The Printing Technology Research Institute
-- The Communicator and Innovator of Human Civilization



The Past and Present of the Printing Industry

In ancient times before characters were created, our ancestors communicated through spoken languages and gesticulation. The creation of characters, writing tools and paper made communicating messages much easier. However, the real breakthrough in communication was achieved when printing shortened the distance between individuals, easing communication for mankind.

Since printing was invented, all kinds of products created by the printing industry have had a sweeping impact on human lives. When we look around, we see printing-related products everywhere.

For example when stop by a bookstore for a magazine to enrich your knowledge, you should know that the printing industry uses lithography to manufacture the books that draw your eyes with such clearly printed and beautiful illustrations.

After you have bought a magazine, you may find that you are running out of money. The solution is easy. All you have to do is to take out your ATM card and withdraw some money from an automatic banking machine. In the meantime, you may not notice that the ATM card is produced through a special printing technique, and the bill is a composite product manufactured through printing techniques incorporating offset lithography, letterpress, flexography and gravure printing.

With money in your pockets, let's go shopping. Wow, seas of flags come into sight. There must be plenty of things to see. Let's go inside and check it out. As you are fascinated by the beautiful flags, do you know what the role of screen printing in the printing industry is ? You should know that these flags are produced by means of this technique.

Leaving the exhibition site, you tote your purchases in various nice-looking carry bags: The designs on the bags are clear and beautiful, thanks, of course, to letterpress work in a print shop.

In addition to the things we have just seen, there are, of course, other daily things such as aluminum cans, containers, credit cards, clothes, and even stock certificates and tooth paste tubes which are related to the printing industry. This multitude of printing products reveals that the printing industry plays a vital role in the daily life.

The advancement of printing technology indicates that the printing industry worldwide is heading towards a new era. In the meantime, the printing industry in Taiwan has made considerable achievements, a process in which the Printing Industry Research Institute has played a pivotal role.

The communication Technology of Printing

The printing Technology Research Institute was established in March 1993. The Institute has a comprehensive internal structure and high-quality human resources, led by the Board of Directors and the Board of Supervisors. The directors and supervisors are culled from the elite of industry, government and academy. The president is responsible for the execution of the Institute's vital polices. Under the president is a committee, six divisions and an accountant office. Each holds its own responsibility, and each is sincere, service-oriented and dedicated to the promotion of the printing industry of the Republic of China. Currently, the Institute enjoys the most advanced computer educational facilities, printing equipment and laboratory instruments in Taiwan, as well as the best pool of instructors.

The Institute was established to facilitate the implementation of the government's policy to develop and to advance the printing industry. Its research includes machinery, materials, production techniques, quality control and the export of printing products. In the meantime, the Institute undertakes to transfer printing technology, integrate prepress, prepress and postpress techniques, train skilled personnel, and advance the overall quality of the industry's human resources.

In other word, facing the coming 21st century and the rapid updated communication media, it is a vulnerable mission for the Printing Technology Research Institute (PTRI) to ensure that Taiwan printing industry will continue its movement to keep up with the on-going trend. As we know, the trend for developing advanced printing technology has been moving toward computerization and automation. With the new emerging color electronic prepress system(CEPS), it not only creates a linkage for the integration of print media and other electronic media, but also maintains the same functions as traditional prepress technology do, such as typesetting, composition, page make-up and stripping. The printing technology is no longer a craftsmanship. This change has also impacted Taiwan printing industry resulted in printers' confusion and suspect of the future. The task for the PTRI was very difficult. However, within a short period of time, the PTRI has made considerable achievements. Those efforts included establishments of formal training programs, R & D, technology development, information service and print market analysis. The PTRI will continue to guide Taiwan printing industry, with the support of well-qualified labor force, fast gathered information and continuous R & D, to meet the performance levels necessary to compete in the world printing market.

Research and Development and Technological Promotion

The plant manager, Mr. Chen, has been serving in the printing business for 40 years. In the past two years, he has installed an electronic prepress operation system with the assistance of the Printing Industry Research Institute. The electronic prepress system, which includes hardware and software, utilizes digital electronic equipment to finish prepress jobs or the entire production. The system helps lower labor costs, reduce the cost of investment, improve product quality and expedite the production of documents.

The electronic prepress operation is one of the examples of the Institute assisting Taiwan's printing industry to follow the trend of innovation. In fact, the Institute has spared no effort in the research and development, promotion and assistance of the printing technology, the Institute are dedicated to provide a comprehensive and effective boost for the technical standards of Taiwan's printing industry, to help explore overseas markets, and to increase the nation's industrial capability.

Major focuses of the R & D work are prepress, press and postpress techniques, international printing-related techniques, machinery and materials, case studies of printing-related techniques, examination and quality testing of printing machinery and materials, and research and promotion of printing standardization. Current research projects include a feasibility study into the expansion of electronic prepress systems, special research of the quality examination and classification for printing products, the numerical analysis of ink property for lithography, and the research of technology for the prevention of water pollution by lithography factories.

With regard to printing techniques, the Institute is also promoting computerization, automation, and globalization while raising the technical standards in the printing industry. In the meantime, the Institute is also striving to improve product quality, reduce pollution and streamline production procedures.

The major tasks of the Institute include introducing advance techniques from overseas, planning and execution of case-by-case assistance for print shops, promoting and assisting computerization of the industry's management system promoting production automation, organizing seminars on printing techniques, and visiting factories for seminar on quality control, environmental protection and industrial safety. Specific promotional projects currently underway include real-time research and analysis on current status, setting up and promoting application software for the printing industry, and establishing production procedures and processes for use in print shops so as to improve the production techniques of the printing industry. In addition, the Institute's testing services allow basic testing of ink and the introduction of printing techniques. These have been very effective with its regular seminars and the technical exchange among print shops.

Technician Training

With quality printing equipment, materials and techniques, it is natural that management and production experts are needed. Therefore, another task of the Institute is to train skilled personnel for the printing industry.

The Institute's technician training program covers planning of education programs in prepress design, printing production techniques, and automation techniques; designing and editing of teaching materials for printing-related techniques; introducing. The most advanced printing techniques and theories; planning education and training; establishing a human resource database for printing professionals; integrating the human resources of the printing industry; introducing administration and management training; strengthening the infrastructure of the printing industry; and planning and executing training programs for print shops on a case-by-case basis.

The Institute has offered training programs including basic and advanced courses in prepress computer-based drawing and design; advanced courses for offset lithographic press operators; advanced cost estimation and analysis; advanced electrical and mechanical maintenance for printing presses; and advanced printing administration and management. Practicums have also been offered in commercial art, imposition, platemaking and proofing. These programs demonstrate the Institute's commitment to the education and training of people who aspire to join the printing industry. These people will become the backbone of the industry and eliminate the shortage of technicians. In doing so, the Institute is contributing to upgrading the printing industry and boosting the efficiency of its management and administration. V. prospects (Market Development and Information Services) The printing industry in Taiwan has developed rapidly, but it cannot play a role in the international market until it can develop in step with the global industry. Therefore, the Institute also endeavors to provide information services and to help explore overseas markets.

The Institute's printing-related information services include researching the printing market and establishing an information system for the industry. In addition, the Institute is planning the computerization of the printing industry, including information network systems and databases to provide on-line inquiry services. The Institute has also set up a library to provide printing-related information, and it also issues related publications and professional journals.

In terms of market expansion, the Institute not only assists printing-related industries to participate in or visit international printing exhibitions, but also makes an all-out effort to explore the export market for printing products and to push for marketing alliances within the industry. From marketing, promotion, R & D, and cultivation of human resources through to information design, the Institute has adhered to its service orientation in providing the best services for domestic printers. It is promoting the comprehensive development of Taiwan's printing industry. In the future, the Institute will maintain its dedication to technology advancement of Taiwan's printing industry, automation of production equipment, and computerization of management. The Institute is also committed to training skilled printing technicians and to continued technical exchange with advanced countries to internationalize the printing industry of the Republic of China.

Taiwan's printing industry has taken off. People are now able to enjoy abundant lives, with joy and visual entertainment contributed by a variety of advanced printing products. The Institute will continue its tradition of innovation, bringing the industry to a higher level of sophistication. Thank you for being with us.


Text above is quoted from the introducing video tape of P.T.R.I.
If you are interesting in this tape, please mail us or send us a fax with your company or personal information.

Printing Technology Research Institute
Tel:886-2-999-0016
Fax:886-2-999-0018
11F-3, No.27, Lane 61, Sec 1, Kuang Fu Road
San-Chung, Taiwan, R.O.C.