Variable Data Printing (VDP) is a digital printing technique that makes it possible to customise individual elements within a print job. This can include text, images, graphics or even entire layouts. VDP is often used for personalised marketing materials, such as direct mail, where each printed item contains information specific to the recipient. VDP uses databases and software to control variations in the printing process, enabling a customised approach.
Application and advantages of VDP
VDP is used in many areas, including
- Marketing and advertising: Creation of personalised mailings that are directly tailored to the interests and needs of the recipient.
- Transaction printing: Customisation of invoices, account statements and other documents with specific customer data.
- Publishing: Production of personalised books or magazines that are adapted for individual readers.
- Invitations and event materials: Personalised invitations and event programmes that speak directly to the recipient.
The advantages of VDP are:
- Increased relevance: Personalisation increases the relevance of printed materials, leading to higher reader retention and better response rates.
- More effective communication: Customised messages can be communicated in a more targeted manner, which increases the effectiveness of marketing campaigns.
- Cost efficiency: Despite higher production costs per unit, the improved response rates and more targeted approach can reduce overall costs.
Why proofs are necessary for VDP
Proofs are essential in the VDP process to ensure that the personalised elements are printed correctly and consistently. Proofs help to ensure that the variable data is correctly integrated into the design. Errors in the database or layout can be recognised and corrected before final production. A proof shows exactly how the personalised elements will look in the finished print product, avoiding misunderstandings and errors.
As with conventional print jobs, colour accuracy is also crucial with VDP. Proofs make it possible to check colour reproduction and ensure that all individual elements are printed in the desired colours. This is particularly important when variable images or graphics are used, which may be available in different colour variants.
Proofs offer the customer the opportunity to check and approve the print product before final production. This gives the customer security and enables any adjustments or corrections to be made before the print job is fully executed. This ensures that the end product meets the customer’s expectations and requirements.
This year we once again created proofs for Fogra certification and sent them to Munich-Aschheim for testing. With these proof prints, which we print according to three different proof standards and on three different papers, we point out that we not only deliver excellent proof quality through internal quality controls and checks, but that the quality of our proofs is also measured and confirmed by external experts. We have now had test prints certified by Fogra for the 12th time. We have also been “Spot-cert” certified for the display of … read more
Offset and Newsprint ISO Coated v2 (ECI) / ISO Coated v2 300% (ECI) Profile: ISOcoated_v2_eci.icc Standard for glossy and matte coated paper Paper: Types 1 and 2, gloss and matte coated Tone value increase curves A (CMY) and B (K) as defined in ISO 12647-2:2004 Characterisation Data: FOGRA39L ISOUncoated Profile: ISOUncoated.icc Standard for uncoated white natural paper Paper: paper grade 4, uncoated white offset, dot gain curves C (CMY) and D (K) from ISO 12647-2: 2004 Characterisation Data: FOGRA29L PSOCoatedV3 / Fogra 51 Profile: PSOcoated_v3.icc The successor of ISOCoatedV2 for glossy … read more
In recent years, various problems have arisen with our previous proof paper supplier. On the one hand, we sometimes had to wait more than three months for paper deliveries; on the other hand, we sometimes had significant problems with batch-to-batch discrepancies, surface defects and much more. After lengthy deliberations, we decided in December to replace all the paper. We therefore received pallets of new paper at the turn of the year, which we are now gradually incorporating into our production. There will be no hard cut, but the new papers … read more
Shortly after Adobe’s announcement to remove PANTONE colours from their products, PANTONE removed the popular PANTONE Find a Color from their website
From now on you can order proofs for metal decor printing on white sheet metal at proof.de: The ICC profile for Fogra60 is Metal-Printing_MPC1_FOGRA60.icc
In this short image video we – the Proof GmbH – introduce us and our work. Find out who we are and what drives us. What do you think of our short film?
In the current issue of Fogra News “Fogra Aktuell” Proof GmbH is involved in two places. Firstly, a summary of the Fogra report on our first FOGRA55 certification for seven-colour printing with extended colour space in CMYKOGV appeared. You can also find more information on our FOGRA55 certification on the Fogra website: https://fogra.org/en/press-releases/fogracert-erste-cpc-zertifizierung-fuer-fogra55-cmykogv-330 and on proofing.de: And secondly, there was a report on the completion of the research project for textile digital printing, FOGRA58, in which we were allowed to investigate and test the proof capability of the new textile … read more
Digimarc is a digital watermark that can be used to embed information in images, videos or other media. Digimarc watermarks are invisible to the human eye, but remain recognisable to special software or devices. Digimarc is becoming increasingly popular in the packaging sector in particular, as this technology allows the digits of the EAN barcode and more to be applied invisibly to all areas of the packaging. Digimarc and EAN barcode at the supermarket checkout When scanning at the checkout, the checkout staff do not have to search for the … read more
Whether it’s a large global corporation or a small company, the following often applies to designs or redesigns today: we develop everything for digital first.
A few days ago Proof GmbH was the first company to be certified for proofing for the new 7C exchange colour space FOGRA55. Fogra has developed characterisation data for extended multicolour printing with the printing colours CMYKOGV – i.e. cyan, magenta, yellow, black (contrast), orange, green and violet – FOGRA55 as part of a research project over the past few years. The characterisation data and the ICC profile Ref-ECG-CMYKOGV_FOGRA55_TAC300.icc have been published on the Fogra website in recent weeks. We have now carried out the certification via GMG ColorProof, as … read more