Computer-assisted color separation instructional sequence for printing instructors

Abstract

The development and evaluation of the Marchant Color Separation System was the focus of this study. Color separation is the photographic process of producing four film transparencies from a color original in preparation for printing. The Marchant Color Separation System is a computer-assisted method of producing quality color separations using a microcomputer. It was expressly developed for use in educational institutions, which normally have limited resources for equipment and supplies. The goal of the system is to produce a set of color separation negatives that meet industry standards, has reasonable time requirements, and is affordable for the printing education community. The system takes the user step-by-step through the process of exposure tests, production exposures, and checks for quality. Exposure and development times are calculated by the system to produce masks and negatives which match accepted industry aim points. The system was tested in an in-service seminar for printing teachers and in a process camera photography course for university students. Hypotheses were established to test whether the teachers could produce an acceptable set of separation masks and negatives and if previous experience in teaching, industry, or the use of microcomputers would increase the achievement level. It was concluded that the system enabled teachers and university students to produce a color separation that met industry standards. The data did not support the hypothesis that previous experience would enable teachers to produce masks and separation negatives that more closely matched the listed aim points.