Abstract: This article elaborates on the tremendous changes in printing technology over the past two decades from the point of view.
Abstract:The article is that Professor Pn expounds the great changes of graphic technology in the past of twenty years exhaustively.
At the time of the printing of the 100th edition of "Today's Printing," the invitation to write an article reviewing and looking forward to the development of industrial technology is not only an honor but also a challenge. Because the past 20 years have been exactly 20 years of tremendous changes in the printing industry technology, and this change does not simply remain on the surface of industrial technology, has gone deep into the basic level of supporting industrial technology, and began to spread to the basics of industrial operation and management. Architecture. How to sum up this change into a short, several-thousand-word article is indeed a problem, and it is obviously impossible to cover everything. However, after careful analysis, it is found that the trajectory of technological evolution is still relatively clear and has clear directions. It can be classified and tracked from several typical perspectives.
The evolution process of the printing industry technology can be characterized by the extension of digitization in the production process. It can be simply seen as the process of digitization extending from prepress to printing, to postpress, and even to distribution and sales; it can also be used in the production process of media. In terms of changes, it can simply be thought of as a gradual transition from a simple logistics system based on physical media (such as various silver salt sensitized films, printing plates, substrates, etc.) to digital information based on digital media. The process of system change can, of course, be described by the degree of production integration. It can be seen as a transition from an island-like closed production system consisting of specialized equipment and technology to an open integrated production system consisting of general modular equipment and technology. process. To sum up, there are the following aspects.
First, the production and processing methods from the simulation process to the digital process
Traditional print production mainly relies on analog processing and control methods, but with the application of digital technology represented by computers and digital networks in print production, this state is changing and it has begun to shift to digital processing and control methods. The digitalization of print production began with digital prepress, which has now extended to printing and post-press processing, and has begun to expand into the printing business and the business sector. At present, most printing production is still in the phase of analog and digital coexistence, but it has begun to appear completely rely on digital and network technology, prepress, printing and postpress integration into a complete system of production. Integrate Production and Digital Workflow (Digital WorkflOW) have become the most fashionable terminology today.
Second, the media from the physical media to digital media
Traditional print production is based on physical media (such as various silver salt sensitized films, various printing plates, substrates, etc.), and the production process can be seen as the conversion process of different physical media (such as from the original to the film, from the film to the Plates, from printing plates to substrates, management and control are also based to a large extent on the detection and analysis of physical media (eg, by measuring field density and dot gains, Is the size of the pressure appropriate?). However, today's print production is increasingly dependent on digital media (eg, networks, optical disks, disks, memory, and other forms of digital storage media). Digital media provides new product forms, processing vehicles, and storage media for printing. The advantage of digital media is that it is easy to handle, easy to transmit, high-density storage and random retrieval is easy, 'disadvantages' are invisible, intangible, and it is basically impossible to detect and measure directly by visual means.
Third, the storage method from the storage of storage to high-density digital storage
Because of the use of physical media, traditional printing production and distribution rely mainly on warehouse storage. The biggest drawback of the storage method is that the space usage efficiency is not high, it is difficult to achieve random access; and the access speed is low. Because of the use of digital media, modern print production and distribution rely mainly on high-density storage of digital media. Compared with the storage method of physical media, the digital storage method has the characteristics of high space usage efficiency, easy random retrieval, and high access speed. Moreover, the stored digital information can be easily integrated into the growing global network system, forming a huge Information resources are the main storage method in the future.
Fourth, the transmission mode from the transportation to digital network transmission
The traditional printing production and circulation are all based on transportation. The various links of production and sales are connected by means of transportation. There is an inevitable obstacle to the time and space in the timeliness of transmission and service. For example, if the print production is conducted in Beijing, China, and the customer is in Chicago, the United States, whether it is providing products or services, even if the selection of the aircraft takes at least a dozen hours, it is impossible to achieve the immediate nature of the follow-on. However, print production and service systems using digital network connections are not. In the future, broadband gigabit data transmission of high-speed network can only be completed in seconds, and it is basically not limited by distance, and the transmitted digital information can be converted into customers using appropriate output methods. Products in the required form can provide instant services that are not constrained by spatial distance. For example, current digital press systems can convert digital files into hundreds of pages of beautiful books in a few minutes, according to customer-specified materials, sizes, and bindings, even if the customer is in Chicago, USA. Get your order (books, journals, prints...) within minutes.
V. Production from a single point to system integration
The printing production process consists of three basic steps: prepress, printing and postpress. Each link consists of different operation steps. For example, prepress (using an image as an example) is generally divided by scanning, image processing, imposition, and film output. , Shaiban and other steps constitute. From the point of view of production organization, control and management of information flow, these production links (even production steps) in traditional production methods are like independent islands in the sea. They are connected by ferryboats, that is, only loose connections exist. By way of information, information cannot be fully shared and used at any time. However, the network and digital media have built a wide bridge between these isolated islands and formed an extensive transportation network, which has formed a complete system without connections. Any information in the system can be found on different islands (production steps and steps). ) Circulate, share and use. For example, the prepress information can be directly sent to the printer, the ink fountain key can be set in advance, and can be transported to the postpress processing equipment for automatic setting and adjustment, thereby greatly improving production efficiency and reducing waste. System integration is a theme of the development of printing production technology in the new century and is being fully carried out. Direct plate making, digital printing, direct imaging printing, computer integrated production, integrated production systems, CIP3, CIP4, and digital workflows are all part of this development.
Six, printing production and services from the local area to a wide area
Due to the adoption of physical media and transportation, traditional printing production and services can only be a localized business system, otherwise, the time efficiency will be greatly reduced. However, due to the use of digital media and network transmission, today's printing production and services have begun to build a wide-ranging business system, which can be extended to all corners of the globe. The globalization of cattle production and services is another representation of the image.
VII. From the mass production for the demand of the public to the demand for personalized production.
Traditional printing relied on quality and quantity to establish its strength and position in competing with other media, but at the expense of people’s choice of space and freedom for products and services, on-demand production and services were only an elusive goal. The essence of mass production is actually a cost factor, because in the traditional production, the cost of plate making and printing is finally allocated to each printed matter. The reduction in the number of prints means that the cost of the unit price increases, and the production cycle is lengthy. Localization can not meet the needs of timely and wide-area. However, the emergence of CTP technology and integrated production technology has greatly reduced the cost of platemaking, or even does not require plate making at all (such as digital printing). The production cycle has been greatly reduced, and on-demand production and service become possible, that is, where customers need it. , the time needed to provide customers with the services and products (even if it is one, one set or one book, and the price is acceptable). This will completely change the market positioning coordinate system of traditional printing, from the extremely short version (one/will/volume) to the extremely long version, from the completely individualized demand to the popularized product will become the field covered by the print media.
Eight, after the first production after the sale to the first sales after the production
Due to the long production and service cycle, low efficiency, and poor timeliness, traditional printing can only be produced first and then sold. However, with the on-demand and wide-area development of printing production and services, sales and reproduction have already begun to become a reality. This will neither result in product backlog or out-of-stock due to inaccurate market demand estimates in different geographic regions, nor will it cause a large backlog of liquidity, which will completely change the sales and production relationships of printing.
In the following, I have made a bold tracing of the relatively influential technological developments and events since the last 70 years, and presented them to everyone according to the above observation angles, hoping to have a clear line.
1. The heyday of the development of the electronic color separation machine from 1970 to 1980
During the past 10 years, printing production began with analog production methods, mainly photo-engraving and manual photo-setting, and electronic-color separation and computer-assisted photo-taking. The digital production started in the pre-press field. At the time, images and text still needed to be processed in different systems, and then they were manually imposed to produce a full page of images and texts. In terms of image processing, operations such as color separation, color/tone/clarity processing and correction, and netting are integrated into a dedicated computer system, that is, an electronic color separation machine; in terms of word processing, mainly manual and computer-assisted Automatic phototypesetting system. The use of the color separation machine announced the end of the photographic color separation method. The method of affixing the contact screen and the glass screen began to be replaced by the electronic screen screening method. The photographic subcontracting sheet and the hanging reticle sheet were started by the electronic color separation sheet. replace. At that time, the electronic color separation machine market was mainly monopolized by Hell, Crosfield, Scitex, and DS. The famous manufacturers of text phototypewriters were Linotype, Monotype, Senze, and Write Research. The equipments launched by these manufacturers have established their own patented technologies. The input, processing and output are completely integrated into a single entity, using different data standards and formats, and they are typical integrated closed systems.
Most of the award-winning InterTech products selected by the American Printing Technology Foundation in 80 years are electronic color separation machines, such as Crosfield's Magnascan 570, Hell's Chromacom, and Scitex's Response300, marking the electronic color separation technology. Mature and its status and role in industrial technology at that time. China also actively developed the development of electronic color separation machines and matching color separation films. At that time, production of home-made prototypes was completed. However, due to the lack of overall technical support, it has not reached a practical level and has not formed an industry.
2. Illustrated desktop publishing system from 1980 to 1990
The development of this period is divided into the first half and the second half. The first half of the period was still a continuation of the production technology of electronic color separation and computer axis-assisted phototypesetting. However, the desktop publishing system with colorful pictures began to appear in the latter half of the period, indicating that the era in which images and words have to be separately processed for a long time is about to become history. The processing of images and texts can be completed in the same digital system, and prepress processing has begun to fully enter the digital age. The desktop publishing system is characterized by the fact that the system is built on the basis of a general-purpose personal computer. The system can be flexibly configured according to different requirements, combining equipment and technologies from different manufacturers. However, at the time, the personal computer could not completely satisfy the figure in terms of calculation speed and storage capacity.
Abstract:The article is that Professor Pn expounds the great changes of graphic technology in the past of twenty years exhaustively.
At the time of the printing of the 100th edition of "Today's Printing," the invitation to write an article reviewing and looking forward to the development of industrial technology is not only an honor but also a challenge. Because the past 20 years have been exactly 20 years of tremendous changes in the printing industry technology, and this change does not simply remain on the surface of industrial technology, has gone deep into the basic level of supporting industrial technology, and began to spread to the basics of industrial operation and management. Architecture. How to sum up this change into a short, several-thousand-word article is indeed a problem, and it is obviously impossible to cover everything. However, after careful analysis, it is found that the trajectory of technological evolution is still relatively clear and has clear directions. It can be classified and tracked from several typical perspectives.
The evolution process of the printing industry technology can be characterized by the extension of digitization in the production process. It can be simply seen as the process of digitization extending from prepress to printing, to postpress, and even to distribution and sales; it can also be used in the production process of media. In terms of changes, it can simply be thought of as a gradual transition from a simple logistics system based on physical media (such as various silver salt sensitized films, printing plates, substrates, etc.) to digital information based on digital media. The process of system change can, of course, be described by the degree of production integration. It can be seen as a transition from an island-like closed production system consisting of specialized equipment and technology to an open integrated production system consisting of general modular equipment and technology. process. To sum up, there are the following aspects.
First, the production and processing methods from the simulation process to the digital process
Traditional print production mainly relies on analog processing and control methods, but with the application of digital technology represented by computers and digital networks in print production, this state is changing and it has begun to shift to digital processing and control methods. The digitalization of print production began with digital prepress, which has now extended to printing and post-press processing, and has begun to expand into the printing business and the business sector. At present, most printing production is still in the phase of analog and digital coexistence, but it has begun to appear completely rely on digital and network technology, prepress, printing and postpress integration into a complete system of production. Integrate Production and Digital Workflow (Digital WorkflOW) have become the most fashionable terminology today.
Second, the media from the physical media to digital media
Traditional print production is based on physical media (such as various silver salt sensitized films, various printing plates, substrates, etc.), and the production process can be seen as the conversion process of different physical media (such as from the original to the film, from the film to the Plates, from printing plates to substrates, management and control are also based to a large extent on the detection and analysis of physical media (eg, by measuring field density and dot gains, Is the size of the pressure appropriate?). However, today's print production is increasingly dependent on digital media (eg, networks, optical disks, disks, memory, and other forms of digital storage media). Digital media provides new product forms, processing vehicles, and storage media for printing. The advantage of digital media is that it is easy to handle, easy to transmit, high-density storage and random retrieval is easy, 'disadvantages' are invisible, intangible, and it is basically impossible to detect and measure directly by visual means.
Third, the storage method from the storage of storage to high-density digital storage
Because of the use of physical media, traditional printing production and distribution rely mainly on warehouse storage. The biggest drawback of the storage method is that the space usage efficiency is not high, it is difficult to achieve random access; and the access speed is low. Because of the use of digital media, modern print production and distribution rely mainly on high-density storage of digital media. Compared with the storage method of physical media, the digital storage method has the characteristics of high space usage efficiency, easy random retrieval, and high access speed. Moreover, the stored digital information can be easily integrated into the growing global network system, forming a huge Information resources are the main storage method in the future.
Fourth, the transmission mode from the transportation to digital network transmission
The traditional printing production and circulation are all based on transportation. The various links of production and sales are connected by means of transportation. There is an inevitable obstacle to the time and space in the timeliness of transmission and service. For example, if the print production is conducted in Beijing, China, and the customer is in Chicago, the United States, whether it is providing products or services, even if the selection of the aircraft takes at least a dozen hours, it is impossible to achieve the immediate nature of the follow-on. However, print production and service systems using digital network connections are not. In the future, broadband gigabit data transmission of high-speed network can only be completed in seconds, and it is basically not limited by distance, and the transmitted digital information can be converted into customers using appropriate output methods. Products in the required form can provide instant services that are not constrained by spatial distance. For example, current digital press systems can convert digital files into hundreds of pages of beautiful books in a few minutes, according to customer-specified materials, sizes, and bindings, even if the customer is in Chicago, USA. Get your order (books, journals, prints...) within minutes.
V. Production from a single point to system integration
The printing production process consists of three basic steps: prepress, printing and postpress. Each link consists of different operation steps. For example, prepress (using an image as an example) is generally divided by scanning, image processing, imposition, and film output. , Shaiban and other steps constitute. From the point of view of production organization, control and management of information flow, these production links (even production steps) in traditional production methods are like independent islands in the sea. They are connected by ferryboats, that is, only loose connections exist. By way of information, information cannot be fully shared and used at any time. However, the network and digital media have built a wide bridge between these isolated islands and formed an extensive transportation network, which has formed a complete system without connections. Any information in the system can be found on different islands (production steps and steps). ) Circulate, share and use. For example, the prepress information can be directly sent to the printer, the ink fountain key can be set in advance, and can be transported to the postpress processing equipment for automatic setting and adjustment, thereby greatly improving production efficiency and reducing waste. System integration is a theme of the development of printing production technology in the new century and is being fully carried out. Direct plate making, digital printing, direct imaging printing, computer integrated production, integrated production systems, CIP3, CIP4, and digital workflows are all part of this development.
Six, printing production and services from the local area to a wide area
Due to the adoption of physical media and transportation, traditional printing production and services can only be a localized business system, otherwise, the time efficiency will be greatly reduced. However, due to the use of digital media and network transmission, today's printing production and services have begun to build a wide-ranging business system, which can be extended to all corners of the globe. The globalization of cattle production and services is another representation of the image.
VII. From the mass production for the demand of the public to the demand for personalized production.
Traditional printing relied on quality and quantity to establish its strength and position in competing with other media, but at the expense of people’s choice of space and freedom for products and services, on-demand production and services were only an elusive goal. The essence of mass production is actually a cost factor, because in the traditional production, the cost of plate making and printing is finally allocated to each printed matter. The reduction in the number of prints means that the cost of the unit price increases, and the production cycle is lengthy. Localization can not meet the needs of timely and wide-area. However, the emergence of CTP technology and integrated production technology has greatly reduced the cost of platemaking, or even does not require plate making at all (such as digital printing). The production cycle has been greatly reduced, and on-demand production and service become possible, that is, where customers need it. , the time needed to provide customers with the services and products (even if it is one, one set or one book, and the price is acceptable). This will completely change the market positioning coordinate system of traditional printing, from the extremely short version (one/will/volume) to the extremely long version, from the completely individualized demand to the popularized product will become the field covered by the print media.
Eight, after the first production after the sale to the first sales after the production
Due to the long production and service cycle, low efficiency, and poor timeliness, traditional printing can only be produced first and then sold. However, with the on-demand and wide-area development of printing production and services, sales and reproduction have already begun to become a reality. This will neither result in product backlog or out-of-stock due to inaccurate market demand estimates in different geographic regions, nor will it cause a large backlog of liquidity, which will completely change the sales and production relationships of printing.
In the following, I have made a bold tracing of the relatively influential technological developments and events since the last 70 years, and presented them to everyone according to the above observation angles, hoping to have a clear line.
1. The heyday of the development of the electronic color separation machine from 1970 to 1980
During the past 10 years, printing production began with analog production methods, mainly photo-engraving and manual photo-setting, and electronic-color separation and computer-assisted photo-taking. The digital production started in the pre-press field. At the time, images and text still needed to be processed in different systems, and then they were manually imposed to produce a full page of images and texts. In terms of image processing, operations such as color separation, color/tone/clarity processing and correction, and netting are integrated into a dedicated computer system, that is, an electronic color separation machine; in terms of word processing, mainly manual and computer-assisted Automatic phototypesetting system. The use of the color separation machine announced the end of the photographic color separation method. The method of affixing the contact screen and the glass screen began to be replaced by the electronic screen screening method. The photographic subcontracting sheet and the hanging reticle sheet were started by the electronic color separation sheet. replace. At that time, the electronic color separation machine market was mainly monopolized by Hell, Crosfield, Scitex, and DS. The famous manufacturers of text phototypewriters were Linotype, Monotype, Senze, and Write Research. The equipments launched by these manufacturers have established their own patented technologies. The input, processing and output are completely integrated into a single entity, using different data standards and formats, and they are typical integrated closed systems.
Most of the award-winning InterTech products selected by the American Printing Technology Foundation in 80 years are electronic color separation machines, such as Crosfield's Magnascan 570, Hell's Chromacom, and Scitex's Response300, marking the electronic color separation technology. Mature and its status and role in industrial technology at that time. China also actively developed the development of electronic color separation machines and matching color separation films. At that time, production of home-made prototypes was completed. However, due to the lack of overall technical support, it has not reached a practical level and has not formed an industry.
2. Illustrated desktop publishing system from 1980 to 1990
The development of this period is divided into the first half and the second half. The first half of the period was still a continuation of the production technology of electronic color separation and computer axis-assisted phototypesetting. However, the desktop publishing system with colorful pictures began to appear in the latter half of the period, indicating that the era in which images and words have to be separately processed for a long time is about to become history. The processing of images and texts can be completed in the same digital system, and prepress processing has begun to fully enter the digital age. The desktop publishing system is characterized by the fact that the system is built on the basis of a general-purpose personal computer. The system can be flexibly configured according to different requirements, combining equipment and technologies from different manufacturers. However, at the time, the personal computer could not completely satisfy the figure in terms of calculation speed and storage capacity.
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