To complement its inkjet solutions for the wide format sign and display market, Agfa Graphics has introduced an advanced automated workflow solution that was built using the company’s extensive applications experience. Offering a dedicated option based on the renowned Apogee technology, Asanti is designed for entry-level and mid-sized production companies who want to streamline their productivity, integrate color consistency and fidelity, and enable fully accountable end-to-end quality management.
Sign-makers and display producers increasingly are seeking to improve their efficiency, save time and lower costs across all areas of pre-press and production, having been forced thus far to employ different software elements to implement file handling, color management, ripping and pre-flighting. Now, Asanti can be utilized to bring all these elements together in a single PDF-based workflow, with rendering based on the industry standard APPE (Adobe PDF Print Engine) that enables full JDF control for automated accountability.
The new Asanti solution is based on Agfa Graphics’ many years of experience in PDF workflows and enables high levels of automation throughout the production process. The result is a very cost-effective end-to-end capability that incorporates all the requirements needed from start to finish, ensuring consistency in color and quality from incoming files, through file editing and ripping to printing on multiple devices.
This new solution is complemented by Asanti StoreFront, a web-to-print system based on cloud technology that requires minimal up-front investment. This easy-to-use online shopping solution is designed to help print service providers grow their businesses and explore new markets. It handles incoming orders and their status via its dashboard, integrating seamlessly with Asanti to generate time-saving, error-free features throughout the job handling process.
Complete with full pre-flight and correction capabilities, Agfa Graphics’ Asanti also interfaces with third-party RIPs and print engines. As a production hub that uses a common user interface, it enables operators to take input from various sources, including Asanti StoreFront. It standardizes functions to ensure consistent color reliability and profiles, regardless of the type or number of output and finishing devices.
Using Asanti workflow optimizes all procedures, removing the disadvantages caused when having to implement a variety of different tools and options. The complexity of the pre-press operation is reduced significantly, with the elimination of errors and reworked jobs thus reducing costs and saving time.
“Agfa Graphics is in the powerful position of having many years of expertise with our Apogee workflow for the printing industry,” said Deborah Hutcheson, Director of Marketing, Agfa Pitman, North America. “By migrating and adapting the elements relevant for wide-format digital printing, the new Asanti workflow brings the sign and display industry a fully optimized solution which seamlessly integrates all tools required, simplifying the use of PDF and bringing the benefits of JDF compliance within reach.”
