laser-lovers@uw-beaver (laser-lovers) (08/28/84)
From: Steven Gutfreund <gutfreund%umass-cs.csnet@csnet-relay.arpa> Laser printers are fine, but in the literature I find many references to the current printing technologies of rotogravure, laser-rotogravure, offset, litho-offset, etc. I have been at a loss to find anything in the libraries here to explain these technologies, can you give me any pointers? - steve [[Does anyone have a favorite reference on printing technologies? If so, feel free to send it to the list. --Rick]]
laser-lovers@uw-beaver (laser-lovers) (08/29/84)
From: Beach.pa@XEROX.ARPA An impressive little book on graphic arts production technology is "Pocket Pal" published by the International Paper Company, 220 East 42nd Steet, New York, N.Y., 10017. Its shirt-pocket sized, 200 pages, and contains information on the history of printing, the printing process, type and typesetting, graphic arts photography, stripping and imposition, platemaking, printing, binding, paper, inks, and a glossary. Steve asked about printing technologies: Rotogravure: Gravure printing uses a sunken or depressed surface on the printing plate for the image. These cells or wells are etched into a cylinder or wrap-around plate and the plate surface represents the nonprinting areas. The plate rotates in a bath of ink, the excess is wiped off, and the paper comes in direct contact with the plate. Laser-rotogravure: Same printing process, but the etching process involves a laser [to expose the plate which is then chemically etched, or potentially to etch the metal plate directly]. Offset lithography: Printing uses the planographic method where the image and nonimage areas are essentially on the same plane of a thin metal plate, and the distinction between them is maintained chemically. Its based on the principles that grease and water do not mix, and that the ink is first offset from plate to a rubber blanket and then from blanket to paper. Cheers Rick Beach