Esko Launches Next-Generation ArtPro+ 20.0 Native PDF Editor

Esko, a global supplier of integrated hardware and software solutions for the print and packaging sectors, has launched its eagerly anticipated latest generation native PDF editor for packaging and label prepress, ArtPro+ 20.0. With advantages including 70% faster trapping, significant time and material savings for staggered plate cutting, as well as simplification of shrink sleeve jobs, the latest software delivers a significant boost to prepress operational excellence.

Building on the success of its market-leading predecessor, the state-of-the-art software premieres a host of new features and tools to enable prepress operators to tackle the challenges faced by businesses today. Significantly reducing the time spent on non-value adding tasks and increasing 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,” explains 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% 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.”

Importantly, ArtPro+20.0 users that need to create endless repeats (staggered cut sheet layouts) can try out a prerelease of the new optional Plate Cut tool, which reduces 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,” says 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 creation of cutting paths is now just a one-click operation, saving up to 30 minutes preparation per layout,” said Frank. “Automating the task saves on damaged plates, while a special economy mode delivers rectangular cuts, reducing plate usage by 6%.”

Woltering explains that in ArtPro+ 20.0, shrink sleeve wrapping production has also been simplified. “Creating warp grids for non-symmetrical shapes is an iterative process and requires time and skilled professionals,” he says. “But after pre-distortion, the PDF graphics have reduced editability, still requiring rework for design amendments. Now, users can interactively pre-distort graphics for shrink sleeve production based on symmetrical and non-symmetrical 3D shapes.

“The Esko Studio algorithm simulates the physical distortion of the material when shrinking to the container, eliminating the need for complex grid creation,” says Woltering, “and because pre-distorted graphics can be edited in their original format, there is also no need to sync and manage an un-warped version of the design.”

“We’re sure dedicated ArtPro+ customers around the globe will be impressed with this new version,” he says, “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 just one of a host of new innovative features and updates Esko has unveiled as part of its integrated software portfolio, Esko Software 20. The significant new developments bring even more innovation and functionality to the Esko suite of best-selling software solutions as part of its continuing drive to deliver operational efficiency improvements to the packaging value chain in tandem with outstanding value to customers. Available from June 24, 2020 onwards — and free to Esko Software Care Plan customers — the latest software release incorporates solutions such as ArtiosCAD 20, Automation Engine 20, Studio 20 and efficiency-driving updates to Share & Approve and the award-winning Print Control Wizard. 

Anyone wishing to learn more about ArtPro+ 20.0 can do so by visiting the new Esko Innovation Hub which has been designed to provide users with a unique insight to the Esko Software 20 portfolio of innovations in a virtual environment. Users can navigate around the latest integrated hardware and software solutions from Esko, in their own time, accessing insights and technical information, as well as learn new ways to boost business productivity, efficiency, and profitability.