Digital Data Exchange Specifications

The graphic arts industry's efforts in developing digital data exchange specifications (DDES) for the exchange of digital data between electronic prepress systems and respective peripherals continues; now in accordance with standards making procedures as set forth by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The National Printing Equipment and Supply Association (NPES) is the secretariat for the newly formed Image Technology Committee (IT8), which is chaired by Frank Benham, Vice-President, American Color Corp. Under this committee two subcommittees have been formed: the User Technical Subcommittee (UTS), chaired by Jack Lane, President, Potomac Graphic Industries, Inc.; and the Vendor Technical Subcommittee (VTS), chaired by S. Thomas Dunn, President, DTI. This structure provides for the necessary dialogue required to develop a truly functional exchange specification for the graphic arts industry. Two working groups currently exist under the VTS, the Color and Line Art Task Force and the Geometric Art Task Force. This paper presents an examination of the ongoing technical activities being carried out by these groups.