Service Bureau Profiler
The Corel Service Bureau Profiler is used to create profiles for use by service bureau clients when they are preparing their documents to be sent to the service bureau for output. It allows a service bureau to specify what settings they prefer to have in place when receiving files for output including acceptable file formats and PDF settings such as compression and text settings, bookmark, halftone and OPI settings.
After a profile has been created by a service bureau, it can then be sent to a client who uses CorelDRAW. By using the Prepare for Service Bureau option in CorelDRAW and choosing to use the supplied profile, all necessary information will be gathered automatically by CorelDRAW so that it can be sent to the service bureau to be output with maximum efficiency. Making use of such profiles minimizes the amount of time that the service bureau will have to spend preparing the document for output and ultimately reduces the overall cost of outputting the job.
The Corel Service Bureau Profiler (SB Profiler) can be accessed by clicking Start | Programs | CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 12 | SB Profiler. The first screen of the wizard is shown below and allows the user to specify what application the profile will be created for (Any, CorelDRAW or Corel VENTURA).
Note that depending on which options are selected, all of the following illustrations and information may not apply to generation of the service bureau profile.
If a profile was previously created and simply needs to be updated, choose Edit an existing profile and then specify its location. When ready, click Next to continue.
The second screen includes the profile information. Description and Company Name fields are mandatory and must be completed before the Next button will become available. Complete all other applicable information and click Next.
After entering the profile identification, the file formats that will be accepted by the service bureau will have to be specified. When choosing to accept Corel native files, a version can also be specified. By default, the version setting will be set to Any. In addition to Corel native files, PDFs and print files (PS & PRN) can also be included.
The fourth screen includes an option to have a hard copy of the document created and also provides the opportunity to leave specific additional instructions for any client who is using the Prepare for Service Bureau feature with the created profile.
Following the completion of the instructions for the client, file-specific settings must be specified for the file formats that were chosen as acceptable on the third screen. If PDF was selected as acceptable, the next screen will be the first of two screens that provide configuration settings for the PDF document that will be created by CorelDRAW.
Settings included on this screen include Bitmap compression and Bitmap downsampling settings as well as Text and font export settings and Encoding methods.
The second part of the PDF settings will be available after clicking the Next button. It includes advanced PDF settings such as halftone, overprint, spot color and OPI settings and general document settings such as hyperlink, thumbnail and bookmark options. For more information about these and other PDF settings, please view the PDF Engine.
Following the PDF settings, Page Settings must be configured. Here paper size can be set and this value can then be specified as a maximum or as a fixed setting. For example, if you are capable of outputting any document up to 11" x 17", set the page size to tabloid and then choose Maximum paper size in the Constraints section. If you only output documents that are 8.5" x 11", choose Letter as the paper size and then choose Fixed paper size in the Constraints section. Similarly, the orientation can be fixed as Landscape or Portrait if desired.
After page sizes have been set, click Next.
If a specific ICC color profile is preferred, enable the Use color management checkbox and then click Browse to navigate to and select the desired profile. This will be provided to the end-user so that it can be used in generating the files that they will send back for output. After choosing a color profile, a description may also be added if necessary. If color management is not required, click Next without enabling this option.
The next several screens are used to configure Prepress and Separations settings. These will be applied in the PostScript files generated by CorelDRAW and can be used to generate color separations, specify halftone settings and apply other finishing details.
The first of these screens allows a variety of options to be enabled or disabled including the printing of separations, file information, page numbers, crop/fold marks, color calibration bar, densitometer scales and bleed. In addition to these, screen frequency can be set and registration marks can be chosen. This screen also allows the document to be output in an inverted or mirrored state.
The next screen in this series includes setting for separations and trapping. The separations settings available are Hexachrome plates, Convert spot colors to CMYK and Print empty plates. Trapping options are specified in the Auto-trapping section to the right and allow overprinting and auto-spreading features to be enabled. After verifying and implementing the desired options, click Next.
Halftone settings follow and permit the selection of the halftone type as well as the adjustment of halftone frequencies and angles. Frequency and angle settings can be adjusted for each plate (color) to be output.
PostScript settings include settings specific to the output devices capabilities. The first setting included in PostScript settings is the Compatibility. Ensure that the selected PostScript level is within the compatibility range of the device being used. Should a PostScript level higher than that which your device supports be used, PostScript errors are likely. If a PPD is being used, PostScript level will be selected automatically by the PPD.
Bitmap compression is supported by PostScript Levels 2 & 3 only. Choosing PostScript Level 1 will result in this option being disabled.
In addition to this, available PostScript settings include the ability to Maintain OPI links and resolve DCS links. Type 1 fonts can be downloaded to the device and True Type fonts can be automatically converted to Type 1. The maximum number of points on a curve can also be adjusted to aid in outputting complex curves. The default value of 1500 is for PostScript Level 2. If PostScript Level 1 is being used, this number may need to be reduced.
Curve flatness can also be adjusted and can be set to automatically increase. Enabling this option will result in the curve flatness being increased automatically if the document fails to print with the initial value. Fountain steps can also be set to automatically increase which will improve the rendering of such fills, however this may come at the expense of printing time. Enabling the Optimize fountain steps option will result in complex fills having their steps reduced if necessary.
After the PostScript settings have been set and Next is clicked, a complete summary of the entire profile will be displayed. Review this information carefully. Should changes need to be made, clicking the Back button will provide opportunity to change any settings.
If the summary appears correct, specify where the profile is to be saved and click Next.
When the profile has been created, the closing screen will appear indicating that the profile has been successfully created. Click Finish to close the Service Bureau Profiler.
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