Visitors to the Screen stand at drupa 2012 will see a new universal workflow that links the offset and digital worlds in ways never before possible. Screen is launching EQUIOS, a versatile, scalable workflow management system designed to grow and adapt to a printer’s needs in conventional and personalized printing environments. This new-generation workflow provides total support for print-on-demand (POD) and computer-to-plate (CTP) production and makes high-speed variable printing possible.

Beyond Truepress SE
EQUIOS evolved out of the popular Trueflow SE workflow, but there is more to this universal workflow environment. Featuring nonstop web-to-delivery automation, EQUIOS controls production from the time a job is captured or created through all stages of production to postpress and delivery of the finished project. Job data is transmitted to any third-party management information system (MIS) via Job Messaging Format. Communication with finishing systems is automated via JDF.

Wherever JDF is deployed in a printing environment, EQUIOS integrates seamlessly all the way to the bindery, thanks to the EQUIOSNET Partnership Program. Screen has established an open standard interface so partnership members — currently more than 30 companies — can devise a solution at both hardware and software levels that is best for the customer.

Powerful process management
EQUIOS automates job management, including accurate imposition and consistent color management, across different output devices. Using a single interface, EQUIOS drives

complete multi-device production at many levels of functionality, such as variable data printing. Operators monitor and manage jobs from a central dashboard.

Built with the latest Adobe PDF Print Engine 2 core, EQUIOS enables high-speed processing of large amounts of data — a key requirement of variable data printing. PDF files can be RIPed to Screen’s Truepress JetSX inkjet sheetfed press, Truepress Jet520 variable data inkjet web press and PlateRite CTP recorders, along with inkjet and toner-based POD presses and proofers from third-party vendors.

Many intelligent functions
The EQUIOS Autoflow function allows users to define print workflows depending on the product type selected. This can be integrated into any web-to-print interface. Web ordering automatically generates a print queue and associated finishing instructions.

In variable data printing, there are often recurring fixed text or graphic elements. The Smart Variable Data Processing function eliminates the need to re-RIP these reusable elements each time. Smart Variable Data Processing automatically assigns reusable elements to a background layer that can be output repeatedly without re-RIPing. It makes them available only when the accompanying variable content is RIPed. Only the altered portion needs to be RIPed.

A scalable load-balancing RIP solution supports high-speed variable transactional printing on the Truepress Jet520 and other connected print engines. Load balancing is performed internally and EQUIOS configurations scaled to any connected output device to maximize system performance.

EQUIOS manages color profiles to deliver superior quality regardless of the printing system or paper. When the operator selects a printer, paper type and screening method, optimal color conversion settings are automatically chosen from a media database. In addition, specialized tools adjust CMYK colors as close as possible to spot colors. This is particularly useful in digital printing where matches to PMS and custom spot colors are required from CMYK.

Simplified, speedy impositioning
Smart impositioning is another advancement for accuracy and optimum paper use, drawing on the Pre4m imposition software from Trueflow SE. With the Auto-fit imposition scheme, the operator presets multiple fold catalogs that contain varying page numbers. EQUIOS automatically adjusts signature combining based on the number of pages in each section. EQUIOS Auto Ganging performs the most efficient ganging according to page size, signature settings, sheet grain direction and number of copies. A variable imposition function for printing invoices and statements increases the number of pages in a preset template to accommodate different numbers of individual personal records.