Digital Vs. Traditional Prepress
Digital and traditional prepress services fulfill an important role in today’s printing needs. However, digital prepress is making incredible strides towards being the only viable prepress solution. A wide range of differences exist between digital prepress and traditional prepress. Because of advancements in technology and the ease at which technology enables the average consumer, an analysis of these differences will likely convert anyone towards the digital prepress solution.
Both traditional and digital prepress have the same point, the idea must commence on paper. Beyond the initial step, the efforts of traditional and digital prepress take vastly different courses. Traditional prepress requires the physical labor of a well-skilled specialist while digital utilizes multiple skilled people who holistically complete their work on computers.
Something that has advanced the digital prepress process is the manner in which the graphic designer’s responsibilities have widened. Digital has combined numerous prepress activities into a role fulfilled by the graphic designer. For instances, a digital graphic designer would incorporate into their role the typesetter and layout design efforts traditionally handled by separate people. Modern desktop publishing software aids the graphic designer in doing these things almost effortlessly. Modern software also enables the designer to work quickly on a desktop environment that combines these activities that are separate functions in the tradition prepress job. Digital publishing allows designers to alter and review work on the fly in a fraction of the time compared to traditional. This advanced way of completing prepress tasks in the digital age should not diminish the value of persons performing the tasks. Instead, it shines the light of efficiency on improvements modern technology has brought to prepress publishing.
New jobs are being created by the advent of digital prepress. As technology changes the way work gets done, it also presents a host of new challenges that require associated skills and knowledge. For instance, technology cannot proofread copy and account for human factors. Not to mention, human intervention is necessary to ensure that all elements of each job are accounted for; this is referred to as pre-flight. This is a critical step in the prepress process because it allows for the merging of the elements. The multiple elements are merged into a single raster image that is then forwarded to the RIP, or Raster Image Processor. The RIP process is the last phase before final job print. Color management is as important as pre-flight in the digital prepress process. Color management is another key aspect to digital prepress activities. Correct color management maintains the consistency of the selected colors throughout the desired forms of media. The primary goal of color management is that the final product should portray the same colors regardless of the delivery method, be it print or computer monitor. Correct color calibration is vital throughout all forms of media delivery.
It may appear that digital prepress is overtaking the print industry but traditional prepress services do continue to maintain a market share. Regardless of your own needs, there is a service available for you to utilize.
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