Electronic Work Flow
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Transcript of Electronic Work Flow
Electronic Work Flow
Chapter 13
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Objectives
Distinguish between analog form and digital form.State the functions of word processing, page composition, and illustration programs.Explain the functions of PDLs.Summarize the functions of Print Production Format (PPF) and Job Definition Format (JDF).
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Objectives
Cite the definition of preflighting and explain its importance to prepress production.Describe the basic creation, transmission, and output of electronic media.List proofing methods used in the printing industry.
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Objectives
Identify the basic functions of raster image processors (RIPs), imagesetters, and platesetters.Define digital printing.
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Analog vs. Digital
Most images enter the work flow in analog form and are converted to digital formAnalog images are continuous and can vary in densityDigital images consist of cells on a grid (pixels)
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The Transition to Digital
Image reproduction was originally limited to type and black-and-white line drawingsInvention of photography in the 1800s made it possible to capture photographic imagesReproducing these images was not possible until the invention of the halftone screen in 1886Electronic scanners and digital cameras are used now
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Computer Platforms
Major ones in use today:– PC– Macintosh computer
Defined by operating system used
Many service bureaus use a particular platform
Cross-platform programs, formats, or devices work on different platforms
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Software Programs
Used for many applications in the printing industry
Text creation and editing are done in word processing programs
Text can be imported into a page composition program
Other software is used for image creation and manipulation and imposition
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Paint Programs
Create or transform images into bitmap graphicsBitmap graphic—pattern of pixels arranged on a gridNumber of bits in a pixel is the bit depth
One-Bit Pixels Eight-Bit Pixels
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Draw Programs
Use straight and curved lines to produce vector graphics
Vector graphics are represented as mathematical formulas– Can be greatly enlarged
and still remain sharp– Require less computer
memory than bitmap files
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Image Manipulation Programs
Paint programs that generate bitmap graphics
More advanced programs allow manipulation of almost any aspect of an image– Cropping images– Changing color and contrast– Removing and replicating images
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Page Composition Programs
Integrate files produced by very different types of softwareUnderstand different languages used and translate elements into a common language
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Translating Files
PDL directs imaging performed by the output devices
Interpreters translate PostScript page descriptions line by line into patterns of dots or pixels
Encapsulated PostScript (EPS) files include low-resolution representations of documents
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Portable Document Format (PDF)
Evolved out of PostScript technology
Designed to support:– CD-ROMs– Internet- and intranet-page production– Digital-printing technologies– Digital work flow of
computer-to-plate (CTP) technology
A good preflighting tool
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Integrating All of Production
International Cooperation for Integration of Prepress, Press, and Postpress (CIP3) was created to reduce compatibility problems
CIP3 produced Print Production Format (PPF)
PPF evolved into Job Definition Format (JDF)
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Desktop Publishing
Basis for all electronic prepress
Used to produce art, copy, and page composition
Pages are output as laser proofs
Corrected files are translated to PostScript format and sent to printer
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Stages of Electronic Prepress
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Power Supply
When electrical power supply is disrupted, digital work flow is halted
An uninterruptible power supply saves time and prevents work-flow interruptions
Desktop computers can use a small battery supply
Some uninterruptible power-supply systems protect from power surges
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Service Bureaus
Contracted by publishers to scan high-resolution images or output film
Provide link between publishers or ad agencies and printers
Some offer a full range of prepress services
Output service bureaus limit their services to high-resolution output from PostScript files
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File Formats
Attention must be paid to the format in which data is stored
Text files can be saved in various formats and reformatted for use in other programs
Graphic image formats are not as flexible
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Caution
Digital data can become damaged or corrupted
Always back up your files on a regular basis
When you make backup copies, you are copying your files to a second medium as a precaution, in case the first medium fails or is destroyed
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File-Naming Conventions
Carefully naming files keeps work organized– File names should not begin with a space– Each file name should be unique– Only alphanumeric characters should be used– Appropriate file extensions should be used
Automatic picture replacement (APR) files should not be renamed because the name of the file links to high-res image
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Preflighting
Orderly review of files to identify problems:– No laser proofs supplied
– Incorrect page sizes
– Inadequate image bleeds
– Scans supplied in wrong file format
Scitex Graphic Arts Users Association (SGAUA) publishes the Computer Ready Electronic File (CREF) II guidelines
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Preflighting Chart
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Preflighting Chart (Cont.)
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Checklist for Materials
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File Repair
Digitally send files to a data-repair and -recovery service
Purchase file-repair software– Repairs certain film formats, media, or
application files– Recovers graphics files that were
accidentally deleted
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Monitors
Software used for word processing and page layout provides a What You See Is What You Get (WYSIWYG) display
Color-management software provides a What You See Is What You Print (WYSIWYP) display
Resolution and dot pitch are important
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Types of Monitors
Cathode-ray tube (CRT) monitors– Images are generated from beams of electrons
striking phosphors on inside of screen
Liquid crystal display (LCD) monitors– Consist of a coating of liquid crystals between two
thin sheets of polarized glass
Plasma display monitors– Cells containing plasma are activated by a small
electric current
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CRT Monitors
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LCD Monitors
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Plasma Display Monitors
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Types of Printers
Dot matrix printers
Ink-jet printers
Laser printers
Thermal printers
Dye sublimation printers
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Types of Ink-Jet Printers
Drop-on-demand ink-jet printers– Thermal ink-jet printers– Piezoelectric ink-jet printers
Continuous ink-jet printers– Emit a steady stream of droplets that
receive electrical charges– Designed more for speed than image
quality
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Thermal Ink-Jet Printers
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Piezoelectric Ink-Jet Printers
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Laser Printers
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Engine Speed
Maximum number of pages the printer can output in full- or single-color mode
Measured in pages per minute
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Caution
Some ink-jet and laser printers use agents that can be irritating or toxic
Laser toner can be an irritant to the respiratory tract and eyes
MSDSs are available from the toner vendor or manufacturer
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Types of Proofs
Hard proofs
Soft proofs
Digital proofs
Contract proofs
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Proofing
Customers often require proofs that accurately represent color and halftone reproduction
Digital-proofing systems can simulate the dot gain expected on press
Remote proofing allows a printer to send digital files to out-of-town clients
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Imagesetters
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Types of Imagesetters
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Imagesetter Calibration
Ensures high-quality output and repeatability
Imagesetter maintenance is important
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Platesetters
Eliminate the need for film by exposing directly to plate material
Categories:– Flatbed platesetters– Internal-drum platesetters– External-drum platesetters
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Imagesetting Systems
Consist of imagesetter and raster image processor (RIP)
RIP translates language of page-layout software into language of imagesetters and platesetters
Conversion of vector images to raster images is rasterization
Interpreter in the hardware converts files
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RIP Conversion
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Automated Ink Control
In the past, ink keys were manually set to ensure that areas of the plate received the right amount of ink
In the 1900s, plate scanners were developed, which set ink controls automatically
Now, digital data from the RIP can also set the ink keys automatically
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Digital Printing
Any method of printing in which imaging of the plate occurs on press
Includes two processes:– Digital imaging (DI) technology
• Advantages are shorter production time, reduced labor costs, cost-effective short runs, and greater registration control
– Digital toner-based press technology• Main advantage is variable data printing (VDP)
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The Internet
Used to communicate, transfer documents, and sell products and services
Originally developed for the military
Fastest growing part is the World Wide Web (WWW)
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Review Questions
What is the main difference between analog form and digital form?
Analog images are continuous and can vary in density, while digital images consist of tiny cells on a very fine grid.
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Review Questions
Text creation and editing should be done in a(n) _____ program.
word processing
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Review Questions
What is the main function of a PDL?
A PDL directs the imaging that an output device performs.
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Review Questions
PPF evolved into _____, which is a standard method of communication that eliminates the need for data to be reentered as a job moves from one system to another during production.
Job Definition Format (JDF)
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Review Questions
What do we call the orderly review of files to identify potential problems that could occur during production?
Preflighting
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Review Questions
Which of the following types of printers operates very similarly to photocopying machines?
A. Dot matrix printer
B. Dye sublimation printer
C. Ink-jet printer
D. Laser printer
D. Laser printer
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Review Questions
What is the difference between hard proofs and soft proofs?
Hard proofs are tangible sheets of paper made directly from digital files, while soft proofs are the images displayed on a computer monitor.
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Review Questions
A(n) _____ is a high-resolution output device that takes bitmap data generated by a RIP and writes it to film, paper, or printing plates, using a laser that writes the data line by line.
imagesetter
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Review Questions
What is digital printing?
Any reproduction technology that receives electronic files and uses spots (or dots) for replication.