Category: Lithography

Line photography is the least difficult of the three general groups of products into which graphic-arts photography is divided. It is used to produce negatives from black and white copy that does not contain intermediate or gray tone values. The steps necessary to produce a line negative are: (1) Place copy in copyboard, (2) set […]

INTRODUCTION The purpose of the negative in lithographic production is to provide a suitable image which can be exposed on a plate to create a final positive printing image. If the platemaking process is for negative-type plates (usually termed surface platemaking), the image on film will be clear and the nonprinting image will be opaque. […]

Film.—Process film consists of an acetate or other clear plastic base, coated on one side with a light-sensitive solution and on the other side with a gelatin backing to keep film from curling as it dries. Most all films have what is called an antihalation backing, which is a dye coating placed between the emulsion […]

Phototypesetting is a method of photographically producing top-quality text and display typography on paper or film bases to be used in the preparation of camera copy for artwork, display matter, and text matter in the method generally known as “cold-type” procedure. This effort is designated as a function of the Offset Division in the Government […]

SECTION Because the operations are so diversified for this operation, a description of the tasks required for a specific job may present a more specific evaluation of this task. The title of a pamphlet which will be described in detail is an illustrated brochure entitled “Everglades National Park, Florida.” DESCRIPTION OF THE PRODUCT The product […]

With the Copy Preparation Section serving as the clearinghouse for all offset materials, preliminary handling of new work becomes one of its most important functions. Determining what work needs to be done, how and where it is to be done, and dispatching the work to accomplish these needs requires careful review of all new work. […]

The copy preparer who receives the reproducibles as ordered in preliminary review continues the clearinghouse function. He is charged with accomplishing the work which was determined necessary in the review operation. Before he can release the work to the cameras of the Negative Section or to the imposing tables of the Platemaking Section, the copy […]

Pigments are the solid coloring matter in inks such as black, white, or any of the common colors. It is generally only the pigment which we see when examining printed matter. Pigments furnish contrast with the background and are responsible for many of the specific properties of the inks, such as specific gravity, opacity or […]

Greasing or scumming. This condition occurs when the nonprinting area begins printing to a greater or lesser degree. Ink specks, streaks, or a general dirtiness may appear in the background areas of the print. Often a thickening of the printed characters or a filling of halftones takes place. This results in uneven quality of line […]

Historical sketch. A precise time and place origin of printing ink is unknown. The beginning of modern printing inks can be considered to be writing ink, which was used by the Chinese and the Egyptians as early as 2600 B.C. These early inks consisted of lamp black mixed with animal or vegetable oils. Later, earth […]