Plate full of promises: direct-to-plate technology offers faster and cheaper short-run color printing
Article Abstract:
Direct-to-plate printing technologies provide more cost-effective short printing runs and faster turnaround by eliminating several prepress steps, but there are currently several drawbacks. The technology enables the direct transfer of computer files to an offset printing press, eliminating intermediate film production and hand stripping processes. Several digital platemakers and imagesetters are available that generate paper or polyester plates from electronic files for use on a variety of small presses, mostly high-resolution laser printers. The Heidelberg GTO-DI system, for example, can produce electronic images directly on to the press at 1,016-dpi resolution. Drawbacks to direct-to-plate printing include the fact that most processes require plates larger than current imagesetters produce, loss of the film stage eliminates many quality proofing systems and manual stripping is less costly than electronic stripping. Direct-to-plate printing, though, eliminates many of the environmentally damaging chemicals used in developing film and plates.
Publication Name: Publish
Subject: Publishing industry
ISSN: 0897-6007
Year: 1993
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Splendid blends; follow these steps to guarantee smooth color gradients
Article Abstract:
Computer graphics programs include duplication, algorithmic and/or bit-map blending techniques that can produce smooth color gradients without banding if they are prepared properly. It is important to understand the process of producing smooth color blends on output in order to avoid such problems as banding or unprintability. Basically, blending tools produce a series of intermediate objects or gradients between beginning and ending objects or levels. Most illustration programs offer duplication blends, which involve applying the blend to two strokes or separate objects. Algorithmic blends utilize individual objects for each color and varying dot sizes to simulate a continuous blend. Bit-map blends employ pixel data to create the color gradients between multiple colors. Advantages and limitations of the different methods and variables that impact the predictability of the results are discussed.
Publication Name: Publish
Subject: Publishing industry
ISSN: 0897-6007
Year: 1993
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Age of the inkjet: a new class of color inkjet printers bridges the gap between personal output devices and wide-format printers
Article Abstract:
A buyer's guide evaluates inkjet printers for size, capabilities, and price. Maximum print area for the printers listed ranges from a width of eleven inches to thirty-four inches. The length is based on the media feed mechanism used, it can be from sixteen inches with sheet-fed tabloids, and to fifty feet and longer on devices that are roll-fed. Inkjets are rising in popularity due to increased image quality. Large-format color inkjets are available for professional and entry levels. Platform configuration will be a primary influence in your choice, along with whether or not you need a network interface, and support for page-description language. The maximum resolution is also a factor, as you should consider the types of documents you will be producing. Speed is not a factor with inkjet printers, they are not known for it.
Publication Name: Publish
Subject: Publishing industry
ISSN: 0897-6007
Year: 1998
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