FAQ
Questions, answered
The things shops ask before they commit: what it runs on, what it needs, and how it fits your floor.
What is FlightDeck?
A prepress automation suite for sign and wide-format shops. It watches an intake folder, checks every incoming file against your production rules, outlines fonts, sorts the results, and hands print-ready art straight to your RIP. It also ships with a set of Adobe Illustrator® production scripts.
What platforms does it run on?
Mac and Windows. The preflight engine runs on either, and the Illustrator scripts install into the Scripts menu on both.
Do I need Adobe Illustrator?
For the production scripts, yes, they run inside Illustrator. The preflight pipeline itself works on PDF and EPS on its own and does not need Illustrator open.
What file types can it check?
PDF and EPS. EPS files are converted to PDF on arrival, so Illustrator and legacy EPS art flows through the same pipeline with no manual save-as step.
Does it need Ghostscript?
Font outlining and EPS conversion use Ghostscript, which you provide. It is free, open source, and a one-time install. The checks themselves run without it; outlining and EPS conversion are what need it.
Does my artwork leave the shop?
No. FlightDeck runs locally on your own machine and watched folders. Your files never leave the shop, and nothing is uploaded to a cloud.
Which RIPs does it work with?
Any RIP that accepts a hot folder, such as Onyx or Caldera. FlightDeck drops print-ready files into the folder your RIP already watches, so there is nothing new to learn on the RIP side.
What happens when a file fails the check?
It moves to a Fix folder with a client bounce email already drafted, listing exactly what to correct. Clean files go to Ready as outlined production copies, and the untouched original is archived in Originals, filed by week.
Is Shop Traveler required?
No. Shop Traveler is an optional, standalone companion job board. The FlightDeck pipeline works entirely on its own.
How do I get it, and what does it cost?
FlightDeck is a paid suite. The beta is free so testers can run it in real production and help shape it before launch pricing is set. Join the beta to try it and be first to know.