- Reprography
Reprography is the reproduction of
graphics through mechanical or electrical means, such asphotography orxerography . Reprography is commonly used in catalogs and archives, as well as in the architectural, engineering, and construction industries.The reprographic industry is a relatively small industry with approximately 3000 firms in the
United States . It comprises entrepreneurial businesses serving predominately the large- and wide-format reproduction needs of the architectural, engineering, manufacturing, retail, and advertising industries. Average sales volume is about $1.5 million and average employee counts are 20-25 people.Large-format reproductions are produced with a variety of technologies dependent, in part, on the application of the final product and quantity needed. Examples of typical reproduction methods include:
diazo (blueline),electrostatic (xerographic),photographic ,laser , andink jet .Reproductions can be made from the same size or smaller/larger hard copy originals. Prints can also be computer generated from CADD (computer aided design and drafting) files or from a growing variety of desktop publishing and design software packages.
In addition to addressing the large-format reproduction needs of their customers, reprographers frequently sell reprographic equipment and consumable supplies. Other business services such as mounting and lamination, quick copying, microfilming, scanning and facility management are also provided.
Typical items produced by reprographers include architectural/engineering
blueprints and renderings, indoor and outdoor signage, maps, billboards, backlit displays, trade show graphics, legal and medical exhibits, etc.Most of the reprographics firms in the
United States belong to theInternational Reprographics Association (IRgA).ee also
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Duplicating machines
*List of duplicating processes
*photocopying
*blueprint
*whiteprint External links
* [http://www.irga.com/ International Reprographic Association]
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