Publishing

The technology used for publishing has undergone very dramatic changes in the last few decades. Desktop publishing programs revolutionized the printing, publishing and advertising industries. As many of the processes of the publishing workflow were digitized, the job roles began to overlap and condense.

Before desktop publishing, the roles of graphic designer, typesetter, paste-up artist, image scanner, pre-press technician, and printer were distinct and separate. Desktop publishing programs used for graphic design such as Photoshop, Illustrator, PageMaker, and QuarkXPress allowed the user to incorporate many of those processes in a digitally-prepared graphic file.

Many of the job duties associated with the printing process - such as darkroom technician for plate-making - are being eliminated with direct-to-plate digital printing. Color laser and inkjet printing technologies have made color printing more accessible and inexpensive.

The publishing industries are further impacted by the internet. Publishing companies, such as Time/Warner, are attempting to incorporate the internet into their business models. However, the internet publishing model is fundamentally different because it is a medium that is primarily controlled by its users - whereas traditional publishing is controlled by those in key positions such as media owners, editors and writers. •