Our days numbered?

Started by jimking, May 19, 2008, 09:38:41 AM

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jimking

The last year or two I've come to the conclusion that prepress will eventually be handed off to the client to trouble shoot, trap-overprints (maybe) and impose using interactive software. This pass weekend I got together with an old friend who works for a simi large 3 shift, 7 days a week local printer who is now testing a software package called "Insite" that allows the client to do just that, except it's only for their digi presses which are limited in size-13x19" perhaps. This will be the CSRs responsibility, acting as the go between the client and the use of this software and the ultimate goal is to move this function to their 40" presses. Has anyone ever heard of this "Insite" and what's your take on it. Sounds like a job killer to me eventually and we will all end up becoming some tired salesperson's lackey, aka CSR.   :angry:

born2print

We are a fairly new InSite user, and you do have reason for concern. If the client and CSR are sophisticated enough, they can darn near cut us out. Luckily, we have enough of the other kind of work that this isn't really impending doom. Yet.
I try to remember that we do a lot of file service still, fixing dies, adjusting panels for folds, etc...
However, a client that has a simple job can upload, preflight, refine, proof and approve or reject pages, etc... then features such as Rules Based Automation can take the job even further... no prepress intervention.
Me? I'm sticking it out while I think of what my second career will be, I do fancy welding and metal fabrication :cheesy:
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when I can't even smile today?

Joe

Insite is a Kodak soft proofing product. I assume by your description that it also has the capability to submit jobs straight into Prinergy. Agfa has the same thing with a product they are pushing called Delano. I've also been looking at Dalim that has it with Dalim PrinTempo and Dalim Dialogue. Nexus has it in Webway. We're trying to win over a new customer that requires software of this type which is why we are looking. Basically they submit jobs to the RIP. The RIP preflights it and emails them a Preflight report. If there is a problem the RIP rejects it and they fix it and resubmit it. If it's okay they are notified their proof is ready to review (online in a basic web browesr). If they see a problem they fix and resubmit. If it's okay they approve it and the printer receives notification that the job is approved. It can then be imposed and output. The imposition is not yet all that automated but with the rapid advancement of JDF it could be accomplished by a sales person or CSR. I see the end of prepress as we know it in the not too distant future. I think the sharper prepress workers will probably hang on for awhile as the lesser experienced and lesser motivated ones will be filtered out first. They will need an good prepress person to babysit the whole thing for a while. I am just hoping to hang on until I can retire. They younger people should definitely be looking for ways to reinvent themselves. All just IMO. Take it for what it's worth. Not much really. LOL :wink:
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gnubler

Prepping for certain digital presses is one thing, but I can never, ever seen the extinction of prepress for offset printing. As long as everyone keeps desinging their brochures in Publisher and PAP (smear), there will be work to do.
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Quote from: pspdfppdfx on December 06, 2012, 05:03:51 PM
So,  :drunk3: i send the job to the rip with live transparecy (v 1.7 or whatever) and it craps out with a memory error.

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ninjaPB_43

Figuring out a way to flip houses as we speak..   since THAT market is so great..   :rolleyes:
People will notice the change in your attitude towards them, but won't notice their behavior that made you change.  -Bob Marley

jezza

I see a slight difference here. Who is creating the artwork that are approved by the rip?  - Designers. Prepress / Artwork will go in house, back to the client, they will employ the specialist - us, so that the job clears the rip swiftly. Some enterprising souls might set up a business for them supplying that service...

Which is what we have now. It won't be exactly as it is now, and it may not be based in the same country, the roll will survive, but differently.

I wouldn't encourage any one to join the trade, but best of luck if you do.
one sick prepress mofo

Joe

Quote from: gnubler on May 19, 2008, 10:05:50 AMPrepping for certain digital presses is one thing, but I can never, ever seen the extinction of prepress for offset printing. As long as everyone keeps desinging their brochures in Publisher and PAP (smear), there will be work to do.

I can't speak for PAP but in Publisher you directly export a PDF. If it fails the preflight the customer will get it kicked back in their face. They either fix it or they don't get their job printed. It's coming I'm telling ya...
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The seven ages of man: spills, drills, thrills, bills, ills, pills and wills.

Joe

Quote from: jezza  link=topic=1705.msg27409#msg27409 date=1211214163I see a slight difference here. Who is creating the artwork that are approved by the rip?  - Designers. Prepress / Artwork will go in house, back to the client, they will employ the specialist - us, so that the job clears the rip swiftly. Some enterprising souls might set up a business for them supplying that service...

Which is what we have now. It won't be exactly as it is now, and it may not be based in the same country, the roll will survive, but differently.

I wouldn't encourage any one to join the trade, but best of luck if you do.

That's an interesting thought as it shifts the financial burden from the printer to the designer. I'm going to have to go reserve the domain name now. http://www.ripswiftly.com  :laugh:
Mac OS Sonoma 14.2.1 (c) | (retired)

The seven ages of man: spills, drills, thrills, bills, ills, pills and wills.

Zimmy3

I try to teach our CSR's simple stuff in Illustrator and Acrobat.
None want to learn.
I feel safe :grin:
Because it feels good !

almaink

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.
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Joe

Quote from: Zimmy3 on May 19, 2008, 10:27:34 AMI try to teach our CSR's simple stuff in Illustrator and Acrobat.
None want to learn.
I feel safe :grin:

I can see prepress operators becoming CSR's too.
Mac OS Sonoma 14.2.1 (c) | (retired)

The seven ages of man: spills, drills, thrills, bills, ills, pills and wills.

ninjaPB_43

#11
Quote from: jezza  on May 19, 2008, 10:22:43 AMI see a slight difference here. Who is creating the artwork that are approved by the rip?  - Designers. Prepress / Artwork will go in house, back to the client, they will employ the specialist - us, so that the job clears the rip swiftly. Some enterprising souls might set up a business for them supplying that service...

Which is what we have now. It won't be exactly as it is now, and it may not be based in the same country, the roll will survive, but differently.

I wouldn't encourage any one to join the trade, but best of luck if you do.

this is definitely the route I think most will take eventually.  There are also jobs out there such as Prepress_Vee's(for those who remember him from PPF) where he was hired by a huge Pharmaceutical company to make sure art is getting printed correctly(kinda a hybrid breed of print buyer/preflighter).  Especially in the packaging area, where print isnt dying..


edit: now I know this isnt the norm, but Vee said that new job came with about a $20,000/yr salary increase..  so make of it what you will.  Our knowledge will still be needed for a long time to come, it just may not be imposing and ripping jobs.
People will notice the change in your attitude towards them, but won't notice their behavior that made you change.  -Bob Marley

tapdn

I'm preparing to join Jimmy on the beach as we speak. Good luck young'ns!
If I get bored I will do PDF correction from home.
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G_Town

Quote from: ninjaPB_43 on May 19, 2008, 10:34:59 AM
Quote from: jezza  on May 19, 2008, 10:22:43 AMI see a slight difference here. Who is creating the artwork that are approved by the rip?  - Designers. Prepress / Artwork will go in house, back to the client, they will employ the specialist - us, so that the job clears the rip swiftly. Some enterprising souls might set up a business for them supplying that service...

Which is what we have now. It won't be exactly as it is now, and it may not be based in the same country, the roll will survive, but differently.

I wouldn't encourage any one to join the trade, but best of luck if you do.

this is definitely the route I think most will take eventually.  There are also jobs out there such as Prepress_Vee's(for those who remember him from PPF) where he was hired by a huge Pharmaceutical company to make sure art is getting printed correctly(kinda a hybrid breed of print buyer/preflighter).  Especially in the packaging area, where print isnt dying..


edit: now I know this isnt the norm, but Vee said that new job came with about a $20,000/yr salary increase..  so make of it what you will.  Our knowledge will still be needed for a long time to come, it just may not be imposing and ripping jobs.

agreed, I've been in packaging my entire 22 years and I've seen the amount of people shrink dramatically in prepress due to S/W H/W advances but those that are left are still in demand and the ones that are marginal or just plain suck are culled from the heard. I left my old manager job for another as an operator making quite a bit more coin AND we NEVER work weekends where I used to work weekends 6-7 months out of the year.

We have national accounts that have big name agencys doing the artwork and it still comes in F'ed up.

I'm optimistic that I'll make it if not to retirement (does anyone think we will get to retire?) at least close enough.

Of course, my master plan is to win the lottery so I don't need to worry about this shit. Nothing so far. :rolleyes:


Zimmy3

Quote from: Joe  link=topic=1705.msg27416#msg27416 date=1211214540
Quote from: Zimmy3 on May 19, 2008, 10:27:34 AMI try to teach our CSR's simple stuff in Illustrator and Acrobat.
None want to learn.
I feel safe :grin:

I can see prepress operators becoming CSR's too.
YES, I see this also.
Because it feels good !