Wherever the PAPER.plus logo is displayed, whether it’s in newspapers or magazines, on posters or flyers, readers can visualise additional offers. All they need to do is scan the image with their smartphone or tablet. Alongside features including direct access to websites and shops, the enhanced images are leading the user into a world of augmented reality, showing videos, 3D models and other effects.

Reliable image recognition that delivers a well-defined digital fingerprint of the identified image is required. This is then compared with a database holding the supplementary information. "It is necessary to manipulate the image such that it matches the printed result exactly", explains Stefan Rost, Managing Director at ProcSet GmbH. "We decided to use pdfToolbox, as it provides very reliable rendering technology."

Dietrich von Seggern, Managing Director at callas software GmbH, adds: "PAPER.plus is a smart app, transporting readers of printed products into the digital world with a simple scan. We are delighted to be able to deliver a key component with pdfToolbox that will ensure a smooth process."

Behind all this is a lean workflow. Customers upload their advertisements or articles as PDF files via a cloud-based SaaS composer tool by a simple drag and drop. This action employs the pdfToolbox to create the print-ready image. As a final step, the supplementary information to be displayed when the user scans the image is added using an easy-to-use web application.

ProcSet has been a callas customer since 2008 and has been using pdfToolbox as part of its print production for publishers ever since. This is where the software fully comes into its own, for instance for proofing, converting and print preparation.

The PAPER.plus app is available for free download in the AppStore and Play Store.

For more information, please visit www.paper.plus.

About callas software

callas software finds simple ways to handle complex PDF challenges. As a technology innovator, callas software develops and markets PDF technology for publishing, print production, document exchange and document archiving. callas software helps agencies, publishing companies and printers to meet the challenges they face by providing software to preflight, correct and repurpose PDF files for print production and electronic publishing. Businesses and government agencies all over the world rely on callas software’s future-proof, fully PDF/A compliant archiving products. In addition, callas software technology is available as a programming library (SDK) for developers with a need for PDF optimization, validation and correction. Software vendors such as Adobe®, Quark®, Xerox® and many others have recognized the quality and flexibility provided by these callas tools and have incorporated them into their solutions.

callas software actively supports international standards and has been participating in ISO, CIP4, the European Color Initiative, the PDF Association and the Ghent PDF Workgroup. In addition, callas software is a founding member of the PDF Association and active in its board since then.

callas software is based in Berlin, Germany. For more information, visit the callas software website at: www.callassoftware.com.