Global Graphic’s Harlequin RIP Receives JDF Certification

SEWICKLEY, Pa. - The International Cooperation for the Integration of the Processes in Prepress, Press and Postpress (CIP4) organization and Printing Industries of America/Graphic Arts Technical Foundation (PIA/GATF) announced that Global Graphic’s Harlequin RIP is the first commercially available product to achieve JDF Certification, meeting CIP4’s established interoperability conformance specifications.

PIA/GATF provides testing services for the JDF Product Certification Program based on requirements established in CIP4’s Interoperability Conformance Specifications (ICS). The version of the Harlequin RIP that was successfully certified was Genesis Release 7.1R0 running on Microsoft Windows XP. The Harlequin RIP was certified to both Layout Creator to Imposition (LayCrImp) ICS and the Level 0 of the Base ICS, which requires support for hot folder exchange of JDF files but not JMF support.

According to Brandon Iskey, computational research scientist at PIA/GATF, the entire test took about two-and-a-half days, including installation of the Harlequin RIP on a PIA/GATF computer. “The test ran pretty smoothly and Global Graphics was right there to answer any questions about their product,” said Iskey.

Global Graphics has been issued a “JDF Certified” logo with a serial number unique to the Harlequin RIP that can now be used on product packaging and promotional materials. This will convey to buyers that the Harlequin RIP has been certified to meet established guidelines for JDF interoperability.

“I’m proud of the work our technical staff has done to demonstrate Global Graphic’s industry leadership,” said Jim Freidah, Global Graphics COO and president. “We have placed a lot of emphasis on interoperability by testing our technology with other products and solutions from vendors throughout the industry, including the industry’s most popular imposition design programs and production management tools. Printers are looking for products that can be part of an efficient, highly automated workflow today and in the future, and the Harlequin RIP has shown that it can be a key component in that workflow by being the first JDF Certified product.”