Digital Prints

Fuji Pictrography
Many top photo labs and retouch studios, especially those involved with the fashion and beauty industries,
use the Fuji Pictrography printer (models 3500 and 4500) for high-quality prints and proofs, also
known as Fujix prints. Pictrography uses a unique, single-pass, four-step process (see Figure 2.19). A sheet
of photosensitive “donor” paper is exposed to laser diodes (LD). A small amount of water is applied to
create the dye image on the donor paper with heat. The dye image is then transferred to the “receiving”
paper with a combination of heat and pressure. Finally, the receiving paper, with its transferred dyes, is
peeled off and separated from the used donor paper. This is not photographic paper, although Fuji claims
the equivalent image permanence. Only special Fuji paper can be used. Two resolutions (267 dpi and
400 dpi) are available with a maximum paper size of 12×18 inches (4500 model only).
Figure 2.19 The Fuji Pictrography and its unique four-step printing process.
Courtesy of Fuji Photo Film USA, Inc.
Electrophotography (Color Copy/Color Laser)
Also called “xerography” (“xeros” for dry, “graphos” for picture), electrophotography
involves the use of dry toners and laser printers or printer/copiers. (The liquid-toner
version or “digital offset” was described in the last chapter.)
How Does It Work?
Many color lasers use hair-thin lasers to etch a latent image onto four rotating drums, one
each for the four printing colors (see Figure 2.20). The drums attract electrically charged,
Chapter 2 ■ Understanding Digital Printing 65