Some views on the transformation of offset printing technology

Technological transformation is one of the driving forces for the survival of enterprises. In particular, nowadays offset printing companies cannot ignore technological transformation. Here I combine some work experience in offset printing companies to talk about the technical transformation of offset printing companies.

1. Pre-press design and production updates

It is necessary to make reasonable improvements to some traditional design methods and design formats, especially in prepress design. Including the following aspects.

(1) The traditional printing format is a standard format, while the international popular format is a large format. In recent years, with the change of people's concept, the large-scale copying has become more and more popular, so the idea of ​​pre-press designer must also change.

(2) It used to be a photographic separation, an artificial painting, and a torn red film. Now it is a creative design. CI design, electronic color separation/scanning input/digital image transfer directly. Therefore, as a prepress designer, it is necessary to master professional software such as Photoshop, PageMaker, Quarkxpress, Illustrator, Freehand, and Word.

(3) Trapping and hollowing are difficult in prepress design. It requires both the use of professional software and the quality level of the operators. In actual work, there are many designers who can't meet the requirements, trapping, and hollowing out. The necessary processing of the manuscript for the printing process is the difference between the prepress design and the artistic creative design.

(4) The manuscripts designed by the artistic creative designers are often not properly printed. They need to be processed by the prepress designer according to the printing process. However, it is necessary to pay attention to several points when processing: First, select high quality manuscripts; otherwise, thankless. Secondly, it is necessary to have high analytical capabilities for various kinds of manuscripts, and to develop different treatment plans for different manuscripts; in addition, do not completely believe the colors of the displays. Colors can only be colored data for designers. The color of the monitor is for reference only.

2. Production process updates

Production process updates include paper processing, imposition, color management, and data printing. Standardization, scientific quality inspection methods, use of test strips, etc.

(1) Many printing companies are currently unable to scientifically manage paper as required, perform less humidity treatment, and even buy paper when time is tight. In this way, registration will often cause problems. A very important factor affecting the accuracy of overprinting is the deformation of the paper caused by changes in the moisture content of the paper during the printing process (eg tight edges, flounces, etc.). The moisture content of the paper is related to the raw materials and the ambient temperature and humidity. In the process of overprinting, the change in water content should be less than ±0.1%, and the change in the shop temperature should be controlled within ±3°C. In addition, in order to reduce the paper deformation caused by the change in water content, the paper should be hung and humidity controlled. It is better to be able to achieve equal or similar humidity in the paper-making and printing shops, but most printing companies are difficult to carry out because of the conditions. .

(2) It is better to use computer imposition for medium and high-grade prints, which is more accurate.

(3) With the prevalence of computer prepress systems, color management has become more complicated. According to the ink used by our factory, it is a good idea to purchase chromatograms and test strips and detect gray balance data suitable for the printing conditions of our factory. However, many printing companies have failed to do so.

(4) There are many technical staff in the printing industry who are brought by the apprentice with their apprentices. The traditional methods taught by the teachers do not necessarily adapt to the current printing situation. Therefore, relying on experience alone will not work, relying on data. Test strips.

(5) The quality inspection of many companies is very simple. It can only be seen by the human eye. It is not at all data and scientific. More quality inspectors only examine finished products. In fact, quality inspections of materials such as paper, film, ink, blankets, fountain solution, and related processes should all be included in the work of quality inspectors.

3. Equipment Technology Update

Including the transformation of the plant, production line, production equipment, power and logistics according to the actual situation, we must also establish a good working environment, strengthen safety protection measures and improve monitoring technology, quality inspection technology and information transmission technology. Electric power technology, etc., are necessary conditions to ensure that companies can reasonably and quickly carry out their work. Should improve the following aspects of improvement.

(1) The factory shall be able to carry out mail and data transmission through high-speed Internet, and may also establish internal LAN or local telephone network if conditions permit, which can greatly facilitate the work among various processes.

(2) Outdated for offset printing equipment. Power technology is backward, power consumption, vulnerability, etc., organize power technicians to carry out power transformation, and actively apply new technologies. If our factory uses a slip motor to replace the old DC motor, the equipment operates well and the cost is low. It also avoids the loss caused by rapid equipment elimination.

(3) Strengthen safety protection measures and establish a good working environment. We must focus on strengthening fire safety and workplace safety education so as to avoid accidents.

Of course, the most important aspect of technological transformation is to be suitable for the specific circumstances of the company, and to be able to do the right thing, and to do a good feasibility study, from pre-press to post-press gradually, can not be greedy, and at the same time to unite the various departments to work together.