PRINTING TECHNOLOGY

PRINTING TECHNOLOGY

                The study of print technology and media technology covers the whole area of applied communications engineering from text and image processing, print, the printing process and, finally, the finishing. In the more advanced semesters and depending on the study focus, studies concentrate either on process engineering or on business management fields. Media technology focuses on the new electronic media.Degree programmes in media technology/digital media provide training on designing and producing audio-visual media. Besides the conventional field of TV engineering and technology, this covers all the new media that combine acoustic and optical signals. Audiovision systems, slide shows, film, video, multimedia and the so-called new media (satellite and cable TV, Teletext, internet, etc.). In contrast to classical engineering professions, media engineers need a particularly wide and diverse focus. Natural and social sciences, arts and humanities, technology and art, production and communication, computer science and electronics, plus knowledge in subjects like semiotics (theory of characters) and cybernetics (control and systems theory, communication and feedback). The study of media technology differs substantially from the more artistic and design orientated . Media technology largely involves the study of engineering. For more information, see the media section.

Descriptions of some of the general courses that may be offered in a printing technology program.

Press Operations and Techniques

In the printing industry, there are a variety of production and press options. This course covers the basics in operating a variety of printing presses. Students will learn the difference between digital and offset presses, as well as concepts in register board presses and direct feed presses. Specific areas of study may include types of paper stock, press set-up and plate types. This course may also cover processes for color printing such as 1-color or 4-color process jobs.

Lithography and Offset Printing

Offset lithography, or offset printing, is most frequently used for printing magazines, newsletters, tabloids and books. Students in this course will learn terminology and basic operations of an offset press. Specific areas of study may include press plates, rollers, inks, materials, paper stock and press safety. Students may also learn about environmental factors in printing such as FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification and other green printing initiatives.

Digital Printing

Digital printing uses digital imaging rather than process and spot inks to produce print materials. Students will learn how to work with digital graphics files in order to produce them on a digital press. Topics covered may include digital press programming, managing workflow, file formats, proofing and plate making. Students may also learn trends in marketing as they relate to digital printing and personalized print materials.

Flexography

Flexography is a process of printing, similar to letterpress, that uses a flexible plate. Often referred to as flexo, this printing style can be used on many materials, including paper, cellophane, plastic or metal. Students in a flexography course will learn how to operate flexo equipment and what is needed to complete a flexography print project. Specific areas of study may include pre-press operations, plate production and mounting, die cutting, inking systems and environment factors.

Screen Printing

Screen printing is used to reproduce pictures on T-shirts, bumper stickers, posters and other materials. Screen printing is similar to a stencil in that once a background is applied with printing paste, the colored dye is then printed on the part of the fabric that is exposed. This course covers general concepts in exposure, coating and print materials. Students also have the opportunity to work with multi-color and single-color projects.

Graphics and Design

Within the printing industry, it's important to have a good understanding of graphics and what types are acceptable for different printing methods. A graphics and design course provides students with a general background in the types of graphics programs, files, fonts and color formats that may be used within the printing industry. Students may cover everything from CMYK and RGB color graphics to setting print margins and transferring font files. Course emphasis is on hands-on activities, and students use a variety of graphics software, such as InDesign and QuarkPress.Printing technology has definite scope in today's media-driven world. Print media one of the strongest and powerful mass communication media, is a large scale industrial process, and is an essential part of publishing and transaction printing. Print technology was invented in the fourteenth century by Johannes Gutenberg of Europe, most popularly known as the father of printing. Though printing used to exist in China and East Asia much earlier initially as Wood block printing and then as movable printing, it was the printing press or the movable type printing of Gutenberg that the later developments were derived from.

Most notable among the printing techniques later developed include Steaming press (1830), Rotary printing press (1843) where the content to be printed are rolled around a cylinder, which enabled mass production, and its more popular variations such as Offset press (where the inked content is transferred from a plate to a rubber surface and then to the printing surface), Gravure (where the content to be printed is made up of small depressions in the surface of the printing plate) and flexography (where a flexible plate is used), digital printing and many more. With recent advances in engineering and the boom in use of computers in business, modern technology has changed the way in which printing is now executed. Latest presses are mostly computer controlled.

Printing means presentation. It is the presentation of our ideas, views, thoughts, news & events, expressions and skill in the form of printed text or graphic format. In other words, it is a tool to express creativity using technical skills. It is a multi-disciplinary profession, which deals with text and graphics to make a final print by transferring ink on paper or board or other materials.  The printed material either book, magazine or newspaper has a strong impact on society and plays a key role in nation building. Print media influences every sphere of our life. It not only helps in educating people but also provide them a clear picture of what is going on in and around the world.

Printing technology, a part of the mass communication process involves several skills, in which technical skills holds prime importance. Each person engaged in performing typesetting, designing, pasting, plate making, image setting, camera work, printing and binding has a specific and specialized role to perform and contribute for the final output.The type of printing process / technique used varies depending on the sort of final product your employer's business produces. The most popular applications of printing are newspapers, periodicals and hoardings, which include colour magazines, books, brochures, posters, catalogue, pamphlet, banners and so on. Others manufacture labels for foodstuffs, bottles and clothing. Some produce specialised items such as chip packets, frozen food wrapping and CD labels. Offset printing (combined with lithography technique is commonly used for books and newspapers), Rotogravure (for magazines, packaging), Flexography (for labels, packaging, newspapers), screen printing (for printing on T-shirts, floor tiles etc.), digital printing such as inkjet (for books, packaging etc), laser (for bills, documents), dot-matrix etc are some of the common techniques used.

Prof. John Kurakar