3. Definitions
⢠Short Run Digital Print:
Low quantity run to replenish inventory or for a purpose
ARP; SRDP; Marketing copies
⢠POD:
no inventory; produce just what is required; book has already been
accounted for; often distributed from manufacturer directly to
retailer or end user (drop ship); Long Tail; no books out of print; GAP
10. Technologies and Economies
⢠Workflow components
⢠Document repository (PDF)
⢠Specification database (XML)
⢠Electronic Data Exchange
⢠Workflow processes
⢠Automatic order processing
⢠Automatic file processing (check; correct; prepare; route)
⢠Online proofing
⢠Automated production
⢠Distribution
⢠Reporting and invoicing
11. Technologies and Economies
Offset Print Digital Print
Economical for quantities > 1000 Economical for quantities up to 2000
Wide range of stocks Limited range of stocks, esp for inkjet
Mass production Reduced inventories
High quality reproduction Variable quality levels
Slower turnaround Fast turnaround
Medium levels of automation High levels of automation
Complicated cost calculation Simpler costs structure
High start-up costs Low start-up costs
Low wastage
I was going to start with some definitions, because I find there are a lot of terms and acronyms used, often interchangeably.
In the background is one of our photocopier like machines with an inline saddle stitcher.
$118?
There are many steps and resources involved in offset printing.
Digital print has made enormous advances in the last decade, and there is quite a variety of technologies used.
Automated book production at CPI in France. Note that only one person operates the production line.
POD only works within an automated workflow, with a document repository, a spec database and electronic data transfer.
POD only works within an automated workflow, with a document repository, a spec database and electronic data transfer.
There are limitations: some technologies can only use limited range of stocks. For inkjet a lot of R & D has gone into stock development, but there is still a lot of work to be done until colour reproduction is on par with toner and Indigo. Inserts often require manual labour, so standardisation to one stock throughout the book is recommended. Embellishments usually have high setup costs, so are only feasible from 300 upwards. Many printers limit the range of book sizes the produce to help automation.
With digital colour there are a number of different quality levels, from inkjet via toner to Indigo, which is usually perceived as the highest quality. However there are toner presses that can print in five or six colours, achieving colour gamuts higher than CMYK offset print. Some of these can also handle spot colours.