Digital Imaging 101

A Sales and Customer Service

Approach to Streamlining Digital
Workflow
 Raster vs. Vector
Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying
About Resolution and Became
Object-Oriented...
What is a Raster File?
A raster file is an image made
up of pixels arranged on an XY
grid or matrix.
Raster files are resolution
dependent, meaning that they are
created having a certain number
of pixels in the X and Y
dimensions. This both limits
their scalability during the print
process and (in combination with
bit depth) determines their size in
bytes.
Common Sources for Raster Files
 Scanning
 Digital Photography (including image
capture from video)*
 Raster Conversion (RIPing) of Vector
images

*Note: Image capture and low-end digital photography can result in highly
compressed, low-resolution, or heavily interpolated images.
Properties of Raster Files
 Many different file formats
– Uncompressed: Tiff, Targa, Pict, BMP, EPS, Scitex CT
– Compressed: JPEG*, LZW Tiff, PhotoCD, Photoshop
 Resolution dependence means that the image can only be
enlarged to a certain extent without loss in quality.
 All raster files occupy a color space determined by their
bit depth.

*Note: JPEG is a lossy compression algorithm with an

adjustable level of compression.
This means that the more you compress a JPEG file, the more
the image quality suffers.
Resolution
 Defined as the number of pixels per inch contained in a raster file or
the number of dots per inch imaged by an output device.
 Usually indicated as ppi or dpi. These terms are used interchangeably,
but this use is incorrect. Dots are generated by a print device, pixels
(picture elements) are a virtual concept used to define part of an
electronic image. They do not necessarily have a one-to-one
correspondence.
Interpolation
Interpolation occurs when a piece of hardware or software is forced to
generate additional pixels in a raster image in order to meet the
resolution requirements of an output device.
These pixels are generated between the image’s original pixels and their
appearance is determined by averaging the information of the
surrounding pixels.
For this reason, excessive or inefficient interpolation can create a visual
artifact, distorting the appearance of the image. This effect is most
commonly called pixellization.
In recent years, software has been developed to increase the efficiency of
this process. However, even these programs require relatively large
source files in order to be effective.
Bit Depth
Bit Depth refers to the number of bits (1’s and 0’s) used to define the
color of a pixel in a raster image (bitmap). Because the number of bits
used to define a pixel represents a portion of the number of 1’s and 0’s
in a binary computer file, it is easy to see why the bit depth of a file is a
factor in determining a file’s size in kilobytes or megabytes.

8 bits = 1 byte 1024 bytes = 1 kilobyte (k) 1024k = 1 megabyte (mb)

1024 mb = 1 gigabyte (gb)
Black and White 1 bit per pixel 2 shades

Grayscale 8 bits per pixel 256 shades of gray

Indexed color 8-16 bits per pixel 256-32,000 shades of color

RGB 24 bits per pixel 16,000,000 shades of color

CMYK 32 bits per pixel Specialized color space for
cc
printing
What is a Vector File?
A vector file is a file containing a
mathematical description of an
object or objects based on location
and relationship of points in the
image. They are sometimes referred
to as object-oriented files.
Vector files are resolution-
independent, meaning that they are
theoretically infinitely scalable with
no loss in quality because they are
not rasterized (turned into pixels)
until the time of printing.
Common Sources for Vector Files
 Creation in postscript illustration software
 Creation in CAD or related non-postscript
software*
 Vector conversion of raster images
(includes OCR scanning)

*Note: Non-postscript vector data must be imported into a postcript illustration

format before printing through postscript RIPs.
Properties of Vector Files
 Common file formats
– Native: Illustrator, CorelDraw, Freehand
– Universal: EPS, PDF, DXF, WMF
 Resolution independence means that the image can theoretically be enlarged to
any extent without loss in quality.
 Information contained in a vector file includes:
– Size of objects
– Color of both Stroke and Fill of objects
– Inclusion and Exclusion of areas for printing
– Orientation and Location of Bounding Box
Fonts
What is a Font?
A font is a file containing a vector image of some or all of the
letters and symbols of a language presented in a specific and
consistent design known as a typeface. This paragraph is presented in
the typeface Times New Roman.
This one is in the typeface Impact. Typefaces are sorted by intent --
some make better looking headlines, others are easier to read when
used for extended paragraphs, etc.

There are two main file formats for fonts in wide use today -- Truetype and Postscript
Type 1. Type 1 fonts are developed by Adobe and are widely considered the most stable
of the two. Truetype was developed by Apple and Microsoft and enjoys a considerably
wider and less expensive library.
Postscript Type 1 fonts
 Multi-part fonts made up of bitmap files for
screen reference and outline or printer files
for printing
 Considered superior for high-resolution
work like imagesetting film for offset.
 Developed by the company who invented
and maintains postscript -- you do the math.
TrueType fonts
 Single file -- easier to find and submit.
 Wide library by hundreds of companies -- almost
every Type 1 font has a knock-off in TrueType
format.
 Huge free libraries available with software
packages and on the web.
 Quality in some typefaces specious at best - some
are bug ridden and fail outright.
 Native Files
…as opposed to files who reside in
this country illegally.
Native File Formats
 Native files are files specific to an application
program
– Examples: Pagemaker, PowerPoint, Quark, etc.
– Not universal -- most can’t be converted to another
application
– More useful than universal formats for printing because
problems in customer’s file can more easily be addressed
– Many are specific to the version of the program in which
they were created
Universal File Formats
Postscript, EPS, and PDF -- what
makes them useful and what makes
them painful
Universal File Formats
 Universal file formats can be created and read by multiple
applications
– Most common examples: EPS and PDF
– EPS (encapsulated postscript) -- like normal postscript file, but no
font and little sizing data included.
• Most commonly used for placing into other applications -- ie. A vector
illustration placed into a page layout application.
– PDF (portable document format) -- intended as replacement for
postscript files
• viewable (with acrobat reader), contains all info needed for printing
(including fonts).
• Now editable with a variety of software
…the Bad News
 PDF - fairly complicated set-up with
options for raster file downsampling and
compression and multiple master fonts.

 EPS - quality of postscript data tends to

vary from program to program. Also, some
applications don’t report missing fonts in
linked or embedded EPS files.
Overview of Services
What We Do and
What We Need to Do It
Scanning
Overview of Scanners
 Scitex Eversmart - high end
– optical resolution 2540 ppi
– accepts originals up to A3
size (slightly larger than
11x17)
– accepts reflective and positive
or negative film originals
– priced by quote, starts at $50
– slow, but high quality
Overview of Scanners, cont.
 Kodak Photo CD - mid-low end
– Master Scans
• 5 resolutions - max file size 18 mb
• very inexpensive - less than $2/scan
• good for desktop printing, canons, video,
web design, presentations
– Pro Scans
• 6 resolutions - max file size 72 mb
• approx. $20 each - still affordable
– all Photo CD scans from film originals
only
– Fast, streamlined process
Overview of Scanners, cont.
 Large Format Scanning
– Contex Scanner
• Originals up to 50”
• Glass aperture - better for originals with
tape, press on lines, etc.
• Easy, quick to use
– Tangent Scanner
• Originals up to 44”
• Open aperture - better scan
• Slow, set-up intensive
– Both scan to file and scan to print
capable.
Scanning Q&A for Customers
 How large of a file do you require?
– File size tells the whole story -- as number of pixels
increases, file size increases
 For what purpose will the scan be used?
– Allows us to suggest a file size and color space
 Note that all scans are sold raw and in the native
format of the scanner.
– Spotting or file conversion adds cost and will be
handled on a quote basis
Small format Digital
printing
Overview of Small Format
 Canon CLC 1000
– 32 pages (8.5x11) per minute
– Takes a limited variety of stock
– All large jobs or jobs on custom stock require time to
submit a proof
– Range of Quality is limited -- not to be sold as a proof
for offset or guaranteed to match color
– Occupies a specific niche -- jobs requiring high quality,
long print runs, or specific stock better served by
plateless or direct to plate digital offset.
Small Format Q&A for Customers
 Is color matching required?
 Do we have time to submit a proof?
 Is the document from a suitable application?
 Are all fonts and linked files included?
 Is special stock required? Has it been tested?

Note: The CLC1000 does not directly align printed material from one side of
the paper to the other. In addition, many common paper stocks are not
suitable for this device.
Inkjet printing
Overview of Inkjet Printing
 HP 2000 and 3000 - the
workhorse
– Thermal printhead, dye-based
ink
– Good color saturation
– Highly reliable, consistent
quality
– Slow print speed
– Ideal for high quality, short
run, short lifespan signage
Overview of Inkjet Printing, cont.
 Piezo Print 5000
– Piezoelectric printhead, pigment-
based ink
– Prints up to 53” wide
– 6 color system increases gamut,
but saturation weak
– Highly reliable, slightly less
consistent quality
– 90 sq. ft/hour print speed
– ideal for long run, long lifespan
paper signage
Overview of Inkjet Printing, cont.
 Bellise
– Piezoelectric printhead, dye-
based ink
– Prints up to 53” wide
– 6 color system provides wider
color gamut
– So far unreliable, theoretically
high quality
– 110 sq. ft/hour print speed
– less of a separate service than an
alternate route
Overview of Inkjet Printing, cont.
 Arizona
– Piezoelectric printhead, pigment
based 3M toners
– Prints up to 53” wide
– 6 color system provides wider
color gamut
– Highly reliable, but maintenance
intensive
– 90 sq. ft/hour print speed
– intended for banner vinyl, adhesive
vinyl, display films
Thermal Inkjet vs. Piezoelectric
 Thermal Inkjet
– Uses heat to create air bubble in print head, bursting bubble
forces ink through microscreen
– Excellent performance with dye-based ink, can be problematic
with higher viscosity pigment based inks
– Heat combined with water-based inks causes oxidization -
short lifespan for microscreen
– Printheads designed to be disposable, reduces maintenance but
can increase consumables cost
– Dye based ink relies heavily on quality of receptor coating on
print material
Thermal Inkjet vs. Piezoelectric
 Piezoelectric
– Uses electrical signal to flex piezo crystal, mechanically
drawing ink from reservoir and forcing through print head
– Excellent performance with both dye based and pigment
based inks
– No heat means solvent based toners can be used -- less
reliance on receptor coating of print material
– No microscreen means variable dot size is possible
– Printheads designed for long life and consistent
performance throughout life span
Pigment vs. Dye based inks
 Pigment based inks
– Lightfast: heavily resistant to fading and, in some
cases, weather resistant as well
– Limited gamut: pigment’s reflective nature diffuses
visible light, resulting in less saturated and flatter
colors
– Some are solvent based, resulting in enhanced
performance on materials with little or no receptor
coating
Inkjet Q&A for Customers
 What is the length of the print run?
 Is lightfastness or weather resistance an issue?
 Is color matching critical?
 Is there time to submit and review a proof?
 Is the document built at full size or proportional to the required
finish size?
 Was the document created in a suitable program?
 Are all fonts and linked files included?
 Are all placed raster files in CMYK color space?
 Are all placed raster files at least 80 ppi at print size?
Digital Photo Printing
Overview of the Lighjet 5000
 Continuous Tone - final image has no dot pattern
 Photographic - prints produced by exposing digital raster image
onto photo material one line at a time with a laser
 Maximum size - 48”x96” in a single piece; larger images can be
tiled in sections
 Raster image resolution required: 150 ppi at print size
 Raster image color space required: RGB only!
 Vector image color - Pantone coated
 Photo chemistry can not produce fluorescent or highly saturated
colors -- inkjet is a better bet for these
Lightjet Q&A for Customers
 Is the document built in an appropriate program?
 Are all of the fonts and linked files included?
 Is the document built full-size or proportional to the requested
finish size?
 Is color matching critical?
 Are the raster files in RGB color space?
 Are the vector elements assigned Pantone colors?
 Is there sufficient time for proofs to be submitted and reviewed?
 If paper prints are requested and finished product is
unlaminated, is there a surface preference?
Digital Film Recording
Overview of the Solitaire 8XP
 The Solitaire is a 35mm film recorder capable of 2, 4, or 8K
image resolution
 Print speed on average non-raster slides is 1 slide per minute
 Microsoft Powerpoint, most page layout and illustration
packages, as well as common raster formats are supported
 Optimal layout size to fill frame is 11” x 7.33”
 Color accuracy is not optimal; not sufficient for
reproduction quality slides -- presentations are our focus
 E6 only; C-41 and BW negative processes not supported
Solitaire Q&A for Customers
 Is page layout set to 11” x 7.33”?
 Are all fonts and linked images included?
 Are all raster files in RGB color space, with no
extra channels or embedded paths?
 Are all slides in a single multi-page document
(preferred)?
 Are the slides to be plastic or glass mounted?
Overview of the LVT
LVT Q&A for Customers
Firefighting on the
front end
Some Ideas About Preventing
Problems Before They Start
Firefighting
 Proactive Problem Solving
– There are problems waiting; dig until you
find and shed light on them
• Fantasy-based or marketing-driven customer
expectations
• “No new tricks” syndrome
• “Make it so” syndrome
• “I’m a professional. What are these font
doohickeys you keep mentioning?”
Firefighting, cont.
 Maintian Helpful but not Submissive
Service Attitude
– Active “weeding” of bad clients is healthy;
fear-based, non-profit servitude is not
• Watch out for excessive “art directing”
• Make sure to get full credit for “rescues”
• Attach discounts to hard quantities, not good faith
• Help preserve premium services -- limit loss
leaders to older, lower overhead technology
Firefighting, cont.
 Become a Production Liaison; a highly
visible part of the process
– Ask to speak to their technical people prior to job
• Allows you to demonstrate your superior knowledge, placeing
you in a knowlegable client’s comfort zone - they know to
expect problems, too
• Ignorant clients will learn hard lessons with other vendors, then
return in a less-than-perfect bargaining position
• Places you in a better position to modulate customer
expectations -- explaining possible problems up front makes you
appear more careful and less like you are making excuses if
there are problems later.