The Future for Computers in the Graphic Arts.

With the increasing use of computers in the graphic arts over the past several years, there has been a clear trend toward a drawing together of graphic arts and computer systems. This is not to say that any one approach to computerized typesetting has emerged, but rather that there is an awareness on the part of graphic arts personnel of the impact of computer systems. Very few typesetting machines are conceived today without consideration of how they fill fit into computerized composition, and most large printing plants have asked whether or not they should have a computer. It is the purpose of this paper to explore the possibilities of a more complete wedding of these technologies and to examine the effects on the personnel utilization, hardware, and type of output which may become new standards for the graphic arts. Will a new type printer arise who can accept his customer's records on punched cards, or magnetic tape, or any other common machine language? Will new type styles come into use which will simplify computerized typesetting? The answer to all these questions must, of course, by yes, even though some of the answers may not be as clearcut as the circumstances demand. This paper will then analyze present trends in order to suggest a number of possible alternatives to the future growth of computerized graphic arts, from a marketing, equipment, and total systems standpoint.