Esko launches next generation ArtPro+ 20.0

Building on the success of its predecessor, the software premieres a host of new features and tools to enable prepress operators to reduce the time spent on non-value adding tasks and increase the speed of jobs to press. The new software increases packaging prepress efficiency by eliminating errors and increasing automation of the editing process.

‘ArtPro+ built its reputation by enabling prepress operators to reduce unintentional errors when editing and by allowing users to automate repeating tasks without the need for any special programming skills,’ explained Frank Woltering, product manager, graphic editing at Esko. ‘With ArtPro+ 20.0, we are building on these key needs to address the specific issues packaging professionals face in today’s business environment.

‘With ArtPro+ 20.0, a new Preflight tool automatically solves potential print issues, so users can safely and precisely edit only the item that needs attention. A new aesthetic trapping algorithm closes misregister gaps and accommodates individual exceptions – making trapping jobs up to 70 percent faster. Action Lists and formula-driven marks concepts also now automate repeating tasks, without the need for any programming skills, benefiting those organizations struggling for skilled staff.’

ArtPro+20.0 users that need to create endless repeats such as staggered cut sheet layouts, can try out a prerelease of the new optional Plate Cut tool, which claims to reduce plate cutting preparation time by up to 30 minutes.

‘The optimal shape to cut a plate is largely defined by the graphic content of each separation and each job needs to be addressed individually,’ added Woltering. ‘Not only is creating precise cutting paths to trim plates to their optimal shape both labor and skill intensive, but historically, plates are often damaged in mounting when they are hand cut. Manually cutting plates also presents a safety hazard because of the need for an open blade.

‘We identified that the available semi-automated solutions are not content aware, needing input from the user to redraw and improve suggested cutting paths. ArtPro+ 20.0 introduces a new, patent-pending algorithm which analyzes the printed content and finds the optimal individual cutting path for each separation. The release version of this innovation is slated for the November release.’

The new version of ArtPro+ also simplifies shrink sleeve wrapping production, enabling users to interactively pre-distort graphics based on symmetrical and non-symmetrical 3D shapes.

‘We’re sure dedicated ArtPro+ customers around the globe will be impressed with this new version,” said Woltering, ‘and it is also the perfect opportunity for our large and loyal base of fans to discover the new benchmark in prepress editing.’

ArtPro+ 20 is one of a host of new innovative features and updates Esko has unveiled as part of its integrated software portfolio, Esko Software 20. Available from 24 June 2020 onwards, and free to Esko Software Care Plan customers, the latest software release incorporates packages such as ArtiosCAD 20, Automation Engine 20, Studio 20 and efficiency updates to Share & Approve and Print Control Wizard.