The similarities and differences between map printing and image printing

As a printed matter, maps and images are eventually transferred to paper by multiple transfers of images to complete a large number of copies of the original. For a long time, map printing was a professional existence and development of surveying and mapping, but it was also a branch of the general printing profession. From the use of equipment, they all use the same plate making and printing equipment; they are all seen through the production process. Photocopying, retouching, copying, printing, proofing, and printing are used to copy and reproduce originals. However, because of their different purposes, different sources of originals, and different forms of printed matter, their production processes are also different. A medium-sized map printing plant generally has various types of equipment, from photography to offset printing. How to make full use of existing production equipment and expand various types of printing business in the shrinking of the map printing business requires understanding the similarities and differences between map printing and image printing. The following is based on my many years of experience in map printing and image printing to talk about their similarities and differences.

Similarities and differences of original sources

Maps are prints used in special fields, such as military maps used in the military field, traffic maps used in the traffic field, geological maps used in the geological field, etc., and they need to represent dotted lines or annotations of features, landforms, etc. With a small number of planar elements, basically each point is represented by a dot color (spot color). The original source of map manuscripts was obtained by mapping several professional continuous jobs and finally by engraving and editing. Therefore, map printing manuscripts generally come from the following ways.

(1) Printed manuscripts provided by the direct printing of map printing crystals.
(2) Mapping original maps provided by the continuous work of several professional surveys and mappings, including: multiple editions of engraved drafts (one of the main map manuscripts), multiple editions of drafts, one or more editions of matte ink paintings Manuscript and so on.
(3) Use the existing maps to reproduce the map manuscripts that have been reduced or scaled up (as well as the above).
(4) Digital map draft.

An image (here, continuous tone image) is one of the expressions often used in publications. With the increasing popularity of color printing, expressing the things that need to be reflected through the characteristics of the image visualization and visualization will make the publication more Rich and colorful. The originals printed as images generally come from the following ways:
(1) Image prints are provided by copying the image prints directly.

(2), discrete color images, texts, drafts, etc.
(3) Digital photo papers, manuscripts, design drafts, etc.

The similarities and differences of plate making process

Maps are generally printed using spot colors. Even if there is a small amount of flat screen overlays, there is no requirement for tone reduction. In the mapmaking process, it is mainly to ensure the complete transmission of elements and to ensure the relationship between colors. It is correct and it is easier to realize mapmaking than image making. There are different ways of different:
(1) When copying a printed drawing, if the time is urgent and the map interpretation requirements are not high enough, the ordinary electricity distribution method can be used. However, each spot color element of the map will become the effect that can be reflected by the color printing, dotted lines and other symbols. It can be imagined, and the requirements for printing equipment are high. If the conditions permit, re-editing should be used to use conventional platemaking (see below).

(2) When copying one or more editions of (graffic film) manuscripts, copy or print out a number of negative graphic plates, and manually paint the lines to draw out each color line drawing and annotation version. Torn film production, and then copy the copy of the color version. The plate making method is easy to handle the relationship of each color, but the line drawing is rough and requires a more skilled plate maker.

(3) When copying multiple drafts (major drafting process), copying is performed through an edition of the annotation version, a color version of the film is used to tear the film, and then the color version is copied through the copying sleeve. The plate making method has a simple technological process, easy revision and fine line drawing quality, and is a popular map making process.

(4) The digital map draft can be obtained with the photographing machine output film.

The image plate making process experienced manual coating, color separation, and electronic color separation until today's desktop system. The plate making process can be described with each passing day. With the continuous upgrading of hardware and the continuous enrichment and improvement of software, image platemaking has reached an omnipotent level. According to the different originals, the platemaking process mainly includes the following types:
(1) The direct plate-making of image prints can be done directly by color separation. This method is simple and mature.
(2) Discrete image drafts can be produced by electric extension separation and copy copying. However, the copying and copying process is complicated and cannot be carried out.
(3) Digital image drafts can be produced using a desktop system. This method is convenient and rapid in making plates, and can be used for various creative productions.
The above manuscripts can all be produced using the desktop system (it is also the development trend of current plate making methods).

Similarities and differences of printing methods

Both the map printing and the image printing use ordinary offset printing equipment and the printing methods are generally the same. However, due to the different purposes of the users and the content to be reflected in the printed matter, they are different in terms of paper, color, printing sequence, and printing requirements. The main differences are:

(1) Different papers: The map printing paper mainly considers that the deformation is small to ensure the accuracy of the map, and it is wear-resistant and flex-resistant so as to be suitable for field use. The military maps emphasize these characteristics. The image printing paper mainly considers whiteness to be good. Ensure color reproduction, surface gloss to reflect the beauty of the image.

(2) Different colors: The color of map printing mainly considers the readability of various elements and the integrity of geographic elements. Therefore, the map uses more spot colors to suit different uses of the map; Restore, so the use of primary colors plus black print is mostly.

(3) The color sequence of the printing is different: the map printing color sequence takes the color of the map as the first color, and the black and steel gray of the feature are generally used as the first color sequence, and then it is based on the principle that the principle of the Lord is first and the principle of the deep is the first. Printing; and image printing must follow the requirements of color reproduction, printing in the order of yellow, a magenta, a green and black.
(4) Different printing requirements: map printing emphasizes fit and accuracy, followed by color requirements; while image printing emphasizes color reproduction, tone reduction, and the requirements for fitting and precision are followed.

With the continuous acceleration of the map digitization process, the gradual promotion and application of image maps, and the gradual improvement of cartographic software, mapmaking has progressed toward the desktop system. Map printing and image printing will gradually become more and more common with the integration of the plate making field.


Author/Tu Chunhua