Text 4 Electronic page planning

VI. Compose a plan and write a short summary of the text.

V. Discuss and compare different methods of proofing.

Immediately prior to the development of desk-top publishing, manufacturers such as Crosfield, Hell, Dai Nippon and Scitex brought out systems to carry out page planning electronically. These systems scan the pictures, store the separation information on disk in digital form and then use this information to create a complete page, which can consist of several transparencies output on to film in position, so that the page film consists of one complete piece of film for each colour. In addition, they can be used to lay tints, produce shapes and cut­outs, airbrushing and other artistic work and carry out colour correction. Most of them have a colour monitor, so the operator can visually assess the layout and colour values before being committed to film.

Nearly all the functions of this type of equipment can now be carried out on inexpensive personal" computers using desk-top publishing software, and most of the operations described above can be carried out by the client's designer, rather than at a repro house. Where these operations are carried out at a repro house, they also now use personal computers and desk-top publishing software in conjunction with their scanners and imagesetters.

CAD drafting and masking systems CAD stands for 'computer-aided design’. Most electronic page planners include facilities for drafting and masking, but many reproduction houses do not want the facilities or the expense of the full electronic page-planning system and so install a CAD system to complement their existing equipment.

Before these machines were developed, masks (to define image areas) had to be cut by hand with a scalpel. CAD machines consist of a keyboard and a digitizer, which can be used to create shapes and masks via a photoplotter and can also lay tints.

Specifications. Until recently, there was very little direct communication between the reproduction house and the printer, and so often film would be supplied in a form that was not ideal for the best printing result. With the increasing sophistication of machinery and demands from customers for improved quality it is now usual for the reproduction house to work to a detailed specification. This can either be supplied by the printer, or it can be a standard specification (for instance, Specifications for European Offset Printing, issued by the International Federation of the Periodical Press), These specifications should include information on the following: under-colour removal, screen ruling, screen angles, type of film, colour bars, proofing direction, proofing sequence, inks, ink densities, paper, dot gain, progressives, viewing standards and types of proof.

As the customer acts as the point of contact between the reproduction house and the printer, it is important that he or she makes sure that each is aware of the other's requirements.

Exercises :

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