We’re excited to announce the release of SmartDFE™ Version 4.12, now available for download from the FTP site as of early July 2025. This version delivers several powerful enhancements and marks the final release in the 4.x series of SmartDFE. The next major release (Version 5.0) will debut at Labelexpo Europe in September. To conclude the 4.x series on a high note, Version 4.12 introduces a range of valuable new features:
Improved Spot Color Accuracy
We’ve worked closely with ColorLogic to implement new spot color conversion algorithms. These deliver significantly improved Delta E accuracy, resulting in more precise color reproduction.
Smart Media Manager (SMM) Enhancements
We’ve overhauled the quality management process in SMM:
- Ink Limiting and Drop Transition stages have been consolidated for a more streamlined workflow.
- Users can now measure color patches to directly read and set Lab values.
- A new “Advanced” licensing level has been added—positioned between OEM and User tiers—to provide more control to power users.
- Support has been added for 5-color presses with extended gamut configurations such as CMYKO or CMYKG.
Label Studio Improvements
Label Studio now supports:
- Lead-in and lead-out pages
- Information pages
- Print marks
- Impositions
- Step and repeat functionality
New Proofing Mode
A brand-new proofing mode has been added that RIPs a single page of a job using the exact same screening, PrintFlat™ settings, and rendering pipeline as the final print. The raster is then colorised and assembled into a realistic PDF simulation of the printed output. This PDF opens in a restricted version of Job Editor, allowing you to:
- Zoom and pan across the job
- Toggle individual separations on or off
- Inspect screen patterns and PrintFlat effects
You can see the full list of improvements here: https://documentation.globalgraphics.com/sdfe/smartdfe-v4-12-release-notes
About the author
Eric Worrall currently leads the product management and technical services teams, as well as being responsible for the product strategy, position and vision within Global Graphics Software. He has had a wide experience of key roles including senior software developer, technical support, sales and product management, and has over twenty years of market knowledge in printing, digital documents, machine vision technologies.
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