One-click configuration to set up your workflow in seconds
Express ColorFlow’s intuitive system configurator lets you set up new workflows in just a few minutes. Each module is represented by an icon in the toolbar and with a single click can be positioned and connected to other modules. When your workflow is completed you can save your configuration and then move quickly and easily between saved workflows to make changes in both local and remote systems.
Express ColorFlow use single-click icon selection
to configure your workflows quickly and easily
Flexible job capture for all popular data formats
Express ColorFlow handles input data in all popular formats - including PostScript, PDF, EPS, PCL and 1-bit TIFF. Using drag-and-drop or save, job streams are directed to hot folders which are continuously monitored by Express ColorFlow. Jobs can also be submitted using the Web Application. The Spool folder takes single file jobs and the Composer Module manages the delivery of jobs with multiple PostScript or PDF files into the workflow. Raster Import handles ripped halftone files for processing by Express ColorFlow - accepted formats include any 1-bit TIFFs, NetFlow Raster and Harlequin PageBuffer.
Manage your jobs from the browser - anytime, anywhere
Accessible through an internet browser, Express ColorFlow’s database holds information about all jobs in the system - so you can submit, monitor and control jobs locally or remotely from any desktop computer. You get a complete picture of current workflows in the browser window and by clicking on any point of the process you can gain direct access to the local job manager - providing exactly the same controls in the browser that you have in Express ColorFlow itself .... wherever you are.
Monitor your workflow remotely across the internet or the local intranet
Flexible delivery of soft proofs to your clients By adding the Internet module to your workflow you can set up automated production of composite PDF files for soft proofing - so your clients can approve their jobs quickly and efficiently ... even down to checking actual dots! ColorFlow gives you the facilities to automate delivery of PDF files for client approval in any of three ways:
- Emailing to specified email addresses
- Uploading to ftp server with the link emailed to specified email addresses
- Uploading to http server with access through a web page which lists jobs ready for review and provides links for PDF downloading
Express ColorFlow automates delivery of PDF proofs to clients
Reduce consumables costs with Flatout Express
Flatout Express is an efficient media saving solution that provides both automatic and semi-automatic packing methods particularly suited to production runs where jobs are of similar size. Designed for use with the Color Express RIP, Flatout Express collects and packs Harlequin PGB files onto a user- defined sheet. When a sheet is full, a layout file is created and passed back to the RIP for merging high resolution PGB files into single files suitable for output.
Ideal RIP for Color Proofing solution
At the heart of Express ColorFlow, Color Express from Compose is the ideal RIP for digital color printing solutions. Based around the high performance Harlequin Classic RIP, Color Express offers interfaces for all popular large format inkjet printers and A3+ laser printers. With an easy-to-use console and powerful color management and screening capabilities, Color Express is a comprehensive solution for graphic arts professionals. And you can be up and running in minutes with an installer that automatically sets up the complete suite of software including color profiles for your printers.
Intuitive user interface for easy operation
In a busy prepress environment many straightforward jobs can be processed with standard RIP settings and minimal operator intervention. To increase productivity in this situation Compose has re-engineered the user interface of the Harlequin RIP with a clear, intuitive console which provides quick and easy setups for routine operations. And for the management of more complex jobs, the new user interface also allows direct access to the full range of RIP controls and settings.
2-bit screening technology for improved image quality
In addition to Harlequin Dispersed Screening, which is included in the ColorFlow package for use with any color printer, the Color Express RIP provides 2-bit Screening for even higher quality color reproduction on Epson inkjet printers such as the Stylus Pro 4000, 7600, 9600 and 10600. Equipped with Epson’s Variable Sized Droplet Technology, these printers are compatible with the Color Express 2-bit Screening system for selection of optimal dot sizes during image processing and improved reproduction of, for example, subtle tonal variations.
ICC Color Management with ColorPro
Color Express supports the full implementation of PostScript LL3 DeviceN producing separated or composite color output. For device- independent color management the standard Color Express package has the powerful Harlequin ColorPro and includes profiles for your selected printers plus tools to allow you to create further ICC profiles.
Reduced print times and enhanced quality
DI Proof (DataIntegral Proof) is a state-of-the-art proofing module which extracts maximum quality and efficiency from Epson high-end inkjets such as Stylus Pro 4000, 7600, 9600. Creating color-managed proofing files from separations produced by Color Express, DI Proof lets you output directly to the Epson printer’s HTM module without further RIPping to ensure top quality output and reduce the time you wait for your proof. And if you are producing proofs on other printers it’s simple - you use the Color Express RIP for screening.
DI Proof's Job Monitoring gives clear feedback on work in the queue
and detailed printing controls ensure maximum quality.
Under the hood ...
Letting you control the resolution at which it is operating, DI Proof downsamples separated data which is then recombined to produce a composite for the proofer. By selecting higher resolutions for downsampling you can create proofs which partially reproduce the dot patterns of the original separations making it possible to see actual rosettes on the proof.
Back2Back - simple, reliable duplex proofing Back2Back is a precision manual turning solution for duplex proofing on Epson’s large format printers (7600, 7800, 7880, 9600, 9800, 9880, 10000, 10600, 11880). With its simple-to-use, intuitive user interface, Back2Back produces double-sided proofs of booklets and brochures with precise correspondence between elements on the of the sheet. Ideal for realistic proofs for your customers, Back2Back not only saves the cost of production errors but also helps create new sales opportunities and generate additional revenues by making it quick and economical to produce a color accurate folded mock-up for presentation to your customers.
Use Back2Back to produce color-accurate
mock-ups of customer jobs -quickly and easily
Back2Back uses the optical alignment system available in Epson printers. As the first step you print an alignment sheet to measure the offsets required to properly align the printer heads. Then, when a sheet of paper is placed into the input slot, it is lined up automatically. The first side of the proof is then printed, the sheet removed from the bottom of the Epson and reloaded in reverse to print the second side. Alignment accuracy with Back2Back can be within plus or minus 0.1 mm subject to overall accuracy depending on how precisely the Epson printer is aligned.
Managing output with Raster PrintStation locally and over the Internet
Raster PrintStation gives you all you need to control and monitor jobs in the output queue. Taking rastered data in TIFF, NetFlow Raster or Harlequin PGB format from the workflow, Raster PrintStation provides you with facilities to set up your output device and lets you preview, hold and release queues, redirect jobs and reorder jobs in the output queue - either locally or remotely through a standard internet browser. Additional functions for cropping, tiling and step-and-repeat are also provided. <Details>
Drivers for all popular printers
Compose has given Color Express the benefits of over twenty years experience interfacing RIPs to inkjet printers, laser printers and copiers, imagesetters and platesetters. Through close technical co-operations with manufacturers such as Epson, Minolta. Encad, Seiko, Mutoh, Roland and Hewlett-Packard, Compose has been able to fine-tune their drivers for many different color printers. As a result, Color Express now offers individually designed drivers for all popular large format inkjets and laser printers ensuring maximum productivity and print quality for whichever printer you select. <Details>
Back2Back is a precision manual turning solution for duplex proofing on Epson’s large format printers (7600, 7800, 7880, 9600, 9800, 9880, 10000, 10600, 11880). With its simple-to-use, intuitive user interface, Back2Back produces double-sided proofs of booklets and brochures with precise correspondence between elements on the of the sheet. Ideal for realistic proofs for your customers, Back2Back not only saves the cost of production errors but also helps create new sales opportunities and generate additional revenues by making it quick and economical to produce a color accurate folded mock-up for presentation to your customers.