The trend of digital typography

Digital Imposition Trends)
Not so long ago, page layout was still a manual job. The effect of registration, layout adjustment, compensation, etc. depends on the operator's eyesight, manual and technical level. Nowadays, graphic layout has been completely completed by a variety of typesetting application software, which provides the end user with accurate control and high flexibility.
Software developers strive to provide solutions for various types of layout requirements. Arranging documents in different formats or even different binding styles on one printing plate is often encountered by printers. Whether it is digital printing, commercial printing or packaging printing, the challenge for developers is how to make the software more powerful while keeping the software easy to use.
The various digital layout applications currently on the market can be divided into two major types: desktop publishing software and production process publishing software.
Desktop Publishing Software Desktop publishing software refers to software designed for desktop digital prepress processes. In the prepress workflow, the desktop workstation generates the PS file, and it is in the process of grouping and printing. Most desktop publishing software allows users to store configuration information as job templates, such as page order, binding, layout adjustment, and so on. Equally important is the ability to store plate template information, including form identification, plate control objects, color patches, and other marks. All typesetting objects must be able to be stored and recalled when printing.
Before Postscript Many digital typesetting softwares compile all the digitized pages after generating the PS file. However, some of them are generated after the first typesetting. There are two major companies of this type: ALAP Limited and DK&A Prepress.
ALAP Imposer: This is a QuarkXPress Xtension type of typesetting software solution with the separation and output capabilities in Quark. In the process of typesetting, the user can check the order and position of the page by means of an icon-size page preview. This low-cost typesetting option is only suitable for Quark pages, and is limited to 8-up and 4-up typesetting.
DK&A IN position: This is another typesetting software for QuarkXPress Xtension. It is also for typesetting before generating PS file. This typesetting scheme can handle Quark files, PageMaker files, PS files, TIFF files, and PDF files. Also in the layout process, icon-sized pages can be used for previewing, and all template information can be exported and archived. However, IN position has a clear limitation, that is, pages of different sizes cannot be lined up together. Therefore, IN position is designed for the publishing market because all pages in the book are the same size.
After the PS file is generated, typesetting For small printers, choosing the "all-in-one" workflow before generating the Postscript file is ideal. In a typesetting software, an operator can preprocess, repair, typeset, and output a file. However, for large printers, this situation is less than ideal. Because they found that letting an employee skillfully complete an operation can maximize the role of each employee. This streamlined approach allows imposition crews, plate-making staff, and photo-taking staff to perform in various roles, such as trapping and typesetting. The typesetting software that builds the version after generating the PS file is very suitable for this kind of working method, there are many examples to prove this.
Dynagram DynaStrip is a full-featured typesetting software that can handle PS, EPS, TIFF and PDF files. The software fully embodies the developer's understanding of the printing industry. Users are prepared to collect individual documents on a light-transmitting imposition stage, a feature that allows traditional prepress workers to be trained quickly, such as imposition staff. The DynaSl interface in DynaStrip software fully reflects that software developers are also striving to provide users with ease of use while maintaining software flexibility. Using this interface to handle simple publications can be done within ten steps, and standard methods can also be used to handle more complex jobs.
The software can discharge pages of different sizes or bindings on one plate, can compensate for margins, and can accept Preps and Presswise template files. In addition to this, the software also has a version conversion function, so it can produce a multi-purpose application of an object or data. This is useful for printers who wish to output different versions of the same job. For example, the price in a postmark or direct mail advertisement.
ScenicSoft Preps: The latest version of Preps from ScenicSoft can handle the layout of PDF pages. Declares "PDF in, PDF out" (process PDF files, output in PDF format). Preps does not convert PDFs to Postscripts during the layout process, and always retains the overall consistency and predictability of the PDF file. The result is to open a typeset PDF file with Acrobat software before outputting the job. In addition, PDF, Postscript, EPS, TIFF, and DeltaList files can be typeset in the same Preps job. For Mac users, Applescript support can be used, where the encoding can be used to automatically generate many features.
Preps can layout pages of different sizes or bindings on one printing plate, and also has compensation function for network applications. The user can create a corresponding correction for each press or combination of each press and paper. Cutting data that supports CIP3 can be exported to Polar cutters, automating cutting tasks from job to job. Preps has its own method of handling a variety of digital process solutions. The Agfa Apogee PDF production system uses Preps as its typesetting tool, just as Saatchi uses Preps on Brisque's digital front end.
Ultimate Impostrip: First introduced in 1989, Ultimate's Impostrip software is the first commercially available software for typography of PS files. Impostrip is an excellent piece of software that can be used as part of ON-Q OPI, trapping, and typesetting. Impostrip is compatible with over 150 typesetting software, including software that supports PDF, EPS, TIFF, and Postscript files. With the Impostrip full-splash scheme, pages of different file formats or sizes can be arranged on a single plate.
Impostrip also features Origami capabilities. The Origami feature uses a "visual folding model" that is useful for very complex folding methods. When the electronic folding is over, page layout is also ended. Impostrip employs a client/server architecture whereby a single-page PS file can be typeset on a server controlled by client workstations over the network. Finally use the MarkView tool to preview numerous tags.
Quite Imposition: This is a typesetting software for Adobe Acrobat launched by the British company Quite. Use the plug-in in Quite Imposition software to layout a separate page in a PDF file and finally get a complete PDF file. However, this typesetting process for stand-alone pages is not the same as for other software. For example, before head-to-head layout, each individual page must be rotated and renumbered.

Quite Imposition also has some features that can compensate for the displacements that occur on a single page, with the ability to accurately link the sun.
Production Process Edition software can replace desktop publishing software that is part of the type of workflow management program layout software. The pre-press process management solutions provided by many developers include job tracking, trapping, typesetting, and job archiving. The greatest advantage of this type of process is that there are changes or corrections made at the end of the prepress production phase. Modifying an individual page in a large, aligned PS file requires reprinting and re-RIPing all files. In contrast, a page change in the production flow grouping software only needs to reprint the page, and then the changed page is placed back in the large version. In addition, this type of process scheme can reduce the network congestion caused when large files are transferred from one working point to another. Finally, all the processing will be performed on a server workstation. The user's desktop workstation can handle other tasks.
Agfa Apogee: Agfa Apogee is able to accept PS and PDF files. The digital workflow scheme consists of three main parts: Apogee Pilot, Apogee PDF RIP, and PrintDrive system. The typesetting on the Apogee Pilot is the control center of the entire system. Starting from Apogee Pilot, use ScenicSoft Preps to create a standalone PDF page, then RIP, output. On the Apogee Pilot you can use low-resolution previews of good-looking pages, as well as high-resolution previews on the PrintDrive system.
Barco FastImpose: Barco's FastLane Next Generation is a prepress process that accepts PS, PDF, TIFF/IT-PI, PDF/X-1 files. After all the input files are converted to a Barco format (similar to PDF), typesetting is performed. Using FastImpose software will generate a layout work plan file, which is directly connected with the Barco page. FastImpose can compose files with different binding modes on the same plate, can handle different versions of the job, and can infinitely enlarge the image to preview the image in high resolution and achieve soft proofing.
Cortron's Impose-X: runs in a client/server environment and is designed to handle pages connected to the process, such as the RAM page system. In a client server environment using Windows or Windows NT operating system, Impose-X can perform drag-and-drop typesetting of pages or labels, and can compensate for cans and other packaging. The layout of packages can meet the industry standard IT8. 6 packaging / label die-cutting format.
CreoScitex Brisque Impose: Cressey Angel's Brisque Digital Front End (Digital Front End, DFE) is an Adobe Extreme-based system that automatically generates pre-press workflows through job flyers. The system supports PS, PDF, TIFF/IT-PI, CT/LW, and DCS2 formats. The Brisque Impose uses ScenicSoft Preps as an interface to place files in a client server environment. In the output process, a composition control file (ICF) defined on the desktop with Preps is merged with each individual page after the RIP. Previewed pages can be previewed in Brisque before final proofing, output film, or plates.
Heidelberg Prepress Signastation: The Heidelberg Prepress Signastation typesetting software must run on Windows NT as a stand-alone workstation or as part of the Prinergy process. Signastation can handle PS, PDF and DeltaList files. This system is combined with WYSIWYG in the layout process, allowing the operator to determine if the page placement position, labeling position, etc. are correct. After the typesetting is completed, Signastation can generate a Print Production Format (PPF), which contains information such as cutting, folding, and page layout. The information in the PPF file can be used later in the production process to initialize the folding and cutting machines.
Making the Right Choice There are several typographic elements that must be considered when choosing a suitable system. The first is to find products that can adapt to your current process. At least this is the most effective way, just