1 Introduction
The complete printing process flow , usually divided into prepress, printing press , and postpress,three stages .
2 Technical
With the development of the personal computer is actually the technology in the late 1980s , in the early 1990s the rapid spread of electronic publishing technology , also known as desktop publishing system (Desktop Publishing, DTP), in large print category , are the pre-press production process , it is generally known as prepress technology.
The whole system can be divided into computer graphics processing and output the results in two parts .
The main functions of the computer graphic processing are: image processing, graphics rendering and photo-text functions.
The output section you will need to arrange the results of the design according to the customer to a variety of output devices , such as a printout , photo printing, film output , CTP (CTcP) and so on.
Early electronic publishing system by the time the computing speed and memory capacity , display resolution limitations is relatively simple , commonly used in batch mode , rather than the current mainstream "WYSIWYG " form, the user can not directly on the screen see the final layout result , only a simple photo-text , and does not support color layout. The early word processing software such as WPS, Huaguang book publishing for the professional version, and other books . Moreover , this time the product is basically closed , the company launched various electronic publishing systems were used each output format , layout results can not be placed on different output system output. As Founder version with its own unique S2, S72 and other file formats can be output on Founder series of RIP.
In order to achieve standardization of the content of the page description , USA Adobe company ( that is launched photoshop, illustrator, pagemaker, indesign and a series of software company ) launched in the 1980s called "postscript" page description language. postscript page description language with precision , scalability, and device-independent , etc., is gradually accepted by the industry after the launch . Since then , adobe companies are constantly to improve it , have launched a postscript level 2, postscript level 3, this standard has become the standard page description . It is because of the popularity of POSTSCRIPT language , making the electronic publishing industry to break the existing system deficiencies , and promote the rapid development of electronic publishing technology. Founder of the company such as domestic output system as early FZ2000 can only hold only the Founder 's own S2, S72 and other formats , and the company's current PSPNT output system is fully compatible with Series POSTSCRIPT2 standard , it can be said of any mainstream graphic design software generates compliance POSTSCRIPT standard page file can be output on the system.
3 Process
Image scanning image processing → → → text graphics rendering graphic layout finishing → → output
Specific instructions
( 1 ) using a scanner or image scanning electronic color scanner to obtain , such as photographs, drawings or various types of original works of art , usually save it as a TIFF or JPEG format . Scanning the image of the most important is to choose the appropriate scan resolution according to the requirements of practical effect .
Image (2 ) image processing image scan is complete , you need to obtain the corresponding splicing according to the user's requirements , modify or add special effects. The commonly used image processing software company ADOBE PHOTOSHOP. After the image processing is generally obtained by the image pattern CMYK TIFF format or saved as a JPEG format.
( 3 ) graphic design work is usually drawn , it will use some of the illustrations, cartoon , vector graphics legends like these you need CORELDRAW, ILLUSTRATOR other vector drawing software .
( 4 ) In order to improve text entry text entry efficiency , typically using a text editor before publishing software will be the main text input in advance , of course , you can also enter in real time typesetting software, but less efficient. After a single text entry generally are stored in plain text , that TXT format.
( 5 ) graphic layout typesetting are the key elements of graphic design . According to the user's requirements , the first for the layout plan , and then use publishing software image processing and graphics rendering graphic image files obtained during text entry , together with the already -designed layout required by the choreography together . The target file format commonly used EPS , PS format , TIFF format or PDF format.
( 6 ) is the last part of the output plane of the design process , the results can be through a variety of layout output device . According to the output device and output without the use of the output can be divided into the following three main forms : office use output , inkjet output, printing purposes output.
output a, office use : The main business daily male organ instrument output data report , the general office inkjet or laser printer can be.
b, inkjet output: Graphic design is one of the main areas of advertising design, for example , posters posters, billboards , light boxes , etc. require the production of inkjet output. The main output devices are pictorial or inkjet printers .
c, printing purposes Output: Output printing purposes , is often said that the printing plate, depending on the grade or printing plate-making process, the printing plate is divided into short-run printing , light printing systems, precision phototypesetting , CTP (CTcP), electric carving gravure and so on.
4 , related equipment and concepts
( 1 ) Hardware : PC , scanning , color separation, photo printing, imagesetter , CTP, CTCP, PS version , printer, traditional proofing, digital proofing , digital printing , etc.
( 2 ) Software : PHOTOSHOP, CORELDRAW, IILUSTRATOR, PAGEMAKER, INDESIGN, FIT, QUARKXPRESS, Founder Book , RIP, POSTSCRIPT virtual printers.
( 3 ) Printing works: dot , net AM , FM nets, lines , CMYK, spot colors, seams , well, screen angles , tortoises , trapping , trapping
( 4 ) paper: newsprint , offset paper , coated paper, white cardboard, white board , duplex board
( 5 ) Printing Type: screen printing, offset printing , gravure, letterpress, flexo
4 Trends
Packaging is an important part of the printing and publishing industry . From a global perspective , packaging products accounted for 20 % of all printed materials , and an annual growth rate of 5% . In Asia , the proportion of the product was 29% , and a 7 % growth rate , which is twice the world average. As a result of the different forms of substrates, such as paper, cardboard , plastic, metal and glass [ 1 ] , and therefore , different packaging printing. Meanwhile , the package also need to print printing products of various shapes , a variety of post- processing die and is also used in labels , boxes , and bags for the final molding. In practice , the stage we credits field drive to the design process and to benefit Creative production process between the drive called prepress process. Packaging prepress process has two important functions: first, to strive in the shortest time available for creative design into mass production tools into matches , for example: the printing plate and cutting board . All the quality , brand and requirements must reach the end user or customer satisfaction. Second, we must take into account the different characteristics of the production process and complexity , so as to ensure that each get repetitive and off-site manufacturing process consistent results. Currently , in the packaging market , there are several important trends are caused by changes in the prepress process : first, the consumer market is becoming increasingly fierce , fast-changing consumer products are constantly competing for their own development . Therefore , manufacturers change packaging design more frequently in order to grasp the initiative in the market . Design cycle has been shortened to a few days time, and the production cycle of packaging products are becoming shorter and shorter . Secondly , with the continuous innovation of materials science , technology and production printing technology, but also brought progress in the development of production tools and processes. Thus , the entire supply chain needs to strengthen collaboration is growing, not just to make a profit, but also to meet the needs of globalization. Again, due to the original packaging are designed to use all of the desktop system software, such as Adobe IIIUStrator. However, the lack of effective software can cut efficiently complete the design task . With the development of desktop software technology , designers and clients agree that PDF is the perfect data conversion format . However, in some important PDF package design elements will be lost , so it is not suitable for the performance of complex packaging design . To this end, developed specifically for packaging prepress software provides features for packaging technology , which is the most well-known trapping , as well as spot color inks and custom processing capabilities , such as the ink usage and print data metering . Currently, adding security elements in packaging design to prevent counterfeiting and duplication is becoming a new hot spot currency market. In reality, in addition to attention to image processing , we must also take into account the coordination between producers and end customers and parallel processes, such as packaging structure design , die cutting, go to waste , and other issues such as the follow-up process . Packaging designers very much hope that the newly developed software system design can achieve the perfect combination of box-type designs and images , can be three-dimensional preview can even preview box type in the actual display case on the shelf . Performance in production can be achieved directly on the cardboard carton color inkjet proofing. By combining CAD and graphic design , prototype on a single cartridge can produce the same product and the actual . Packaging printers in the actual production should not only consider the individual labels and packaging , but also taking into account the same or a different version of the design group . Generally, these individual labels and packaging using traditional replicator be make-up, but they have the same placement must be used after printing die- die-cutting position. Due to the emergence of large-format laser illuminators , digital prepress imposition process can be partially completed directly , and then use the large format laser imagesetter film copy output on plate . Now, with the emergence of the market -to-plate equipment , this film is no longer needed in the middle of nature, you can direct the plate , which has obvious advantages for packaging production . First, the design of the data center can be in any format of the print data to a different delivery end . Secondly, the film is omitted , the plate reduction time , greatly reducing the print cycle . Third , more fully utilize the printing plate burning and avoid errors that may arise. In the sun -plate equipment to replace the associated equipment, but currently support the right color management software , the high-quality inkjet printers have also been able to simulate the effect of the final printed product . In addition, packaging companies, the ideal front -plate Fen , partly designed to accept one or more images of different industry-standard formats ; on the other hand , the group is also acceptable version of the sheet from the CAD system. Under normal circumstances , customers have to sign the same kind of design or with die- group version can not be altered . But there are special circumstances , such as: to adjust the image to a different printing plate , printing was added and post-processing of the control tag , and may be added to the production control information on the whole track . One -to-plate process should require a matching prepress system control, it can design different images with the appropriate version of the knife line group together those who need this flexibility is a shorter production cycle to meet shorter delivery time of goods the rapid flow of goods necessary . CTP imaging device can either be used for offset printing , can also be used for flexographic printing ( gravure for digital printing is not new ) . In packaging printing, offset printing plate equipment is the first to be applied . It also must be noted that the special requirements of packaging printing . The choice plate , I believe that in the near future , thermal plate will be in the long dominant in printing , the thermal resistance of printed version and a higher rate of spot color inks have good adaptability. The UV laser light-sensitive plates , is applicable to short-run printing small batches , such as label printing . Is applied to the rapidly developing digital flexographic printing plate, the surface of the plates of the standard resin used is coated with a thin layer of dissolving a powerful laser power source according to the data of the dissolving layer formed by exposure to remove Negative . Currently flexographic CTP devices on the market can support a variety of media and larger production volume , including direct imaging on the sleeve and the sleeve version . We hope that the gradual introduction of digital printing is the key issue is how to provide users with high added value through products beginning to digest the higher cost of raw strict . The latest printing trends will affect not only the packaging prepress production, and packaging project will affect the entire production chain . Consumable suppliers in developed countries in order to improve efficiency and reduce costs in the production chain founded many open associations , they are developing standards for collaboration, communication and coordination of the whole process . Undoubtedly , the worldwide exchange of data through the Internet . This integrated packaging products production chain will affect all aspects of packaging producers must study new strategies to meet the needs of users , expand support for all customers , and create new competitive advantages. Packaging manufacturers among their users and partners and there are many aspects of the interaction , which is a creative process , some internal , some are and users together . At the same time , this is an evaluation , create a plan and order management closely linked to the production environment . All these activities have one thing in common, that is described as the center of products and production and design from different systems , prepress production and production of precision management . It can be seen that the future world of packaging requirements are handled directly by WEB most information , so as to achieve safe and accurate handling .
Has begun the development environment used in the production of WEB -based software : Select from the Design Library , detail adjustments , cost estimation, image management , review and approval process control , order and re- order management, production tracking ...... etc. All of these features will soon be realized and applied to packaging production practice.