The author worked in the publishing house for more than 20 years and experienced the reform of "eliminating lead and fire to usher in light and electricity." At present, the pre-press plate-CTP technology in printing companies has been gradually recognized and used by printing companies. A series of work, such as a film-making version and a print version, which were originally required to be completed by many traditional techniques, was simplified to a direct output after processing by a computer. According to reports, in Europe and the United States, Japan and other places where the publishing and printing industry is more mature, the traditional film production process has been eliminated for many years. The CTP technology has completely replaced the laser image-setter and has become the main product of the prepress equipment. Their film production equipment has basically changed hands to some countries in the Asia-Pacific region, and they themselves have been transitioning to a more digitally staged printing process. CTP technology has been more and more paid attention to publishing and printing companies because of its features such as fast, efficient, low error rate, precise color matching, and full use of digital advantages to greatly reduce the quality problems of traditional film operations. This process technology has greatly improved the quality of the printed matter, promoted the improvement of the printing company's work efficiency, and further improved the quality of the kiln and quality of the publishing staff's work.
Viewing the Advantages of CTP Direct Platemaking Technology from the Perspective of Publishers
First of all, almost zero error is achieved while eliminating the costs of film and imposition. In the traditional process, from the process of filming to printing, the creative concept of the press designer cannot be fully restored. The deviation from the produced film to the printed version of PS and the original design often occurs. The eTP technology can Directly import the original document and make it directly after confirming that it meets the requirements; thus directly reducing human error and process error.
The eTP process is completely digitally processed by the computer, eliminating the need for a series of processing time and costs such as the traditional film-for-filming and printing, and a single human-machine operation has reduced labor and improved efficiency. Second, it can effectively use modern network technologies. When the traditional book typesetting operation modifies the content, the publishing house, the typesetting factory, and the printing factory manually send the sample back and forth, and the file accepted by the eTP system can be transmitted through the modern network, and the file that needs to be modified is transmitted online, thus improving the time efficiency of file transfer. It also reduces the logistics costs between factory and company, and provides convenient and efficient technical support for publishing houses, typesetting factories, and printing factories. Third, the small size of the storage space has changed the huge floor space required by the publishers and printing houses to store the film, and has reduced the cost of factory storage. After the publication of the eTP, the final document is easy to save, but it can also be burned into a CD and stored by the publisher for a long time. This will provide convenience for later editions. Fourth, the most important thing in economic development today is the development of a low-carbon economy. From the perspective of publishing and printing, the entire process of eTP has greatly promoted paperless and eliminated the use of corresponding films and a large number of chemical raw materials and hazardous reagents. The effective use of this technology has played a positive role in protecting the green environment.
The Impact of Introducing CTP Technology Equipment on Printing Enterprises
1. Given that eTP's process features are suitable for color books and printing, and the acquisition of equipment requires a certain amount of funds, it is necessary to introduce and train a group of high-tech computer operators. Therefore, it is difficult for some small and medium-sized printing companies to introduce and use eTP equipment.
2. Due to the higher plate production technology of the eTP plate, the cost price of the plate is higher than that of the traditional PS plate: At the same time, the eTP plate cannot be reused, so the printing plate making cost is also a real problem. Some domestic printing companies took the lead in the introduction of Germany's fifth generation of etep technology equipment, the use of ordinary PS version of the plate, reducing the cost of plate material and improve the speed of exposure plate, but the equipment cost upfront investment.
3. To really make the electronic film not subject to deviations and errors in the process of plate-making, from theory to practical application, the printing company is required to configure a PDF digital flow system that is consistent with the typesetting company.
In any case, the use of eTP technology is a digital production system application. It is a new era of technical personnel that fully enhances the quality of people, reflects the concept of creative originality, reduces consumables, protects the environment, and suppresses piracy. It is also a company dedicated to the development of digital printing. The wise choice.