Belgium – January 17, 2005 – The Ghent PDF Workgroup (GWG) today announces expanded activities and a more aggressive growth plan for 2005 as a result of its success in meeting major 2004 milestones. The GWG is the international congress of graphic arts professionals established to create, test and disseminate best practices and specifications for publishing workflows. Record 2004 Achievements Benefiting PDF/X users Worldwide In the short 2 years since its founding, GWG has set an unprecedented pace for defining and publishing common specifications and best practices for graphic arts workflows. More than 30 disparate groups and individuals comprising industry associations, vendors and users - spanning 9 countries to date - have successfully come together to collaborate on, and subsequently publish, a series of PDF/X-1a:2001 PLUS specifications making it easier for different vertical publishing segments to productively utilize PDF workflows. The specifications consider, and incorporate, the unique requirements and context of the various publishing segments (e.g., magazine advertisements, newspaper, etc.). Today’s Available PDF/X 2004 Specifications www.ghentpdfworkgroup.org In May, the Ghent PDF Workgroup released Version 2 / 2004 internationally standardized specifications for delivering print ready PDFs for: •Magazine Advertisements (CMYK) •Newspaper Advertisements (CMYK / Spot) •Web Offset printing cold set (newsprint) (CMYK or CMYK/Spot) •Web Offset printing heat set (CMYK or CMYK/Spot) •Sheet fed offset printing (CMYK, CMYK/Spot, CMYK/Spot with low res images) The 2004 specifications and setting files have been made available for download at: •www.ghentpdfworkgroup.org •via websites of local Graphic Arts organization members •vendor members of the Ghent PDF Workgroup (link) New Sub-Committees & 2005 Goals In 2004 the organization expanded its focus, with new activities including establishment of dedicated sub-committees that would develop specifications for the most needy segments and workflow components, including •packaging, further developing the Base Line specs launched in 2004, •ICC color-managed workflows using PDF/X-3, •RIP/Output to assure widest possible uniform output possible, •job ticketing for ad & page based workflows, and •direct digital imaging from Microsoft Office applications. More specific details on subcommittee goals and activities will be announced following the GWG general meeting on January 20.