A series of tests run by the VIGC, the Flemish Innovation Centre for Graphic Communication, has revealed that PDF RIP output is making significant strides forward in terms of reliability and predictability. The organisation ran its latest round of testing in the run-up to Graph Expo. EFI registered the first ever ‘Perfect’ accreditation for its Fiery FS100 Pro RIP, which is set for release in Q1 of 2013. Two other systems received the ‘Passed’ accreditation.
“Thorough testing is of the highest importance, as our RIP tests have repeatedly proven,” says Eddy Hagen, general manager at VIGC. “Users don’t always realise the complexity of actually delivering predictable results - results that look exactly the same on any system.”
Didier Haazen, senior consultant and PDF specialist at VIGC, continues: “The correct rendering of a very broad set of PDF/X-4 features is an important part of our VIGC PDF RIP tests. By testing even the smallest details, we sometimes find unexpected problems. These have to be cleared before a certain rendering can be considered correct or wrong. Also, we find that certain work methods that prove to be useful in one way, may cause differences in other ways.
“So, for the past few months, we have been on an important but sometimes difficult mission with a number of suppliers. However, having one system now with a Perfect score has certainly been the cherry on the cake for us.”
VIGC’s coveted Perfect accreditation is for systems that render everything as expected. Meanwhile the Passed accreditation is awarded to systems that correctly output common test patches, but render some elements in non-CMYK blending colour spaces differently than expected from the Altona Test Suite Version 2.
The first series of tests were conducted in the run-up to Drupa, when seven systems were awarded the Passed label.
John Henze, vice president of Fiery marketing for EFI, states: "Being the first and only digital front end to earn this VIGC PDF RIP 100% compliant certification proves our ability to also accurately render transparency and process JPEG2000 compression and 16-bit images to achieve the graphic designer’s true intent. Print providers using a Fiery digital front end can have confidence that the job will print correctly the first time, avoiding costly reprints, delivery delays, and dissatisfied print buyers."
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