This is really just a random thing I've been wondering for a bit, and this seems like the best category to put it in, so here goes.

When a really great picture of a Coke is going to be printed in, say Popular Mechanics, how does it get there? I mean, how does the ink get onto the paper in such a way as to accurately reproduce what it is someone shot in the studio? I guess the real question is where can I look to find out this information.

The big question is how was a book of photographs made (both 30-40 yrs ago and today)? How accurate is that picture of Hemmingway (that Karsh took?) that I see in a book, to the original print? How has the image changed from how it looked being printed on light sensitive paper (or even inkjet) to however they were able to print it in a book?

Thanks,
Jason Martin

Hey Jason,
Here is a link to probably more information than you ever wanted to know about the offset printing process.

I hope this helps clear things up a bit for you.

Cris...

http://people.howstuffworks.com/offset-printing.htm

Cool article, thanks for the link. Actually, that was almost as much as I wanted to know about offset printing. But I think the gist is that the photographer's image is trasferred to film which is then trasferred to an aluminum roller that was coated in light sensitive chemicals? Wow, it's just remarkable what has to be done to make a magazine we can buy for under $5! It really makes me want to tour a printing plant to really see up close and personal what they're doing.

Thanks,
Jason Martin

Jason,
I've been the creative industry for nearly 20 years, started my journey in the Printing Business and till this day it still blows me away what goes into the process of creating a printed piece of work.

I highly recommend taking a trip down to your local presshouse and checking out the process, you'll have a whole new appreciation for this part of the industry.

Cris...

It always amazes me the work and time that goes into not just creating the image but all of the processes it goes through to get in a catalog or magazine. Working with the color to make it reproduce exactly how you planned it is a whole other ball of wax. It is really an amazing process. I highly recommend going to a press house to see whole process. It will give you a whole new respect for the craft.