Beginning With The End: Understanding Printing

Where does a typical desktop publishing project begin? Dumb question? Perhaps not. For all practical purposes, the information gathering process starts at the end, with the printing process. If you're new to desktop publishing, this article will explain some of the technical aspects of design you may not have considered. If you're an old pro, it might remind you of some of the production steps we (I include myself here) sometimes forget.

Dornbos, Jim. Ideabook.com (2001). Design>Publishing>Prepress>Printing

Computer to Plate Basics Explained

In Europe and the US, Computer to Plate (CtP) seems to be a fast growing market. In some areas of the print market the majority of printers have already made the transition from traditional plate techniques to CtP. The reason why is easy to see: CtP gives almost instant colour register on the press, and there is no need to worry about stopping the press for removal of dust marks and scratches that sometimes would plague traditional film.

IT Enquirer (2003). Design>Publishing>Prepress>Printing

Computer to Plate Hits High Tide

Technology tends to be an irresistible tide, tugging individuals and businesses toward the newer, the faster, the better, and punishing the holdouts with obsolescence. No industry and no profession can escape that steady march of upgrades and improvements. Computer-to-plate imaging (CtP) has certainly not been an exception, driving all but niche shops to abandon the old (film imagesetters) for the promise of the new.

Franklin, Tom. Digital Output (2003). Design>Publishing>Prepress>Printing

The Digital Democratization

The latest digital copier-printers provide enhanced digital printing functionality, enabling users to do more than ever.

Miley, Michael. PennWell (2004). Design>Publishing>Prepress>Printing

Digital Printing - Making the Right Moves

The number of printing companies that can call themselves digital printers jumps to many thousands in the United States alone. If you've got a Digital Press, or a Direct Imaging Press, or utilize Computer to Plate technology to 'feed' your conventional presses, you're a Digital Printer!

Chiricuzio, Mike. On Demand Journal (2004). Design>Publishing>Prepress>Printing

Polyester Plates Earn a Second Look

Yes, the 'poor man's CTP' still suffers from some early shortcomings, but four-color work on four-up equipment is becoming a short-run mainstay.

Toth, Debora. Graphic Arts Monthly (2004). Design>Publishing>Prepress>Printing