Proofing made easy

Highlights

  • Proofing software for high-quality results
  • Easy to use thanks to supplied profiles and MIMs
  • Secure coordination between creative designers, customers and print production
  • Supports PDF/X-4, X-5, Postscript 3, EPS and raster data
  • Recalibration of printing systems in case of color variations
  • Remote proofing possible

Proofgate is a digital proofing and RIP solution that focuses on the essentials - especially for users in agencies, marketing and communications departments and prepress. ICC profiles and MIM sets for common proof standards and printers are already included.

Digital proofs are indispensable in the coordination between creative designers, customers and production. Proofgate offers highest quality in color management and print image. At the same time, the included MIM sets and profiles make it very easy to set up and use. Changes in the color reproduction of the proof printer, for example due to environmental influences or changes in the print head, inks and paper, can be compensated for via ColorGATE's Media Device Synchronization (MDS). So you can proof permanently and in top quality, even without expert knowledge!

Technical Details

Basic functions

ICC color management with CrossXColor Technology


  • Use of rendering intents (options: Photographic; Perceptual; Absolute perceptual; Relative colorimetric; Absolute colorimetric; Saturation; Absolute compression; Blackpoint compensation; Lightener compensation; Minimal white compensation)
  • Use of embedded ICC profiles in JPEG, TIFF, PDF, PSB and PSD files for use as input color space; embedded Output Intents can be used
  • Multicolor ICC Engine: Support of multicolor ICC profiles with up to 15 color channels
  • ColorGATE GamutPlus: Enhanced CMYK input color space, based on ISOcoated_V2 for a more color intensive output

Media-Ink-Metamode (MIM)


  • ColorGATE development to create production-influencing parameters such as medium (M), ink (I) and metamode (M); every MIM combination links profile, linearization and print mode settings into a single logical unit
  • MIM administration: import, export, administration and processing of MIM combinations

IPrinting and evaluation of various contral and media wedges


  • Idealliance Control Strip 2009, Fogra Media Wedge (ISO 12647-7) and Fogra Media Wedge (ISO 12647-8)
  • Wedge is also printed during proofing
  • Free positioning of the wedge on all sides of the job possible
  • Options for multiple output and mirrored output of the wedge
  • Evaluation of the wedge also possible with self-defined ICC profiles
  • Logging of proof-relevant information, printing and measuring times
  • Proof evaluation report can be output for Dymo Label Writer or other printers

Embedded Output Intents


  • Use of embedded output intents from PDF/X files in proof workflows

16-Bit Color Rendering

For a higher color accuracy and smooth gradients

Preservation of pure colors

Preservation of black, CMYK or single CMYK channels as pure colors

Various options for color correction


  • Correction of brightness, contrast and gamma
  • Gradation curves
  • Separate or simultaneous channel processing possible

Dot gain correction


  • Correction of the dot gain up to +/- 40% for all or single separations

White point adjustment


  • Adjustment of the paper white simulation without alteration of the ICC profile

Spot Color Max


  • Output of spot colors in the maximum printer color space

DeviceProof


  • Separate setting of input and simulation profiles allows simulation of further digital printers
  • All output profiles are available for the simulation

Saturation enhancement

To increase the saturation of output colors

Gamut Viewer

Two- and three-dimensional (2D/3D) visualisation and comparison of color spaces

Special color printing (white/varnish/metallic; printer-dependent)


  • Support of white, varnish and metallic printing (on appropriate printing systems)
  • Output variants: pixel, filling, selective, flood, spot color, including preview, and others
  • Combination of process colors, silver metallic ink and white ink
  • Layering technology
  • Separate gradation curves possible
  • Spread and Choke: overlap/border filling adjustable for special colors
  • Intensity: adjustable intensity/density of the white or special color channel
  • Preview for white print

Preview (full screen, split, thumbnail, softproof)


  • Document view, placement on output media, rotated view, full screen preview, preview with special colors
  • Split: before and after display for visualization of changes
  • Thumbnail: job thumbnails, display of job properties
  • Softproof: simulation of the print output on screen, merging of separated PDF files

Loading of media size (printer-dependent)


  • Available for e.g. HP-DesignJet-Z series, Roland AJ, FP, VP, XC, XJ and various Epson Stylus Pro printers
  • Automatic or manual

Confidence strip


  • Printing of a confidence strip with the color channels used to ensure a consistent printout
  • Different positions and sizes possible

Various scaling options


  • Proportional/non-proportional scaling in height, width, percent
  • Automatic scaling to media size
  • Visual scaling: proportional scaling by means of a distance tool

Copy and layout print


  • Job repetetion, multiple output with only one RIP process, last row filling (better media utilization)
  • Device handled creation of multi-copies, in which the parameters are transferred from the RIP to the device controller (printer-dependent)

Cropping

Definition of print areas

Rotate and mirror


  • Rotate in 90° steps
  • Jobs can be rotated space-optimized, even automatically

Offset and centering


  • Horizontal/vertical offset adjustment
  • Centering on sheets and rolls

Cut marks and registration marks


  • Printing of cut and registration marks
  • Style: inner/outer marks, inner/outer frames, japanese marks; different line widths, styles and colors; can be placed on PDF TrimBox via function
  • Dimensions: symmetrical/asymmetrical adjustment of distance and length

Overlap/Tiling marks


  • Horizontal/vertical distance and width/height adjustable
  • Optional marks or solid lines

Printing of job information


  • Free to formulate
  • Contain e.g. EXIF data, input profils or the print date
  • Freely defineable formatting settings, e.g. position, font type, size and color

Interpolation for raster files


  • Various setting options for interpolating raster files such as TIFF, JPEG, etc.
  • Options: Nearest neighbour, Bilinear, Bicubic, Bicubic sharp

Anti Aliasing (printer-dependent)

Enhanced print quality for certain printers with low resolution

Replacement of missing fonts

Detection of missing fonts and optional replacement with Courier

Media compensation

Compensation of length and width deviations in the output format

Selection of various screens


  • FM - frequency modulated (Speed Screen, Frequency Screen, ColorGATE Crispy, ColorGATE Smooth, Floyd-Steinberg, Error Diffusion, Error Diffusion Smooth)
  • AM - amplitude modulated (Custom Screen, Super Rosette 2)
  • Hybrid - combination of AM and FM screening (Hybrid Screen 2)

JobInfoLog (monitoring of job processing)

Monitoring/logging of job processing, display of job- and event-related information, of print time, print speed and print area, warning e.g. of missing fonts

RIP and print simultaneously/automatically


  • Printing the job while RIP process is running
  • RIP/print automatically executable

Various options for job processing


  • Reproduction of already printed jobs without a new RIP process
  • Processed print jobs are optionally deleted automatically (different options possible)
  • Automatic pause after each print job / manual confirmation of the release for each print job

Flexible management of job queues


  • Importing/Positioning jobs using Drag&Drop
  • Simultaneous moving of multiple jobs within the job, RIP and printer queue
  • Job sorting according to numerous criteria possible, free definition of column type/number, automatic placement of new jobs to the correct position within the queue

Quick assignment of hotfolder settings


  • Transfer of hotfolder settings to individual jobs via mouse click
  • Possible for individual tabs as well as for all settings

Job duplication


  • Duplicating jobs
  • Creating links to other jobs

Sending jobs to other open printers

Transfer of an existing job including appropriate settings to another printer definition

Printer Status Monitor (printer-dependent)


  • Display of e.g. ink level, media length, warnings/error messages
  • Available for e.g. HP Z series, Roland AJ, FP, VP, XC, XJ and various Epson Stylus Pro or Canon printers

Support of virtual printers


  • For transferring print jobs out of an application
  • Including export of configuration specific PPD's (PostScript Printer Definitions) under PC/Mac/Unix

Backup/Restore of RIP configuration

Backup and restore of the current RIP configuration including program settings, printer definitions, jobs, profiles, etc.

Cutting function support for hybrid devices (only with PCM, printer-dependent)

Support of print and cut workflows for printing systems with an integrated cutting function

Display of color information (Color Picker)


  • CMYK percentage values displayed in full screen preview
  • Measured color can be replaced

System languages


  • Chinese (simplified), English, French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Russian, Spanish
  • For following languages a basic localization is available: Chinese (traditional), Finnish, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese

File formats

Support of raster file formats


  • BMP, JPEG, TIFF, PNG, PSB, PSD

Support of PDF, PS, EPS


  • Adobe PDF 1.7, PDF/X-1a, PDF/X-3, PDF/X-4, PDF/X-5 and PDF/VT
  • Postscript 3, EPS, DCS 2.0
  • Single-page/multi-page and separated possible

System requirements

System requirements

Operating systems (64-Bit):

  • Microsoft Windows 10 (Pro, Enterprise)
  • Microsoft Windows 11
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2016
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2019
  • (For optimal performance we recommend Microsoft Windows 10 or 11)
  • Apple Mac devices with ARM-based processors (M1 chips) are not supported. On Intel-based Macs, Productionserver can be used in conjunction with a hardware dongle (Single Host License / Hardware) and Parallels Desktop.
  • Minimum hardware requirements:

  • CPU: Intel Core i3-2100 / AMD Athlon II X2 340
  • RAM: ≥4 GB
  • Free disk space: 120 GB
  • Display resolution: 1280 x 1024
  • Recommended for using one printer:

  • CPU: Intel i5-7500 or newer / AMD Ryzen 5 1600 or newer
  • RAM: ≥8 GB
  • Free disk space: 120 GB SSD
  • Display resolution: 1920 x 1080
  • Recommended for using multiple printers:

  • CPU: Intel i9-9900K or newer / AMD Ryzen 7 3800X or newer
  • RAM: ≥16 GB
  • Free disk space: 512 GB NVME
  • Display resolution: 1920 x 1080
  • Installation and operation:

    USB port for hardware dongle required; LAN adapter, TCP/IP for network access required, software-based licenses require internet access (the software must connect to license server approximately once per day)

    Supported interfaces (depending on used printers, measuring devices and cutting plotters):

    Ethernet, TCP/IP, USB, FireWire

    Use in virtualized environments:

    Software based licenses:

    Operation of the ColorGATE software on virtual machines is not permitted with software based licenses.

    Hardware based licenses ("hardware dongle"):

    If the virtualization solution supports USB, ColorGATE software can usually be operated with hardware based licenses. Please note, however, that ColorGATE cannot provide support for problems that occur in the context of the virtualization solution. There may be restrictions when printers, measuring devices or cutting plotters are connected via USB. In addition, the hardware requirements must be exclusively available as resources for the virtual machine to ensure a high-performance operation of the software. For these reasons, we recommend using virtualized environments for testing purposes only.

    Matching Hardware

    Proofpaper CG Isoproof
    • Fogra-certified high-end proof paper
    • For proofing systems from Canon, Epson and HP