Some of you who are reading this might know the terms I’m referring to, while others might not. What exactly is JDF and how does it differ from Adobes’ new PDF JobReady format?  Why is there movement towards this goal in the wide-format industry?

　　Let’s start with JDF. Job Definition Format is a technical standard that is in ongoing development by the graphic arts industries to facilitate cross-vendor workflow implementations. In simple terms, a job file (PDF), connected to and traveling along with a “job ticket”.

　　The initial focus was on sheet-fed offset and digital print workflow, but has been expanded to web (roll)-fed systems, newspaper workflows and packaging and label workflows. The prepress industry association CIP4 (www.cip4.org) is the driving force behind JDF standards and development.

　　JDF is a comprehensive XML-based file format and proposed industry standard for end-to-end job ticket specifications combined with a message description standard and message interchange protocol. The Extensible Markup Language (XML) is a general-purpose specification for creating custom markup languages. Its primary purpose is to help information systems share structured data, particularly via the Internet.

  　　  * JDF is designed to streamline information exchange between different applications and systems.
    　　* JDF is intended to enable the entire industry, including media, design, graphic arts, on-demand and e-commerce companies, to implement and work with individual workflow solutions.
    　　* JDF will allow integration of heterogeneous products from diverse vendors to create seamless workflow solutions.

　　The end goal is to get customers to send JDF files to print companies instead of the current mixed bag of methods. JDF files will contain everything necessary to manage, bill and run the job through the production process. Every facet of the company is now updated with planning, production and real time financial/reporting data. Streamlining efficiencies can only enhance a company’s competitiveness.

　　The lack of any standards in wide-format imaging coupled with the variables in post print finishing will make JDF development for this niche more difficult than the other print categories currently in development.

　　Adobe JobReady

　　This is a two-part system, consisting of client and server.

　　• The end user downloads the client software from the print provider’s Web site or CD and installs it on his or her computer. The print provider’s software then appears in the print dialog box of the end user’s application, coexisting with the previously installed printer drivers. To initiate a print job, the customer simply selects the print provider’s printer from the printer choices.

　　• After the customer has selected the print provider’s printer, the Adobe PDF JobReady client creates an encrypted Adobe PDF file in the background for upload to the target print provider’s Web server. The target print provider encrypts the customer’s file for output. End users can preview a job locally via a Web browser before final submission.

　　• Server software decrypts incoming Adobe PDF files on the destination Web server. Only the print provider that provided the client software to the customer can decrypt encrypted Adobe PDF documents.

　　These components integrate the Internet with an automated and streamlined digital printing work¬flow while allowing print providers to extend their business model. This technology is available right now

　　Check out Adobe JobReady at www.adobe.com/products/pdfjobready

　　Some companies already use PDF supplied files from customers to streamline their workflow, while others stress the need for “native files” in case corrective measures need to be applied in production.

　　Is this a trend? Absolutely, companies adopting streamlining solutions will benefit over their competitors. Expect to hear more about these and other integrating software systems soon.