Best Imposition Software for Offeset Printing Process

[JonathanSharman]

Hi guys, I work for a printing company, primarily focused on label production, and also general flat paper based commercial printing.

We use Adobe CC applications for our pre-press production software, and are looking at assessing the best imposition solutions for going from artwork to plates for process jobs or pdfs for digital jobs.

The main purpose for this would be to streamline operator task efficiency, ease-of-use, limitation reduction, etc. to get the most out of our time on the job.

What imposition solutions have you guys had good experience with in a print production context?

[Eugene Tyson]

Quite Imposing Quite Imposing: home page

And Imposition Studio Easiest Ever PDF Imposition Software for Digital & Offset Printing Presses

[swami_s]

Are there any open source / free software for this?

[Dov Isaacs]

For PDF print publishing workflows, page imposition is best performed at the RIP itself. Virtually every modern PDF workflow system, RIP, and DFE (for digital printers) has support for imposition. Ideally, that is where it should be done!

Only when printing PDF files to non-PDF direct devices should one even consider imposition in Acrobat itself. There are a number of products that provide such imposition services within Acrobat as plug-ins. The recommendations of Eugene Tyson should be taken seriously.

          - Dov

[brehontl]

I realize that this is over a year since you posted this, but I'm curious why you say "page imposition is best performed at the RIP itself.".  I can think of a number of reasons, cost being the big one, why imposing prior to ripping is better.  I have heard a number of people say this, but so far no-one has given me an answer that conclusively prooves this theory.  Exactly why, do you feel this way?

Ron

[Eugene Tyson]

Not sure if you meant to say "Shouldn't be take seriously"

Sorry I forgot to mention the Fiery RIP which we use also has booklet features, but it can't do everything required for imposition.

Of course, my favourite imposition software is Preps, http://www.kodak.com/ek/us/en/prinergy-workflow/platform/preps-imposition-software/default.htm

[bnyhoff · Accepted solution]

We use Agfa Apogee. It is a complete prepress system.

[bnyhoff]

Which rip are you using?

[Mr38718729wxvf]

navigator

[paul altobell]

Quite Imposing for sure! It is a life saver and can do anything within seconds!

[ov-ov]

Our Imposition Wizard​ works right from Acrobat, which you may find convenient if you use CC. It also has a more realistic price tag compared to some software mentioned here.

[Colin Flashman]

Years ago I worked with AGFA Apogee just as they developed their own imposition software that no longer relied on Preps templates. I found AGFA's proprietary imposition software was great for bookwork but not so good for smaller n-up stuff, but luckily I could still use the Preps template based impositions for n-up work, cut and stack stuff, etc. Nevertheless it would be my first pick.

[dannygarber]

PDF Snake.

We've been using it for YEARS and it works right out of the Acrobat Menu.

PDF Snake : The Complete Imposing Solution

[TiliaDavid]

I may be a bit biased, but I'd suggest you check out tilia Phoenix from Tilia Labs. Phoenix is the industry's best solution, leveraging artificial intelligence and costing information to automatically generate the best layouts. From estimating to planning to marks to full automation, Phoenix can do it all. 

We're in the middle of a series of webinars that are demonstrating the benefits of Phoenix for different printing market segments, as it can do it all! Check out our videos here - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEYwSiECXSFPwfhn4xwOolA. 

If you have any questions you can message me or reach me directly at david@tilialabs.com.

[A28178738oytd]

A few years late on an answer but we run a medium size web to print company and we use https://filesplice.com/ It's very easy to use. There is basically no learning curve and we can create new layouts instantly when we bring new products to online.