Enfocus has announced an upgrade to its Connect file preparation and submission tool, Connect 13.

The software, which was launched in 2010 as PitStop Connect, is intended to streamline the file preparation and submission process for designers and printers. Features include PDF creation, preflighting and corrections using the PitStop engine, custom job ticketing, and automated file delivery via FTP or Enfocus’ Switch product direct to the printer or publisher.

The software allows printers to create custom applications for their clients called Connectors that encapsulate all the settings for PDF creation and job delivery, including colour, image resolution, fonts, bleeds and marks, and delivery settings.

The Connector is then downloaded in Mac or PC format onto the clients desktop, enabling the designer to submit files for printing via a simple drag-and-drop interface, or by selecting ‘export to connector’ from within Adobe Creative Suite applications. A built-in Adobe Normalizer also enables PDF creation from any application via a virtual printer.

If anything is wrong with the file the designer will get a report, at which point they can either correct any problems themselves or submit the file to the printer for correction by the pre-press department.

Enfocus said the latest version of the software features new workflow and control functions that allow users to specify delivery rules based on file type. The developer said this would make it easier for printers to control which file types they will accept before a customer submits them.

Other new features include expanded controls for PDF creation, a simplified XML job ticket format and support for all Enfocus PitStop preflight report styles.