Paper, Film & Foil Converter

Cyber Graphics Installs GMG FlexoProof 05

December 11, 2009

HINGHAM, MA | Cyber Graphics, a packaging prepress company and long-time GMG customer, successfully installed and operates GMG FlexoProof o5.

Established in 1994, Bryce Corp.'s Cyber Graphics brings complex design ideas into reality, blending design creativity with the technical requirements of flexographic printing. While the company has a broad range of customers, it focuses on brand owners of pet foods and snacks--such as popcorn, potato chips, pretzels, peanuts and cakes.

Cyber Graphics owns an Epson 7900 seven-color inkjet printer and the HP Z3100 with internal spectrophotometer, and has used GMG FlexoProof proofing software for proofing designs and delivering contract proofs. By creating highly accurate press profiles, the company reports it can duplicate how a job will look on press, outputting digital color contract proofs. Output from GMG FlexoProof not only replicates the dot gain experienced on press; it is said to also matche the color and structure of the substrate.

"We have always appreciated the great job GMG FlexoProof does, but we felt the user interface could be better," comments Kevin Bourquin, prepress manager. "It was complex and you really had to know what you were doing."

New interface is designed to deliver easier installation and use. "When we heard about GMG FlexoProof o5 we were eager to try it," says Bourquin. The new software is a completely revised version of the company's highly successful and award-winning proofing product. The new ProofStandard technology in GMG FlexoProof o5 ensures exceptional production reliability and provides many ways to save costs. The completely new user interface is designed to make proofing easier.

Kevin integrated the new software himself, porting old profiles into the new system -- while the output quality has been just as good as it was with GMG FlexoProof o4. "The technical support was terrific and the quality of the documentation was extremely helpful," notes Bourquin. "The upgrade from 2004 to 2005 was almost seamless. It's an easy system to use."

"GMG FlexoProof 05 really makes operations simple. Relationships between profiles and proof calibrations are taken from a database. Any inkjet printer whose calibration deviates from the profile -- or which has not been calibrated within a specified time -- will not print, which means we save the cost of wasting unnecessary media and time," explains Bourquin.

Cyber Graphics also uses GMG ProofControl proof verification software that provides assurance that a contract proof is within specified parameters. However, with FlexoProof 05, they are assured even before they print that their color is accurate and GMG ProofControl will certify the proof, the company reports. With their new inkjet printers, Cyber Graphics can take advantage of auto calibration wizards using online spectrophotometers.

A more productive software package
There are other significant new features in GMG FlexoProof 05. Before, Cyber Graphics had to print files from Adobe Illustrator to its RIP engine to interpret PDF files accurately before sending them to GMG FlexoProof. Now, with the Adobe Print Engine embedded in GMG FlexoProof 05, Cyber Graphics is assured that it will produce a consistent interpretation of its Adobe-based RIP output, the company reports. "Any process we can utilize with the Adobe Print Engine, while maintaining transparency longer, helps us output files more reliably and efficiently," remarks Bourquin.

Cyber Graphics is also able to take advantage of process efficiencies. They previously had to manually look at two printer queues to see which was available for printing. Now, GMG FlexoProof 05 automatically monitors printer use and creates proofs in a timely manner. Cyber Graphics can load balance their printers with a rules-based system, ganging jobs together, reportedly saving paper and reducing waste. User intervention is no longer required to manage printer queues.

"GMG has made a commitment to packaging in the U.S. There are a lot of companies developing inkjet RIPs that do not understand packaging," concludes Bourquin. "GMG gears itself towards maximizing workflow efficiencies for their customers and building advanced technology. Particularly now, with the current state of the economy, if we can take an operator away from managing a proof and allow the person to create quality separations, we can focus on other value-added tasks."