抄録
It is obvious that recent prepress processes are heavily dependent on computers and information technologies. Environments of prepress have dramatically changed during the last decade. The Internet made it possible to establish high speed and inexpensive network. Therefore, bulk DTP data can be transferred without leased line network. Press proofing systems became radically minor system. Instead of them, DDCPs (Direct Digital Color Proofs) have become more conspicuous. Windows DTPs have appeared. However, Macintosh DTPs are still majority. Their CPU clocks are ten times higher than ten-year old ones. Scanners are replaced with digital still cameras as image input devices. Image data are viewed on liquid crystal displays (LCDs) instead of CRT ones. Color management systems (CMS) have been commonly used. A Series of Japan Colors that is a standard of printed color in Japan has been established and published. Usage rate of Computer to Plate (CTP) is around 90%. In this chapter, overviews of the following issues are described.: The Environment of Prepress Process, The Trend of Key Technology of Prepress, Diversification on Digital font in Japanese DTP, changes of prepress workflows, market trends of digital proofing systems, The Transition of RIP Systems, Computer to Plates, JDF workflows, Digital Assets Management, and Software Solutions for Print On Demand, are described.
