Ghent (Belgium) – There are many challenges facing large format printers, but production can be enhanced and operational efficiency increased with software that delivers faster approval cycles, eliminates file errors, reduces idle time, improves workflow control and simplifies complex manual steps of digital finishing equipment. At booth 938, during SGIA Expo 2018, October 18-20, Esko (www.esko.com) will focus on its new QuickStart solutions: Automation Engine QuickStart for Sign and WebCenter QuickStart for Corrugated, as well as two Kongsberg tables, showcasing industry-unique end-to-end production workflows.

Getting off to a quick start

Both Automation Engine QuickStart for Sign and WebCenter QuickStart for Corrugated are turnkey solutions that are built with proven workflows, allowing collaboration among teams or departments. In just five days, users are up and running, reaping the benefits of automation almost immediately.

Automation Engine QuickStart for Sign is a powerful workflow solution that boosts production capacity without adding headcount. By automating prepress work, sign makers can handle more jobs, faster. The complete process is automated from order, design and finish through to shipping. Automation Engine QuickStart for Sign delivers consistent output and transparent workflow so more jobs can be delivered on time.

Preloaded, proven workflows for sign and large format production make it very easy to eliminate repetitive tasks. Automation Engine QuickStart for Sign encompasses the traditional requirements, including preflighting and PDF optimization, automatic cut paths and bleed creation, and automatic nesting. Also included is a direct link to Kongsberg digital finishing tables, reducing waste in the most expensive step of the process. Esko has a broad range of Automation Engine upgrade modules for additional throughput, integration with MIS, and connections with new production equipment.

WebCenter QuickStart for Corrugated offers critical project management tools that provide shorter time-to-market cycles. It increases a company’s capacity to handle more jobs over a wide geographic area without adding headcount, reduces errors caused by miscommunication and cuts approval cycle times from weeks to days. The preconfigured process flows include digital approval setup and dashboard, asset searches, projects dashboard, hosted infrastructure, and a project creation form. WebCenter QuickStart for Corrugated can grow through with upgrade modules, which include content management and integration with business systems.

Finishing the work with Kongsberg tables

The Esko Kongsberg table portfolio consists of two types of tables based on the type of work typically produced—choosing flexibility for versatile and creative jobs (Kongsberg X), or productivity for efficient production runs (Kongsberg C). On display at SGIA Expo will be Kongsberg X24 and Kongsberg C64 finishing tables. The Kongsberg C64 is a multifunctional, digital cutting table for signage and display applications. Designed to keep up with today’s faster, wider digital printers, it is the optimal solution for short run production on all typical display materials. The highly versatile Kongsberg X24 offers value, precision and ease of use, with tools that offer the speed, power and flexibility to handle a wide variety of display materials. A Kongsberg X Sign Production Kit makes it easy to produce signs from flexible roll material or rigid sheets.

“With the depth and breadth of the Esko software and hardware solutions, Esko is uniquely positioned as the only provider of a complete end-to-end solution, for all your design and finishing requirements,” comments Brad Leonard, VP Digital Finishing Sales, Esko. “Starting at project initiation, you can use the Esko workflows to move through steps such as pre-press, color, structure, task approval, and layout, to then drive efficient and automated digital finishing on the Kongsberg tables. With the assurance all your systems integrate smoothly, you reduce wasted time, eliminate errors and boost productivity. This enables you to grow your business and protect your investment, with a single source business partner.”