before the invention of scanners..

graphicgr8s · 10-22-2009, 01:28 PM

Originally posted by Parallax

The first plate maker I ever worked with that wasn't carbon arc was in 1995! The first carbon arc platemakers I used didn't even maintain the arc automatically. There was a knob on the front that you "tuned" the arc with. DAMN, do I feel old!

Back in the day when I worked in NYC we would go around and have to adjust all those rods. Welders glasses and gloves. You reached in and drew the rods apart to see how they fell. While they were powered. I've got one shop here that still uses one.

One place had like 18 full darkrooms. Walk through there you needed a guide.

Still miss Lino and Ludlow though. Good old Otto Merganthaler

Parallax · 10-22-2009, 01:37 PM

I never used a Ludlow. One of the shops I worked in had one, but the only thing I ever did in the letterpress area there was some hand setting on rare occasion.

Originally posted by graphicgr8s

...........Good old Otto Merganthaler

He was either a mad-man, or genius, I never quite decided.

graphicgr8s · 10-22-2009, 01:48 PM

Originally posted by Parallax

I never used a Ludlow. One of the shops I worked in had one, but the only thing I ever did in the letterpress area there was some hand setting on rare occasion.

He was either a mad-man, or genius, I never quite decided.

He was both. You can't be one without the other.

flyer · 10-22-2009, 04:57 PM

Originally posted by graphicgr8s

Is your shop DTP or do you still burn metal?

We're CTP. On large presses, you still need metal plates. You can go CTF and burn the plates, but going CTP, you skip the film and output directly to the plates. The downside of CTP is when you need to redo a plate in a rush. It taskes quite a bit longer than burning from films.

flyer · 10-22-2009, 05:02 PM

Originally posted by Parallax

I never used a Ludlow.

What about a Linotype? I remember working with monotype at school. What a drag!

graphicgr8s · 10-22-2009, 05:20 PM

Originally posted by flyer

We're CTP. On large presses, you still need metal plates. You can go CTF and burn the plates, but going CTP, you skip the film and output directly to the plates. The downside of CTP is when you need to redo a plate in a rush. It taskes quite a bit longer than burning from films.

Direct to plate, computer to plate. Same crap different acronyms in different parts of the world is all.

How's business up your way Yves? Mighty slow down here.

flyer · 10-22-2009, 06:11 PM

I can't complain. I do a lot of work for the U.S.A. Your money is as good as Canadian money. We run two shift six days a week, right now. Having to work on Saturdays kind of puts a damper on photography and flying, unfortunately. I wish I could send you some work, but I don't think you can print 40" paper on an A.B. Dick.

graphicgr8s · 10-22-2009, 07:56 PM

Originally posted by flyer

I can't complain. I do a lot of work for the U.S.A. Your money is as good as Canadian money. We run two shift six days a week, right now. Having to work on Saturdays kind of puts a damper on photography and flying, unfortunately. I wish I could send you some work, but I don't think you can print 40" paper on an A.B. Dick.

Can't even do it on our Heidelberg.

Parallax · 10-23-2009, 08:58 AM

Originally posted by flyer

What about a Linotype? I remember working with monotype at school. What a drag!

Yep, used a Linotype quite a bit in other shops, but the owner in the the shop I worked at that had the Ludlow wouldn't let ANYBODY touch it but himself.

Ratmagiclady · 10-23-2009, 11:50 AM

After my computer difficulties, I keep seeing this topic's title and thinking... "What, they've invented the scanner, finally? I've been waiting for that."

graphicgr8s · 10-23-2009, 12:00 PM

Originally posted by Ratmagiclady

After my computer difficulties, I keep seeing this topic's title and thinking... "What, they've invented the scanner, finally? I've been waiting for that."

No they really haven't. It's still in the conceptual phase.

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10-22-2009, 01:28 PM	#31
graphicgr8s Guest	Originally posted by Parallax The first plate maker I ever worked with that wasn't carbon arc was in 1995! The first carbon arc platemakers I used didn't even maintain the arc automatically. There was a knob on the front that you "tuned" the arc with. DAMN, do I feel old! Back in the day when I worked in NYC we would go around and have to adjust all those rods. Welders glasses and gloves. You reached in and drew the rods apart to see how they fell. While they were powered. I've got one shop here that still uses one. One place had like 18 full darkrooms. Walk through there you needed a guide. Still miss Lino and Ludlow though. Good old Otto Merganthaler

10-22-2009, 01:37 PM	#32
Parallax Senior Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: South Dakota Photos: Gallery Posts: 19,332	I never used a Ludlow. One of the shops I worked in had one, but the only thing I ever did in the letterpress area there was some hand setting on rare occasion. Originally posted by graphicgr8s ...........Good old Otto Merganthaler He was either a mad-man, or genius, I never quite decided.

10-22-2009, 01:48 PM	#33
graphicgr8s Guest	Originally posted by Parallax I never used a Ludlow. One of the shops I worked in had one, but the only thing I ever did in the letterpress area there was some hand setting on rare occasion. He was either a mad-man, or genius, I never quite decided. He was both. You can't be one without the other.

10-22-2009, 04:57 PM	#34
flyer Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ste-Anne des Plaines, Qc., Canada Posts: 2,013	Originally posted by graphicgr8s Is your shop DTP or do you still burn metal? We're CTP. On large presses, you still need metal plates. You can go CTF and burn the plates, but going CTP, you skip the film and output directly to the plates. The downside of CTP is when you need to redo a plate in a rush. It taskes quite a bit longer than burning from films.

10-22-2009, 05:02 PM	#35
flyer Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ste-Anne des Plaines, Qc., Canada Posts: 2,013	Originally posted by Parallax I never used a Ludlow. What about a Linotype? I remember working with monotype at school. What a drag!

10-22-2009, 05:20 PM	#36
graphicgr8s Guest	Originally posted by flyer We're CTP. On large presses, you still need metal plates. You can go CTF and burn the plates, but going CTP, you skip the film and output directly to the plates. The downside of CTP is when you need to redo a plate in a rush. It taskes quite a bit longer than burning from films. Direct to plate, computer to plate. Same crap different acronyms in different parts of the world is all. How's business up your way Yves? Mighty slow down here.

10-22-2009, 06:11 PM	#37
flyer Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ste-Anne des Plaines, Qc., Canada Posts: 2,013	I can't complain. I do a lot of work for the U.S.A. Your money is as good as Canadian money. We run two shift six days a week, right now. Having to work on Saturdays kind of puts a damper on photography and flying, unfortunately. I wish I could send you some work, but I don't think you can print 40" paper on an A.B. Dick.

10-22-2009, 07:56 PM	#38
graphicgr8s Guest	Originally posted by flyer I can't complain. I do a lot of work for the U.S.A. Your money is as good as Canadian money. We run two shift six days a week, right now. Having to work on Saturdays kind of puts a damper on photography and flying, unfortunately. I wish I could send you some work, but I don't think you can print 40" paper on an A.B. Dick. Can't even do it on our Heidelberg.

10-23-2009, 08:58 AM	#39
Parallax Senior Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: South Dakota Photos: Gallery Posts: 19,332	Originally posted by flyer What about a Linotype? I remember working with monotype at school. What a drag! Yep, used a Linotype quite a bit in other shops, but the owner in the the shop I worked at that had the Ludlow wouldn't let ANYBODY touch it but himself.

10-23-2009, 11:50 AM	#40
Ratmagiclady Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: GA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,563	After my computer difficulties, I keep seeing this topic's title and thinking... "What, they've invented the scanner, finally? I've been waiting for that."

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10-23-2009, 12:00 PM	#41
graphicgr8s Guest	Originally posted by Ratmagiclady After my computer difficulties, I keep seeing this topic's title and thinking... "What, they've invented the scanner, finally? I've been waiting for that." No they really haven't. It's still in the conceptual phase.