Publishing revolutionized by computers. (Focus: Printing and Copying) (Industry Overview)

Computers and related technology have had a tremendous impact on the printing industry, increasing both customer expectations and efficiency.

David Hart, president of Hart Graphics, said the transition from mechanical presses and prepress equipment to computerized equipment is similar to recent changes in auto mechanics.

"Mechanics used to take a part out and fix it. Now everything in the car is a computer. They have to be electronics experts," Hart said. "It's the same thing in printing."

"When things break, you don't just get a hammer and bang on it anymore," he said. "More and more of the equipment is all microprocessor controlled. It's a real different skill."

Con Levenduski, president of Best Printing Co. Inc., said the change is no less than revolutionary.

"The biggest thing to accelerate the revolution is that initially, the Macintosh had a corner on the market, because of the ease of the ability to work with it. But with Windows, IBM-compatible personal computer owners now have the same benefits," he said.

The executive director of the National Association of Desktop Publishers said PC-based systems are showing an increase in sales over Macintoshes, mostly because the systems are so much cheaper, Levenduski said.

Electronic processing does allow the printer to …