Details:
Summary:
During the last decade, there has been a trend toward the automation of prepress technology. Increasingly, prepress production is taking place at remote sites and transmitted by phone modem or satellite (Gannet, General Motors, Time Inc., Dow Jones). For the most part, each installation is unique and management is unable to easily acquire guidance and information about prepress automation. Electronic prepress has been possible in the past, but was not practical as part of a system before the late 1970s. Historically, photocomposition did not become a reality before the mid-1950s, satellite and microwave transmission became a reality in the late 1960s, and the 1970s brought color scanning, computer aided masking, laser platemaking, and color page makeup stations, whereas satellite transmission of color separations became a reality in the 1980's. Historically, photocomposition did not become a reality before the mid-1950s, satellite and microwave transmission became a reality in the late 1960s, and the 1970s brought color scanning, computer aided masking, laser platemaking, and color page makeup stations, whereas satellite transmission of color separations became a reality in the 1980's. The purpose of the comprehensive survey of the electronic prepress industry, and this resulting paper, is to gather and disseminate current electronic prepress information that is of particular interest to management. The results of nine issues surveyed are discussed: a. Profile of Survey Respondents; b. Equipment Personnel Training and Compensation; c. Ergonomics; d. Controlled Equipment Environments; e. Equipment Maintenance and Reliability; f. Telecommunications; g. Management Practices of Equipment Owners; h. Computer Hardware and Software; and i. Reproduction Processes. In addition, the summary discusses short term (1985-1990) projections, long term (1991-2000) projections, and ideas for further research.