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126 Graphic Communications Chapter 7 Digital Prepress 127

Important Terms and the Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG), have created standards by which digital media and additive color page grid equipment must operate in order to be compatible. aliasing palette Due to the amount of information and the vast number antialiasing pasteboard of products available, this chapter covers general autotracing platform information that applies to digital prepress operations. Chapter Bezier curve PostScript bitmapped images PostScript printer bits typeface fi le Digital Basics byte PostScript Type 1 font color management system prefl ighting The desktop computer has become the focal (CMS) print engine point of job creation and assembly of text and images comparison proofi ng proof into page layouts within the graphic communications context-sensitive menu proofreading industry. The computer and associated devices, in cross-platform proofreader’s marks conjunction with the specialized graphics programs, design axes RAID are components in the digital prepress system, 7 dialog box random-access Figure 7-1. digital prepress system memory (RAM) A computer uses a binary system to process and dot pitch raster image processor store information in digital form. This means that the drop-down menus (RIP) computer recognizes only two numbers or digits: 1 font set selective compression and 0. These digits represent two states, on (1) and gigabyte separation plates off (0). The individual 1s and 0s are called bits, or graphical user interface (GUI) smoothing binary digits, and can be combined into groups of Digital Prepress hardware soft proofs eight digits to create a binary word, or byte. Since ink-jet proofs software there are 256 possible combinations of 1s and 0s interpreter style sheet in an eight-digit byte (from 11111111 to 00000000), Job Defi nition Format (JDF) subtractive color a special code was devised to assign a specifi c Learning Objectives lossless compression formation meaning to each combination. After studying this chapter, you will be able to: algorithms suitcase fi le • Identify different computer platforms. lossy compression template algorithms text fi lter • Explain the characteristics of different types of megabyte toner storage devices. modem two-person proofi ng • Differentiate between various output devices. open press interface (OPI) vector fonts • Explain the processes used in text and graphics system vector images preparation. output device WYSIWYG page description language WYSIWYP • Summarize the features of page composition (PDL) programs. • Identify the techniques used in creating digital design fi les. Digital systems have penetrated every stage of • Explain the proofreading process. the printing process: from formatting the author’s manuscript, to platemaking and running the press. • Explain the prefl ighting process. Maintaining a smooth workfl ow requires the consistency Figure 7-1. Using word processors on a computer • Compare types of production proofs. of digital data throughout the production process. is the most common method of composing text for printed documents. A computer is also used for • Explain digital prepress workfl ow. Sustaining consistency, as well as compatibility, requires that everyone involved in the production process have creating page layouts in page composition software. an understanding of digital media. In a perfect world, every piece of digital equipment, digital prepress system: A computer-centered process as well as every computer program and fi le produced, that consists of preparing content, composing pages, and would be compatible. Unfortunately, this is not the outputting the fi nished fi le. case. For this reason, many organizations, such as bit: Binary digit. The basic unit of digital information. the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), byte: A binary word, or group of eight individual 1s and 0s. the International Standards Organization (ISO), 128 Graphic Communications Chapter 7 Digital Prepress 129

The American Standard Code for Information software have made this platform a strong competitor Hard Drive Interchange (ASCII) provides a way to digitally store to the Macintosh® for DTP applications. Both external and internal hard drives are common and process letters, numbers, punctuation marks, ® today, Figure 7-4. A hard drive contains one or more and symbols. When the letter C is pressed on a UNIX rigid, non-removable aluminum disks coated with a keyboard, for example, it is converted to a specifi c ® UNIX is a computer operating system that was magnetic material. When the computer is operating, combination of 1s and 0s. Different combinations are developed in 1969 by a group of AT&T employees at the drive motor spins the disk and a read/write head assigned for the capital and lowercase forms of each Bell Labs. During the late 1970s and early 1980s, the moves over the disk surface, which contains densely letter. Once in digital form, the information can be ® infl uence of the UNIX system within academic circles packed magnetic tracks. The head is used to write, processed by the computer’s circuits and stored as led to large-scale adoption of the operating system by or magnetize, information to portions of the tracks as digital or magnetic charges. commercial startups, the most notable of which is Sun they spin past the head. The head can also read, or Regardless of size or complexity, a computer ® Microsystems, Inc. The Macintosh OS X operating play back, previously stored information. system has three major functions: input, processing, ® system is a UNIX -based operating system. The amount of information that can be stored on and output, Figure 7-2. Computer systems also have ® Today, UNIX -like operating systems are a hard drive has increased steadily from fewer than some means of storing information, either within ® Figure 7-3. Desktop publishing allows graphic commonly found, in addition to certifi ed UNIX 10 megabytes to capacities measured in gigabytes. the system, in a portable form, or both. There are a ® ® designers to create and edit both text and art. systems. Linux is a UNIX -like computer operating Almost unlimited storage capacity is available with number of different methods and devices used for system and one of the most common open-source a confi guration known as a RAID (Redundant Array input, storage, and output. They are described in the operating systems. An open-source operating system of Independent Disks), which connects a number of following sections. Some fi le formats and devices are cross- is a computer system that has had part of the source platform, which means they can operate on or be high-capacity hard drives together, Figure 7-5. The code released so third parties can develop programs. connected drives act like a single, huge hard drive, used with different platforms. For example, a cross- Being a free, open-source system, the Linux® source Computer Platforms platform word processing program allows users which is an advantage when managing extremely code can be modifi ed, used, and redistributed by large fi les involving graphics and text. Virtually all The platform of a digital prepress system is the to create and modify documents using different anyone. It is used as an operating system for a wide computer system hardware used to operate various operating systems, if necessary. Ideally, all computer digital prepress systems have an internal hard drive. variety of computer hardware, including desktop The single most critical occurrence for a hard programs. Computer platforms include the elements systems involved in creating and producing a computers like the Macintosh® OS X, supercomputers, necessary to create, assemble, and output data document or project would use the same operating drive is when it becomes inoperable, or crashes. video game systems, and embedded devices, such The adage of “It isn’t if your hard drive is going to in the fi nished pages, Figure 7-3. Major computer platform. When this is not possible, using cross- as mobile phones and routers. platforms are PC (based on the Microsoft® Windows® platform applications and devices reduces errors crash, it’s when your hard drive is going to crash” operating system and the Intel® chip architecture), due to fi le conversion and makes the entire process should be taken very seriously. Optimizing the drive Apple® Macintosh®, and UNIX®. Once the platform more effi cient. Memory Types for operational effi ciency and regularly backing up the data should be part of standard operating is defi ned, software developers design and install In addition to having a computer system capable ® procedures. corresponding software applications. Software Macintosh of running programs, there must be some means is a computer program that initiates a specifi c The Macintosh® computer was introduced in 1984 of storing and transmitting data. Every computer function of the computer. Types of software include and quickly became popular because of its ease of system is equipped with a certain amount of physical word processing, page composition, and graphics use and ability to generate high-quality graphic memory, usually referred to as random-access programs. images. The Macintosh® system was designed memory (RAM). RAM is the short-term memory platform: The computer system that is used to operate around the concept of a graphical user interface the computer uses to store information in process. software. The platform defi nes the standard around which a (GUI), which allowed for easy-to-understand, on- Systems can be updated and memory capabilities system can be developed. Processing screen graphic representations of computing tasks. can be increased to enhance computing effi ciency. hardware: A computer and its associated devices. Output At that time, competing platforms were based on the Because most page composition fi les are very software: Computer programs that initiate and accomplish more diffi cult method of typing commands to perform large, there are many types of storage devices available various computer-based tasks. tasks. This platform was central to the development that accommodate large fi les. Storage devices vary in cross-platform: Describes applications, formats, or of Desktop Publishing (DTP) Systems and continues terms of capacity, physical size, access capabilities, devices that work on multiple computer operating system to play a major role. speed, reusability, and integrity. Storage capacity is platforms. measured in kilobytes (1024 bytes), megabytes (1024 graphical user interface (GUI): A method of representing Personal Computers (PCs) kilobytes), and gigabytes (1024 megabytes). computer operations and programs on the screen with icons that can be selected with a mouse to perform activities. The PC is the platform most often used in A number of different types of devices have been random-access memory (RAM): Type of short-term business environments. In the early 1990s, the developed to store and reuse digital fi les. Some of computer memory that stores information in process. Input original command-based operating system for PCs these devices use disks that contain magnetic tracks megabyte: One million bytes; usually abbreviated MB. was replaced by Microsoft® Windows®, which was a to hold the encoded data, while others laser write Figure 7-2. This computer system confi guration GUI designed to give the PC the same ease of use data onto specially coated discs. With the exception gigabyte: One billion bytes, abbreviated GB. illustrates the three main functions of input (keyboard as the Macintosh®. The introduction of versatile word of the hard drive, storage devices make fi les portable, RAID: Redundant Array of Independent Disks. A hard drive and mouse), processing (CPU), and output (monitor processing programs, sophisticated illustration and which allows a copy of the data to be loaded onto confi guration that connects a number of high-capacity hard disk drives together. and printer). graphics software, and powerful page composition another computer. 130 Graphic Communications Chapter 7 Digital Prepress 131

Modem A modem is an electronic device that converts digital signals into a form that can be transmitted over telephone lines, and from phone lines into the computer system. The technical name for this device is modulator/demodulator. Modems allow information to be sent from one computer to another, over distances great and small. Scanner Four types of scanners are used today to capture images: handheld, fl atbed, fi lm, and drum. Handheld scanners are small devices that are moved across the image area by hand. Flatbed scanners process images that are positioned on a fl at glass surface or scan area that is stationary. The fi lm scanner is intended to capture images of various types of fi lm. The drum scanner scans images that are mounted on a rotating drum. Some types can quickly convert an entire page of type or printed material into digital External Hard Drive Internal Hard Drive form, Figure 7-7. Scanners are used extensively for Figure 7-4. External hard drives are available in a range of storage capacities, from 500 gigabytes to 2 terabytes. Storage Figure 7-6. The removable storage media commonly image input. Scanners are discussed in more detail capacity is an important factor for internal hard drives as well, but access speed is an equally important consideration. used for digital cameras, Personal Digital Assistants, in Chapter 8. and computer systems pack a great deal of capacity in a small space. Flash drives and memory cards are Voice Recognition System CD and DVD Drives available in many different designs, all of which offer The premise of voice recognition technology is to The compact disc (CD) and digital video disc easy data transfer and portability. Storage capacity ranges from 1 to 64 GB. use voice commands to control devices and to enter (DVD) drives have become standard features of data simply by speaking into a microphone. Some desktop computers, with most equipped to write data of the major challenges in using this type of system onto the plastic disc. CD-R discs become “read-only” include: after data is written to them, and CD-RW discs are Input Devices • Recognizing the voices of multiple users on the rewritable and can be recorded on many times. CDs There are a number of ways in which text or same system. range in capacity from 670 to more than 800 MB. The graphics information can be entered into the computer DVD was originally intended for use in the video system. Methods range from manual entry, such as • Distinguishing homonyms, such as “there,” industry, but has made its way into the graphic keyboarding, to electronic transmissions through a “their,” and “they’re.” communications industry because of its very high modem. As the technology advances, the use of this storage capacity of 4.7 to 8.75 GB. system will extend into common applications within Keyboard the industry. Presently, voice recognition is limited to Flash Memory Cards The computer keyboard is the most common way common computer commands. Flash memory cards are small, removable of entering text into a computer system. In addition storage devices that have high storage capacity with to standard typing tasks, the keyboard may also be Output Devices used to perform special functions through dedicated fast access and retrieval speeds. Common examples Most computer systems are connected to a variety ® keys (such as the delete and insert keys). Special of fl ash memory cards are CompactFlash cards and of output devices, including monitors, printers, and function keys carry out different tasks, depending on USB fl ash drives, Figure 7-6. Applications for these external processing devices. Some output devices the program being used. devices include storing digital camera images, game produce physical material, often referred to as hard system data, and audio fi les. Flash memory cards range in storage sizes from 8 megabytes to Mouse 32 gigabytes and have low voltage requirements. Many computer systems rely extensively on input modem: A device used with computers to send and receive They are small in physical size, have fast write and from the mouse. This navigation device is especially digital information through telephone lines. Figure 7-5. By connecting a number of high-capacity erase speeds, and allow for easy fi le management. necessary for user interfaces and graphics. For output device: A piece of equipment used to display, hard drives together, a RAID can provide an almost example, a mouse is commonly used to cut content unlimited amount of data storage. (The RAIDinc Z 2, produce, or transfer information processed by a computer, from one document and paste it into another. courtesy of RAID, Inc.) such as monitors and printers. 132 Graphic Communications Chapter 7 Digital Prepress 133

Ink-jet printers Image charged on Ink-jet printers form images by using a print rotating drum Manual paper Image head that projects tiny droplets of ink onto the paper feed surface and provide a resolution of 300 dpi or more. output Positioning the droplet is carefully controlled. Ink- jet printers are often used to make color proofs of graphics and page proofs to show a client, as a color- accurate representation of the fi nal printed product, Figure 7-9. Laser printers Laser printers operate much like a photocopy machine. A photocopy machine uses refl ected light to create an image on a drum, while a laser printer Figure 7-7. A fl atbed scanner is commonly used to uses a laser beam to create an image on the drum, convert photographs, pages of type, or other printed Figure 7-10. The laser printer has a print engine that materials into digital form. Optical Character translates the output of the computer into a bitmapped Toner or Heated rollers Cassette Recognition (OCR) software is used for typed or image for printing. A laser transfers the page image powder clings to melt toner powder printed originals. paper feed charged paper onto paper Figure 7-8. The WYSIWYG monitor display provides to a light-sensitive drum that has a positive electrical the user with a very close approximation of how charge. As the laser light moves across the rotating Figure 7-10. A laser printer produces an image by copy. These include ink-jet and laser printers that material will appear when printed out. The screen in drum, it emits the image drawn from printer memory. a scanning technique combined with electrostatic produce copies on paper, and imagesetter and this fi gure is displaying an edited image. This image The polarity of the drum changes in the areas where principles. Rollers feed paper through the printer at a computer to plate equipment that outputs fi nal fi lm or can later be exported to a page layout program, where the laser has transferred the image to be printed. constant speed. The paper source may be a cassette (tray) it may be altered further, as needed. printing plates. Toner is a positively charged powder that is attracted for multiple sheets, or a manual feed for single sheets. only to the negatively-charged areas on a page to Monitors creates a problem for the desktop publisher who is create an image. The paper with toner applied Imagesetter and Computer-to-Plate Devices trying to achieve a WYSIWYG color environment. passes between heated rollers that fuse the powder As content is entered using a keyboard or other When high-resolution images must be output for Since colors are displayed in RGB, it is diffi cult to onto the paper and produce a permanent image. input device, it is almost instantly processed by the commercial printing, an imagesetter or computer- match the printed results of a subtractive color Laser printers can produce images of 300 dpi and computer and displayed on a monitor. The software to-plate (CTP) device is used, Figure 7-11. A digital used for word processing and page layout on computer environment. In the subtractive color formation, higher, and are typically available in both color and systems provides a WYSIWYG (What You See Is What cyan, magenta, yellow, and black (CMYK) inks black-only models. You Get) display on the monitor, Figure 7-8. Monitors are combined to produce the printed image. This WYSIWYG: A monitor display method used by word used for page layout are usually large enough (17″– means that full-color representations of images on a processing and page layout programs, in which the monitor displays a RGB representation of the printed output. 21″ diagonal measure) to display an entire page, or monitor and on a printed sheet are achieved through even two page layouts. different principles. To overcome this problem, a dot pitch: A measurement of the vertical distance between color management system (CMS) is installed to rows of pixels on a monitor, stated in decimal fractions of a In addition to display size, resolution and dot millimeter. pitch are important characteristics to consider when provide a monitor display that is closer to a CMYK representation of the fi nal printed product. This additive color formation: Theory based on mixing red, choosing a monitor. The resolution is a monitor’s green, and blue light in various combinations to create a abilit y to show fi ne detail and is stated in the number of software provides a WYSIWYP (What You See Is color reproduction or image. What You Print) display. pixels lined up across and down the screen. A typical subtractive color formation: The combination of cyan, high-resolution monitor has 1280 pixels horizontally Printers magenta, yellow, and black inks to produce a printed image. across the screen and 1024 pixels vertically; this is color management system (CMS): An electronic prepress expressed as 1280 × 1024. The resolution of monitors For proofi ng text, graphics, and page layouts, a tool that provides a way to correlate the color-rendering used in graphic communications range from 1024 × printer is used to produce a hard copy on paper. The capabilities of input devices, color monitors, and output 768 to 1600 × 1280, or even higher. Dot pitch is a resolution of a printed image is measured in dots per inch devices to produce predictable, consistent color. measurement of the vertical distance between rows (dpi) and ranges from 300 dpi (or less) to 1200 dpi (or WYSIWYP: A monitor display method used by word of pixels on the monitor. The distance is expressed in higher), depending on the type and quality of printer. processing and page layout programs that uses color fractions of a millimeter (stated in decimal form), with In some cases, fi nal copy or page layouts can be management software to produce a CMYK representation of the printed output. the image quality becoming crisper as the fraction output by a high-resolution laser or ink-jet printer to becomes smaller. achieve quality suffi cient for short-run reproduction print engine: A small computer component inside a laser Figure 7-9. An ink-jet printer can be used to produce printer that translates the output of the computer into a A color monitor uses the additive color by lithographic or xerographic methods. a high-quality proof copy of graphics or page layouts. bitmapped image for printing. formation, based on the combination of red, Output is relatively slow when compared to laser toner: Positively charged powder that is attracted to negatively green, and blue (RGB) to form white light. This printers. (Epson America, Inc.) charged image dots to make up the printed image on a page. 134 Graphic Communications Chapter 7 Digital Prepress 135

! It is important to maintain the original text and image fi les when preparing content; make a copy of the original material and work from the copy. This ensures that the original material is available if data is lost or destroyed during prepress production, or if graphics must be drastically resized or modifi ed.

Text Preparation There are several options available when preparing text for the digital prepress process. The simplest method is to enter copy directly onto the page, while using page composition software. This Figure 7-13. Formatting of special attributes, such is appropriate for materials that include only a small as different sizes and forms of headlines or various amount of text. When a large amount of text is included types of lists, can be done by applying styles in a word in a layout, it is better to compose the text using word processing program. In this screen example, the Style Figure 7-12. With the addition of an add-on device, processing software. Text may be scanned from a drop-down list is shown. Figure 7-11. For highest quality output on photopaper many imagesetters are able to create plates as well as hard copy using an Optical Character Recognition or fi lm, an imagesetter is used. This imagesetter offers fi lm. (FUJI Photo Film U.S.A., Inc.) (OCR) scanner, or imported electronically from a six resolution settings ranging from 1000 dpi to 3000 dpi, When the text is imported into the page composition disc or through a modem connection. Once the text and can output material up to 22″ (56 cm) in width. program, the code is recognized and the specifi ed (Fuji Graphic Systems) companies to interpret digital fi les from any number is electronically acquired, it is edited using a word text attributes are assigned to the copy. Such of personal computers and software programs. processing program. attributes may include type size, leading, alignment, ® ® ® Common PDLs include Adobe PostScript , Adobe Word processing software is an effi cient tool and indents. This technique saves many hours of output station consists of two parts, the raster image PDF (Portable Document Format), and Hewlett- for creating and editing text. Originally designed for work once the text has been placed into the page processor and the digital output device. The digital Packard PCL (Printer Control Language). correspondence and similar tasks in the business composition. output device can be used to output high-resolution An interpreter is a computer program used with environment, this software has allowed computers to text and graphic images onto paper, plates, or directly output devices that receive the PDL page descriptions replace phototypesetters in composing text for graphic to a digital printing press. and translates them into patterns of dots for a communications applications. Many word processors Graphics Preparation The raster image processor (RIP) converts all printer or pixels for monitor display. After receiving have the capability of formatting both text and graphics. Graphic images can be created and saved in a elements of a page or image into a bitmapped image a page description, the interpreter constructs a However, it is considered better to use the word variety of ways. Digital images can be created using at the resolution of the selected output device. The representation of the page to suit the output device. processor strictly for text entry and editing, instead paint programs, draw programs, digital photography, RIP interprets the page composition information for For example, the interpreter can determine whether of trying to create an entire publication with it. This is and electronic scanning. The electronic images the marking engine of the output device, such as an the output device is a black-only or color printer, particularly true if the publication requires extensive created are saved in one of many fi le formats. The imagesetter, platesetter, digital printer, or large format an RGB video monitor, or a 2400 dpi platesetter. text formatting with numerous graphic elements. fi le format used for graphics is a very important devices, Figure 7-12. Output problems are most Once these parameters are defi ned, the interpreter Word processors typically include proofi ng tools consideration, because it determines how much likely to occur during the ripping process. It is usually modifi es its instructions accordingly. that allow the operator to detect and correct errors an image may be manipulated and how well it will the responsibility of the operator to troubleshoot in spelling, punctuation, and word division. These reproduce. Digital camera and digital scanner these problems. However, if the fi les have not been proofi ng tools go beyond mere spell - c hec king, as they operation are covered in detail in Chapter 8. properly prepared, they may need to be returned to Preparing are usually capable of detecting incorrect, extra, or Some graphics editing is possible with paint and the point of origination for correction. missing punctuation, incorrect hyphenation; improper drawing programs, but more extensive and precise Content abbreviation; missing or incorrect capitalization at the Page Description Languages (PDLs) Software used with digital imaging systems is beginning of a sentence; doubled words; and much raster image processor (RIP): A device that interprets all A page description language (PDL) serves classifi ed by its role in the digital prepress process. more. This is a small sample of what proofi ng tools as the interface between the page composition can do to increase typesetting effi ciency. of the page layout information for the marking engine of the This process essentially consists of preparing content, output device. workstation and the RIP. PDLs are used in digital composing pages, and outputting the fi nished fi le to To assist in formatting the text when it is placed in publishing to identify all the elements to be placed on a page composition program, special codes may be page description language (PDL): A fi le format that an imagesetter, a platesetter, or directly to a digital describes a page’s layout, contents, and position within the page, their respective positions on the page, and incorporated to identify specifi c text attributes, such press. The software used in prepress work consists of the larger document in a manner the output device can the page’s position within the larger document, in a word processors, draw and paint software, graphics as headlines, subheads, or body text, Figure 7-13. understand. manner that the output device can understand. PDLs Depending on the word processing program, the codes editors, and page composition programs. interpreter: A computer program used with output devices enable digital output devices developed by different may be called styles, tags, or another similar term. that receive PDL page descriptions. 136 Graphic Communications Chapter 7 Digital Prepress 137 changes should be made with a full-featured image Vector Images manipulation program, or image editor. Some of the Vector images are represented as mathematical most commonly used image manipulation programs Marquee…… ……Move formulas that defi ne all the shapes in the image, as include Adobe® Photoshop®, Macromedia® Freehand® Lasso…… ……Magic wand Airbrush…… ……Paintbrush well as their placement in a document. In computer MX, CorelDRAW®, and Adobe® Illustrator®. Eraser…… ……Pencil graphics, a vector is a line that is defi ned by its start Full-featured image editors allow almost any Rubber stamp…… ……Smudge point and endpoint. A piece of line art generated by a aspect of an image to be manipulated, including Blur…… ……Dodge drawing program is a vector graphic, Figure 7-18. A cropping, color and contrast, adding or removing Pen…… ……Type drawing program gives the designer control over shape, visual information, and even combining images. See Line…… ……Gradient Paint bucket…… ……Eyedropper placement, line width, and object pattern, Figure 7-19. Figure 7-14. Experienced users of image manipulation Hand…… ……Zoom A Bezier curve is a vector graphic named after programs can sharpen, blur, and smudge edges; Foreground color…… ……Switch colors French mathematician Pierre Bezier. It is defi ned mix, choose, and apply colors; paint, draw, work with Default colors…… ……Background color mathematically by two endpoints and two or more multiple layers, clone, apply fi lters, create gradients Standard mode…… ……Quick mask mode other points that control its shape, Figure 7-20. and textures, adjust color, and print color separations, Standard screen…… ……Full screen mode

…… Nearly all drawing programs support Bezier curves. as well as composites. Many programs allow the user mode The two endpoints of the curve are called anchor to restrict modifi cations to one area of a picture or to Full screen mode with menu bar make picture-wide changes. Figure 7-15. This piece of bitmapped art has been In digital prepress, graphics can be broadly divided greatly enlarged to show the individual pixels. Figure 7-16. Most paint programs are limited to the into two groups, bitmapped images and vector images. basic tools indicated above. scale and color data. Each pixel might require eight Bitmapped Images or even 32 bits of information to describe. Bitmapped images are graphics fi les that Working with bitmapped images contain a map of pixels, each of which is assigned Artwork created by a paint program is a bitmapped characteristics. See Figure 7-15. A continuous tone image. When using a paint program, Figure 7-16, image (photograph) that has been digitized using a the rows and columns of squares that compose the digital capture device is an example of a bitmapped image are visible by zooming in on any given area. image. In a simple black-and-white bitmap, one bit Color may be added or deleted by fi lling in or emptying Aliased Image of information is assigned to each pixel: either it is each square on the grid. When working with bitmap on (black) or off (white). This information, in turn, images, the individual pixels are edited, rather than determines where ink is placed on the paper when whole objects or shapes. Through these actions, the the image is printed. Graphics programs also store image size, shape, or colors may be modifi ed. location information for each pixel, providing gray When bitmaps are enlarged or reduced, the Figure 7-18. A drawing program generates vector edges can become ragged because they are images that can be easily scaled and modifi ed because composed of squares that do not create a smooth Antialiased Image the object is defi ned geometrically. line. This process is referred to as aliasing. Aliasing Figure 7-17. The antialiasing technique helps smooth is the process by which smooth curves and other jaggies by fi lling in squares along the edge with color bitmapped images: Graphics fi les that contain a map of lines become jagged due to the reduced resolution of that varies slightly from that on the image. pixels, each of which is assigned characteristics such as the graphics device or fi le. Antialiasing is a software color and brightness, to make up the image. technique for diminishing jagged lines, or jaggies. aliasing: The process in which smooth curves and other These stairstep-like lines occur because the output by changing the size and horizontal alignment of lines become jagged because an image is enlarged or the device is not equipped with high enough resolution dots to make curves smoother. Other printers reduce resolution of the graphics device or fi le is reduced. to represent a smooth line. Antialiasing reduces the the size of those dots that make up a curved line to antialiasing: Software technique for diminishing the jagged prominence of jaggies by surrounding them with create a smoother appearance. edges of an image that should be smooth. intermediate shades of gray or color, Figure 7-17. Some graphics programs incorporate an smoothing: A technique used by some printers to reduce Shades of gray are used for gray-scaling devices, autotracing feature. Autotracing is a process for jaggies. and color is used for color output devices. Although converting a bitmapped image into a vector image. autotracing: A feature of some graphics programs; allows this reduces the jagged appearance of the lines, it Most autotracing packages read fi les in a variety of bitmapped images to be converted into vector format. also makes them fuzzier. Many programs provide bitmapped formats (GIF and TIFF are very common) vector images: Images that are defi ned in terms of an antialiasing option that is extremely useful when and produce a vector format fi le, such as an EPS. mathematical parameters, which gives the artist or designer The conversion techniques used and the accuracy control over shape, placement, line width, and pattern. Figure 7-14. When cropping an image in an image editing placing text in an image. Another method to reduce jaggies is called of the conversion process differs from one software Bezier curve: A vector graphic defi ned mathematically by program, such as Adobe Photoshop, use the marquee tool package to another. two endpoints and two or more other points that control its to make a selection, and then trim the image. smoothing. Some printers accomplish smoothing shape. 138 Graphic Communications Chapter 7 Digital Prepress 139

• A computer can store vector images very Title bar effi ciently, making them ideal for high-resolution output. Menu bar

Digital Page Vertical scroll bar Composition Rulers

The assembly of text and graphic images into the fi nal page is accomplished using a page composer. The most widely used page composition software packages today are Adobe® InDesign® and QuarkXPress®. Although the specifi c operations are somewhat different, an experienced operator can Pasteboard use either program to combine text and graphics and create a fi le in PostScript®. A PostScript® fi le can be output to a laser printer, platesetter, or even directly Selected line to a digital press. Figure 7-19. When a line is selected on a vector image, Layout the nodes will be visible. The object can be modifi ed page by grabbing and dragging the line. Composition Software Features The features offered by different page composition programs vary in details, but have many features in common. See Figure 7-21. A menu bar occupies the top of the screen, while scroll bars are on the bottom and one side. The scroll bars are used to shift the Display size Horizontal screen view up and down or left and right. scroll bar Handle Figure 7-21. Screen layout of one popular page composition program with menu bar along the top and scroll bars Pasteboard down the right side and at bottom. The pasteboard is a work area, outside the page being composed, which is A major portion of the screen display includes the used for temporary storage and preliminary assembly of page elements. page or pages being laid out and a work area, usually called the pasteboard. This area of the screen is used Anchor point working with an image on the page. Selecting some for temporary storage of layout elements (such as a Drop-Down Menus items in a drop-down menu prompts a submenu to piece of art or a section of typeset material) before By selecting one of the items on the menu bar, display with additional choices, Figure 7-23. moving them onto the layout page. The pasteboard using the mouse or keyboard, a menu of choices Figure 7-20. By moving the handles, or the control can also be used to try out ideas for design elements, extends down from the bar. These drop-down points, you can modify the shape of a Bezier curve. type treatments, and other composition changes. menus contain a number of choices that may be used to create or modify documents, Figure 7-22. Page Grid The Page menu, for example, is used to insert, delete, points. The other points that defi ne the shape of the or move pages within a document, and provides pasteboard: An on-screen work area in page composition curve are called handles, tangent points, or nodes. The page grid, sometimes called a frame or choices for quickly moving from page to page. Other programs; used for temporary storage of layout elements Attached to each handle are two control points. The baseline grid, is a nonprinted set of guidelines on common menu bar selections are File, Edit, Style, before moving them onto the page. shape of the curve can be modifi ed by moving the each layout page. Guidelines for margins, columns, Item, View, Utilities, Window, and Help. page grid: A nonprinted set of guidelines on each handles or the control points. gutters, and other basic page elements are included Some menus are context-sensitive menus— composition page that includes guidelines for margins, There are several advantages to using vector images: in the grid. One important function of the grid is to columns, gutters, and other basic page elements. align type horizontally when the page is arranged in the menu that appears depends on the type of • Shapes can be resized without degradation material being worked on. For example, the Style drop-down menus: A selection list within software two or more columns. The operator may choose to programs that extends downward from the menu bar on the because objects are defi ned geometrically. menu may display a list of choices that only apply display or hide the grid lines. computer display screen. • The images print the same, even when scaled to text when working with the text on a page. The context-sensitive menu: The characteristic of a selection list of available Style menu choices changes when to different sizes, and can be represented at any menu in page composition software in which the options resolution, which makes them more fl exible than that display are dependent on the type of material being bitmapped images. worked on. 140 Graphic Communications Chapter 7 Digital Prepress 141

Dialog Boxes Although there are more than six palettes available, the Tool palette is the most-often used Selecting an item in a drop-down menu often because it allows the operator to perform many opens a dialog box, which permits the operator to input different layout functions. The Tool palette displays additional information, Figure 7-24. This information icons for the different tools available, including: may specify an action, input measurements, select colors, or apply a style. Some dialog boxes include • Item tool. Select a box, line, or other item on drop-down lists, similar to submenus, which can be the screen to be moved, resized, or reshaped. used to make a selection. • Content tool. Import and edit text and pictures. May also duplicate tasks performed by the Item Palettes tool. A palette is a modifi ed form of menu that can • Rotation tool. Establish a point, and then rotate be resized and positioned on the screen to suit the an item (box or line) around that point. operator’s preferences. A palette can also be set • Zoom tool. Enlarge or reduce the view of an to display or be hidden. When displayed, it always item displayed on the screen. remains visible, overlaying any other images on the Figure 7-22. Selecting one of the items on the menu bar • Text Box tool. Accurately position text on a screen, Figure 7-25. opens a drop-down menu with a number of choices. layout. A submenu pops up to the side of the Figure 7-24. A dialog box permits the operator to palette, which allows selection of different text input information. The dialog box in this fi gure box shapes. appeared when the operator selected Insert from the • Picture Box tools. Available shapes, such as Page menu. As shown, it allows entry of the number of pages to be inserted, and where they are to be rectangular and rounded-corner, are displayed placed. The Master Page drop-down list holds a list on the Tool palette. Selecting the rectangular of master pages that were created for this document. Picture Box tool icon opens a pop-up menu with additional choices. • Line tool. Draw a straight line at any angle. A pop-up menu allows selection of tools for drawing freehand line shapes. • Orthogonal Line tool. Draw a line that is precisely horizontal or vertical on a page. • Line-Text Path tool. Position straight lines of text at any angle. A pop-up menu provides other options, such as arranging text along a freehand-drawn line. • Linking tool. Link text that is contained in two or more text boxes. This permits text to refl ow A freely from box to box or page to page, as dimensions or type sizes are changed. B Master Pages and Templates The design of a document typically results in the repetition of certain attributes from page to page or section to section. Attributes such as column width, C margins, page numbers, and headers and footers Figure 7-23. The options available within context-sensitive menus change, depending on the type of material are often repeated. It is also common to have several being worked on. When Style is selected on the menu bar, one of these three menus will appear. A—The menu that appears when text is selected. B—The same menu for when images are selected. C—The menu for when lines or strokes are selected. dialog box: A page composition software feature that permits the operator to input information, such as specifying Figure 7-25. A palette is a list or menu that can be an action, inputting a measurement, or selecting a color. displayed or hidden, and can be positioned any place Tool palette: A modifi ed form of a program menu that can be on the screen the operator chooses. This is the resized and positioned on the screen to suit the operator’s palette, used for many layout functions. preferences. 142 Graphic Communications Chapter 7 Digital Prepress 143 different page formats within a document. The page Importing Graphics box to the desired size. In the same way, a section of font menu displays active typefaces alphabetically geometry, typography, and other elements in each of text can be selected, dragged to a different place on the by attribute, not alphabetically by name. Type these page formats can be set up as a master page, Both bitmapped graphics created with paint layout, and dropped into a new position. Material can be Reunion® unifi es a type family into a list that makes or template. programs and vector images created with drawing dragged off the page to the pasteboard for temporary true typeface selection easier. A template can be created that incorporates all or illustration programs can be imported and placed storage or manipulation, or dragged off the pasteboard Font utility programs allow easier font activation the master pages and other formatting attributes. in a picture box. Photographs are captured with a and dropped into the page. or deactivation and enable the designation of font A new publication or page can easily be set up by digital device, such as a camera or scanner, which sets, or font lists. Font sets provide a quick list of the opening the reusable template and customizing the converts them to a digital format. The digital fi le may Color Separations fonts used in a job, Figure 7-27. Font sets can be page formats, as necessary. The main advantage of then be imported to a picture box. Instead of the physical overlays used in created for individual jobs and only the set needed using a template is the increased productivity and less Once an image is in a picture box, it can be conventional paste-up to prepare material for color may be activated. time spent recreating the same page information. manipulated in various ways to suit the page layout. printing, page composition software produces Even though the page composition program The image can be enlarged or reduced, cropped, separation plates for each color on a page. For may give a list of fonts contained in a document, Importing Text moved around on the page, changed in color, or edited example, a page with black type and an illustration they may not list the fonts used in imported EPS and altered in various ways. The amount of successful of a large red apple would be put out as two graphics. Therefore, you must record all fonts used in Although text may be directly input and edited manipulation is affected by the format in which the separation plates. If a platesetter is used for output, supporting fi les from the font sets because they are in page composition programs, documents of more graphic was imported. For example, bitmap images do one separation plate is generated for the black part of the page composition fi le. Fonts used within than a few paragraphs in length are usually created not enlarge very well—as the image size increases, the images and a second separation plate is generated bitmapped graphics automatically convert into pixels in a word processing program. The text fi le is then pixels increase in size as well, which gives the image for the red images. If the page contained a full- and lose font information, so it is not necessary to imported into the page composition program and a jagged-edged look. When this occurs, the image is color photograph, four separation plates would be record the fonts used within these fi les. placed in one or more text boxes. said to be “pixeled,” Figure 7-26. Graphic fi le formats created; one plate each for cyan, magenta, yellow, The text formatting (boldface, italics, tabs, are covered in detail later in this chapter. and black inks. These four process colors are used indents, line spacing, and similar parameters) Drag-and-Drop Manipulation in combination to print all colors. Color science and that was applied in the original word processing its relation to printing processes are explored in detail document may be retained when the text is imported Although keyboard commands are used for many in Chapter 9. if a text fi lter is used. Text fi lters are available for functions of a page composition program, a mouse or major word processing programs. If no fi lter is other pointing device is commonly used for quickly and available or the imported material is unformatted easily manipulating page elements. For example, a text Font Formats and ASCII text, formatting must be applied through the box or picture box can be resized by clicking the mouse Management page composition program. or pointer on a side or anchor point, and dragging the Style sheets used in page composition programs Most applications that support text also provide (and in some word processing programs) are a variety of fonts to choose from. The printer should formatting tools that combine a number of attributes. use the same fonts as the original page composition, A paragraph style sheet can include such information provided they can support them. The entire page as alignment, indents, leading between lines, space composition can change if fonts are substituted. before and after the paragraph, and such typeface Font substitution can cause document refl ow, bad information as font, point size, and kerning. Usually, word or line breaks, and loss of kerning and tracking. different paragraph style sheets are created to format The fonts must be included in the project fi les if the Figure 7-27. The font list above indicates all fonts used specifi c elements of a document, such as body text, production house or printer is expected to use them. in a particular job. ® ® main headings, subheadings, numbered lists, lists Font utility software, such as Adobe Type Manager ® ® ® with bullets, or illustration captions. (ATM), Adobe Type Reunion , and Extensis A character style sheet is more specialized and is Suitcase™, can help manage and collect the fonts template: In a page composition program, a reusable typically applied to single letters, words, or phrases. used in the original page composition. form that can be set up to include the page geometry, typography, and other elements of a page that recur in a A character style sheet might be used to set off all document. illustration references in the text, for example, by Font Utility Software ® ® text fi lter: A page composition program feature that allows specifying a type font and point size that is different Adobe Type Manager (ATM) creates bitmapped ® the original text formatting applied to be retained when the from body text. A major advantage of using style fonts in any size or style from PostScript outline fonts. text is imported into the page composition program. This provides WYSIWYG font representations on the sheets is the ability to accomplish changes quickly style sheet: A formatting tool that combines a number and thoroughly. For example, changing the attributes screen. ATM also converts any missing font sizes of attributes, such as type size, alignment, and other and helps improve fonts printed on non-PostScript® of a heading style from centered 18-point Helvetica Figure 7-26. A bitmapped image cannot be enlarged characteristics. Bold to fl ush left 16-point Cooper Black takes only output devices. separation plates: Special outputs for each color on a by more than a small percentage, or the individual ® ® seconds, and changing the style would alter every pixels will become visible. The image is said to be Adobe Type Reunion collects style variations page created by page composition software. occurrence of that heading in the document. “pixeled,” which is characterized by a blocky and in a pull-down menu and lists the style variations of font set: The font list for a document. Font sets can be ragged-edged appearance. a typeface together in a pop-up menu. Normally, the created for individual jobs and activate only the set needed. 144 Graphic Communications Chapter 7 Digital Prepress 145

Fonts represented with vector graphics are called outlines. Every typeface requires a separate printer vector fonts, also known as scalable fonts or outline fi le to successfully output the composition. ELECTRONIC OUTPUT REQUEST FOR: YOUR COMPANY NAME HERE PAGE 2 DOCUMENT fonts. The best example of a vector font system is Source Pathname: O:\CATHY\R14A_TX\CH14\Ch14.qxd Destination Pathname: O:\Grph_com\quark\ PostScript. The PostScript font characters have TrueType Fonts Last modified: 11:03 AM; 11/18/97 Document Size: 2884K Most recently saved version: 3.3 Windows format no specifi c size and are described as mathematical TrueType font technology was developed jointly Document has been saved by the following versions of QuarkXPress: ® ® 3.31r5 Windows format defi nitions of the outline. PostScript output devices by Microsoft and Apple as a cross-platform vector 3.32r3 Windows format 3.31r5 Windows format render the characters as designated. Total Pages: 60 font. Although TrueType support is built into all Page Width: 8.5” ® ® Page Height: 10.875” As with vector images, vector fonts retain smooth Windows and Macintosh operating systems, they Required XTensions: None contours when slanted, rotated, or scaled to any do not always translate well. Active XTensions: Cool Blends; CPSI Fixer; Kern-Track XTension; Immedia Project Menu; JPEG size. However, converting illustration fonts into vector Import; LZW Import; MS-Word Filter; MS-Write Import; WordPerfect Filter; XPress Tags TrueType fonts have no specifi c sizes and Filter; PhotoCD Import graphics or object outlines can create problems for work by combining the screen fonts and the printer DOCUMENT FONTS External Name Internal Name Printer Font Filename small type sizes and large text blocks. For example, typeface into one fi le (instead of the separate fi les spot color, and CMYK • between fonts that are named the same, but originate is a device-dependent format used to describe color models. DCS fi les print faster than standard Each fi le name should be unique. from different publishers. It may not always be possible four-color documents, including specifi cations for EPS fi les and can contain both bitmap and vector • Use the appropriate fi le extension to identify fi le to substitute one publisher for another. Avoid mixing printing presses. TIFF/IT-P1 is a raster-based input graphics information. type, such as .tiff, .eps, or .pdf. publishers within the same typeface family because format designed to be used with high-end color To avoid confusion, revised fi les should not be it complicates and slows the workfl ow. electronic prepress systems (CEPS). It is favored Graphics Interchange Format (GIF) submitted with the same name as the original fi le. If by the magazine industry for digital delivery of color The graphics interchange format (GIF) supports you are using OPI software, however, it is important advertising fi les. The P1, or “profi le one,” component ! Fonts are software and are subject to strict raster images and only handles up to 256 colors. that the fi le names remain the same as the original. was added when the format was accepted by the software licensing agreements. The user is GIF fi les offer lossless data compression, which The fi le name serves as the link to the high-resolution International Standards Organization (ISO) for responsible for maintaining licensed versions of makes them particularly effective for drawn images, image, and changing the fi le name requires that the consideration as an international standard. TIFF/IT-P1 the fonts used at their location. animations, and images used on the Internet. link be reestablished, which causes delays. is designed to reduce the additional time and labor Lossless data compression will be discussed later required when CEPS cannot communicate easily. in this chapter. File Compression Creating Digital Encapsulated PostScript (EPS) Portable Document Format (PDF) Before sending digital data to a printer, most The encapsulated PostScript (EPS) is one of the publishers compress, or reduce, the size of the The Adobe® portable document format (PDF) most stable fi le formats used in delivery to a digital fi les. Some programs automatically compress the Image and Design has become a standard for electronic document output device. It is less convenient than a TIFF, but fi le when it is converted and decompress when it distribution throughout the world. PDF is a universal usually provides more stable output results. EPS is viewed. Compressed fi les require less storage Files fi le format that preserves all aspects of a native fi le, provides a very reliable format for graphic images space, allow more effi cient data management, and regardless of the application or platform used to There are several items to consider regarding the because it handles both vector and raster images. can be transmitted faster because redundancies and create the PDF fi le. Anyone using Adobe® Reader® fi les themselves when creating digital design fi les. For The EPS format provides low-resolution previews other unnecessary elements are eliminated from the can view, navigate, and print the fi le exactly as the example, the fi le format selected determines the type for screen display and non-PostScript printing. original fi le. author intended. of modifi cations possible to the fi le and the type of The EPS format supports bitmap, grayscale, RGB, Unlike the complex, continuous stream of data fi le compression used affects the storage, portability, CMYK, spot color, and indexed color models. Lossless Compression in PostScript fi les, PDF fi les are simple, compact, and resulting quality of the fi le. All of these decisions EPS fi les can be used in the open press A lossless compression algorithm refers to a vector fi les. They process quickly and can be sent depend on the design environment and requirements interface (OPI) system, which allows low-resolution data compression process in which no data is lost. across the Internet or a network for remote proofi ng of the printer. images to be placed in a layout, but automatically The PKZIP compression technology is an example or printing. PDF fi les are also page-independent, replaces them with high-resolution image fi les for of lossless compression. The fi les are often referred so single pages can be replaced or altered without printing. If saved in ASCII data format, EPS pictures to as ZIP fi les and typically have .zip as the fi le File Formats reprocessing the other pages. Page independence can be opened and read in a text editor. extension. PKZIP fi les with an .exe extension are also allows printing pages in any order from a single Many different image fi le formats exist; each varies in self-extracting fi les, which can be unzipped simply ® fi le. The PDF fi le is also self-contained, meaning that the way images are saved, how images can be modifi ed, Windows Metafi le (WMF) and PICT by opening the fi le. Decompressing either of these and how well images will reproduce. File formats the fi le has all the fonts and other resources needed The Windows® Metafi le (WMF) is a graphics fi le types of fi les is called unzipping. contain a number of important aspects, including image to image it. format on Microsoft® Windows® systems. The PICT fi le For most types of data, lossless compression placement, resolution, color, and background. format is a Mac® graphics fi le that is most commonly techniques can reduce the fi le size by about 50%. ® File Names Lossless algorithms used for image compression Tagged Image File Format (TIFF or TIF) used with the Mac OS QuickDraw software. Both WMF and PICT formats can hold bitmapped and vector File naming conventions are often overlooked, or assume that the likely value of a pixel can be inferred The tagged image fi le format (TIFF or TIF) is a ® images. Many non-Windows platforms are able to even ignored. However, carefully naming fi les helps raster graphic fi le used for exchanging bitmapped utilize WMF fi les, but PICT fi les must be converted to keep work organized. Whether creating a standard images between applications. Depending on the ® be used on non-Mac systems. in-house convention or following recommendations open press interface (OPI) system: A computer source application, a TIFF fi le can allow lossless or from a printer, the fi le format must be consistently confi guration and software that allows the designer to use JPEG compression. Compression is discussed later low-resolution images when creating document layouts in Desktop Color Separations (DCS 1.0 and DCS 2.0) applied. i n t h i s c h a p te r. T h e f o r m a t s u p p o r t s b i t m a p, g r ay s c a l e, page composition programs, and high-resolution images The desktop color separations 2.0 (DCS 2.0) fi le Computer platforms and programs are subject RGB, CMYK, and indexed color models. TIFF fi les automatically replace the low-resolution images when the format is an EPS graphic saved as a single fi le that to their own conventions. Even though some of the fi le is sent to an output device. can also be exchanged among several platforms, can include up to six plates (cyan, magenta, yellow, latest operating systems allow fi le names up to 255 including Mac® OS, DOS, PC, and UNIX®. lossless compression algorithms: A mathematical characters, fi le names should be limited to fewer formula for image compression that assumes that the than 20 characters with a three-character extension. likely value of a pixel can be inferred from the values of surrounding pixels. 148 Graphic Communications Chapter 7 Digital Prepress 149 from the values of surrounding pixels. Because system, cross-platform, cross-device standard that enables users to specify different compression levels for is the manuscript. It must still be read carefully for lossless compression does not discard any of the can reduce fi les to about 5% of their normal size. the various elements within a single image. For example, errors and marked for corrections. After corrections data, the decompressed image is identical to the JPEG is based on the discrete cosine transform EPS color image fi les embedded in a digital document are made, the copy must be checked again. In original. (DCT) algorithm, which analyzes each pixel block, result in a very large fi le. EPS-JPEG compression some operations, checking type corrections may be Other common lossless compression methods identifi es color frequencies, and removes data creates fi les for page composition software that are combined with proofi ng the laid-out pages. are the Huffman method, Lempel-Ziv-Welch (LZW), redundancy. This algorithm requires the same amount signifi cantly smaller than standard EPS fi les. Images and run-length encoding (RLE). Both the Huffman of processing to either compress or decompress an vary in the amount of data that can be compressed Proofreading Skills and LZW methods of compression are techniques image. JPEG compression can incorporate other without affecting the visible quality. Experiment with where adjacent bits are replaced with codes of algorithms, including quantization algorithms and quality settings to determine the maximum compression A proofreader has the very important job of varying lengths. For example, this technique would one-dimensional, modifi ed Huffman encoding. settings that do not perceptibly alter appearance. Since making sure the fi nal product meets the standards encode the fact that zero occurs 20 times, rather than JPEG is a popular standard for images used on data is lost in each compression/decompression cycle, of expected quality and professionalism. In larger using 20 zeros. This information would use 4 bytes the Internet due to its extreme compression capacity use JPEG compression at the maximum quality setting publishing and printing facilities, people are hired instead of 20. Run-length encoding (RLE) encodes and ability to support 24-bit color. The JPEG fi le and only on fi nal images, Figure 7-32. with expertise in proofreading. In smaller facilities, a digital data to reduce the amount of storage needed format allows the compression ratio and reproduction variety of people may have this responsibility. Every to hold the data without any loss of information. Each quality to be controlled at the point of compression, printer, especially in a small plant, should be able to coded item consists of a data value and the number Figure 7-31. JPEG fi les contain bitmap information Proofreading read proofs. of adjacent pixels with the same data value. In other only and support grayscale, RGB, and CMYK color The proofreader must be a meticulous person and A proof is any copy or art that is checked before words, strings of the same character are encoded models. have the ability to accurately check individual letters going into print. In traditional typesetting, the proof as a single number. This is a very effi cient way of A major goal of JPEG is to maintain the in words, as well as look for combinations of letters. is a galley pulled (printed) from the metal type or encoding large areas of fl at color used in linework appearance of an image, rather than the actual data Proofreaders cannot scan a page, but must study a printout on phototypesetting paper. In today’s and text. contained in the original. This works because we are each word separately. If proofreading is done poorly, electronic production systems, a proof is typically a visually less sensitive to high-frequency color. JPEG the highest quality paper, best printing methods, printout from a laser printer. Lossy Compression is a lossy compression, and therefore deletes some excellent content, and other favorable aspects of the In traditional typesetting situations, manuscript image information, but the decompressed image product will be ruined. A lossy compression algorithm refers to data was edited and marked for type size and style before remains visually whole. compression techniques in which some data is lost. being sent to the compositor. The compositor followed JPEG functions best for color and grayscale, Proofreader’s Responsibilities Lossy compression methods attempt to eliminate all editing instructions and set the copy exactly as it continuous-tone images. Compressing images with The typical duties of a proofreader include: redundant or unnecessary information. Most video was written. After the copy was set, the proofreading high-contrast edges (such as line graphics or text) to • compression technologies use a lossy compression. process was carried out to detect and mark any Check the spelling of all words. signifi cantly reduce the fi le size, adversely affects the This improves the speed of data transfer, but typesetting errors. The marked proof would then be • Ensure word divisions or hyphenations are portion containing the text. Selective compression causes slight degradation when the image is sent back to the compositor for correction, and a correct. decompressed. corrected proof would be produced and checked. • Verify that the style is consistent. Lossy compression techniques include In digital composition methods, the author and • quantization, Delta Pulse Code Modifi cation (DPCM), Make certain that the size of type, line length, editor create the fi nal copy, which eliminates the and spacing specifi cations are followed. and JPEG. Quantization is a fi ltering process that separate typesetting step. This does not eliminate • determines the amount and selection of data to the need for proofreading, but changes the method Check that copy has not been omitted or repeated. eliminate, so data can be encoded with fewer bits. and approach. The typeset copy is not compared to Proofreader’s marks are widely used symbols DPCM measures one set of bits and then measures the original manuscript, since the typeset material that single out and explain copy changes or errors, differences from that set. The differences are then Figure 7-33. The symbols are used to show when encoded into fewer bits. something should be taken out, added, or changed. Lossless compression is preferred for printed images because each time a lossy compression is applied, more information is lost. The loss of data lossy compression algorithms: A mathematical formula may not be noticeable on screen, but will be very for image compression in which data in an image that is noticeable in high-resolution printed output. least perceptible to the eye is removed. The JPEG fi le format was created by the Joint selective compression: A compression option that allows Photographic Experts Group, in collaboration with the user to specify compression levels for different elements the International Standards Organization (ISO) within a single fi le. and the Consultative Committee for International proof: Any copy or art that is checked before going into print. Telegraphy and Telephony (CCITT). The JPEG proofreading: The process of checking for typesetting format was designed to establish an international Figure 7-31. When saving a fi le using the JPEG errors and marking them for correction. data compression standard for continuous-tone, compression option, there are several encoding Figure 7-32. JPEG compression should be used at proofreader’s marks: Widely used symbols that single out digital still images. JPEG compression is an open- options available. maximum quality to preserve the integrity of the data and explain when something in typeset copy is to be taken being compressed. out, added, or changed. 150 Graphic Communications Chapter 7 Digital Prepress 151

Punctuation Spacing Marked copy Period Insert space Comma Equalize space Colon Close up Semicolon Apostrophe Style of type Open quotes Wrong font Close quotes Lower case Hyphen Corrected copy Capitalize Dash (show length) Figure 7-34. This is an example of how proofreader’s Initial cap, then lower case Parentheses marks are used to identify and correct copy problems. Small capitals Note the caret placed at the point of error, and the Delete and insert correction symbol written in the margin. Initial cap, then small caps Delete Figure 7-35. This spellchecker highlighted a word in Set in roman Delete and close up Two-person proofi ng requires the reader to the text and displayed it in a separate window. The Insert omitted matter Set in italics work with an assistant. This is the most common most likely correct spelling is shown in the Change To: box, but one or more additional suggestions are often Let it stand Set in light face proofreading method when accuracy and speed are presented, as well. Paragraphing important. It is frequently used with larger jobs, such Set in bold face Paragraph as a textbook. The two people are referred to as the Superior character reader and the copyholder. The reader follows the Flush paragraph used, they can greatly reduce typos and make the Inferior character printed design proof (or computer screen display) correction cycle much more effi cient. A proofreader Indent (show no. of ems) Miscellaneous to check closely for errors. The copyholder follows must still review the copy. However, with fewer typing Run in the original manuscript. Usually, the two take turns errors, more attention can be given to checking style, Broken type Position reading to each other. Each word must be carefully illustration references, sequence, and other important Move right or left Invert pronounced and the reading pace must not be too content and typesetting aspects. Raise, lower Push down fast. The reader must have time to scan the letters of each word, check punctuation, style, and other items. Center Spell out A special jargon or language often develops Prefl ighting Flush left, right Shilling mark (slash) between the reader and copyholder. For instance, In addition to generating various types of proofs Align horizontally some readers pronounce each capital letter as “cap” Ellipsis before sending fi les to a printer, the fi les should be Align vertically and each period as “peer” to denote the beginning prefl ighted. Prefl ighting is an orderly review of fi les Transpose See layout and end of a sentence. to identify items that could cause problems at the Transpose space Query output or prepress stage. To make sure prefl ighting Spell Check Programs goes smoothly, discuss fi le format and preparation Figure 7-33. Some commonly used proofreader’s symbols are presented in this chart. Although many of the symbols are considered standard, there may be some variation from company to company. A spell check program, also called a spellchecker with the printer while the project is still in the design or proofi ng program, is incorporated into the majority stage. Knowing their requirements ahead of time will of word processing software. Depending on the save both time and money. The appropriate proofreader’s mark is placed in Proofreading Methods operator’s preference, the program automatically According to the Printing Industries of America t h e m a r g i n o f t h e p a g e t o i n d i c a t e t h e t y p e o f c o r r e c t i o n (PIA), some of the most common problems with the Comparison proofi ng, or one-person proofi ng, checks the spelling of each word as it is typed, or all the to be made, Figure 7-34. This system is an effi cient words in a document when typesetting is complete. fi les customers provide are: means of showing the compositor the location of the is done primarily to fi nd such major problems as copy A spell check program compares words in the • Missing or incorrect fonts. fault and the desired correction. Proofreading marks deletion, incorrect sequence, or copy duplication. It is most suitable for small jobs with little copy. Using document with those in the program dictionary. If a • Missing or incorrect trapping. must be written clearly and should be exaggerated word is spelled incorrectly, a correction is suggested, this method, the proofreader scans through the proof • File defi ned with incorrect color (RGB vs. so they are not overlooked. When needed, the Figure 7-35. The typesetter can accept the suggested once to check for obvious errors or changes. The CMYK). proofreader can write special notes pertaining to the spelling or may enter the proper spelling to be applied marks in the border. Sometimes, an extra sheet of proof is then placed next to the manuscript, and the • Scans supplied in wrong fi le format. proofreader traces along the lines of the proof with to the document. Spell check programs also permit instructions may be attached to the copy or page unusual spellings or technical words to be added to • Graphics not linked. layout. a pen while reading. Placing a straightedge across the copy and moving it slowly down the page is also the program dictionary. • Incorrectly defi ned or under defi ned bleeds. Spell check programs can be very helpful helpful. To be consistent, the proofreader must always • No laser proofs supplied. compare the proof with the copy, not vice versa. to production speed and quality. When properly 152 Chapter 7 Digital Prepress 153 CareerL ink File Submission Form is ready for the intended output device. The PreflightPrefl ight Technician Book title/Part number ability to work closely with the customer and Order date Blues date other departments is an imperative attribute. The prefl ight technician uses digital imaging Press date Bill to P.O. number technology to achieve the planned requested The prefl ight technician should have Sales representative job. When using this technology, the prefl ight formal postsecondary graphic communications technician takes the electronic fi les that are training in digital technology; an associate CUSTOMER INFORMATION given to him or her by the customer and checks degree is often stated as a requirement in the Company name Design house Contact name Design contact them for all aspects of completeness. It is very job description. It is also benefi cial to be familiar with the printing process and production Address Address similar to the checklist a pilot goes over before City State Zip City State Zip the plane takes off; the formalized prefl ight workfl ow. Prefl ight technicians must have good communication and basic problem-solving skills, Phone Fax Phone Fax manual checklist makes sure everything is in Modem Baud rate Modem Baud rate order. Therefore, the prefl ight technician tasks be comfortable with the pressure of deadlines, and are critical to the elimination of output problems be profi cient with computer applications. “Students entering the graphic of the electronic fi les. Prefl ighting software can FILE INFORMATION speed up the process. Sometimes checklists and communications discipline need to have a Platform ❑ Macintosh ❑ IBM-PC (or compatible) ❑ UNIX (DEC) ❑ UNIX (Sun) ❑ VMS (VAX) ❑ Other ____ software are both used by the prefl ight technician. variety of skills for employment in our ever- changing industry. They need to be versed in Some of the responsibilities of the prefl ight Operating system ❑ Macintosh version _____ ❑ MS-DOS version _____ ❑ Windows version _____ technician include making sure submitted the practical application of traditional web and offset printing, digital printing, prepress and discs are not damaged; ensuring discs are Media ❑ 3.5 inch disk ❑ 5.25 inch disk ❑ SyQuest (size___) ❑ 150 Mb DC (QIC tape) ❑ Bernoulli cartridge prepress software, print management, and to (size___) readable; checking in-house font availability; ❑ Zip cartridge ❑ Jaz cartridge ❑ Magneto-optical cartridge (size___) ❑ CD-ROM checking for missing material on submitted have a fi rm understanding of the Internet and how it relates to the printing industry.” discs; checking for correct size indications; ❑ ❑ ❑ Tony Mancuso Fonts Type 1 TrueType Complete font list, including manufacturer names, is attached on a checking for proper trapping and adequate separate sheet ❑ All printer and screen fonts are included on submission media bleeds; and checking for font problems, All Typography Unlimited, Inc. (TUI) these prefl ighting tasks ensure the digital job Files Files listed on other side are: ❑ Application files ❑ PostScript files Are files compressed? ❑ No ❑ Yes (if yes, what compression software was used?______version___) Please complete the file list on the other side of this form.

• Missing graphics. linked instead of embedded, only the corrupt piece of Trapping ❑ Files do not need trapping ❑ Please trap the files for us • Resolution too high or too low in customer- art needs to be recreated. ❑ Files need trapping, but we have taken the responsibility and done it ourselves supplied scans. When prefl ighting fi les, check to ensure every ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ After the documents or pages have been created, graphic used in the fi le is on the disc. If a graphic fi le Proofs Single blueline Folded blueline Blackprint Matchprint Iris proofed, and corrected, they are ready to send to is missing, the art will print as low-resolution images Artwork ❑ Digital scanning (to be placed in file) ❑ Conventional scanning (to be stripped into film) the printer for output. At this point, the production or bitmapped placeholders. Include the original art fi les in a separate directory for linked graphics that department can begin prefl ighting. Prefl ighting Pagination ❑ Total page count ______❑ Page map included on separate sheets begins with printing out color separations and are in a non-editable format. Print a list of all fi les included on the disc(s), as well as how many discs composite hard copies. The printer can refer to these Other Special instructions attached on separate sheet copies if problems are encountered with production, are included for the project. Prepare a checklist to A pagination, color, or even text fl ow. help verify that all graphic, font, and color components Once the separations and composites are printed, are present and correct. all the graphics should be linked. All page composition After the basic prefl ighting is complete and proofs Bleed No. of Halftone Neg. or RREU or File Name Application/version Trim size amount pages screen Pos. RRED Color separations programs allow the user to select link or reference have been output, create a letter that outlines the Chapter 01 QuarkXPress 3.31 8.5x11 1/8in. 16 133 Neg RRED 467 options as the art is imported. In QuarkXPress®, for software and fonts that were used to create the fi les, C M Y K/ PMS C M Y K/ PMS example, all the graphics in the document are linked trapping requirements, print specifi cations, and any C M Y K/ PMS to the Quark® fi le unless the art was created with the other pertinent information, Figure 7-36. Prefl ighting B C M Y K/ PMS drawing tools in Quark®. There are many benefi ts to also requires checking fonts and the color palette. linking art fi les. If all the graphics are embedded in Font formats and management are covered in the Figure 7-36. If the printer does not provide a standard submission form, design a fi le submission form and fi le list a document fi le and one piece of art is corrupted, previous section. For detailed information on color that includes the basic information shown in this sample. the entire project can be lost. When the art fi les are management, refer to Chapter 10. 154 Graphic Communications Chapter 7 Digital Prepress 155 Production Online soft proofs are posted and managed hink Green The PDF fi le format allows incorporation of an using Web-based applications specifi cally developed T extended job ticket. An extended job ticket is an for electronically proofi ng documents. While each ❦ electronic document that contains all the instructions Proofs printer may not use the same interface, the functions Soft Proofs required for processing a job, Figure 7-38. It includes Depending on the complexity of a project and and tools available to proof a job are similar from customer information, proofi ng directives, trapping, With the growing use of technology in the previous arrangements with the printer, a number one application to the next. Some of the common imposition and ripping parameters, and even graphic communications industry, as well as of proofs must be reviewed before the job goes to Web-based proofi ng applications are Kodak InSite, fi nishing and shipping instructions. The job ticket the increased concern for environmental issues, press. Proofs serve as samples for the customer eProof, inMotion, and proofHQ. specifi cations can be easily viewed and modifi ed by soft proofs are becoming more widely used and guidelines for the press operators. Proofs can everyone who has access to the fi le. than digital proofs. Soft proofs reduce the use be made directly from digital fi les, viewed online, The PDF fi le is practically an ideal prefl ighting Digital Proofs of paper in multiple rounds of checking proofs. or run off on a proof press. Cost variations often tool. If all the necessary elements are not present The two most common types of digital proofs They eliminate the use of ink and the creation determine the type of proofs requested at different at the time of fi le creation, the user is warned. PDF used today are laser proofs and ink-jet proofs. Laser of any VOCs in the production of printing stages of prepress production. The most commonly fi les also provide a single fi le for viewing, distributing, proofs are printed onto paper using electronic fi les. proofs. There is also no transportation involved used proofs today are soft proofs and digital proofs, archiving, editing, and printing small fi le sizes, and They are produced by an industrial laser printer and since soft proofs are sent over the Internet. Figure 7-37. a built-in preview. PDF fi les can access many types may be in black and white or use four colors. They While some companies are concerned about the of fi les including EPS, TIFF, PICT, QuarkXPress®, are an inexpensive type of proof. However, the quality quality of soft proofs, others have found that PageMaker®, and PostScript® from applications on Soft Proofs is said to be less than that of ink-jet proofs. with monitor calibrations, the on-screen page both Macintosh® and PC platforms. Soft proofs are electronic fi les that represent Ink-jet proofs are produced by a printing process should match the printed page. Companies what the fi nal printed page will look like. These that generates four-color proofs directly from the have found soft proofs to be a more effi cient Job Defi nition Format (JDF) proofs may be press-ready fi les created using the digital fi les. Ink-jet proofi ng is often used as a contract alternative to hard copy proofs because of the project composition fi les submitted to the printer. proof, replacing the press proof. The color simulates turnaround time and ease of use. For more The Job Defi nition Format (JDF) is a fi le Soft proofs may be delivered via e-mail or accessed what will be produced on a press. However, there information, see www.pneac.org. format that automates the printing workfl ow, from on the Internet, and are most often saved as PDF is often no halftone dot, so conventional screening design to production, and was developed through a ® ® fi les. Soft proofi ng jobs has become a common problems such as moiré pat terns cannot be predicted. partnership between Adobe , Agfa, Heidelberg , and industry practice, as it takes advantage of information Ink-jet proofs can be presented early in the proofi ng a printed proof. This enables accurate evaluation of Man Roland. This fi le format is based on Extensible technology to save the time and expense involved in process because they are very inexpensive. the fi le for trapping, moiré, and other conventional Markup Language (XML) and provides a standard ™ producing printed proofs. Additionally, the client is Matchprint Digital Halftone has become an printing problems. format that is compatible with any JDF-enabled able to review proofs in a signifi cantly shorter time industry-standard halftone contract proof. The actual equipment. frame and may instantly approve pages or send digital fi le that will be used to create the printed pages JDF fi les are similar to an embedded electronic comments through e-mail or a secure Web site. is sent to a precalibrated ink-jet printer to produce job ticket, in that they can contain information on the Digital Prepress document designer, fonts used, images contained, stock type and size, ink colors, bindery instructions, Workfl ow and other static data. In addition, the fi le may contain instructions for JDF-enabled devices used The changes resulting from the transition of in the production process, including ink fountain conventional prepress methods to digital have settings on a press and the confi guration of bindery brought about many workfl ow enhancements and equipment. Throughout the production process, the radically changed the processes in the prepress department. comparison proofi ng: A proofreading method done primarily by one person to fi nd such major problems as copy PDF Workfl ow deletion, incorrect sequence, or copy duplication. In a PDF workfl ow, the PDF fi le is used to create two-person proofi ng: A proofreading method that requires the fi lm or plates needed by the print production the reader to work with an assistant, called the copyholder. facility. The PDF fi le contains all of the necessary soft proofs: Press-ready, electronic fi les that represent information, such as the fonts, graphics, images, what the fi nal printed page will look like and are most often text, and document layout. No further prepress PDF fi les that can be viewed on a computer monitor. steps remain to be completed by the production ink-jet proofs: A type of job proof that provides four-color proofs generated directly from the digital fi les. Soft Proofs Digital Proofs department. Portable document software typically saves a document bitmap, the ASCII text, and the Job Defi nition Format (JDF): A fi le format based on Figure 7-37. Different types of proofs. Printed color proofs commonly include colors bars, registration lines, and font data. Even with compression, most PDF fi les Extensible Markup Language (XML), which provides a cut marks on the page. Soft proofs include the same information in color proofs, but the client may approve or may be many times larger than the native fi le. standard format that is compatible with any JDF-enabled reject each page individually. equipment. 156 Graphic Communications Chapter 7 Digital Prepress 157

Review Questions 23. What are proofreader’s marks? Please do not write in this book. Write your 24. What is prefl ighting? answers on a separate sheet of paper. 25. Identify the types of production proofs and explain how each is generated. 1. List the three major functions of a computer system. 26. What are some advantages to using the PDF fi le format? 2. A computer processes and stores information using the _____ system: a series of 1s and 0s. Suggested Activities 3. Explain the function of computer software. 4. What is a cross-platform device? 1. Prepare a workfl ow chart of a typical digital prepress department. 5. List three different storage devices and describe the characteristics of each. 2. Select a product you want to print that includes line work and photographic images. Choose 6. What do the letters WYSIWYG represent? the computer platform to operate the software 7. Explain the purpose of color management software. you will use to prepare the prepress project 8. What is the function of a raster image processor? documents. Explain your equipment selection. 9. Defi ne page description language and give 3. What ergonomic factors should be considered examples of common PDLs. when setting up a computer workstation? 10. Explain the difference between vector images 4. List the computer programs commonly used in and bitmapped images. your school and explain the unique features of 11. Two software techniques for diminishing jaggies each program. are _____ and _____. 5. Make an appointment to visit the prepress 12. A(n) _____ is a vector graphic that is defi ned department of a printing plant. Describe the mathematically by two endpoints and two or prefl ight plan used by the prepress personnel. more additional points that control its shape. 6. Research various printing facilities and make 13. Which of the following is not a common feature a list of the job titles found in the prepress of the computer screen display for a page department. composition program? A. Scroll bars. Related Web Links Figure 7-38. A job ticket contains several fi les, which allow the operator to access customer information, specifi c page data, processing details, and fi nishing specifi cations. B. Pasteboard. C. Scanner port. The International Cooperation for the D. Menu bar. Integration of Processes in Prepress, Press, and information and instructions contained in a JDF fi le (including the ability to navigate intranet and Internet Postpress Organization 14. List fi ve tool icons commonly found on the tool may be manually amended to allow for adjustments networks). Today, a single prepress professional palette of page composition programs. www.cip4.org or additions, such as completion dates, delivery is capable of performing the duties of several CIP4 brings together vendors, consultants and 15. A reusable _____ contains all the master pages schedules, and client contact information. conventional prepress personnel from only a few end users in the print communications, graphic and other formatting attributes that make up a This technology expedites production, reduces years ago. These expanding skills and responsibilities communications industry, and associated sectors multipage document. errors that occur in the processes, and automates the will continue to grow as new technology and workfl ow to defi ne future versions of Job Defi nition Format workfl ow of print production. Other workfl ow solutions techniques enhance prepress functions, and extend 16. What is the purpose of a style sheet? (JDF), to study user requirements, and to design a that are designed to optimize print manufacturing into all graphic communications processes, including 17. Explain the purpose of font utility software. JDF Software Development Kit (SDK). ™ processes include Kodak Prinergy , Agfa :Apogee press and bindery operations. In the near future, a 18. What are TrueType fonts? How do they differ ® ® ® Merriam-Webster Online: Proofreaders’ Marks Suite, Heidelberg Prinect , and EFI OneFlow . single prepress operator may be able to control a print from PostScript fonts? job, from creation to fulfi llment, with commands from www.merriam-webster.com/mw/table/proofrea.htm 19. Name three image fi le formats and describe the a single computer workstation. The possibility of this A table of commonly used proofreaders’ marks and Summary characteristics of each. type of change emphasizes the importance of digital the meaning of each. Today’s prepress professional must be and workfl ow technology, and will further change the 20. What are the general rules to follow when knowledgeable in both traditional graphic arts Printers’ National Environmental Assistance career opportunities and skill requirements in the naming fi les? techniques (such as fonts, mechanical trapping, Center graphic communications industry. 21. What is the difference between lossless and color separations), and strong computer skills www.pneac.org compression and lossy compression? Resources include information on soft proofs in the 22. A(n) _____ is any copy or art that is checked printing industry. before going to print.