Navigator Direct-to-Film Workflow

Navigator Direct-to-Film Workflow for screen and flexo printers powered by Harlequin RIP core technology

Navigator DTF Workflow helps increase productivity, manage your work, and reduce costs. With an intuitive user interface, an operator is able to manage and control jobs from virtually any prepress workstation. Specific workflow sequences can be designated and stored, greatly reducing the opportunity for error. 

Optional features for the Navigator DTF Workflow include PDF Creation and Preflighting, plus a robust Ink Remapping tool, providing a quick and easy way to eliminate or consolidate plates within a job. Scriptable Hot Folders allow jobs to be sorted automatically by the workflow based on job size or other criteria.

The new high resolution inkjet film workflows allows users to use select Epson printers to output film positive or negatives using special UV blocking inks. Film outputs of up to 85 lpi for low resolution or up to 133 lpi for high resolution are possible depending on materials.

Epson for Proofing and Plate

Xitron also offers Navigator workflows that allow the use of an Epson Stylus Pro to produce polyester plates, the high resolution workflow may be used to output contract proofs when used with the optional proofing plug-in for the specific Epson model. Please note that only Epson 4880, 7880, 9880, 7890, 9890, 7900 and 9900 are supported for contact proofing with Xitron proofing plug-ins. The Epson 7700 and 9700, while suitable for plate output are not supported by any Xitron proofing plug-ins due to their limited color gamut. Due to the use of the UV blocking ink it is not possible to use the same Epson printer for both film and proof/plate output.

Models Supported

The new workflows support a wide range of Epson printers for plate output including:

• 4800, 4880, 4900
• 7700, 7800, 7880, 7890, 7900
• 9700, 9800, 9880, 9890, 9900
• 11880

Job Tracking and Management

Job tracking and control has never been easier. The workflow sorts jobs by name, status, priority, and job number. The management system also keeps copies of the job at all stages of the workflow. This allows jobs to be easily resubmitted without going back to the original design application to be reprinted. Tracking helps ensure that the version approved by the client will be the version which is sent for output and printing.