College of technology College of technology

GRTC 4373: Graphic Production Process Control III

  • Prerequisite: GRTC 3353 (recommended)
  • Credit: 3 semester hours

Course Description

Theory and practice in using graphic communication production control techniques to produce full-color documents. Includes an in-depth study of color theory, measurement, correction, modification, management, and separation techniques

Course Goals

This course is designed to familiarize students with multi-color reproduction theory and technique. It is not intended to produce proficient pre-press or press technicians. Rather, students completing the class will have a broad overview of multi-color printing processes so that they may effectively supervise or estimate printing operations, communicate technically with vendors or buyers, and/or design graphic products giving full consideration to the limitations inherent in multi-color printing processes.

Students completing the course will:

  1. understand color theory and its application to color reproduction;
  2. understand the impact and importance of lighting on original image capture as well as viewing on-screen and printed color reproductions;
  3. be able to capture faithful reproductions with digital cameras and scanners;
  4. understand the use of color spaces including: l*a*b, rgb, cmyk, hsb, spot color, and hexidecimal;
  5. be able to measure colors using spectrophotometers, colorimeters, and densitometers;
  6. be familiar with Color Management Systems;
  7. be able to calibrate and characterize color monitors, scanners, proofers, platesetters, and printing presses;
  8. be able to explain how color originals are separated into process colors and then recombined using the printing process;
  9. be familiar with color separation production methods;
  10. be able to explain the affects of ink, paper and lighting on color reproductions;
  11. be familiar with the basic operation of a color editing program such as Adobe Photoshop;
  12. be able to prepare and output multi-color pages using a page layout program such as InDesign;
  13. be familiar with procedures used to trap color images;
  14. be familiar with procedures used to deliver color electronic files to a printer or service bureau and the basics of preflighting;
  15. be familiar with color proofing methods and their limitations with regards to predicting actual press performance;
  16. be able to use and explain printing process guidelines including SWOP, SNAP, GRACoL, and FIRST; and
  17. be conversant with printing process control.

Student Work Examples from Previous Semesters

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