15 www.signlink.co.uk June / July 2025 - Issue 259 SOFTWARE / NEWS Adobe has released version 7 of its Adobe PDF Print Engine rendering platform which adds a range of new features designed to streamline workflows and improve overall print quality. New features in Engine 7, which were first officially announced at this year’s FESPA Global Print Expo, include in-RIP multicolour transparency blending, which is reportedly an industry first. The feature is designed to overcome the technical hurdles of transparency blending for expanded colour gamut (ECG) print jobs. The tool can blend transparency and separate plates for presses with CMYK plus any combination of inks, for example orange, green, and violet (CMYK+OGV). Jobs that contain one or more transparent elements can take full advantage of the press gamut with the feature designed to enable the images and graphics in the job to appear more vivid. In-RIP rendering of Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator job files are available in version 7 for designers who use Illustrator and Photoshop to submit jobs in native format instead of PDF. With the function, prepress operations can eliminate the manual steps of opening the job in the design application and converting it to PDF. Bleed generation features have also been added for jobs that will be trimmed but were submitted with graphics that stop at the trimline. A bleed can now also be generated as part of the rendering stage, eliminating the need for interactive pre-RIP remedies. For wide-format applications, an in-RIP cutline expansion is now available for jobs that will be printed on a wide-format press before being finished on a cutting table. For this, the perimeter cutline can be automatically modified to account for the thickness, angle, and pressure of the cutting implement as well as the flexibility of the substrate, aiming to eliminate the need for manual preparation. The new functions are integrated directly into the rendering pipeline inside the RIP, aiming to reduce the need for specialised skill sets and eliminate separate prepress operations. The beta release of PDF Print Engine 7 was made available to Adobe print RIP software development kit licensing partners in April, with the final Gold Master edition due to be distributed to them in August. Adobe expects that industry-leading OEMs and RIP vendors will begin to release products powered by version 7 in 2026. Adobe Print Services will be made available to Adobe print partners in the near future, with further announcements expected in due course. The PDF Print Engine powers print production across all industry segments, reportedly driving over 200,000 presses and proofers worldwide By Jonathan Pert Adobe launches new PDF Print Engine InkTec Europe has announced an expansion to its strategic partnership with RIP solution provider Onyx Graphics. The deal, which builds on a decade-long relationship between the two companies, will see Onyx continue to enhance its RIP software solutions to give more choice to customers of the JETRIX wide-format printer brand from InkTec. This development, Onyx says, will grant JETRIX users superior accuracy and consistency with their printed work, as well as compliance with industry standards. Onyx also notes that its software is customisable and scalable solutions for businesses of all sizes, while users will also benefit from automated workflow tools such as advanced nesting and site management solutions to improve efficiency, as well as ongoing updates and expert assistance. Joey Kim, managing director at InkTec Europe, says: “As we continue to evolve our JETRIX printer series, it is crucial to partner with industry leaders like ONYX. Their innovative software solutions perfectly complement our technology, providing our customers with powerful, streamlined workflows and outstanding print quality.” InkTec Europe expands strategic deal with Onyx Graphics Kongsberg Precision Cutting Systems has launched the latest version of its table operating software, IPC 3.1, which has been significantly redesigned based on customer feedback. The software, which is available immediately across Kongsberg's latest models, offers a cloud-enabled operating system which delivers a range of enhancements designed to increase productivity. Additions of the operating system include a new ‘dynamic nicks’ feature, developed to simplify material handling by ensuring that cut parts and waste remain connected during unloading. The feature allows users to add or change the size and placements of nicks without the need for a third-party software, or without altering the original file path. A redesigned user interface aims to provide a ‘touch-friendly’ experience with real-time feedback, reducing the learning curve for new operators and allowing customers to better leverage the features and precision of their existing cutting tables. The latest version of IPC 3.1 software is available for all recent Kongsberg PCS platforms including Kongsberg Ultimate, C-series, X-series, and select earlier generation models. Kongsberg releases new cutting table operating software By Rob Fletcher By Jonathan Pert
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