CIP3 stands for International Cooperation for Integration in Prepress, Press and Postpress, and it presently consists of an open group of more than 40 manufacturers working with the Fraunhofer Institute for Computer Graphics in Germany. Basically its process uses the page information generated in prepress to control settings on press and in postpress. Initially it has taken a narrow focus to achieve results, concentrating on three aspects: position/registration, ink usage, and cutting.
The system is based on the use of a "Print Production Format," PPF, which uses interpreters from the prepress page data and interpreters out at the press and postpress controllers.
We at Annan & Bird have installed a CIP3 system on all our presses to ensure better quality printing and faster colour approvals. CIP4 is the next stage of development and is currently ongoing.
We have run colour profiles on all presses and set up our Kodak Approval XP4 to best represent the results we would have on press with the colour proofs sent to customers for sign-off
