Versatile

Scalable

Efficient

TheUltimateProofingSolution

EFI Colorproof XF™

Digital colour is at the heart of every graphic communications business – print

shop, pre-press service provider, publisher, creative agency, imaging/

scanning service provider, copyshop, professional photographer, photo store

or photo lab.

As a professional working in this world of digital colour, you have to accept

colour data in a host of formats, process it, and deliver it to a variety of output

devices – offset, flexo, gravure, silk screen and digital presses, wide-format

inkjet printers – located in the next room, or the next continent.

The backbone of the workflow is fast, flexible, easy-to-use, consistent digital

colour proofing. The answer is EFI Colorproof XF - the new, modular proofing

solution from the market leader. Whether you're looking for your first proofing

system, or seeking predictable colour across multiple plants, EFI Colorproof

XF's combination of power, flexibility, expandability and affordability will meet

your proofing needs today, and tomorrow.

EFI Colorproof XF Configuration

EFI Colorproof XF combines the latest version of EFI's best-in-class colour technology with industry-standard off-the-shelfhardware, safeguarding your investment and assuring you of a stable, cost-competitive growth path embracing the latesttechnology developments as they become available.

• EFI Colorproof XF's support for the internationally accepteddata formats means you can add value to whatever yourcustomers give you, including PostScript, PDF, JPEG, TIFF,TIFF/IT, Scitex CT/LW, Delta list, and DCS.

• Sophisticated colour management based on universallyaccepted ICC profiles provides almost unlimited options tobuild colour-controlled proofing from image capture tomonitor, to stock, to output device.

• Compliance with the latest JDF data exchange formatopens EFI Colorproof XF to the widest range of workflows,maximising efficiency through two-way digital informationexchange.

• Cross-platform working delivers ultimate flexibility – mixand match Macintosh workstations with Windows-basedservers and vice versa.

• Even the basic configuration of EFI Colorproof XF includesmulti-technology output as standard – to inkjet, laser andothers.

• The new-design Graphic User Interface (GUI) adds a newlevel of ease-of-use, shortening the learning curve foroperators, and increasing their productivity.

Exceptionaltechnology,worldwidestandards

ConfigurationExamples

Newspaper printerNewspaper printers want three things:

• Proofing on press paper• Exact content control• Check for data integrity

Recommended product configuration

EFI Colorproof XF is a versatile proofing solution which can be adapted to every user's needs by composingProduct and Output Options. While the available Options are described in detail on the following pages, we havecompiled a few sample configurations here.

EFI Colorproof XF is the perfect solution for you if you are a ...

The OneBit Option will process thescreened high-res data from your existingfront-end RIP, meaning that the same one-bit files are used for printing andproofing, following an all-out R.O.O.M.concept. What you see on the proof will bein the print, including even the screeningstructure. This gives your advertisingclients the best possible impression ofwhat their job will look like. Obviously,newspaper formats require wide-formatinkjet printers, of which some haveexcellent capabilities of proofing onnewsprint paper. That means the PrinterOption M, which is part of the basic con-figuration, is free for other applications –why not for contone proofs of yournewspaper inserts?

Digital photographerA digital photographer needs:

• The capability to proof and print• Conversion of image data between

colour standards• Export as TIFF

Recommended product configuration

In Printing mode, EFI Colorproof XF withthe Photo Option reads your digitalpictures (TIFFs and JPGs) and brings themto the printer in the largest possiblecolour gamut, thus keeping vivid,saturated colours. A contact sheet func-tion allows you to get a quick overview ofwhat you shot; a portrait set function letsyou compile a collection of different sizesof a picture. In-depth control over the greybalance lets you create high-quality printswhich can be sold as large-format photoprints.

In Proofing mode, you obtain a realisticimpression of how your images will lookwhen being printed – an enormous helpwhen retouching and handing over yourimages to the prepress stage.

Your images can be converted to virtuallyany colour space for which you have anICC profile, like sRGB, ECI-RGB andothers. The export to TIFF is easy as welland enables you to exchange your data ina standardised way.

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Commercial printerCommercial printers want to:

• Check colour and content of their jobs• Reduce make-ready times• Cut ink and paper waste• Work according to standards like ISO

12647, SWOP or Sicogif

Recommended product configuration

The Spot Color Option offers extensivesupport of Pantone, HKS and Toyocolours, including handling of full and halftones, as well as overprinting.

The Color Manager Option lets you createand optimise paper profiles to exactlymatch wide-spread industry standards,such as ISO 12647, SWOP, Sicogif andothers - and the Color Verifier Optionhelps you to check and document that youreally land within the allowed tolerances.It also helps you to control the con-sistency of your press — that's contractproofing at its best!

This configuration allows you to installthe Proofing Server centrally on powerfulhardware. From the Client Option, anunlimited number of network users canbe equipped with the Job Monitor,allowing an easy submission of jobs tothe Proofing Server. One privileged usercan be designated as administrator,managing workflows, settings and userrights.

The Colorproof XF Server functionalityoffers everything you need for state-of-the-art contract proofing: PostScript, PDF,Scitex CT/LW and Delta list files areprocessed, colour managed and outputon your proofing printer, thus producingcolour-accurate predictions of the finalpress result. This enables you to catchcolour and content issues at an earlystage, when correcting them is still easy.

Creative agency/Corporate marketingCreative agencies and corporatemarketing departments need to check iftheir ideas work in practice.

Recommended product configuration

If you work in a creative environment, youneed the freedom of trial and error. Howwill the layout draft look when printed onpress? Does the orange hue match thecorporate colour? How does the picturelook when it’s been retouched?

Using EFI Colorproof XF with an LED laserprinter will give you the answers in just aminute. With a really quick laser engineyou will be able to produce 300 copies ofa product flyer for next day’s exhibition –in litho colour quality. And printing thedirector’s presentation for the executiveboard presentation will also be a minoreffort. And, if you have a need for hi-ficontract proofing, just drive an extrainkjet printer by adding a Printer Option.

"The speed at which digital technologyis moving in the printing industry isbreathless. EFI Colorproof XF's Client-Server architecture and host offeatures provides us with a proofingsolution that helps us keep ahead of change."Markus Giesselmann, Printing house Westfalia,

Bad Oeynhausen, Germany

EFI Colorproof XF Server + Client OptionThe right workflow – Whatever your business

With EFI Colorproof XF's state-of-the-art client-server architecture and modularconcept, you can specify the proofing solution that's right for your business today,secure in the knowledge that it will grow and evolve with you.

Solutions start with the basic package of EFI Colorproof XF Server, EFI Colorproof XFClient Option and EFI Colorproof XF Printer Option M. By adding extra Output andProduct Options, you can expand and tune the configuration to stay competitive andinnovative.

EFI Colorproof XF Client Option – Customise your configuration

The EFI Colorproof XF Client Option is the window to the EFI Colorproof XF Server,controlling its functionality. With EFI Client Option's three-tier architecture, you canallocate specific access and management privileges to each client workstation,enhancing flexibility and building a customised configuration. The tiers are:

• The Administrator has complete control of the EFI Colorproof XF workflow, includingsetting up and configuring software, allocating access rights, managing calibrationand profiling, viewing/adding jobs, printing/stopping/cancelling jobs, changing jobpriority, overwriting workflow settings with job settings, and so on.

• The User can view all the jobs in any workflow that he/she is part of, but can onlymanage the processing of his or her own jobs. The user cannot change anyworkflows, but needs to make settings on a per-job basis.

• The Job Monitor is the basic tool for working with the EFI Colorproof XF Server. Theuser can view, add, cancel and move own jobs in the workflow.

EFI Colorproof XF Server – At the heart of things

The main proofing and printing operations take place on the EFI Colorproof XF Server.The following key functions come as standard, so that even the basic configurationopens up new business opportunities:

• Multiple format support - PostScript,PDF, JPEG, TIFF/IT, TIFF, Scitex CT/LW,Delta list and DCS files.

• Adobe CPSI interpreter – for key func-tionality such as overprinting, in-RIPseparation and font download forJapanese fonts.

• Standards-compliant - ICC, PDF/X and JDF.

• Contains the Fogra/Ugra media controlstrip v2.0a.

• Continuous tone proofing functionalitybased on ICC colour management – theaccepted international standard.

• Three-profile colour management – forproofing and colour conversions.

• Integrated LinTool – for measurement-based printer linearization

• Supports multi-channel and individualdevice link profiles

• Multi-processor support

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"The way in which EFI Colorproof XF handlesoutput is elegant, and simple. All we had todecide on was the size of output we needed – thetechnology took care of itself. And being able toconfigure multiple printers gives us enormousflexibility."Klaus Schotte, Printing house Schotte, Krefeld, Germany

Output OptionsUnrivalled flexibility

The modular concept of EFI Colorproof XF gives users the widest choice of outputoptions – so you can tailor your proofing solution to your workflow and your existingdevices. One Output Option M ships with every EFI Colorproof XF Server. Furthermore,you can buy and install an unlimited number of additional output options – that’s truemulti-printer support.

Mix n' match output options

EFI Colorproof XF offers three outputoptions depending on the size of yourprinter – Option M (for A3/A2 printers upto 17"), Option XL (for 18"-24" printers),and Option XXL (for printers from 25"upwards).

When deciding, you don't need to worryabout the technology – size is all thatmatters! For example, Option M supportsinkjet and LED/laser devices.

New File Export Option

For even greater flexibility in the proofingworkflow, you can add the new File ExportOption to EFI Colorproof XF and exportcolour-managed PDF and TIFF files.

Calibration

Calibration means setting up the attached printer in a predefined state – the decisivefactor in producing stable and high-quality digital proofs.

Professional linearisation as standard

EFI Colorproof XF features the EFI LinTool. Its professional printer linearisation techno-logy provides you with the foundation for an accurate, repeatable ICC workflow. Usedin conjunction with colour measurement equipment, the EFI LinTool ensures accurate,consistent proofs.

Printer re-linearisation by measurement re-establishes the printer's output character-istics after a print head or cartridge change, or takes into account changed environ-mental conditions.

"Knowing that we're working with the exactsame screening data as the final output makes usand our clients feel very secure!"Markus Giesselmann, Printing house Westfalia, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany

OneBit Option/Dot Creator OptionScreen stars

When colour is critical, clients and print producers alike need all the guarantees theycan get that the proof and the final print match each other. And that means seeingscreened proofs.

Depending on the application, and the degree of security required, EFI Colorproof XFoffers two options to produce screened output – the EFI OneBit Option, and the EFI DotCreator Option.

With EFI OneBit, you can create ICC-based colour-accurate contract screened proofs ona drop-on-demand (DOD) inkjet printer – working with the same data that will drive thefinal output device. With EFI Dot Creator, you can apply screening to continuous-tonefiles to create the "look and feel" of offset.

EFI OneBit – the screen you proofis the screen you print

One-bit files are a data format producedby imagesetter and platesetter RIPs, andcontain the screened, high-resolution,colour-separated data from which films orplates are produced. Each colour sepa-ration has its own one-bit file.

The EFI OneBit Option reads the one-bitfiles produced by all leading imagesettersand platesetters, re-merges them andoutputs them on an inkjet printer,maintaining the original screening.Because RIPping takes place beforeproofing, the proof shows the exactcontent of the one-bit files – so defectssuch as moiré structures can be identifiedbefore costly prints are run off. The resultis less paper and chemical waste, andsavings in time and money.

EFI Dot Creator* – from contone toscreen proof

EFI Dot Creator tackles the screeningchallenge from a different angle, byreading continuous-tone data andrasterising it for output on DOD inkjetprinters – without the need for animagesetter or platesetter RIP.

EFI Dot Creator creates screened proofs,allows excellent simulation of offset, flexoand silk screen printing output, and cancreate computer-to-inkjet films or plates.

* Available Q4/2004

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Spot Color OptionExploits your printer’s full colour gamut

Consistent reproduction of corporate colours is critical to successful branding – andadds value to your proofing offering.

With EFI Colorproof XF's Spot Color Option you can process and output colour-accurate proofs of supported file formats which include spot colours – providing aprofessional solution for the packaging and decorative printing markets.

EFI Colorproof XF Ink Zone Option*Saves time, ink and waste

Today's automated printing presses are designed for round-the-clock production – socutting the time spent on job-preparation means faster turnrounds, higher margins andbigger profits.

EFI Ink Zone links your proofing workflow to the pressroom by creating the digital filesneeded to automatically set the ink zones on each printing unit on the press. Thebenefits include faster makereadies, reduced paper and ink consumption, lowerproduction costs, and enhanced print quality. In addition, retaining the data means100% reproducibility on repeat orders.

EFI Ink Zone creates JDF files containing settings data for the ink zone adjustment ofoffset presses. EFI Ink Zone can also output colour-accurate continuous-tone andscreen proofs complete with a test scale specifying ink zone requirements aspercentages.

* Available Q4/2004

"The EFI Spot Color Option is indispensable. Brandowners want impact and consistency, and with theSpot Color Option we can give them both."Klaus Schotte, Printing house Schotte, Krefeld, Germany

Important features include:

• Total control of full- and halftones

• Definition of spot colour transparencyfor control of spot colour overprinting.

• Full support of Pantone, HKS, HKS 3000plus, and Toyo colours.

• Support of unlimited number of spotcolours per job.

• Spot colour definition in L*a*b*(measured), and CMYK/CMYKOG(manually).

• Definition of gradation curve in per cent.

• Alias function to identify spot colourscarrying non-standard names.

• Application-integrated measurementremoves need for third-party solutions.

"EFI has excelled itself in combining reallypowerful, very sophisticated colour managementwith a user environment that is unbelievablyeasy to master. Our operators were performingcomplex routines within hours of starting workwith EFI Colorproof XF."Jens Ryfisch, Paperwork, Euskirchen, Germany

EFI Colorproof XF Color Manager OptionAll-in-one colour management

Add the Color Manager Option to your EFI Colorproof XF workflow for an integrated,all-in-one suite of sophisticated ICC-based tools for managing colour – from printercalibration to ICC paper and reference profile creation.

With EFI Color Manager you can create consistent, predictable proofs optimised for theunique characteristics of the local proofing printer and the final output device orprocess – so that you can meet all your digital proofing and photographic needs.

ICC profile creation – step by simple step

EFI Color Manager's outstandingly intui-tive user interface guides you through theprofile creation process step by simplestep, for the highest quality resultswhatever your level of knowledge.

The paper profile describes the colourcharacteristics of the printer/paper/inkcombination of the proofing device; thereference profile does the same for theproduction process or standard you aresimulating - offset, gravure, flexo, ISO12647, SWOP, Sicogif, and so on.

With EFI Color Manager you can createprofiles quickly and easily thanks to built-in "colour know-how" – all you have to dois print out the right standard chart,measure it using one of the manysupported spectrophotometers, and letthe software do the rest.

Other key features of EFI Color Manager are:

• Visual plate curve compensation(required for screen proofing withOneBit Option) allows the same profilesto be used for both halftone and contoneproofing, with matching colour resultsand the flexible use of plate materialswith different characteristics.

• For the first time on an ICC-basedsolution, iterative optimisation of ICC paper profiles by reducing measuredcolour difference between proof andreference.

• White point editing, so that you canadapt existing paper and referenceprofiles to different paper stocks withoutre-creating profiles.

• Support for a wide range of spectro-photometers, including: EFI ES-1000, EFI Best Eye, GretagMacbeth EyeOne,GretagMacbeth iCColor, GretagMacbethSpectroscan, X-Rite DTP 41, X-Rite DTP 41/T.

• L*a*b-based linearisation, deliveringobjective measurement and perfect greybalance.

• A unique 44 patches profiling chart letsyou create your offset press without theneed for performing an extra print run.

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"In a digital proofing workflow, confidence inconsistent colour output is every bit as importantas speed. With the Color Verifier Option, we knowthat everyone in the approvals chain is looking atthe same colours."Ingo Hosemann, Hötzel, RFS & Partner, Stadtlohn, Germany

Color Verifier OptionQuality-assured colour

In today's digital workflow, client, pre-press house and printer can be in the same city,or on different continents – so it's vital to be able to guarantee that everyone is lookingat the same colour.

EFI Color Verifier is a simple-to-use quality assurance solution that measures andcompares colour values – from proof-to-proof, print-to-print, proof-to-profile, or print-to-reference. With EFI Color Verifier you can ensure consistency between a referenceprint and subsequent prints, check that your proofs match your prints, or check thatyour proofs comply with a key standard such as ISO 12647.

Measure, compare, display

EFI Color Verifier comprises a spectro-photometer (for measurement), software(for comparison) and a colour control stripdisplaying industry-standard colourvalues. It works by comparing two sets ofcolour values, which can be from a controlstrip (printed on a proof or a print), orfrom a reference profile like ISO 12647,SWOP or Sicogif).

The software analyses the data anddisplays it in three columns, showing thetarget values (reference), the actual values(sample), and the difference between thetwo columns displayed in the thirdcolumn. A graphical display – either 2D or3D - shows the colour space and locationof deviations. You can set acceptabletolerances for single values and for theaverage of all the values.

Important features of EFI Color Verifier include:

• JDF compliance, for automatic import ofICC reference profiles for comparisonwith the proof, and two-way exchange ofresults between sender and receiver.

• Creation of a printable protocolcomplying with the ISO/DIS 12647standard.

• Supports DYMO Labelwriter series forprinting.

• Measurement readings can be displayedas L*a*b*, LCh, XYZ, RGB or CMYKdensity.

• Support for inhouse, manufacturer-specific, and standardised control strips - EFI Best Eye Way, Best USA Process(SWOP correspondent), Fogra/Ugramedia control strip v2.0a.

• Measurements can be copied to theWindows clipboard and values pastedinto other applications, such as Excel.

EFI Colorproof XF Production Option*EFI Colorproof XF's Production Option provides the wide-format print-for-pay marketwith a new professional solution for producing point-of-sale displays, posters,exhibition signage.

EFI Production Option accepts PowerPoint and CorelDraw files and delivers a set ofadvanced image editing and workflow-automation features that reduce turnroundtimes, increase efficiency and boost profits. In particular, you can set up automatedroutines to handle functions such as colour correction, image tiling, sharpening,rotating, and so on. You can also:

EFI Colorproof XF Photo Option*Photography is going digital – for business and for pleasure – and the EFI Colorproof XFPhoto Option acknowledges this with a suite of easy-to-use, innovative tools designedfor professional photographers and photo labs.

With EFI Photo Option you can create and automate an individual workflow, deliveringgains in efficiency and space-optimised image management, and develop new added-value services for clients.

EFI Photo Option accepts images in industry-standard formats. After input, you can callon a variety of powerful image management functions, including:

• Crop, rotate, mirror and invert images.

• Correct colour globally and selectively;correct contrast and brightness; andsharpen images for better image quality.

• Apply "pre-flighting" to image tiling andoverlaps.

• Enlarge images using a sophisticatedinterpolation algorithm.

• Work to pre-defined layouts for signsand billboards.

• JPEG import filter, to automaticallyconvert incoming digital pictures to adefined image size.

• Advanced portrait set tool, for simpleplacement of identical or differentimages on one page in different sizes.

• Contact sheet function, to generatesingle-sheet "thumbnail" display of allimages in a shoot.

• Advanced black-and-white conversion/printing features, including visual grey balance correction for neutral,professional prints.

• Frames and outlines function

* Available Q4/2004

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EFI Proof Paper

Paper is an integral component of a digitalproofing system and has an enormousimpact on how inkjet printers reproducecolour.

Users should be just as selective aboutwhat paper to use as about what printerand software to use. Under the EFI ProofPaper label, certified resellers offer a widerange of quality media specified by the EFIdevelopment team and produced inaccordance with extremely stringentquality requirements.

For example, the EFI Remoteproof Paper9180 was developed especially for offsetsimulations.

It provides an outstanding range ofcolours on most inkjet printers and usesvery few visual brighteners to ensure amatch between the measured values andthe visual impression.

EFI Academy

EFI Academy offers an extensive range oftraining courses for all EFI products. Classcurriculum can also be tailored to meetspecific company’s needs. Please visitwww.efi.com for a list of classes offered byyour regional EFI office.

Dealer stamp

D022.0304.ECPXF.BR_UK P/N: 200000000820

Auto-Count, ColorCal, ColorWise, Command WorkStation, EDOX, EFI, Fiery, the Fiery logo, MicroPress, Printcafe, PrinterSite,

Prograph, Proteus, and Spot-On are registered trademarks of Electronics for Imaging, Inc. in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

and/or certain other foreign jurisdictions. Bestcolor is a registered trademark of Best GmbH in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

AutoCal, Digital StoreFront, DocStream, Fiery Link, FreeForm, Hagen, Intelligent Device Management, Logic, OneFlow, PrintFlow,

PrintMe, PrintSmith Site, PrintSmith, PSI Flexo, PSI, SendMe, Splash, VisualCal, WebInstaller, WebScan, WebSpooler, WebStatus,

WebTools, the EFI logo, and Essential to Print are trademarks of Electronics for Imaging, Inc. Best, the Best logo, Colorproof,

PhotoXposure, Remoteproof, and Screenproof are trademarks of Best GmbH. All other terms and product names may be

trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners, and are hereby acknowledged.EFI accepts no liability with regards to the use of this software or any errors or omissions in this brochure. The information in thisbrochure represents the state of the software at the time of printing. EFI reserves the right to make technical changes at any time.

© Electronics for Imaging, 2004

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