A brief comparison of the traditional film color
separation method and the Computer to Plate
method can be found at http://www.chinaprintingsolutions.com/ CTPV
ersusCTF.htm

China Pre-Press Discussion
CTF, CTP AND COLOR MANAGEMENT IN CHINA

Computer to Plate technology and the workflow and color management tools associated therewith are becoming more and more prevalent in China. Already the norm for hardback Coffee Table books, the rest of the industry has only slowly and more recently begun to implement a completely digital prepress workflow.

Computer-to-FIlm (CTF), the traditional method of first creating film separations for each color and then burning printing plates using a photochemical process, is widely preferred in China at all but the largest factories, as the machines are in place and the more labor intensive process associated with CTF does not represent the great cost burden it might in Western countries. Due to the significant investment in equipment for Computer-to-Plate (CTP) process preferred more and more in the West as well as the learning curve associated with the color management techniques it allows, China factories have been slow to move to CTP.

Proofing for CTF is done through the creation of a temporary proofing plate which is used on a hand operated single color press. Four of these presses, working in tandem, create a "Wet Proof" made by real Printing Ink on a paper substrate. This substrate can be the actual paper to be used in production.

Wet proofs are run off very quickly, such that color may only be a near approximation, affected by heavy dot gain and poor registration. Western companies accustomed to receiving digital proofs may be concerned upon reviewing wet proofs that look heavy or do not demonstrate color with sufficient accuracy. This can be a shock for those new to China Printing.

The traditional film method does offer a few powerful advantages, not the least among them the ability to proof spot colors and to gauge surface impression, opacity and general feel of a piece proofed using much the same materials as will be used on press. The limited range of papers used in digital proofing and the inability of most digital proofers to print on both sides of a sheet of paper mean that digital proofs themself are only indications of how the piece will look under idealized circumstances. Wet proofs, warts and all, show the blemishes which, if caught at this stage, can easily and inexpensively be corrected before press time.

As more and more print shops in Western countries have adopted the CTP platform in the past few years, however, the pressure has been put on Chinese manufacturers to make the move to the CTP method. Along with this migration has come the implementation of a pdf workflow and color management techniques. Here is an area where even some of the most professional print operations in China do lag behind. Because most of the demand is domestic,

Case Study:
NICE LABEL SOFTWARE SET
Client: Europlus

Project Name: Nice Label Software Set

Description: Nice Label is a sophisticated software package for the creation of a wide range of bar codes. Europlus needed high quality production of a set of software CD’s and packaging, product manuals, brochure, outer packaging and mailing envelopes showcasing the Nice Label brand.

Key Challenges: Because of the proprietary nature of the software product, particular emphasis was placed on protection of the Client’s intellectual property and consistency of color throughout the materials. While both are part of CPS standard procedure, the latter is particularly challenging when working with different materials—in this case an uncoated textured envelope, a CD printed by silkscreen, Coated paper materials and UV treated packaging board.

Techniques Used: Offset Printing, Silkscreen printing, DVD mastering, Spiral Binding, UV Varnishing, Hand Assembly.

CPS Company News:
CPS ACQUIRED BY IVIE & ASSOCIATES, INC.

We are extremely pleased to announce that China Printing Solutions International has been acquired by Ivie and Associates, Inc. of Dallas, Texas, USA. Ivie is a leading full-service marketing services company with a unique focus on print. Established in 1993, Ivie provides cost-effective advertising and printing solutions to major retailers including Sam’s Club, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Zales Jewellers, Sally Beauty Supply, Albertsons and other leading American retailers.

The union with Ivie brings CPS customers a powerful set of resources including advanced soft-proofing and project management software tools, state of the art digital proofing systems, a team of highly experienced design and page production personnel and additional capabilities from Ivie’s seasoned marketing and print experts. For US customers this also adds the benefits of real-timecommunication and dedicated warehousing and fulfillment services. For more information on Ivie, visit: www.ivieinc.com <http://www.ivieinc.com>

NEW OFFICE LOCATION

CPS’ Shanghai operations center has moved to a new location.
We are now located at:

Room 1507, You You International Plaza,
No. 76 Pu Jian Road, Pu Dong New District
Shanghai, China 200127
Tel: + 86 (21) 6165-9100
Fax: +86 (21) 5873-4330

MEET THE STAFF:

“Shaq” Shi Wei
Production Coordinator

Shi Wei joined CPS about 6 months ago as a Production Coordinator.
Before joining the CPS team, he worked for several years as a quality manager in a division of the Shanghai branch of General Motors.

Amongst many duties, he is responsible for writing up quotations, coordinating client samples and managing shipping. Perhaps more importantly than anything, Shaq looks after project timelines, trafficking materials and distributing tracking information to all departments each week.

As his English name would suggest, Shaq is a big basketball fan who closely follows Shaquille O’ Neil, Kobe Bryant and our own hometown favorite Yao Ming. He studies English in his spare time.