EskoArtwork Software Suite: Automation pre-production software of workflow for display and graphic signage in addition to packaging, nesting, quotation, pricing, reduce waste and time media setup for sign shops, print businesses, ad agencies, etc.
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My background in wide-format printing includes experience with the software that is pertinent to preparing and printing images of all kinds. But still, FLAAR has concentrated on hardware, inks, printable materials.
For software we have concentrated on RIP software, color management, and especially on all the software that allows you improve your digital photographs by going far beyond Adobe Photoshop.
During a recent business trip to London it was possible to have an all-day introduction to the software produced by EskoArtwork. The introduction was organized by Bryan Stringer, Business Developer Sign & Graphics for EskoArtwork. The presentation was by Bryan and Russell Weller, a skilled individual with years of experience in these packaging design, visualization, prepress, and workflow products.
That same afternoon we had a four-hour presentation on additional software: quotation software and prepress workflow solutions by the owner of Data Image Group Ltd, Robert Farfort.
Because this software is sophisticated, it will take me more than one day to absorb. Plus we will need to do on-site inspections of the software being applied in real-world situations. However what I am doing now is to single out those software packages that I feel are most pertinent to signage and display. However I will say that I prefer to include packaging and not exclude it: I consider packaging as a form of point of sale advertising, especially for big-box stores such as Sams Club (where you may see only the shipping carton on the shelf; you may never see the packaging of the product inside: you may buy the entire box full).
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| Russell Weller (EskoArtwork, Sales Account Manager UK), José Melgar (FLAAR Technical Writer), Dr. Nicholas Hellmuth (FLAAR President), Bryan Stringer (EskoArtwork, Bussines Developer Sign & Display) at the introduction of the EskoArtwork Suite. |
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| Dr. Hellmuth, Bryan Stringer and Robert Farfort in the presentation of the prepress workflow solution and quotation software at Data Image Group Ltd, UK. |
To our knowledge, the i-Cut suite from EskoArtwork is the only software suite that is directly coordinated with everything else in the workflow. However there are several other competing companies whose software handles individual segments of the workflow.
Examples would be Callas Software GmbH ( PDF Toolbox 4.5 ) , Caldera Flow+, EFI (Fiery Command WorkStation 5), OCE ( Océ ReproDesk Suite ) , Onyx (Onyx ProductionHouse X10) and AGFA ( Apogee 7 ).
At present we know i-Cut suite from Esko Artwork the best since we have received training in this software directly from EskoArtwork and Kongsberg. We are also familiar with Caldera Flow+, for a comparable reason, namely that Caldera provides training for the Technical Writers at FLAAR. Plus we have research projects with both EskoArtwork and Caldera to undertake site-visit case studies of printshops in various countries to inspect how they like using these software packages.
We do not see Callas software at FESPA or other trade shows. If it is present, then we have missed it. Caldera is always evident; EskoArtwork with Kongsberg tends to be at the major international printing expositions also.
So here is the initial list of the software products in which I first of all am personally interested in learning more about, and secondly the software that is clearly vital to differentiating a start up from an experienced printshop.
Once we acquire the software for actual testing, we will gradually prepare entire individual pages on each software as we accumulate personal experience.
Packaging design (remember, printed packaging is really POP advertising)
ArtiosCAD , design tools for packaging designers (can also create animations)
Studio , is a clever 3D design plug-in for Adobe Illustrator that lets you see your packaging in a 3D environment on the actual product.
This plug-in lets you generate a 3D render in PDF that can be read in the basic Adobe Reader. The
plus in this tool however, is that, once the PDF has been generated, a tool exported within that PDF
allows you to control the rotation of your model for 3D visualization.
• Studio Toolkit for Boxes
• Studio Toolkit for Flexibles (for flexible packaging)
Visualizer, creates realistic (electronic, on screen) 2d and 3d mock-ups of sophisticated packaging and labels.
Shapes.
This software is a gallery that contains a number of packaging models which are presented as 3D
models. Once you select the prototype you want to work with, Shapes displays the 2D file you will
send to the cutter.
Prepress
Neo , a clever PDF editor (Enfocus PitStop Neo) that allows preflighting and then fixing any errors that need immediate attention.
SignUp , nesting application for digital printed signs and displays (escape the bounding box; so nest by the true irregular shape of your image).
Workflow Automation
Odystar allows advertising and design agencies to create prepress workflow solution using PDF and JDF as basics.
Others
WebCenter: review, share, comment, and approve print jobs (when you have people or offices separated from each other).
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| Esko Artwork booth, at FESPA Munich, 2010. |
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| Esko Artwork i-cut Suite automation pre-production software for display and graphic signage. |
Most recently updated July 21, 2010
First posted January 2010.
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We are adding new pages and new features every month so it is not always realistic to update old pages from past years. All the old equipment is still available on eBay, so we keep even our old pages. If you wish only the more up to date product reviews, these are in PDFs (not in the web pages, but in PDFs which are linked in the columns at the right of every page). Please realize that we tend to update a page (or a PDF) primarily when it is clear that our readers ask about this brand or model frequently. With over 45 brands of UV printers and over 200 models in the past ten years, it is not realistic to update pages on obsolete brands or unpopular models. If you prefer to speak with Nicholas Hellmuth in person about a printer, you can bring him to your company anywhere in the world as consultant. By later in 2012 more of our web sites will be in 36 different languages with instant translation (and better than old fashioned web page translators of several years ago). So far all the languages are available on www.FLAAR.org and www.3d-scanners-3d-software-reviews.org. Next will be our www.large-format-printers.org. |
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