Just a quick comment on this re the statement 'They send untagged PDF/X-1a documents to the RIP'. By default a PDF X 1a document has to have a 'Output intent'. This can be a profile or refer to a printing condition. Many proofing RIPS can be set to honour this 'Output intent' and proof to the printing condition. A PDF X-1a cannot how profiles attached to images. It is best when using PDF X1a for the CMYK images to have been converted to the CMYK of the 'Output intent' to avoid a change in colour appearance when proofing. Regards Paul Sherfield The Missing Horse Consultancy Ltd Telephone : + 44 1442 207626 Mobile: + 44 7899 906385 http://www.missinghorsecons.co.uk http://twitter.com/#!/missinghorse Apple Solutions Expert - Print & Publishing Member - UK TC130 Technical Advisory Group (ISO 12647 Printing Standards) UK Expert: ISO TC130/Working Group 13 on certification of printing standards Chair BPIF UK ISO 12647 Certification Steering Group Member - BPIF Technical Standards Committee Lean and green? To save money and become a greener printer, see http://www.greenprinter.co.uk http://www.keeconsultants.com Reduce your carbon footprint http://www.1010uk.org This email and any attachments may be confidential and are intended solely for the use of addressee. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, any disclosure, copying or other distribution is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender and delete all copies from your system. Email may be susceptible to data corruption, interception and unauthorised amendment. We do not accept liability for any such corruption, interception or amendment or the consequences thereof. We do not accept liability for any action or inaction by the recipient as a result of advice or information contained within this email.