HIFLEX has implemented a strategic expansion of its award-winning Web2Print solution by bundling a number of additional software licenses with the standard HIFLEX Webshop. Callas pdfToolbox, PDFlib, Kroppr and PageFlip are now all standard modules of the Webshop package. These tools, included at no extra cost, enhance both the efficiency of the print provider's own processes and the range of services which can be offered to customers

Callas pdfToolbox as preflight check
With callas pdfToolbox, cutting-edge technology for the analysis and processing of PDF files has been integrated into HIFLEX Webshop. All uploaded data is automatically examined to verify its suitability for printing, and even large files are processed reliably at high speed. The system presents the results of its preflight check to the customer immediately after the inspection. If a file is found to contain any data which is unfit for printing, a commented PDF is generated to highlight the items in question. The increase in efficiency for the print provider is enormous, as practically no time is lost on last-minute calls back to the customer to clarify errors in the print data.

The preflight functions are based on the callas preflight technology which is also integrated into Adobe Acrobat Professional. With over 800 individually configurable options, the system is the most advanced automatic PDF preflighting tool on the market for the print industry. Ready-to-use profiles are provided for the most common print and industry standards (PDF/X, PDF/A, Ghent PDF Workgroup specifications, etc.), and personal verification profiles can be used for unique settings.

Individualized print products with PDFlib
PDFlib is a sophisticated tool for PDF file creation and processing. It is similarly a standard module of HIFLEX Webshop and offers ideal functionality for the dynamic generation of print-ready PDF files. Documents with individual text and images – both contones and linework – are converted into process-conformant PDF files on the Web server. The design potential of PDFlib is especially high, allowing the personalization of products such as business cards, posters, flyers and more. The Closed version of HIFLEX Webshop offers the ability to use PDFlib to customize print products that match a corporate design and are ready to print with only a few mouse clicks.

Kroppr – Scaling, rotating and cropping images
The graphics tool Kroppr has been integrated into the HIFLEX Webshop to scale, rotate and crop uploaded images online. When the editing has been finalized, the processed image will be placed into prepared templates for products like business cards or flyer. The tool is therefore an ideal complement to the similarly integrated PDFlib.

Turning pages with PageFlip
A soft proof gives the customer an opportunity to check the processing of print data by prepress. PageFlip enhances this experience with animations that simulate the actual turning of a page, providing a live demonstration of the products in the style of a book or magazine. Customers are able to thumb through and easily verify the final appearance of multi-page products on their computer screen. Once the customer has confirmed the proof, the job status in HIFLEX Webshop is automatically changed to "Approval Received" and production of the order can then begin.

Boundless expansion thanks to open source
The administration and design of HIFLEX Webshop is handled by the Drupal Content Management System (CMS). Drupal is distributed as an open source package and has a huge online community. On Drupal.org you can download thousands of add-ons for your unique Webshop at no cost. This allows users to implement a countless number of distinct tools and functionalities which help them stand out against their competition.

Testing at BestPrint24.com
HIFLEX has incorporated all of the above tools into its Internet demo portal. By visiting www.bestprint24.com, interested users are able to simulate the ordering process and can have callas pdfToolbox check the suitability of any specified print file. Kroppr and PDFlib can be used to create individualized business cards, and the latest HIFLEX Web2Print brochure can be thumbed through with PageFlip. These added functions, together with the effortless product configuration in Webshop and the easy to use website editing facilitated by the Drupal CMS, provide a powerful and accessible Web2Print solution for companies of all sizes.