Continental Web Press Reinvents Press Checks with Virtual Approval Powered by DALIM SOFTWARE

Moving Color-Critical Press Checks Beyond the Plant Floor

When COVID disrupted traditional ways of working, Continental Web Press (CWP) faced a challenge familiar to many printers: how to maintain precise, color-critical press approvals without bringing customers onto the plant floor. Rather than pause operations, CWP turned the challenge into an opportunity, creating a scalable, remote press approval model using DALIM SOFTWARE.

Founded in 1973 by Diane and Ken Field, Continental Web Press is a privately held, woman-owned company known for its commitment to quality, consistency, and customer service. Serving major brands, publishers, and agencies, CWP operates state-of-the-art web offset and digital presses, prints to certified G7 color standards, and delivers fully integrated print communication solutions across North America.

A Pandemic-Era Problem That Sparked Long-Term Innovation

Press checks are critical in magazine and advertising production, where advertisers expect printed results to precisely match approved proofs. COVID introduced immediate challenges: travel restrictions, furloughs, and health concerns made in-person press approvals impractical.

“We could have decided to ride the storm and do nothing,” says Ed Zepernick, CIO and CTO/EVP at CWP. “But you sit and think of possible solutions to the problem.”

CWP asked a bold question: Is it possible to deliver an online press proof that is accurate enough to replace being on press?

Building CWP Virtual Press OK with DALIM SOFTWARE

The answer became CWP Virtual Press OK - a secure, color-accurate online press approval process powered by DALIM SOFTWARE.

“We decided to create CWP Virtual Press OK using DALIM to provide accurate online press proofs,” recalls Zepernick. “But there were a lot of technical hurdles to go through.”

Color accuracy was the greatest challenge. CWP had to ensure that clients saw the same color remotely as they would standing at the press - no small task.

Ken and Diane Field, long-time advocates of innovation, quickly supported the initiative.

“Anything to help our clients - and helps CWP weather this pandemic is beneficial,” says Ken Field.

The solution combined DALIM SOFTWARE’s color management and collaboration capabilities with high-end scanning hardware - an essential component for preserving full color space fidelity.

Making Virtual Press Proofs Truly Color-Accurate

CWP already produced virtual color proofs prior to printing. With Virtual Press OK, they added a second step: scanning actual press sheets and comparing them directly to approved proofs.

“A $200 scanner will not work. You’ll lose the color space immediately,” explains Zepernick.

Using DALIM’s comparison tools, customers could review original proofs and press sheets side by side using sliders to detect even the smallest color variations. If needed, jobs could be re-imposed and reviewed again - ensuring accuracy across press sheets and crossovers.

Solving Complex Imposition and Review Requirements

Different customers required different views: page-by-page, sheet-level, front-and-back forms, or crossover analysis. Building a flexible system to support all these scenarios was a major challenge.

Mike Sye, Prepress Manager at CWP, played a key role in configuring the workflows to present imposition data exactly as customers needed to see it. 

“Some clients want page-by-page views, others want to see the sheet as it appears on press,” explains Zepernick. “Building the system to meet those expectations was a major hurdle.”

Real Business Benefits—and a New Revenue Stream

CWP Virtual Press OK quickly became more than a stopgap solution. It evolved into a permanent service offering.

“This has become a revenue stream,” notes Zepernick.

Customers could approve color remotely while involving more stakeholders - art directors, production teams, and clients - without travel costs. For some customers, virtual press proofs became the new standard.

“Having their client see the final piece sells the product,” one customer noted.

Travel expenses of up to $3,000 per press check were eliminated, replaced with a modest setup fee for scanning and proof preparation.

Gaining Competitive Advantage Through Innovation

The results were immediate and measurable.

“We jumped in offering something our customers did not expect,” says Zepernick.
“We are gaining new clients and satisfying old ones.”

Michael Fielding, Creative Director at Hearst, overseeing brands such as Food Network and HGTV, describes the experience:

“It was the next best thing to seeing the job on press, and the final product was amazing.”

While some highly sensitive jobs still require on-site visits, virtual press proofs are now a trusted, cost-saving alternative.

Powered by DALIM SOFTWARE

CWP’s customers are now asking whether Virtual Press OK is available elsewhere. The answer: yes - through DALIM SOFTWARE.

“DALIM SOFTWARE has been providing production workflow tools to printers for forty years,” says Carol Werlé, CEO of DALIM SOFTWARE.

“It’s terrific that CWP has been able to modify their workflow to provide such a unique solution.”

As Zepernick sums up:

“Our clients are breathing comfortably, knowing that what they see in print will be what they expected. Our new catch phrase is ‘Powered by DALIM SOFTWARE.’”