Xerox Digital Print Workflow, Captions To Be Supplied, DocuColor 2000 series design guide

DIGITAL PRINT WORKFLOW

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CAPTIONS TO BE SUPPLIED

different RIPs are used) and colours will not match exactly. A proof can be produced on a digital device (like a DocuColor printer or inkjet or dye sublimation system) or using a photomechanical system (like Cromalin). The advantage of digital systems is that they have a lower cost and quicker turnaround, and they better fit the digital workflow most use today. However, photomechanical systems are still used where film is an important part of the workflow.

If everything is acceptable with the proof, you can then approve the job and have it printed. If, on the other hand, changes are required, the design needs to be edited and the steps above repeated.

If the job is ready and is to be printed on a DocuColor 2045 or 2060, there’s no more to do – the job can be RIPped and printed.

If the job is to be printed on an offset press, plates need to be produced for the printing process. Traditionally, this involves the production of film from which the plates are made. Prior to the introduction of digital solutions, this involved producing photographic negatives or positives (film) of the camera-ready copy. Today, imagesetters are used to produce film directly from electronic files. The film is then assembled and light-sensitive plates (or image carriers) are exposed to visible light, UV radiation or lasers in a photomechanical process to make the plates.

Newer technologies today allow printers to produce plates or image carriers directly from electronic files. Called CTP (short for Computer-to-Plate) or DI (short for Direct Imaging on a press), these technologies are designed to streamline the prepress requirements of offset presses.

DocuColor 2000 series design guide

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