Our days numbered?

[jimking]

I don't think this will ever happen in small shops like mine. Took me over 5 years just to get CTP in here never mind a workflow like this one. One thing I am seeing tho is less and less work period. Seems everyone is cutting back on their printing budgets.

I gave this a thought and it can happen to small shops too. If money is tight and the software's right, a small shop will cut people out if it's possible.

[Tracy]

I just learned Electronic Prepress a few years back, I fought the change for as long as I could. Does anybody have any suggestions on applying what we know to something else? Just in case that is.

[gnubler]

Web development, as discussed in some other threads. I bought some books about five years ago and just plunged in. There are infinite resources online for all areas of web design/development.

[Ear]

I just learned Electronic Prepress a few years back, I fought the change for as long as I could. Does anybody have any suggestions on applying what we know to something else? Just in case that is.

Being a prepress geek helps develop kick-ass video game skills. My teenagers get irritated because I can usually beat them or at least give them a run for their money. Don't know that playing video games helps you make money but it's a good distraction for when we get laid off.  :laugh:

[jimking]

Web development, as discussed in some other threads. I bought some books about five years ago and just plunged in. There are infinite resources online for all areas of web design/development.

Once you become committed to web creation then pressure will mount to do graphic design also. There's another trade out there that got hammered similar to printing and it was video production, editing etc. It's been a hobby of mine these last few years and the employment has been picking up alot, not going down. I'm a member of this site.
http://www.2-popforums.com/forums/
http://www.2-pop.com/

[ninjaPB_43]

Im thinking if it all comes crashing down, I'll just shack up with some sugar mama..   

[Zimmy3]

Im thinking if it all comes crashing down, I'll just shack up with some sugar mama..   

who?  Pointy?

[Ear]

Im thinking if it all comes crashing down, I'll just shack up with some sugar mama..   

who?  Pointy?

Bwaaahahahahaaaa!  :laugh: :laugh:

[ninjaPB_43]

Im thinking if it all comes crashing down, I'll just shack up with some sugar mama..   

who?  Pointy?

I WISH!!   Man, that would be the life...

[Ear]

Im thinking if it all comes crashing down, I'll just shack up with some sugar mama..   

who?  Pointy?

I WISH!!   Man, that would be the life...

Maybe... "Oh PB, would you be a darlin and fetch me my long broom"... "C'mon Pointy, can't we play a different game, I still have splinters from last time"  :laugh:

[ninjaPB_43]

:laugh:  :lol:

[Slappy]

We started using InSite some months back - I don't see it as an immediate threat honestly. For clients that want to learn how to supply press-ready PDF files, it's a boon. But we've already had many say "Why change the way we work? You do what you've always done & we'll do what we've always done."

Who knows, hopefully by the time this turns into a true punch-a-button every few minutes job I'll be long gone. If not, I'll try my hand at selling painted sea shells on the beach.

[Ear]

Who knows, hopefully by the time this turns into a true punch-a-button every few minutes job I'll be long gone. If not, I'll try my hand at selling painted sea shells on the beach.

Or this...

[frailer]

I reckon you can feel these changes.; on a weekly~monthly basis... This thread almost deserves to be a Sticky. We'll revisit this discussion regularly, IMO.

It's also manifested in some prepress ops. clinging to their old-style methods/skills. Can't share/won't share, cos they feel the ground moving under them...as their old precious skills are not needed in quite the same way.         Just an observation, is all...  I mean no offence to anyone who struggled with Old PostScript etc. in the 90's. really! Just talking from personal experience.

There may be a "shake-out" of this skill-corner, similar to the demise of massed litho. planners [strippers?] at a row of light tables. Some will re-purpose themselves. Others, prolly me included, will be destined for the Soylent Green Factory.     :laugh:

[Joe]

We started using InSite some months back - I don't see it as an immediate threat honestly. For clients that want to learn how to supply press-ready PDF files, it's a boon. But we've already had many say "Why change the way we work? You do what you've always done & we'll do what we've always done."

Who knows, hopefully by the time this turns into a true punch-a-button every few minutes job I'll be long gone. If not, I'll try my hand at selling painted sea shells on the beach.

I made this point to my owner. His response was "tough shit for them, they'll either change or go somewhere else." Didn't make me feel all warm and  fuzzy with job security.