Click to See Complete Forum and Search --> : CTP - Catch the pigeon?
captain spanky
11-15-2005, 04:07 PM
howdo all... I'm applying for a new job this week and they are asking for people with a basic knowledge of CTP. Now I've been a graphic designer for 8 years and I've never had to involve CTP ever... is it much different than just sending something to a printer (only it's to a plate instead of a printer)?
I haven't had much experience of colour separations and the like really to be honest. I come up with designs, lay it all out and then either hi-res pdf it or send the quark files to our external printers.. have i a lot to learn?
I do have a basic knowledge of what happens to my file when the printers receive it but nothing too technical...
jimking
11-15-2005, 04:25 PM
Are you applying for a electronic prepress position? Not long ago most jobs were trapped and imposed on film. Switch out the film imagesetter with direct to plate imagesetter (CTP), you eliminate the need for film which is very expensive. If you've worked with film for a printer the switch is a breeze. If you haven't then there's a big learning curve.
Yes you have a lot to learn, but it's not all that complicated. Both image setters and CTP are really just big expensive glorified printers. There are differences though but if you've been doing design for 8 years there is no reason you couldn't pick it up within a few days as long as there's someone there to show you the ropes.
jimking
11-15-2005, 04:35 PM
Yes you have a lot to learn, but it's not all that complicated. Both image setters and CTP are really just big expensive glorified printers. There are differences though but if you've been doing design for 8 years there is no reason you couldn't pick it up within a few days as long as there's someone there to show you the ropes.
The things to learn that can be a bear are trapping, imposing, calibrations, learning what "work and turn, tumble, sheetwise, perfect mean, color bars, center marks, side guides, registration marks, gripper margins etc. Certain press problems such as imposing jobs so that solids are in the inside, near the gripper for better results. Bla Bla Bla
:)
Mynock
11-15-2005, 04:37 PM
Are they Mike Tyson's pigeons?
http://www.planetboxe.com/Images/GaleriePhotos/MikeTysonTrois/MikeTyson2.jpg
The things to learn that can be a bear are trapping, imposing, calibrations, learning what "work and turn, tumble, sheetwise, perfect mean, color bars, center marks, side guides, registration marks, gripper margins etc. Certain press problems such as imposing jobs so that solids are in the inside, near the gripper for better results. Bla Bla Bla
:)
Heh heh, true. I guess I just kind of took all that for granted. I was thinking more along the lines of what you said, going from camera to image setter to CTP, but I already knew all that other stuff.
Spanky, Jimkings right. There is a hell of a lot to learn to get to that point.
rickself
11-15-2005, 05:45 PM
Hey bloke
Look closely at jimking's avatar. If you end up in electronic prepress (not a position most designers covet) this will be you some day. Prepress is the most stressful position at a commercial printer because everything that comes into the shop has to go thru you.
If it's just a general knowledge of CTP, you should be able to pick it up, like Kool said, with some direction from their prepress guy. Good Luck!
jimking
11-15-2005, 05:57 PM
Hey rick, this kind of says it all I think! :eek:
rickself
11-15-2005, 05:59 PM
^^That guy looks familiar...God rest his soul! RIP.:mad:
rickself
11-15-2005, 06:02 PM
Hey rick, this kind of says it all I think! :eek:
And he was only 27!!!:eek:
jimking
11-15-2005, 06:06 PM
It reminds me of me. I get these certain jobs, I brush my brow and say"For crying out loud, not this s@#t again! All the time. :eek:
captain spanky
11-16-2005, 08:14 AM
cool. Thanks all.
It's a graphic design job... well, to be honest, it's a 'mac operator' job but the pay is a lot more than I'm geting now so i don't mind the title really. ;)
The ad is asking for people with basic pre-press knowledge and experience of CTP (though not essential). I do have a basic understanding of the process but i have never put it to practice really. I am a very quick learner so i was wondering if i could BS a little and then go on a steep learning curve to get on the level...
I see i have quite a few things to learn.
Thanks for your help all :)
captain spanky
11-16-2005, 08:17 AM
also... we used to keep pigeons too. :D
Those of Tysons are only fancy pigeons... we kept racers (and will again). My dad was quite successful before i was born.. then i came along and he hasn't won a single race since :(
ah well... i always wanted a tumbler so i could pretend to shoot it with my finger :D
Ah yes...printing to film. Seems like it was just yesterday I was printing to film and scratching my head figuring out why the M/K plates were coming out completely black on my 2 color pages. Oh wait, it was.
I was the unlucky soul who went from a strictly CTP job to trying (and still learning) the print to film process. It's really cool to understand because the more you learn about the print process, the better you can plan your designs.
But then again I am working with computer equipment from yesteryear...
Mac G3 OS 8.6 (256 megs ram)
Quark 4.04
Photoshop 5.5 & 6 (our company shares 5 licenses between 11 - 12 designers)
Illustrator 5
Distiller 4
Extensis Suitcase 8 (?)
I use that to put out at least 6 40-56 page pubs monthly (I'm not whining...)