Proofing Connectivity - Polaroid Polaproof 22x30 with Harlequin 4.5 RIP

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Polaroid Polaproof 22x30 with Harlequin 4.5 RIP

	NOTES: Serious performance problems may result if there is less than 512 mb of RAM loaded on Polaproof RIP workstation. Optimum RAM should be in the 700-800 megs range. Also note that their are some vintage Pentium Pro (!) workstations out there with hard drives to match, so I/O output can also be a problem no matter how much RAM you put in. Generally, don't expect RIP times for a 4-up letter to be much under a half-hour. The new Polaproof 14x20 model should be much faster but unfortunately is still on the red list.

What type of proofer is this?
	This is a contract proofer that can output a 2540 dpi proof on a 22x29 media size. This type of proofer is reliable and robust and there are hundreds in the field. However, it is time-consuming to make a proof, both in terms of RIPing and imaging the proof. Each individual C,M,Y,K donor shield must be manually attached to the cylinder which holds the base sheet. Not as automated as the Kodak Approval or even the Spectrum.

Connectivity:
	A Harlequin 4.5 RIP drives the Polaproof, so it is relatively easy to spool a DCS 2.0 set from Prinergy to a Harlequin hot folder. Note that the DCS 2.0 set from Prinergy must be 1. RLE-compressed 2. DCS must be single-file 3. In layout section. "Layout is 90 degrees different than media" 4. All spots must be converted to process in Prinergy before spooling. In addition to these instructions the page setup in the Harlequin RIP must have the page feature "DCS Comment Parser" enabled. Note that this page feature must usually be dragged out of the "examples" folder located in the ...\SW\Page features\Examples directory in the Harlequin RIP folder. Don't forget to click on "Add showpage at the end of EPS" in the options menu. See screen snapshots in zipped file Polaproofscreensnaps for proper settings in Harlequin RIP.

Performance:
	...is slow. But it is entirely dependent on the workstation and the version of the Harlequin RIP that is driving the Polaproof. At the time of writing (March 1, 2000), Polaroid has just released the Harlequin 5.1 to manufacturing. This RIP has the ability to parse and RIP each individual separation of a Prinergy 2.0 DCS set, enabling dramatically better performance without any RAM upgrade. However, with the old Harlequin 4.5 the customer must upgrade to 512+ mb of RAM to avoid performance bottlenecks. Important technical note: The page size must be set to 28.5"x21.5" instead of 29"x22"; otherwise, the RIPing time will be excessively slow.

Usage:
	There are two known sites successfully driving the Polaproof with Prinergy, one with the newer Harlequin 5.1 RIP.

Limitations:
	N/A

Resources:
	Prinergy and the Politics of Proofing: FAQ for Sales and Service on Incorporating 3rd Party Proofers