By Olivia Cahoon
Part 2 of 2
Wallcovering software adds value to digital wallpaper printing workflows with step-and-repeat, tiling, and bleed functions. Print service providers (PSPs) opting for a wallcovering software solution may choose between using features already found in an existing RIP or workflow product or a dedicated solution.
Wallcovering Software
AVA CAD/CAM offers specialized repeat, separation, coloring, and digital print modules for wallcovering creation. The AVA 5.1 software facilitates fluent design creation in real-time repeat with custom drops and mirror, jigsaw, and contract repeats at high resolutions. Unlimited colorways are created and communicated for discussion and evaluation using picker wheels, a mixing window, drag and drop from palette, and a spectrophotometer.
The AVA 5.1 software provides functions for digital wall mural tiling, working with large files, and automatic tiling of placement designs for murals—giving users the ability to decide where mural sections need to be cut, split, or spliced to fit job specifications. “AVA developed its own RIP, which is very efficient at driving individual printheads and ripping large files,” says explains Duncan Ross, commercial director, AVA.
The Caldera VisualRIP+ is an all-inclusive desktop software solution for medium- to high-production environments. Designed for large format print and print-to-cut production, it features Tiling+ and Nest-O-Matik. Step & Repeat allows users to RIP an image once for multiple print jobs. Hot folders and drag-and-drop functionality simplify workflow while SuperSpooler manages multiple printers simultaneously.
It also includes G7 certification, Pantone libraries, cost computations, and ink savings. According to Arnaud Fabre, product manager, Caldera, its step-and-repeat, tiling, crop marks, and bleed features make it ideal for wallpaper design and production. VisualRIP+ is available for a one-time fee starting at $1,195.
Part of the HP Inc. Applications Center, the HP WallArt Suite is a dedicated plug-in wallcovering solution. It is a standalone decorative web application for client creation and visualization that features customer, order, and content management tools, custom room layouts with personalized wallcovering designs, and simulated custom canvas, poster, wall decals, and cushion designs.
The HP WallArt Suite features certified integration with RIPs and printing software—operating in the cloud as part of HP Applications Center. It comes free with the purchase of an HP Latex Printer and is only compatible with HP Latex Printing Technology. “The HP WallArt Suite provides not only all the necessary tools to design wallcoverings easily, but the ability to visualize the final product and change it to fit the room where the wallcovering will go,” shares Tom Wittenberg, planning and content manager, large format strategy, HP. Since it is part of HP Applications Center, the user has access to a number of other HP tools to further enhance productivity.
ONYX Thrive workflow software is a full-print workflow solution ideal for wallpaper design and production. Features include step-and-repeat and finishing tools like bleed, crop marks, and grommets. It is an out-of-the-box solution, available as a one-time license, though users are encouraged to subscribe to ONYX Advantage, which provides a cost-effective way to keep software current.
“ONYX Thrive uses ColorCheck to validate to customers color accuracy, consistency, and standards such as G7 and Fogra,” says Bryan Manwaring, director of product marketing, Onyx Graphics, Inc. It is also iccMAX compatible—the latest standard recommended by the ICC for all wide format applications including textiles. According to Manwaring, pricing depends on product configuration as a scalable network license for any size shop.
Design Ready
Wallcovering software solutions offer designers and PSPs the opportunity to produce unique designs with accurate print results. Currently, a great selection of both dedicated solutions and RIPs or workflow products with a variety of features targeting wallpaper and wallcovering production are on the market.
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Nov2018, Digital Output
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