint Virtual Proofing System improves our communication efficiency by shortening the approval process, increasing collaboration among people in multiple locations, and it matches the color accuracy of hard-copy proofs.” “The Matchprint Virtual Proofing System completes Grafico’s digital workflow and gives the firm a distinct marketing advantage with new business opportunities,” said Rob Pipe, Business Director, Virtual Proofing, KPG. “It’s exciting to see monitor proofing technology proving itself in the day-to-day operations of our customers.” By enabling online viewing of the many rounds of proofing that occur before a file is approved for print, the Matchprint Virtual Proofing System speeds up the approval process and fosters stronger collaboration among everyone involved in the production process. Matchprint Virtual proofing can be used for content, imposition and color-critical proofing, predicting press results, checking for file integrity, routing jobs for all levels of approval and communicating print expectations. “KPG’s Matchprint Virtual Proofing System was a clear choice for us due to color consistency and the accuracy of the monitor to hard-copy color matching, as well as the full service and support provided by KPG,” added Negron. “The installation couldn’t have been easier.” The Matchprint Virtual Proofing System consists of high-end, customized CRT monitors, proprietary color management technologies and a suite of Web-based image viewing and collaboration tools from RealTime Image. Designed to provide the convenience and ease of use that graphic arts professionals have come to expect from digital technology, the Matchprint Virtual Proofing System is compatible with commonly used graphic arts file formats such as Scitex CT/LW, Tiff-IT, PDF, PS, EPS and Tiff, and uses an application service provider model that is built on a secure and robust database that allows users to access files through their standard Web browsers. Proofs can be viewed and managed entirely online, including the ability to make annotations and mark-ups similar to hard-copy proofs.